The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor	November 17, 2002
In This Issue: What Does This Gospel Meeting Mean to You? by Steve Klein   BACK TO INDEX	What Does this Gospel Meeting  Mean to You?   Our gospel meeting begins today.  What does our gospel meeting mean to you?    Does our gospel meeting mean a special opportunity to reach out to the community? Years ago, this was the primary purpose of gospel meetings.  People of all faiths would often come from miles around in horse drawn wagons to hear the gospel.  Nowadays, most folks would rather stay home and watch TV.  This modern apathy regarding spiritual things has certainly hampered the effectiveness of gospel meetings in the area of evangelism. But surely there are still some souls we can reach in our community with the precious message of Jesus, and gospel meetings provide an opportunity for the entire congregation to work together to do so.    Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to grow in our Lord? We are commanded to grow "in the grace and knowledge" of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We are to desire God's word as a baby longs for milk (I Peter 2:2).    Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to get our batteries recharged?   Most of us are familiar with rechargeable batteries -- many of us use them in cell phones and other electronic equipment. We know that if the battery is drained, the equipment doesn't work!  Even so, it's easy for Christians to become weary, drained, and exhausted. Gospel meetings can be like a breath of fresh air! By drawing closer to God, His word, and our brethren we can find new strength and zeal to "fight the good fight faith" (I Timothy 6:12, Psalm 85:6, Isaiah 40:28-31).    Does our gospel meeting mean an opportunity to examine and evaluate our lives? Honest self-reflection is a must for Christians (2 Corinthians 13:5). Gospel meetings provide an important occasion for all of us to look at ourselves in the light of God's word (James 1:21-27).    A gospel meeting is such an opportunity to show love and support for the Lord and his church; it can't be taken lightly! What should it mean to you and me? What should our gospel meeting mean to a mother and father responsible for the spiritual development of their children? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a friend to so many who will one day meet God in judgment? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a citizen in a community which is beset with so many sorrows which the gospel of Christ is designed to relieve? What should our gospel meeting mean to me as a Bible teacher responsibe to present the whole counsel of God to my class? What should our gospel meeting mean to an elder charged with the spiritual leadership of the Lord's congregation? What should our gospel meeting mean to a deacon in the Lord's church charged to "use the office of a deacon well" (I Timothy 3:13)? What should our gospel meeting mean to a new convert? What should this gospel meeting mean to you?  What does it mean? by Steve Klein --Adapted from articles by  Gary McDade & Mike Vestal