Gospel Meetings: a historical perspective

Gospel Meetings: a historical perspective 

Churches of Christ have engaged in "meetings" where the gospel was preached on some regular basis from the middle of the last century. The nature, purpose and duration of these meetings have changed over the past one hundred years.

Such meetings as I am discussing were not always known as "Gospel Meetings." They were referred to as "Protracted Meetings" because they continued over a period of time. They were sometimes designated "Evangelistic Meetings" because the main purpose was to reach denominational people and those who belonged to no church. They were also called "Tent Meetings" in some localities because they were conducted under tents year after year.

Occasionally, a debate on doctrinal differences developed from gospel meetings. During the days of J.D. Tant, C.R. Nichol, J. Early Arceneaux, Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Roy E. Cogdill, W. Curtis Porter, and others, many debates with denominational preachers were conducted. Most of these debates developed from gospel meetings in those days. During the I930s and 1940s some churches were established in communities where debates were conducted as the result of "gospel meetings."

Between World War I and World War II gospel meetings were conducted in school houses, court houses, barns, in brush arbors, tents and occasionally in denominational buildings. The purpose in those meetings was to convince and convert alien sinners to Jesus Christ. Usually large numbers were baptized during the course of each gospel meeting. My experience in gospel meetings did not begin until near the end of World War II. Reflecting upon the gospel meetings at that time, I believe several factors merged to make them as successful as they were. Some of these factors were: The war turned many to religion to seek God for a solution for their problems that grew out of divided families and the anxieties of war. Opportunities were opened for the gospel in the countries where the military had been during the war. The militant attitude of many churches of Christ during the years immediately following the war made them aggressive in evangelism. Gospel meetings began to increase in number and preachers began to devote their full time to preaching in meetings rather than local work.

During the 1930s and 1940s gospel meetings would often span three Sundays, and sometimes go through the third Wednesday evening. These long meetings resulted from increasing interest as they continued. I remember several meetings in which I preached during the middle '40s and through the '50s that would continue a week or more beyond the date advertised to close. The interest continued to mount and both churches and preachers were eager to continue. How could one stop an effort when from one to twelve came to be baptized every night, and several were restored to the Lord each night?

During this period gospel meetings nearly always had day (morning or afternoon) services and evening services every day of the meeting. The preaching was distinctive and forceful. Doctrinal error was exposed and immorality was condemned without apology. Obedience was emphasized in clear language with Bible examples.

During the 1950s gospel meetings were used by some preachers and churches to promote certain doctrinal issues that later divided churches across the land. The liberal ideas of the social gospel, institutional agencies through which churches should pool their financial resources in evangelism and benevolence, and cooperation of churches through one eldership became the central theme in many gospel meetings across the land. This led to division. During the '50s and '60s I had many gospel meetings canceled because of the influence of the promoters of church supported human institutions.

Gospel meetings began to be for shorter periods of time in the 1960s. The six-day annual meeting became the pattern. During this period of time many churches requested preachers to deal with a specific subject during these six days. Usually that subject concerned the issues of that time.

During the '70s and '80s the three-day meeting became popular. Some churches decided to have one full week (six days, Sunday through Friday) meeting and a three-day meeting (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) during the year. The three-day meeting generally was directed toward some special subjects.

Today serious concern plagues churches in general over the country regarding gospel meetings. It is becoming more difficult to get people to attend a gospel meeting. Forty or fifty years ago the buildings were filled from the first night with denominational people and those who were not members of any religious body. The members were able to bring their neighbors and family members. The members of the church where the meeting was conducted came regularly every day and night to the preaching. They did not depend upon faithful members of neighboring churches of Christ to have a decent audience. Interest increased during the meeting and many were obedient to the gospel. But now it is difficult to get the members of the church having the gospel meeting to attend more than Sunday morning and Wednesday night. We must depend upon other churches of Christ in the area to provide a audience, and that is not as easy as it was a few years ago. There are exceptions, of course.

Gospel meetings provide a good way to edify a local church and reach some few who come a time or two, but they are not presently reaching the lost people who need the gospel. We must work harder to encourage people to attend meetings where the simple gospel of Christ is preached. We must secure men who will earnestly preach Christ unto the people, and preach "the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12).

