DID OUR GOSPEL MEETING DO
ANY GOOD?
Our meeting with Eric Lyons has now come and gone. Attendance was good and we again commend all of you who faithfully attended the meeting. Eric did his part. He did what Paul encouraged Timothy to do. He preached the word of God faithfully. Paul charged Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2) Any time God’s word is preached good is done. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watered the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11) The good that was done in this meeting will continue into eternity. Gospel meetings remind us of the great opportunities that surround us daily. Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9) Great doors are open for the Walnut Street Church of Christ. It is our responsibility to use these opportunities for God’s glory.
The meeting did eternal good because we were involved in the meeting and now we should continue to be involved in the work of Christ. Think of the good that could be done if we would all be active in the work of the church and participate in the work that is to be done. I need to make every possible effort to attend every assembly of the church. I need to make the work of this church “My” work. I need to be faithful to participate in the worship of the church and active to involve myself in the work of the church. Let us be active for Christ now. Our time is limited to work in the kingdom. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) We were challenged in the meeting to give God proper place in our life. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) Did the gospel meeting do any good? Yes, the meeting did eternal good because we were encouraged to be active participants in the work of our Lord’s one true church. “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21)
The meeting did eternal good because we were involved in the meeting by inviting friends and family to attend and we should continue to bring visitors to the assembly. A number of us invited people to attend the meeting who actually came. You had a positive, spiritual influence on some lost soul. I love what Moses said to father-in-law. “And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, “We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.” (Numbers 10:29) If every member of the Walnut Street Church of Christ would be serious about this one thing our growth would be phenomenal. Pick up visitors; sit with them; love them and make them feel at home. Keep inviting and keep bringing visitors. Listen, you must just keep working for God. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Did the gospel meeting do any good? Yes, the meeting did eternal good because we had visitors who attended.
The meeting did eternal good because we were involved in the meeting by being attentive to little things and we must be always attentive. Attitudes were good during the meeting. You participated in the singing. We should always sing from our hearts. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.” (Psalms 126:2) During the meeting you listened to the sermons and you talked about the lessons. Let us always practice these things and visitors will be impressed. “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15) Did the gospel meeting do any good? Yes, the meeting did eternal good because you listened to the sermons and you talked in a positive way about the lessons; you focused on little things.
The meeting did eternal good because we were enthusiastic about Christ and His church. Let us talk to others about Christ and His church. (Matthew 16:13-18) Talk to others about the good things which go on at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Butler County is truly blessed that the Walnut Street Church of Christ is here. Let us talk up this wonderful church. Jesus is not just one savior among many. He is the only Savior. The Bible is not just one book among many. It is the only book. The church of Christ is not just one church among many. It is the only church. Jesus promised to build and preserve His church and He did just that. When only the Bible is planted, then only Christ's church will be produced. This is true because the gospel is the "word of the kingdom." (Matthew 13:19) Did the gospel meeting do any good? Yes, the meeting did eternal good because we were enthusiastic about Christ and His church.
God has always had a place in His service for those willing to be used. Are you in Christ? “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27) Are you doing what you can do to serve God and to win others? “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
By Charles Box, Walnut Street of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037