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The Stump Next Door

The kings of the earth preferred a golden scepter.

”And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.” (Esther 5: 2)

The Prophet, Priest and King who would prevail over them did not come in the pomp and grandeaur that these did — but as rod – a tender plant.

Yet there was never a king like Christ.

He holds all the offices at once.

”And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” (Zechariah 6: 12-13)

So this word “rod” is used to show that the KING of kings is a KING of great contrast to those of every earthly king.

”If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.” (Hebrews 7: 11-13)

He needed none of man’s embellishments, man’s adornments, because he lacks nothing, Christ is the true Prophet, Priest and KING.

”For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” (Hebrews 7: 14)

Jesus is King of kings and LORD of lords.

”And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,” (Hebrews 7: 15)

But this word “rod” conveys his humility as a man.

”Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” (Hebrews 7: 16)

For the same reasaon He is said to come “out of the stem of Jesse – out of his roots.”

”For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7: 17)

This King is not even said to come out of the house of David.

”For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.” (Hebrews 7: 18)

Because then the people might have envisioned king David who had risen to great stature and prominence in Israel during his days.

”For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” (Hebrews 7: 19)

Instead, the stem of Jesse — Jesse was David’s father – he lived and died in meekness and obscurity.

”And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?” (1 Samuel 18: 18)

Christ would come from a family which was cut down to the point that its existence was unrecognizable.

Therefore the Holy Spirit does not say this king will come from the house of David.

”For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53: 2)

One reason that the carnal, natural man will not bow to Christ our King is the same reason he was rejected when he walked this earth.

One, he appeared as nothing more than a man – the word here for Branch is “Netser.”

They knew if he was the king then Caesar was not king.

Until he makes us to behold him as he is — KING of kings and lord of lords – all you will see is a man, and you and I will not bow.

But he makes his people willing in the day of his power.

”And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” (Revelation 5: 5)

But notice, in other places he is not spoken of as a rod out of the stem of Jesse but a Righteous Branch and King unto David.

”Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23: 5-6)

In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious: In the day that the LORD chopped down and burned the field and took away all the stately, impressive, strength of the people; in that day did God shine in counsel with glory upon the earth; the Branch–the man, Christ Jesus, the servant of God, the Mediator between God and men came in his lowly state of humiliation on earth.

”And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” (Isaiah 11: 1)

But this branch grew and brought forth much fruit.

”In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” (Isaiah 4: 2)

And the fruit of the earth [shall] be excellent and comely: He is the fruit of the earth because he was born of woman – Christ is the firstfruit; the Branch — Christ Jesus – is covered in fruits of divine grace: righteousness, reconciliation, peace, pardon, adoption, sanctification, and eternal life.

He is excellent in his person, more than excellent than the angels; he obtained a more excellent ministry than Aaron and his sons; excellent in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; his people are branches in him receiving precious life and fruitfulness from him.

”He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” (Isaiah 27: 6)

Therefore He is the Vine — excellent and comely – for them that are escaped of Israel: Christ Jesus the Branch shall not be excellent and comely to all men, but to them who have seen his glory, have tasted that he is gracious and believe on him; these are the remnant according to the election of grace, the preserved of Israel, the chosen of God, and precious, who are saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation.

”Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalm 92: 13)

This Vine, this Branch spread and his kingdom increased in the Gentile world as well.

”To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61: 3)

The wealth and honor of this world are contemptible to our King Priest.

”And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.” (Psalm 80: 15)

His kingdom is not of this world.

”I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15: 1-5)

Earthly power and riches have nothing to do with the success of Christ the King, the Righteous Branch.

”I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22: 16)

For each of us personally, when he has chopped you down like he did Israel, brought you to nothing but a stump, then within each sinner the Life springs up — the tender plant, the plant of humility, and by God’s grace; His rain and His sun, His snow and His watering – you grow in grace, in knowledge and understanding of Christ Jesus the Lord and become fruitful.

‘I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.’

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Where Is Your Treasure?” (27:48 minutes) https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11909820591

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 22 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Morning Of Forever

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” | Isaiah 2: 1-4

The Lord Jesus Christ established and exalted his church by his life, death and resurrection.

From heaven through the church on earth he is now establishing and exalting his church above every hill of falsehood by calling out his people, teaching them, and causing them to walk in him alone by faith.

But there is one last work which he shall perform in establishing and exalting his house.

By the power of his grace working within his people in his church the Lord makes his people a peaceful people.

Swords and spears are poor gardening tools.

Therefore he makes his people instruments for husbandry.

Believers have ceased binding others with the law – not only because we can not obey it but because an obedience to the law can in no way cleanse the filth of our flesh so that we are holy, only Christ can.

Knowing that Christ has freely, fully, forever accomplished our warfare by reconciling us to God in righteouness and true holiness we no longer study how to war against God with the sword and spears of our works.

Instead, we preach Christ who has made us more than conquerors.

And though this is true of the believer in this life, we do not yet know the fullness of peace while we remain in this sinful flesh and sinful world.

Yet, in the end of these last days, after the Lord has called his saints from the four corners of this world, he shall then bring the remainder of the nations before him in judgment and shall rebuke many people for the hardness of their hearts and the sin that all men are.

But at last he shall establish his bride in a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells only righteousness; where there will fully be no war and need for instruments of war.

In that day he shall exalt his bride as the trophy of his victory by the work he performed from beginning to end.

