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Our meeting with David Bonner will be here soon,
so we're busy making preparations.
Preparation is Necessary
We learn from the Old Testament that preparation
is necessary. When God announced to Moses that
He was coming down and meet with the Israelites,
He told them to prepare by consecrating themselves
and washing their garments (Lev. 19:10-11).
In the New Testament we're also commanded to
prepare ourselves. We must prepare our minds for
action, and be holy in all our behavior.
- "Therefore, prepare your minds for action,
keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely
on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not
be conformed to the former lusts which were
yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One
who called you, be holy yourselves also in
all your behavior; because it is written,
You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Pet.
1:13-16).
Here are some of the examples of preparation
to do the Lord's work in the New Testament.
- Jesus was prepared for burial by a woman
anointing Him with perfume (Matt. 26:6-13).
- Apostles prepared to observe the Passover
with Jesus at which time He instituted the Lord's
Supper (Matt. 26:17-30).
- The church at Corinth prepared the contribution
they would send to relieve saints in Jerusalem
(1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9).
- Philemon prepared to receive Paul into his
home, so the church could benefit from his presence
(Ph'm. 1:22).
Just like Christians in the first century, we
must prepare to do the Lord's work, including
preparation to assemble with the saints.
Prepare to Attend
We must prepare ourselves to attend the upcoming
gospel meeting, just as with all our assemblies.
We have to prepare ourselves and our families
to faithfully attend the services, and get the
most out of each meeting as possible.
For example, David Bonner has already made many
preparations to attend the meeting. He has changed
his work schedule to attend, which I imagine includes
rescheduling patients. And he's already made airline
reservations, which get him to Tampa at 3:25 a.m.
the day the meeting begins.
All of us must make preparations. Some of us
may need to change our work or school schedule.
But I hope none of us will have to fly in at 3:00
a.m. to get to the meeting, like David.
Prepare to Help
There is work for everyone to do in the congregation.
And there's work each person can do to help with
the gospel meeting.
You can be hospitable to David Bonner and his
family throughout the week, providing meals and
personal fellowship while he is in Tampa.
You can arrive at the building early and greet
individuals attending the meeting; you can help
with the facility each evening so it is ready
for the next assembly; and you can pray for David
and the efforts of the week.
These are things that usually need to be done,
but check with the elders for more ideas, and
there might be something more specific you can
do to help.
Prepare to Participate
Any time we assemble, participation is important.
Can you imagine assembling with the saints and
there's no participation? Or maybe you've visited
brethren and the participation has been half-hearted,
and you've been discouraged rather than encouraged.
One of the ways we encourage one another during
our assemblies is by participating with our whole
heart.
- "'God is spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and truth'" (Jn.
4:24).
- "And let us consider how to stimulate
one another to love and good deeds, not
forsaking our own assembling together, as is
the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see the day drawing
near" (Heb. 10:24-25).
We should begin preparing now to participate
during the gospel meeting. And then prepare each
day of the meeting, so we worship God in spirit
and truth, giving Him our best.
Prepare To Invite People
Even if you're already inviting people to the
gospel meeting, it helps to prepare.
Personally, I like it when brethren let me know
they are having a gospel meeting. Sometimes they
call or email. Sometimes they put a message on
a social media site. Sometimes they send a postcard
or flyer by postal mail. And sometimes they tell
me in person.
It encourages me when brethren think about me,
and go out of their way to invite me to a gospel
meeting.
We must prepare in order to encourage people
by inviting them to our gospel meeting. Then when
the time approaches, we have to do the work of
inviting.
And especially with the lessons we have planned
for this meeting concerning evidences, there may
be unbelievers we can reach with God's word more
than ever before, and help them come to Christ
through the gospel.
Conclusion
The Lord is blessing us with an amazing opportunity
to learn from His word during the upcoming gospel
meeting with David Bonner.
Preparation is needed, to get the most from
the meeting for ourselves, our families, and people
who may visit.
Let's make the most of this opportunity by being
prepared.
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