It was a beautiful morning to be in the house of the Lord at Good Shepherd Baptist Church. We were encouraged to see the new church literature for March and April arriving—a sure sign that warmer days are ahead! We started the service by lifting our voices to “Praise Him! Praise Him!” and followed with that old favorite, “At Calvary.” We were specially blessed by the ladies’ singing, with a sweet song about the “Handfuls of Purpose” that the Lord drops in the field for a poor sinner to find. Pastor Arville Duncan then stood behind the Sacred Desk to deliver a message from John chapter 15 on the power we have when we truly abide in Christ.
The Sermon Breakdown
1. The Promise of the Branch
Pastor Arville started with a sobering warning from John 15:6. If a man doesn’t abide in Christ, he’s cast forth as a withered branch and burned. But for the child of God, there is a promise in verse 7: “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
- The Condition: You must abide in Him and His words must abide in you.
- The Disciple’s Fruit: We are left here as the “host” while He is the “Boss.” Our job is to follow the Holy Ghost and get the work done until He calls us home.
2. Wrestling for the Blessing
The heart of the message took us back to Genesis 32:26, where Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (the Lord Jesus Himself).
- Holding Tight: Jacob wouldn’t let go until he got a blessing. Pastor Arville reminded us that God likes it when we mean business.
- The Victory: Jacob was scared of his brother Esau, but after that wrestling match, he was strengthened in his soul. When we wrestle with the Lord in prayer, we come out with the assurance we need to face the trials of this life.
3. Ask What You Will
The invitation from the Lord is open. Pastor Arville broke down four times when we ought to take God at His word and ask:
- In Times of Sickness: Whether it’s a robust young man losing weight or a struggle with the liver, God is still the Great Physician.
- When Downhearted: If you’re feeling melancholy or lonesome, the Lord is right there to pick you up.
- For Lost Loved Ones: We don’t have much longer. We need to “reason” and “bargain” with God for the souls of our children and kinfolk.
- According to His Plan: God has a plan that begins in Heaven where we can share the Father’s great love for eternity.
I don’t put on a show for nobody. I do what God has given me to give to you… I ask Him to give me the force behind the Word when I stand up to preach.
Our flesh cannot be trusted. It’s an enemy of the Spirit… Hold on tight! Don’t give in to the devil, and don’t give into the flesh.
God’s Lasting Love
Pastor Arville closed by reminding us that God’s love is an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Unlike human love that might wear out or fail, the Lord is married to His bride forever. He is a Shepherd who feeds the whole flock, not just one sheep. If you are hurting or lost today, remember that the “Rock of our salvation” is standing by, ready for you to ask what you will.