<< Previous | Index | Next >>"GOSPEL MEETINGS" Now Our Meeting Is Over INTRODUCTION 1. Our gospel meeting is now over... a. Our special services to edify and evangelize have come to an end b. The preacher has returned home, and our routine is returning to normal -- What now? 2. When Paul and Barnabas completed their missionary journey... a. They returned to the church at Antioch - Ac 14:26; cf. Ac 13:1-3 b. They reported what God had done with them - Ac 14:27 3. In similar fashion, now that our gospel meeting is over... a. I think it appropriate to review what happened b. Also, to consider the question "What next?" [If I may, then, let me review...] I. WHAT I SAW A. I SAW GOD AT WORK IN YOU... 1. Note that Paul recorded what God had done during his journey - Ac 14:27 2. When a person is doing the will of God, God is at work in them - cf. Ph 2:12-13 -- Thus I witnessed this past week the work of God in your lives in various ways! B. I SAW GOD AT WORK IN VARIOUS WAYS... 1. Hospitality a. Many opened their hearts and homes to the preacher(s) and their families b. My family and I likewise were beneficiaries c. Others show kindness to visitors and other members 1) Welcoming them to services 2) Providing transportation to those in need d. Did you know that God was at work in you while doing this? 1) The ability to show hospitality is a gift from God - cf. 1 Pe 4:9-10 2) As you minister such a gift, it is with ability God supplies - cf. 1 Pe 4:11 2. Edification a. Hearts were touched by the gospel sermons and sincere prayers b. Hearts were uplifted by the joyful singing c. If you were so touched, God was at work in you - cf. Ac 16:14 (hoping that you might act upon it) 3. Sacrifice a. Many people made sacrifices to make this effort successful 1) Those with large families, to come every night! a) Despite the challenge to get the little ones ready b) Despite having to work around the homework the older children had 2) Those who worked hard and long, yet made the effort to attend a) Some worked long hours, coming straight from work b) Some had additional responsibilities, requiring missing sleep 3) Several drove many miles to come a) Yet came every night b) Some driving out of their way to provide transportation 4) Mothers with families whose husbands had to work came anyway 5) Others whose spouses would not come, came anyway, proving themselves worthy of Christ - cf. Lk 14:26 6) Some endured great pain, but made the effort to be present! 7) Others cleaned the building every night after each service! b. Such sacrifice was a victory over Satan 1) Who wants us to serve God out of convenience, not conviction 2) Who uses such difficulties to make it inconvenient to serve God - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-9 c. Such sacrifice is further demonstration of God's working in you! - cf. 1 Pe 5:10 4. Influence for good a. Souls outside of Christ heard the gospel 1) It may be a while for fruit to show - cf. Jn 4:37 2) But when it does, God will have been at work! - cf. 1 Co 3:6-7 b. Souls in Christ heard edifying sermons 1) Challenging our commitment and service to God 2) Exhorting us to faith and love to Christ C. I ALSO SAW THE DEVIL AT WORK... 1. Satan is known for trying to undo the work of God - cf. Mt 13: 24-26,36-39 2. Satan may have succeeded in the lives of some a. By raising stumbling blocks in their way b. By providing excuses for those who chose not to attend c. By discouraging those who attended through the absence of others [But now that the meeting is over, we cannot focus our attention on the past (cf. Ph 3:13). And so I ask...] II. WHAT NEXT? A. REST IS APPROPRIATE... 1. Paul spent some time in between his journeys - cf. Ac 14:28 2. Jesus told His disciples to take a rest - cf. Mk 6:30-31 -- So taking a "breather" (a short respite) is understandable B. RETIREMENT IS NOT... 1. Our retirement is "out of this world", for which we must maintain diligence - cf. He 4:1-2,9-11 2. Yes, we need to persevere - cf. He 10:32-39 3. There is need to be careful, and not become like the church... a. At Ephesus (forgetful) - Re 2:2-5 b. At Sardis (incomplete) - Re 3:2-3 c. At Laodicea (lukewarm) - Re 3:15-16 C. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE... 1. By those who are faithful Christians a. We have heard lessons to stimulate us to greater service b. We need to apply what we learned - cf. Ja 1:22-25 2. For those who visited the services a. The seed has been sown! 1) Non-Christians have heard lessons on Jesus and the judgment 2) Erring Christians have heard lessons on the need for faithfulness b. Now comes the time to water what was planted! - 1 Co 3:6 1) Follow up with those willing to study further 2) Pray for them, that their hearts will be receptive 3. For those who neglected the services a. Patience, humility, gentleness and prayer in trying to reach them - cf. 2 Ti 2:24-26 b. Hopefully, like the prodigal son they will eventually "come to themselves" - Lk 15:17 CONCLUSION 1. Now that the meeting is over, on the surface it appears to have been a good one... a. Attendance was good (though it could have been much better) b. Those who attended were edified -- But only time will tell of the real effect of this effort 2. Follow-up is now important... a. Paul described the need for follow-up in regards to his journeys - Ac 15:36 b. Our follow-up will include the regular edification provided by our life together as a church c. But it can also include making plans for future meetings -- The lessons learned in this meeting can help us to prepare to the next meeting! What lessons have you learned from this meeting...?<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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