This Sunday morning, despite the lingering snow melting away under a rising sun, the house of God was filled with a faithful crowd. We began the service by singing a favorite, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,” and we were blessed by a special song from the ladies about the wonder of Heaven.
Pastor Arville Duncan stood behind the Sacred Desk with a heavy burden for the lost. Taking his text from John 3:18-19, he delivered a sobering message on the current state of those without Christ.
1. The Present Reality of the Lost
The title of the message was taken directly from the words of Jesus: “Condemned Already.” * No Waiting Period: Brother Duncan pointed out that a person without Christ isn’t waiting for a future judgment to decide their fate. If you are unsaved, you are as sure for Hell as if you were already there because you have not believed in the only begotten Son of God.
- The Judgment at Calvary: Jesus already judged sin at the cross. He paid the price, but unless a soul turns from their sin and takes Him as Savior, they remain under that existing condemnation.
2. The Relief of the Blood
Brother Duncan shared his personal testimony of being under conviction for over two months before surrendering on December 16, 1973.
- Real Relief: While the world tries to find relief in “liquor or dope,” Brother Duncan reminded us that those things only make the conviction worse. “How do you spell relief? J-E-S-U-S.” * A Changed Nature: When a soul gets right with God, they don’t enjoy the things of the world anymore. As Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
3. The Influence of the World
The message took a sharp turn toward the dangers of worldly influence and “fleshly” living.
- The Devil’s Pitch: Brother Duncan lamented the rise of liquor stores on every corner—even in places like Ballardsville and Smithfield. He warned that the devil uses these things to “get them all drunk and kill every one of them.”
- The Battle with the Flesh: Even for the saved, the flesh is a constant enemy. Brother Duncan shared a story about “near beer” and how the Lord convicted him through his wife, Geneva. Even if something “looks” okay, if it has the influence of the world on it, the child of God should stay away.
Your flesh never wants you to hand a tract out, does it? Your flesh don’t want you to tell anyone about Jesus. It will hinder you if you let it.
If you love the world more than you do Jesus, you’re not saved. You are not saved.
Closing Thought
We are living in a day where the power of God is being neglected for the satisfaction of the flesh. Brother Duncan’s plea was simple: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Don’t stay under the condemnation of sin when the Savior has already provided the way of escape.