“Whether you were unable to join us in person or simply want to feast on the Word again, we invite you to watch the full service below. Join Brother Duncan as he explores what it means to live a life ‘Written for Our Learning.’ We pray this message from Romans 15 challenges and encourages you today.”
Growing in the Word Together
This past Sunday, our church family gathered once again to worship in spirit and in truth. While the January air has been cold enough to make anyone appreciate the warmth of the sanctuary, the message brought by Brother Duncan provided exactly the kind of spiritual “provisions” we need to fuel our walk with the Lord.
Taking his text from Romans 15:4, Pastor Arville Duncan reminded us that every word in the Scriptures was “written for our learning.” If you missed the service or want to revisit the heart of the message, here are the main points Brother Duncan shared with us:
A Life of Continuous Study
Brother Duncan reminded us that the Christian life is not a static one. Just as he once had to learn the pace and the tools of the trade while working for the Ford Motor Company, we must learn the “timing” and “work” of the house of God.
- Study for Approval: We are called to follow the command in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
- Singing with Understanding: Brother Duncan pointed out that even our hymns are for our learning. When we meditate on the lyrics while we sing, we absorb the doctrine of Christ’s redeeming blood.
The Requirement of a Steward
A key theme of the morning was our responsibility as believers. Brother Duncan looked to 1 Corinthians 4:2, noting the biblical requirement: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Being a steward means being a “dispenser of the provisions of the Gospel.” Brother Duncan challenged us: Are we faithful to study? Are we faithful to pray? Are we faithful to be in the house of God when the doors are open? If we have God on our side, nothing He asks of us is too hard to accomplish.
The Duty of the Watchman
Drawing from Isaiah 62:6 (referenced as 63:6 in the study), Pastor Arville Duncan reminded us that we are called to be “watchmen on the walls.”
“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.“
We are commanded not to be silent about what God has done for us. Whether it’s speaking to a lost neighbor or a family member, we must use the Scripture we have learned to point others toward the Savior.
From Milk to Meat
Brother Duncan shared a powerful reminder from Isaiah 28:9 about spiritual maturity: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”
God wants to teach us knowledge and make us understand doctrine, but that requires us to grow up spiritually. As we grow, our lives should naturally radiate the love of God, making it obvious to everyone we meet that we have been transformed by the Word.
A Final Call to Repentance
As he always does, Brother Duncan concluded with a heartfelt plea for the lost. He reminded us that while Christ died for every person, that sacrifice requires a personal response. As the scripture says, we must repent and turn from our sins.
We are so thankful for the leadership and the “sweat, blood, and tears” Brother Duncan has poured into this church since the days it was nothing but thorn trees. Let’s take what we’ve learned this week and apply it to our lives!