A gospel meeting involves a series of gatherings at which time the gospel is to be preached. Essential to such efforts is the presence and work of gospel preachers. Preaching was done by Jesus, commanded of His apostles and other Christians and freely employed in the work of the early church. Timothy was charged to "preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:1-4). So vital is the good news of the kingdom, that even the feet of those who bring it are "beautiful" (Rom. 10:15). Paul said "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:16). He was "ready to preach it at Rome" (Rom. 1:15) and everywhere else a door of opportunity might open. He taught the gospel "publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20).
To preach is to herald the gospel, to lift up the voice and sound it forth. The terms "preach" and "teach" are often used interchangeably in the New Testament. "Gospel" may be preached to both saint and sinner (Rom. 1:15-16). "Doctrine" may be taught to both saint and sinner (Acts 5:28; Tit. 1:9). Teaching involves the imparting of knowledge. All preaching should do that, though it may take the form of public discourse. Most of the distinctions existing in the minds of brethren between preaching and teaching have to do with manner of presentation.
One does not study long in the book of Acts and later N.T. references before learning that preaching was vital to the work of the apostles and early Christians. Without it, congregations would not have been established and strengthened in the faith. The newly established church in Jerusalem had a series of meetings lasting several days (Acts 2:46). Peter tarried "certain days" in Caesarea among the new converts made at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:48). That is really what we do in today's gospel meetings. We tarry certain days and come together daily to publicly proclaim the word of God. I seriously question the soundness of any brethren who conclude that such a practice is without benefit to the saints and to the saving of the lost.
In choosing a man for a gospel meeting, brethren should always look for a godly man, whose manner of life is beyond reproach. Then they should seek a man who, in the judgment of the brethren, has the ability to effectively preach the word in order to accomplish the objectives of such a special effort.
Gospel preachers ought to spare the brethren, and any whom they persuade to attend, their opinions and nit-picking ideas. Get into the scriptures and stay there! Tell people what the Lord said and keep your "think so's" to yourself! There are some meetings which call for addressing oneself to specific problems known to exist among the brethren by whom you are called. When that must be done, it must be done fairly, impartially and with full knowledge of the facts. It is a serious mistake, with which the church will have to live after you have gone home, to allow yourself to become the axe-grinder for one side or another in a local feud.
Over the years, this writer has developed the practice of preaching expository sermons which summarize books of the Bible or certain chapters in context with pertinent applications made in today's world. People need to know what the Lord said in context. Topical preaching has its place and some is necessary. But exposing the minds of a sincere audience to a portion of scripture in its proper setting, with attention given to immediate and extended applications, is of great benefit to any audience at any place, anytime. Preachers often complain that too many are ignorant of the scriptures. Whose fault do you suppose that is? Certainly everyone should study the Bible for himself at home. But preachers must also share the blame.
(2) The word should be proclaimed simply. If the audience cannot understand because of our choice of words or poor organization, making it virtually impossible to follow, then we have wasted our time and theirs. "But today's audiences are so much more enlightened and better educated," we are told. That is doubtful. When young people go to college who cannot spell simple, ordinary words, or construct a simple, declarative sentence, today's audiences are not as far advanced as some might think. There are college graduates who either cannot spell or do not know how to use the dictionary, or both. If we reach them with the truth, we must keep it simple.
(3) Gospel preaching should be done with great concern for the lost. This will generate in our preaching a sense of urgency. If our concern is real, our urgency will be natural and apparent to those who hear. Frankly, much of the conversational-tone preaching makes me sleepy. It lacks urgency. One does not have to shout to be fervent, nor to practice all manner of facial contortions and frantic gestures to be intense. But one thing is certain and that is that we shall stir nobody to change unless we are evidently stirred with the truth of what we are saying. Perhaps at no point in a sermon in a gospel meeting does this concern, or lack of it, become so apparent as during the offering of the Lord's invitation. Of course, the sinner must be, informed as to what he ought to do. Saints have heard it over and over, but that does not lessen the need of the sinner. Many a sinner may have been disturbed at the time he needs to give the more earnest heed by the inconsiderate fumbling and rattling of song books if the preacher happens to mention faith, repentance or baptism after speaking about thirty minutes. Try this, brethren. When you are ready to offer the invitation, announce the song to be used and ask the audience to turn to it and hold it ready. Wait, and then ask them to give back their undivided attention. Then earnestly present the Lord's plan, and then take a few moments to plead with those who are lost to realize the importance of what is about to be done, of what it can mean to their lives and eternal destinies. Many of us do not know how to exhort. We do not know how to exhort men to flee from the wrath to come. We do not make them shudder at the thought of being lost in hell, nor quicken their appetite for the beauties and glories of eternal rest with God in heaven. We do not help them to make the contrast between the hopelessness of serving the Devil and the rewards of godliness which hold promise in this world and that which is to come.
Some preachers seldom persuade people to obey the truth while others are much more successful. Some of those who make such complaints are extremely capable men. It may be that they are always present during a meeting when only sowing is done. The watering and reaping may come later, and that is all right. The number converted in gospel meetings is not the only measure of success. But it is a fact that in gospel meetings today, many are attending who ought to obey the truth, who have had some private teaching and who are looking for the way that is right and cannot be wrong. We ought to preach as if we expect people to obey the truth.
Then seek the cooperation of the song leader. Ask him to choose old songs which have a fervent appeal to the heart, and ask him to start singing the very instant you ask the audience to stand and sing.
I hear some lamenting now that "Nobody obeys the gospel in meetings anymore." Well, that is not so. If a man works in meeting after meeting, year in and year out and never persuades anyone to obey the Lord, then something is wrong and ought to be corrected.
Brethren, an invitation to conduct a gospel meeting is not a status symbol. It is a door of opportunity opened before you to plant and water gospel seed. Let us all watch and be faithful.