THE TIME HAS ARRIVED

The time has arrived for our gospel meeting. We are excited to have Allen Webster and his family with us this week. Allen preaches for the Jacksonville church of Christ in Jacksonville, Alabama. He and His wife, Lois, have four sons. He is also the editor of “House To House, Heart To Heart,” the bi-monthly paper mailed out by congregations throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. The circulation has surpassed that of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. It is a well-designed publication that is being used very effectively by churches to reach their communities with the gospel. Allen has also written a large number of tracts that are used in connection with House To House. The focus of his lessons will be on evangelism and motivating us to be better evangelists. I am confident he has prepared well and will present lessons that are Bible based, encouraging, and effective.

There are some things we can do as well to make this week a success. If you have waited until now to start you are running behind, but you can still help. First of all, you can pray. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). It was true then and it is still true now. We can pray for Allen as he presents his lessons. We can pray for ourselves that we will be attentive and apply the lessons. We can pray for those we invite to attend the services. Pray, pray, pray.

Second, you can attend. There was a time when you could fill a building during a gospel meeting. I believe it can still be done. One congregation with an average attendance of about 50 had over 180 one night during a gospel meeting, and this was just a few years ago. However, it all begins with us. If we do not attend and support the meeting, how can we expect others to do so? Some congregations are questioning the effectiveness of gospel meetings and I believe one of the reasons is that the members do not attend.

Third, you can invite. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). We often quote this verse to speak of David’s attitude, but there is also the fact that there were those inviting him, encouraging him to enter the house of the Lord. While the theme of this meeting is evangelism and is geared toward strengthening the church, it is still a good time to invite your relatives and neighbors. They will have an opportunity to hear God’s word preached and that is always a good thing. Some may say, “They won’t come if I ask them.” That may be true. However, I can almost guarantee you they will not come if you do not ask them.

Finally, you can participate. Do not come just to fill your seat, just so you can say you attended. Be involved in what is going on. Worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Sing and pray with the spirit and the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). Listen attentively to the lessons, take notes, and go out and apply what you have learned.

This can be an effective gospel meeting. I am confident Allen will do his part. Will we?
--Lamar