H.E. Phillips, 1993

Overcrowded Lives

Overcrowded Lives

Life can get busy. It is a challenge for all of us. How do we get everything accomplished? How do we take the kids to all their extra-curricular events? How do we find the time to just simply read our Bibles and meditate? How do we find time for one another?  We are so drained and fatigued. We stay exhausted.  I wish I had some magic formula. I wish there was some pill we could take that would take care of it all. Given that neither of those exist, what can we do? Oops! Now I am going to tell each one something to do to add to our already overcrowded list. Well, that is fine, isn’t it?
 
First, God expects us to work hard. Our best interests are served when we have a meaningful endeavor. Work is for man’s good. God told Adam to work and tend the garden (Gen. 2:15).  God wants us to work. It enhances our sense of self-worth.  When we have worked hard, achieved and done our job to the best of our ability, we feel good about ourselves. Also, God wants us to work because it enables us to provide for our family (1 Tim. 5:8). Further, God wants us to provide for our family (1 Tim. 5:8). Further, God wants us to work because it enhances our influence. If we are lazy,

people will not respect us.  Second, God also values rest. In the Sabbath command, there is a principle about the value of rest. The English word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word meaning rest or cessation from labor. That seems contrary to our whole lifestyle. God did not create our bodies and minds for uninterrupted exertion and constant activity. In the middle of the rat race, God told the Hebrews, “I want you to take a day and rest.” Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man.”  We will operate best if we take time to relax and rest our body. We also need time for reflection. We need the time to examine ourselves, our goals, our priorities, our lives (good and bad, right and wrong).

 
Third, God values worship. The 7th day is Sabbath to the Lord our God. Sunday is not the Christian Sabbath, but the principle behind the Sabbath is true today. Worship God. Sunday is a day we come together in worship to renew our souls. We need that. We need the songs, prayers, teaching, motivating, and scripture that leads us closer to God. People ought to leave worship refreshed, renewed, and revived as our spirits are lifted by hope. Overcrowded schedules steal even the Lord’s day.
 
Our Jewish forefathers called it the “Holy Sabbath.” Our grandparents called it the Lord’s Day. Our parents called it Sunday. We call it the weekend. If we are not careful, that mentality can strip every meaning of spirituality from the day that ought to be devoted to God. We need to be careful that we do end up worshipping our work and working at our play and playing at our worship. Could it be that our overcrowded lifestyle makes us give God little more than

the leftovers of our time?
 
What can we do to help? First, we must remember it is God’s will that we live a balanced life. We are to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. Was there ever a better illustration and example of a man who lived a balanced life of work, rest, and worship than Jesus?  Second, we need to develop a balanced, God-honoring schedule. There is a limited amount of time. Third, learn to plan effectively.  Make the most of every opportunity. Fourth, learn it is okay to say, “No.” Finally, we need to start today. There is never a convenient time, so start today.
 
Rickie Jenkins

  

“Be of Good Courage”

“Be of Good Courage”

Isn’t it interesting that God tells some of the most notable people in the Bible, “Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where you go?” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV) He tells Abraham. He tells Jacob. He tells Moses. He tells Joshua. He tells His twelve.

Perhaps He knew that they would be dismayed. Take Moses for example: can you blame him?  He delivers the children of Israel by the mighty hand of God. He leads them through the wilderness. He goes to the mountaintop to receive the commandments of God, only to return a few days later and see the children of Israel, along with Aaron, worshiping a golden calf they had made. He leads them up the edge of Caanan and ten of the men he commission to spy out the land convince the people they are not able to take the land. He deals with all the whining and complaining for forty years. Then, to cap it all off, in a moment of weakness he stumbles by hitting the rock instead of speaking to it.  God will not allow him to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.  Is it any wonder he was dismayed?

Joshua take the offsprings of those Moses led and begins to conquer the land, only to have Achan ruin himself and his whole family. They suffer the defeat at Ai because they got too big for themselves.

