DO YOU NEED TO ATTEND THE GOSPEL MEETING?
By Garreth Clair
Perhaps you have been wondering
if you need to attend our gospel meeting this month
(January 15-20, 2006
cjm).
The only way that one will be able to correctly determine
the answer to the question is by searching the Scriptures, NOTE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That
the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2
Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth." John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free." The references cited show that truth can be
attained only through examination of God's Written Word (i.e., the Bible). Since our question affects our relationship
to others in the Body of Christ (i.e., our spiritual relationship with God and
other Christians) the answer will be determined by an appeal to the
Scripture. Notice the following
relationships:
1. If I am a faithful Christian I should attend the meeting because I need to continue in every good
work - 2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 1:10-11(KJV)
2. If I am unfaithful I need to hear the gospel so that I may be encouraged to
correct my unfaithfulness. Only
knowledge acquired from God's Word, properly applied in my life will correct my
unfaithfulness—Proverbs 14:14-16; Isaiah
55:6-7; Acts 8:21-22(KJV)
3. If you are not a Christian you need to be here for the meeting each service so that
you can hear and learn whatever you need to know in order to become a
Christian:
John 8:31, 32, “31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If
ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32. And ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (i.e., "FROM SIN").
Whatever
your circumstance or relationship to God really is, you need to attend every
service of the gospel meeting if it is possible. Whatever other things that you have to do will not give you as
much joy and pleasure than you will gain by being among God's children and
hearing God's Word discussed in its simplicity.
Assembling ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25)
Gather to hear God’s word (Acts 10:33)
Opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge (2
Peter 3:18)
Saving power of the gospel (Romans 1:16)
Preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2)
Edifying the saints through the gospel of
Christ (Acts 20:32)
Looking unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Minding the things of the Spirit (Romans
8:5)
Exposing the works of darkness (Ephesians
5:11)
Endurance unto eternal salvation (Hebrews
10:36-39)
Take time to be holy (1 Peter 1:13-17)
Interceding in prayer (1 Timothy 2:1)
Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians
6:2)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (Matthew
28:19)