A Gospel Meeting

INTRODUCTION

A.Gospel meetings are one of the church’s greatest assets – this is true because:

1.The gospel is the greatest of all great messages(Heb 1:1-2).

1)The Gospel = “good news” (must be bad news first-all sinners are lost).

2)It is the power of God to save (Ro 1:16; 1 Cor 1:21; Mark 16:15-16;

Acts 8:4).

3)The Gospel is an enduring message (1 Pet 1:24-25).

4)Man must obey it to be saved (2 Thes 1:7-9).

*Failure to obey the Gospel will result in eternal destruction.

  1. An example of gospel preaching: Acts 19:8-10 (the proper purpose of any gathering where the gospel is preached)…

1.“Entered the synagogue” – A gathering of people.

2.“Spoke boldly”(Acts 4:29, 31; 2 Cor 3:12).

1)Needful teaching(Acts 20:20).

3.“Reasoning & persuading” – Dialog (thought-provoking exchange) and convincing (to win over) – (Acts 17:2-3, 11).

1)Preachers and teachers help you with the evidence you need to have faith.

2)Heb 11:1, 6 – Blind faith without evidence.

4.“About the kingdom of God” (19:10:“the word of the Lord” – the Gospel).

C.Good for us to refresh our thinking as our meeting approaches.

I.ASSEMBLING OURSELVES TOGETHER(Heb 10:24-25).

  1. Stir up love and good works as we the hear gospel and worship God

(Phil 4:8; Col3:16).

1.Gladly receive and continue steadfastly in the word (Acts 2:41-42, 46).

II.GATHERING TO HEAR GOD’S WORD (Acts 10:33).

A.Cornelius sent for a preacher – Peter, the one God recommended.

1.Angel was there – why send for Peter? (Modern claim: angels talk to you).

1)1 Cor 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.”

2)Cornelius was already moral (Acts 10:1-2)! Why a preacher?

*Morality alone doesn’t save (Acts 11:14).

2.Cornelius got things ready for the meeting (Acts 10:24).

1)Preaching the word (2 Tim 4:2).

2)We have sent for a preacher – we believe he is one God would recommend.

3)Will we have all things ready when he comes? Gather all together?

4)If not, why?

5)Will our attitude be that of Cornelius?

3.What the meeting is not for – NOT to:

1)Please men – Gal 1:10 – All need to hear:

*Difference between the law and the gospel (Heb 10:9).

*Difference between denominations and the NT church (Matt 15:13).

*Difference between Bible and creeds of men (2 Tim 3:16-17).

*Truth about: Salvation by faith, repentance, place of baptism in God’s plan, the worship God demands, obedience, heaven and hell, etc.

2)Entertain men - Not man’s wisdom and tradition (1 Cor 2:1-4).

3)Compromise the truth (Prov 23:23; Jude 3).

4)Discuss politics, economics.

5)Tell when the world will end – No one knows (but prepare us to be ready).

III.SAVING POWER OF THE GOSPEL (Rom 1:16).

A.Teach the lost about Jesus(Acts 11:19-21, 26).

1)The gospel will be on display – 1 Thes 2:2-6 (motives & content)

  1. Crucified Christ will be clearly portrayed (displayed)(Gal 3:1).

1.To cause faith & obtain eternal life in His name (John 20:30-31).

IV.EDIFYING THE SAINTS WITH THE GOSPEL (Acts 20:32).

  1. Word of God’s grace builds up and gives us our inheritance.

1.Come together to be edified (1 Cor 14:26).

V.OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN CHRIST(1 Pet 2:1-2).

  1. In grace and knowledge(2 Pet 3:17-18).

1.Abound in correct knowledge and all perception (Phil 1:9-10; Col 1:9).

VI.LOOKING TO (FIXING OUR EYES ON) JESUS (Heb 12:1-2).

  1. Gospel sets Jesus before our eyes(Gal 3:1).

1.“We wish to see Jesus”(John 12:21); Serve Him (12:26).

1)We see Jesus!(Heb 2:9).

VII. MINDING THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT – (Rom 8:5).

A.The Spirit convicts the world by the gospel(John 16:8).

1.Set mind on things above (Col 3:1-3).

VIII. EXPOSING THE WORKS OF DARKNESS (Eph 5:11).

  1. Truth cuts a straight course (2 Tim 2:15).

1.The sword of the Spirit exposes error (Heb 4:12; Eph 4:14-15).

IX.ENDURING FAITH (Heb 10:36-39).

  1. Salvation is closer than when we first believed (Rom 13:11).

1.Endure to the end & be saved – Mt.10:22 (2Tim.4:8).

X.TAKING TIME TO BE HOLY (1 Pet 1:13-17).

A.Focus our minds (13).

1.Focus our obedience (14).

1)Focus our lives (not conforming to sin, but fearing God) (17).

XI.INTERCEDING IN PRAYER (1 Tim 2:1).

  1. Pray for all the saints with watchful perseverance (Eph 6:18; Jas 5:16).

1.Pray for our enemies (Matt 5:44).

XII.NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION (2 Cor 6:2).

A.Present the urgency of obeying God now and always (Jas 4:13-17).

1.There is/will be nothing more important (Acts 26:28-29).

XIII. GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS (Matt 28:19).

  1. Call together (invite) our relatives & friends (Acts 10:24).

1.Prepare to hear all the things commanded by God (Acts 10:33).

1)Come and be filled with life (Rev 22:17; Isa 55:1).

CONCLUSION

1.Kingdom of God: All things are ready, come to the feast(Luke 14:15-17).

1.Gospel meeting: Are you ready? Will you come to the feast?(Luke 14:18).

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