The truth is, we are no different today. Sometimes our discouragement comes from the hands of others. Sometimes it comes from our own hands. People struggle, and so do we. We want to do what is right yet we struggle with the flesh and fleshly desires. We want to be spiritually-minded but at times the spirit of Satan overcomes the rule of Christ in our hearts. Sometimes it is our health. For some it is age. Others have problems in their marriage. Still others have challenges with the children.

The Lord said, “be of good courage, do not be afraid…I am with you.” When we know the Lord is with us, we can be of good courage and be not afraid. When the Lord is with us, all problems seem smaller. He is greater than any problem we may have. His power is for those who believe. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or ask.  He is able and willing. We need to know He is with us. We need to have the courage to face our fears and let faith overcome. We are not made for here. We are made to be with God.

How can we overcome? First pray. That seems trite. We do not pray because are so great. We pray because our God is mighty. I am weak, but He is strong. Prayer is pouring our hearts, desires, and concerns out to God. Cast them on Him for He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV).

Second, find someone who will understand and comfort. Paul had Timothy and Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:12-20). No one can make it alone. When Elijah thought he was alone he asked God to take His life. When Daniel was alone he became weary. We all need someone to comfort us.

Third, find words of encouragement in God’s word. David wrote many Psalms while enduring personal struggles. Paul tells us about the challenges he had in his life. Find in God’s word a passage that will implant in your mind the word of God. Carry that passage around with you daily.

We all need courage. We all face fears. We all need for God to be with us.

Rickie Jenkins

Giving Up

Giving Up

So, you’ve done all that you can.  You’ve given it all you’ve got, your best effort.  You said all that you can say.  You’re physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.  You really thought that if you planned well and tried your hardest, that things would turn out well in the end.  But things have NOT turned out well.  Things are still going poorly and getting worse.  Circumstances completely out of your control are ruining your efforts and plans.  Perhaps, it’s time to just give up.

No one ever launches out into any endeavor planning to give up along the way.  When couples make their marriage vows, they say something like, “in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and in sorrow,” meaning that no matter how tough things get, they are not going to give up on the marriage; yet, many individuals in marriages do give up, and divorce is often the result.  No one looking for a job starts filling out applications planning at some point to give up if they don’t get the job they want, but many do give up along the way.  No one is ever baptized into Christ, planning on giving up on the Lord when sin and life become too burdensome, yet many Christians do give up along the way.

Disciples of Jesus Christ, children of God, should not be identified as those who give up on their faith when the going gets tough.

Consider Joseph, a 17-year-old Hebrew boy living back in the age of the Patriarchs.  He starts having some bizarre dreams about how his brothers would bow down to him and, despite the warnings of his

father, he tells his brothers about those dreams.  The brothers despise him for it, throw Joseph into a pit, sell him into slavery, and tell his father he is dead.  He’s sold into slavery in Egypt, and when things seem to be going well, he ends up in prison for allegedly trying to force himself onto another man’s wife.  Now, if you were Joseph, at what point do you think it would have been time to call it quits?  Down at the bottom of that pit?  In the slave train on the way to a foreign land?  Sitting there, expecting to rot out in prison or be executed?  At what point would despair have hit you?

There were a few occurrences in Joseph’s life where God reminded Him that He was favored, but they were indeed few and far apart.  Joseph was confident that someday his brothers would bow to him, because of the dreams he had.  He received favor by being given preeminence over Potiphar’s household and affairs.  He was even favored in the Egyptian jail.  But WHY did he receive these reassurances?  Why could he be confident that God favored him even in adverse circumstances?  The reason is reflected in the words he speaks to his brothers after he has revealed himself to them, “God has sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7) Joseph received continued reassurances in the Lord not simply because he was favored by God, but because he maintained his trust that God’s will was being accomplished despite terrible circumstances.  This reminds us of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Despite the worst of circumstances, despite the fact that everything appeared to be going downhill, Joseph maintained his confidence in the plans of God.  He was persuaded that there was nothing in the world that could thwart God’s plans, and so there was nothing in the world that was powerful enough to make him give up.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we SHALL reap, if we faint not.”  There may come a time when you have to think practically, and give up building a rocket ship to Mars.  There may come a time when bills need to be paid, you need to support yourself instead of living off of others, and you have to go out and get a “real” job.  Sometimes, we work and work on trying to teach someone the gospel, and they never respond, and sometimes we have to shake the dust off our sandals, and move on to someone else who might be more willing to hear.  Sometimes we get tired of going through the same motions, get tired of the same job, get tired of the same setbacks, get tired of people saying the same things over and over again, but at the end of the day, we must KEEP DOING GOOD.  Never say in your heart, “I am done trying to help others, I am done trying to beat this sin, I am done trying to serve the Lord.”  Throughout all of Joseph’s hardships, notice that he is always maintaining good works, honorable conduct, seeking opportunities to serve others, never embittered to the point of just saying, “Lord, what do you expect me to do in these terrible circumstances?!  I QUIT!”  No, not Joseph, and neither should it be for us.

