Why Are We Having This Gospel Meeting?

by Micky Galloway

Some may ask, “Why are we conducting this series of gospel meetings in our community anyway?” Consider the reason Cornelius gave for bringing Peter to Caesarea. “Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord” (Acts 10:33). Can you think of a more noble purpose for a Gospel Meeting?

The things that have been commanded of the Lord also include what one is to do as a Christian; even how he is to meet the temptations and disappointments of this life. We live in difficult times; financially, socially, and in our families. When these times of hurt, disappointment, and discouragement come, what are we to do? The apostle Paul spoke of the all sufficiency of God’s word to the Ephesian elders, “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build (you) up, and to give (you) the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32; cf. II Timothy 3:16-17). God’s word is always true. While many seek for the solutions of their painful problems in secular places, let us search the gospel for God’s solutions.

As we face issues, we must have a clear vision of our purpose, which is to honor and glorify God with every decision. We must focus on the choices we must make today. We cannot dwell on the past, or be overly anxious about the future. We must forget what lies behind and forgive ourselves and others for the wrongs done in the past. We must leave tomorrow to itself. When I am hurting, struggling with life to make proper decisions for today, what can I do? Let us not give up to despair, but realize that the valley rises to the mountain tops of glory only if we will commit ourselves to the “word of his grace, which is able to build (you) up, and to give (you) the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

We need to have this gospel meeting to be reminded of the victory that awaits those who overcome. With Elijah, God had commanded the ravens to feed him. He had commanded the widow of Zarephath to sustain him and had provided a jar of meal that would not run out and a pitcher of oil that would not fail (I Kings 17:1-16). In the contest with the prophets of Baal, God had provided victory over evil and error by His divine power (I Kings 18:36-40). The Psalmist assures us of God’s provisions for the righteous, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalms 37:25). Jesus also assures us, “Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33). Concerning victory over sin and death, we too are assured that our labor is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:55-58).

We need this gospel meeting to be reminded that God cares. While Elijah slept under a juniper tree, believing that all had forsaken the great God of heaven and earth, God sent an angel who told him, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for thee.” With the provision of the cakes and the water God had provided, Elijah “went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights” (I Kings 19:5-8). Though Elijah felt that he was alone in Israel, God reminded him that there were yet, “seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal” (I Kings. 19:18; cf. Romans 11:1-5). God promised, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5-6). God gives us the things necessary to make us everything He wants us to be. Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (I Corinthians 15:10).

We need this gospel meeting to strengthen our faith. There is much work for us to do that causes us to focus outside of ourselves. Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing (I do), forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). If your faith is to count for anything, it must count for everything when you are challenged with discouragement and disappointment. Therefore, strengthen your personal faith (cf. Luke 17:5). “Be strong and of good courage” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). If we are not making regular deposits to increase our faith, the trials of life will cause it to become bankrupt.

We need this gospel meeting to be reminded that God answers prayer. The very act of prayer is an expression of one’s dependence upon a power greater than his own. Jesus said, “Apart from me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Man needs God and He has promised, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). Prayer is not a futile act. God would not draw near to men if He were not able and willing to hear their prayers to Him. Paul said, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Peter said that we are to, “Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). It is reassuring to know that the affairs of the universe are not so absorbing of God’s attention that He cannot give heed to the affairs of the individual soul. Pray for the success of this gospel meeting. Pray for the providence of God to prevail over the social ills that plague our nation, our lives, and our families.

Hurt, disappointment, and discouragement are among the burdens that we must bear (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2). Yet, these must not be allowed to defeat us in the Lord’s work. With Jesus as our example, we must busy ourselves in the Lord’s vineyard. “There is much to do, there’s work on every hand” and there is no place for idle disappointed, discouraged Christians to quit. It just is not an option. Let us support this gospel meeting with our presence that we might be built up and receive “the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).