Preaching in gospel meetings prompts a number of mixed emotions. Sometimes after a meeting, the preacher comes home and wonders about the results of the effort. When God's word is preached, good is always accomplished; for God, who cannot lie, said: "so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
However, some efforts are more encouraging than others. During a recent gospel meeting in Medford, Oregon, the truth was preached in an area where it was needed, and where the brethren had prepared. Long before the meeting began, the advertisements were prepared and circulated. Anticipation was high. It was evident that "the people had a mind to work." (Nehemiah 4:6) (Work is the key to any successful effort.) Other faithful brethren traveled many miles to support and encourage the Medford brethren in their work. Moreover, those in the community attended the meeting.
Some who were Christians involved with churches whose teachings and practices are not right, with tearful eyes commended the gospel preaching, something they said they had not heard in a long time. These indicated a desire to work and worship with the sound brethren in Medford. They requested tapes, indicating there were others whom they wanted to hear these lessons.
Others who attended were not Christians. Among these, one Bible study was established. The church in Medford, though small in number (upper 20s), had "called together ...kinsmen and ...near friends" (cf Acts 10: 34), and as Cornelius told Peter in Acts 10:33, "Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord." The Friday night attendance was 51; Sunday morning, 53 were present.
This meeting reminded me of Jesus' words: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (satisfied, KJV} (Matthew 5:6) This text divides itself for us, and all we have to do is to look at the meaning of the various terms used.
"Blessed" (Happy) "are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness." Please note that we are not to hunger and thirst after happiness; rather, they who seek "righteousness" are happy. If we put happiness before righteousness, we are doomed to be miserable.
What is righteousness? Man and God often have differing ideas concerning righteousness. This is exemplified in the practices of many churches, where emphasis is on the social, rather than the spiritual. In fact, it is difficult to get some to listen to God's teaching regarding righteousness. Man often defines righteousness to mean a general respectability, general morality, or simply, association with morally good people. Others believe it can be achieved by worshiping one hour a week. Yet, Cornelius (Acts 10), a good moral man, was commanded to "work righteousness." (vs.34-35) Righteousness simply means to be right with God. All of God's commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172; see also Psalm 119:138, 144). The gospel reveals this righteousness. The apostle Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)
The inspired word provides instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The scriptures are referred to as the word of righteousness (Hebrews 5:13). Man cannot "work righteousness" unless the gospel is preached. When we receive proper teaching regarding how to live, righteousness becomes a way of life. Paul said, "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). Is it any wonder brethren who are associated with churches where a steady diet of fun and frolic is preached rejoice with tears when they hear the sincere word of God proclaimed?
How do we obtain this righteousness? We do not obtain it accidentally. It doesn't happen to indifferent people. There must be a strong desire for righteousness, a desire that can be described as "hungering and thirsting." These are the human body's most powerful drives. Hunger and thirst are not passing feelings. They continue to increase until they are satisfied. When the prodigal son was hungry, he went to feed on husks; but when he was starving, he turned to his father. To hunger and thirst really means to be desperate, to be starving, to feel life is ebbing, to recognize the urgent need for help.
David expressed the attitude of one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness (Psalm 1:1-2; 119:97, 103, 148). In Romans 10:1-3, Paul said: "Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things (life's temporal necessities-MG), shall be added unto you."
Righteousness, then, is not for the person who spends hours each day working, playing, amusing himself, reading fiction, entertaining, while showing no interest in feeding his soul. If you are not growing as you should be, perhaps it's because you've lost your appetite for spiritual food (Cf. Hebrews. 5:11-13). Righteousness must be sought!
Why are more people not feeding on the word of righteousness? Why do we not attend our own gospel meetings? Perhaps we are not hungry. Sadly, it is often because we have filled our minds with this world's trash (Cf. 1 John 2:15ff; 2 Timothy 4:10). Worldly men have as their main objective material gain, but material gain does not satisfy (Eccl. 5:10).
What blessings does God offer those who hunger and thirst after righteousness? The Lord said, "They shall be filled" (satisfied). (Consider Psalm 17:15, 22:26, 37:18-20, 63:5, 65:4; Proverbs. 14:14, 19:23). Herein lies real satisfaction. Worldly things cannot satisfy. Alexander the Great conquered the world, but remained unsatisfied. The world's wealthy are not satisfied. Those who live without restraint are never satisfied, often turning to alcohol and drug addiction, etc. There are members of churches of Christ who are not "filled" or "satisfied" by a steady diet of social activities and "sermonettes." Let us seek them with the pure gospel of Christ that they may know the "breadth and length and height and depth, and ...know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge," that they too may be "filled unto all the fullness of God."
How can I know if I hunger and thirst after righteousness? The true test is active involvement in spiritual things. Am I haphazard about attending the church's worship and study services? Do I neglect reading and studying the scriptures, or prayer? "Till I come, give heed to reading..." (1 Timothy 4:13). "Study to show thyself approved..." (2 Timothy 2:15). "Pray without ceasing..." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Do I think often about my own relationship with God, or about others' relationships to God? What is my greatest desire? Is it, more than anything else, to go to heaven? You see, there's no room for standing still.
Are we hungry and thirsty for righteousness? We must hunger to know about righteousness, and we must hunger to put our knowledge into practice (Romans 10:1-3; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Any other attitude toward righteousness will find us weighed in the balances and found wanting.
I am thankful for the efforts of the brethren in Medford and for their determination to stand for truth. If you are traveling in that area, or if you know of someone living in the Medford area who may be benefited by these brethren, they currently meet in the Roxy Ann Grange Hall, 1850 Spring Street. For more information, please call (541)-776-7423, (541)-826-9611, or (541)-773-5454.
I, like brother Galloway, many times after leaving a gospel meeting, wonder about whether my work was effective. A few years ago, in many of the churches where I preached in meetings, I heard a common, quite alarming refrain-"we don't hear preaching like that anymore." My reply to that statement was always the same--WHY?
While I cannot speak for other congregations, allow me to share with you some of the things I have witnessed in several gospel meetings I've attended over the past few years. These might help answer our question.
Less Bible-more stories. How can a man preach a 45-minute lesson and use just a couple of passages? Hopefully, in a gospel meeting, people come to hear the gospel! It is sad when the speaker tells one story after another, and the listeners remember those stories, instead of Biblical truth. Stories are fine if they help to illustrate and explain Bible truth. But when a man becomes a "storyteller," instead of a gospel preacher, something is terribly wrong.
Members not supporting their own efforts. How discouraging it is when even the members of the congregation that holds the meeting don't attend! If the members of a local work don't see the need to be there, why would the alien sinner wish to come? Many members are saying "gospel meetings no longer work." I wonder why that is? Could it be that the local membership is not doing the work of preparing; inviting their friends, neighbors, and loved ones; supporting the meeting; and receiving their own edification? Be honest brethren; could we be conditioning ourselves to fail? From this preacher's perspective, the world is still lost; church members still need to be edified; and God's word still doesn't return to Him void! What say ye? (KMG)