Joseph never gave up on the Lord and never gave up trying to do what was right.  Moses never gave up on the people of God, despite some harsh words he had against them and even when God said He would wipe them out.  Job, sitting in ashes, covered in sores, his children slain, robbed of his material wealth, his wife and his friends looking contemptuously down upon him, never gave up.  “Curse God and die???”  Not a chance.

God told Satan that he, the devil, would not be victorious over the people of God.  This is an eternal truth.  We need to pick up our heads during adversity, keep fighting, keep running, keep living and proclaiming the name of God with confidence until our last breath, and be among the victors on the day of judgement, and not among the quitters as they are hurled into eternal failure.

Keep doing good.  NEVER GIVE UP.

Jeremy Koontz

What Do You Mean church of Christ pp

Bring Your Bible to School Day

Bring Your Bible to School Day

The Brees Connection:

If you’re like me, this national holiday is one that I’d never heard of… that is until Drew Brees was caught up in its promotion last week. He issued a short video that showed him giving a ‘thumbs up’ to the organization behind the drive.

Here’s what Heavy.Com Sports blogger, Johnathan Adams, wrote: “Drew Brees found himself in controversy heading into Week 1 [of the NFL schedule] after appearing in a video for Focus on the Family as part of the ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day.’ The video clip is just 22 seconds long but raised some concerns about the organization putting on the event, Focus on the Family. Outsports.com referred to Focus on the Family as ‘one of the main anti-LGBTQ lobbying groups’ in the country. Brees emphasized he was only aware of the specific event when he agreed to do the video.”

Wow! Talk about ‘stepping in it’, Drew tried to extricate himself from the mess only to ‘promote’ the holiday even more.

Not going there:

Let’s just say, that’s another whole can of worms that I’m not opening up… in this article.

Nor do I want to focus on the organization behind the event. Focus on the Family, focusonthefamily.com, is a pseudo-religious group out of Colorado Springs, CO. It was founded by Darryl and Tracy Strawberry. He was an outstanding baseball player, lastly with the NY Yankees. And she is his 3^rd wife of 13 years. The goal of Focus on the Family is, as per their website, ‘To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible by nurturing and defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide.’

While I may not agree with everything they teach and espouse, I do applaud their good intentions. 

What is Bring Your Bible to School all about?

According to the website, they answer this question with this statement: On Bring Your Bible to School Day— this year’s event is on Oct. 3, 2019 — students across the nation will celebrate religious freedom and share God’s love with their friends. The event is designed to empower you as a student to express your belief in the truth of God’s Word–and to do so in a respectful way that demonstrates the love of Christ.

I don’t have a problem with this national movement to promote God’s word. Obviously, one question arises out of this movement. What are the legal ramifications surrounding such a mass deployment of faithful believers of the Bible? They explain it this way:

1) First Amendment rights: As a student in a public school, you have First Amendment rights to engage in voluntary, free speech conversations in a way that does not interfere with or substantially disrupt classroom time and academic instruction.

2) Equal Access rights: Student clubs (including Christian ones) and individuals also have equal access rights to participate in the same free speech expressions and activities already allowed by the school for other clubs and individuals.

So, students have a legal right to bring their Bible to school and can comment on their faith in the Word of God. However, we all know that school districts across the country are gearing up for this onslaught of religious freedom. And their FAQ addresses these issues.

