GARLAND ELKINS

A gospel meeting is an effective means of reaching the lost with the message of salvation. It is a tremendous means of helping Christians. Here are a few things that a good meeting can do for you as a Christian:

It will build you up spiritually. Through participation in singing, praying, working, and listening to the word of God, you will be built up spiritually. You can be a blessing to others, and the meeting will be a blessing to you. “So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.” (Rom. 14:19.)
Your conviction will be strengthened. There is nothing better than plain, positive gospel sermons to strengthen your confidence in the Lord’s church and New Testament Christianity. Paul’s last charge gives great emphasis to this truth. “I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.” (II Tim. 4:1-4.)
It will help you resist temptations. When you have grown tired of the constant struggle against the temptations of the world, nothing will give you strength like feasting upon the word of God. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psa. 119:11.) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9.) “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (II Pet. 3:18.)
It will restore your enthusiasm. If your love and zeal for Christ and His work have grown cold, the saving power (the gospel of Christ [Rom. 1:16]) that moves the alien sinner to obedience should also stir your soul and generate an urgent desire on our part to go to heaven and save the lost. “Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.” (I Tim. 4:16.) “I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13.)

Gospel meetings are conducted in the interest of souls, and one of the major purposes is to convert alien sinners, those who are lost, and will be in hell forever if they do not obey the gospel. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (II Thess. 1:7-9.) Some of these people may be near and dear to you by the ties of nature. Others may at present be total strangers to you.

Effective meetings do not just happen. They are wisely and patiently planned. You cannot pay someone else to do your part in a meeting. A faithful and able proclaimer of the gospel, an awareness of the lost and their need of the gospel, and a congregation of God’s people who has a mind to work, and the power of the gospel to save equals a successful gospel meeting.

— The Getwell Reminder