We are the Word of God:

However, whether you want to participate in this particular demonstration of faith on October 3^rd is totally up to you. Nevertheless, this brings to mind the countless attempts over the past 2000 years to quash God’s word. And yet, here we are in 2019 still faithful and true to His word. Hallelujah!!

First off, we are the light of the word, just as our Lord was.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12)

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matt. 5:14)

Furthermore, Jesus became the Word incarnate to illuminate the grace and truth of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5 & 14)

In Romans 13:14 & Eph. 6:10-18, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to ‘put on Christ’ and His word as if it were body armor. And he further writes in Colossians 3 to take in Christ culminating in verses 16 & 17.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Therefore, any spear thrown at us by Satan’s disciples will bounce off this protective layer, the Word of God. And all they will see is the Living Word when they look at us.

So, when we are at school, work, the grocery store or anywhere we happen to be… others should see that we are not only carrying the Bible with us, but that we are the Word of God, incarnate. And that our lives are so much like Christ’s, we glow with the Glory of God. For, we are the Light of the World dispelling the Darkness of sin and doubt.

Michael Choate

The Role of Women in the Church, part 1

The Role of Women in the Church, part 1

The Bible says a great deal concerning women within the Old and New Testament, but the focus of this article is on the role that Christian women have within the church. The Gospel, literally the Good News, concerning Jesus Christ, declares that both women and men have been offered the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Duties and Responsibilities

When a person obeys the Gospel instructions for becoming a Christian, then that person becomes part of God’s family (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). God is now a Christian’s Father and other Christians are now brothers and sisters in Christ. Once a person becomes a Christian, that person needs to join with other Christians in a local church. This is important for several reasons.

First, it is required of all Christians to come together to worship God the Father on the first day of the week (Sunday). Not only on Sunday, but when Christians assemble, Christians have the responsibility to attend. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”   Christians must grow spiritually. Christians must grow in their knowledge of the Word of God. This is not an option! This is a command! Only attending assemblies without many further study or activity outside of the assembly is sharply criticized in Hebrews 5:12-14. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Personal and small group study must occur outside of the assemblies of the congregation, and this is one area where Christian women can play an important role.

As described in Acts 8, Saul of Tarsus (Later the Apostle Paul) began to attack the church in the misguided belief that he was attacking heresy. But on the road to Damascus, he saw the Lord, realized his terrible mistake, and turned his heart in submission to God. At Damascus he was baptized and throughout the rest of his life, he proclaimed the Gospel message. However, when the persecution first began in Jerusalem, the Christians were scattered. Many of them probably returned to their homes from whence they had come for the Day of Pentecost. Acts 8:4 described what happened as they left. “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Clearly, this was not limited to just men telling others about Jesus Christ.

Several years later in Corinth, Paul met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla. They had lived in Rome but were ordered to leave Rome by the Caesar Claudius. Both became Christians, and Paul stayed with them for some time. When Paul left Corinth for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him to Ephesus. When Paul left there on other travels, Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus. While there, a learned man Apollos arrived. While he spoke with great enthusiasm and taught Jesus, he only knew the baptism of John for repentance. Acts 18:26 described how Priscilla and Aquila invited him to their home and they taught him the way of God more adequately. Clearly, Priscilla was an important part of this. In fact, from this point forward Priscilla was named first and then her husband. She may have been the one doing most of the teaching in their home while Aquila looked to earning a living. However, she still would have followed he husband’s leadership.

Another command was also given specifically to Christian Women. 1 Timothy 5:16 states, “If any believing woman has widows, let them give aid to them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may give aid to those who are really widows.” When a husband died first during the days of the New Testament, there were no means of help for the widows other than to rely on their families, to remarry, or to turn to the local congregation for help (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Families were commanded to take care of their widowed parent or family member. This was commanded under the Law of Moses, and it was carried over to the New Testament.    

Second, Christians are told to encourage and help one another and others in need. This is one area where women can be very important. Most women have a caring heart for their children, their husband, and their families. Of course, there are exceptions. Jezebel being one example in the Old Testament…

End of Part 1

Jim Shelburn