She shall be established and exalted when he presents her to himself, a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without blemish.

He established and exalted his church by his person and finished work, and by raising her in him to the right hand of God.

He is establishing and exalting his church above the hills of every false dominion through his church through the gospel he teaches in the heart.

He shall establish and exalt his bride one last time to be with him.

On that morning when forever begins, all those present shall have one and the same song, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

Amen.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Candlestick, The Table and The Showbread” (25:34 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 2 August, 2008 | Previous post date: 29 August, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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There Is No Better Gospel

”And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.” | Mark 15: 2-5

Charles Spurgeon’s grandfather, who was also a pastor, said of his grandson, “He may preach the gospel better than I can, but he cannot preach a better gospel.”

Spurgeon denied that he could preach the gospel better than his grandfather, but he agreed that there is no better gospel to preach.

I whole heartedly agree.

There is no better gospel than the gospel of God’s electing love that declares God chose to save sinners who could not and would not ever do anything to deserve it.

There is no better gospel than the gospel of God’s love for sinners that declares God set His love on sinners who never would have loved Him unless God first loved them.

There is no better gospel than the gospel of substitution where the Son of God took the place of sinners and suffered and died in their place.

There is no better gospel than the gospel of redemption in the blood of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to fully pay the sin debt of a sinful people, who were the enemies of God.

There is no better gospel than the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace to sinners that declares God saved a people with no help from them or their works, and God gives His salvation to them freely (without any condition they must meet).

There is no better gospel than the gospel of Christ the successful Savior of sinners that declares the Lord Jesus Christ didn’t “try” to save anyone. Christ the Savior came to save the elect people the Father gave Him to save and that is exactly what He did.

Different men may be more or less gifted to preach the gospel than others, but I intend to hear them as support them as long as they preach THE gospel because the blessing is not in the man preaching.

The blessing is in the glorious Savior who he preaches.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “The Sinner’s Substitute” (29:05 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 9 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Grace Alone, Christ Alone

”Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” | 2 Timothy 1: 9

If any man thinks that he is justified before God by his good works he is tragically and dreadfully mistaken. ”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3: 5)

”For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 19-22)

”There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

What a horrible rebuke of the effectual, substitutionary sacrifice and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, to entertain thoughts of self-glory, self-righteousness and self-salvation. ”Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” (Philippians 2: 6-9)

”Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28: 16)

”Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

Paul made this very argument to the Galatians church: ”I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2: 21)

”And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16: 15)

The Lord Jesus Christ alone is all any sinner needs to stand in God’s presence justified.

”But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13-16)

”Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3: 11)

Those in Christ by sovereign adoption, effectual calling, powerful regeneration and saving faith have no other hope nor ground on which to stand.

”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

Some might ask, “Is the Lord Jesus Christ enough?”

If the Lord Jesus Christ is all you have, God says that is enough!

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Counting Down Our Days To Christ” (34:51 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 12 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Rejoicing In The Lord

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” | Philippians 4: 4

Believers in the Lord Jesus do rejoice in the Lord always.

They rejoice that His grace is always sufficient, that His blood ever cleanses them from all sin, that by His righteousness imputed to them they are justified before the law, that His love for them never fails, that by His providence He continually works all things together for their good, to them who are the called according to His purpose, that His intercession before the Father on their behalf is continual and rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Sinner’s Story Of Salvation” (24:30 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 14 June, 2022

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There Shall Come Forth A Rod

The word means a KING shall come forth.

But the word “rod” teaches us so much more than if the Spirit had said a scepter or a king.

We just saw how the LORD cleared his vineyard, his garden, made bear the land because of the haughtiness and pride of the stouthearted rebels who refused to bow to him.

Then the KING of kings and LORD of lords is described as a “rod.”

Do you know what a king used to show his power and authority – a golden scepter.

Earthly kings liked a scepter because it made them appear to be more in authority and to have more power.

But why wasn’t the word “king” or “scepter’ used here, instead of the word “rod”?

Way back starting with Moses and Aaron, God chose for his prophet, and his priest to be recognized, not through the use of a scepter but a rod.

God commanded Moses to use only a rod – which was likely an unattractive piece of wood compared to Pharaoh’s golden scepter.

But such was the rod God chose to perform all the mighty signs of God’s power upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

It was of the earth and there was nothing necessarily attractive about the rod itself, but it was filled with the power of God.

We read “and Moses took the rod of God in his hand”

”And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.” (Exodus 4: 20)

Aaron cast his rod on the ground and it became a serpent.

”For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” (Exodus 7: 12)

God commanded Moses to have Aaron smite the waters with that rod and he turned the waters in Egypt into blood.

He made lice in the earth and upon man when the rod smote the earth.

The rod was held up by Moses and the children of Israel prevailed against the Amalekites.

The LORD used this rod to show that he was with Moses his prophet.

Then when Korah and his men rejected Moses and Aaron, it was a rod that the LORD used to reveal who it was he had chosen as his High Priest.

Twelve rods – a rod for each tribe with their names on the rods was set out.

Aarons’ name was on the rod for the house of Levi.

”And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.” (Numbers 17: 4-6)

(All set forth by God by a rod–Aaron’s rod that budded and brought forth fruit–almonds.)

”And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.” (Numbers 17: 7-10)

It was by holding up the rod that the Red Sea parted and the children went over on dry ground.

”And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.” (Isaiah 10: 26)

The LORD just said through Isaiah that this is how he would destroy the enemies of his people.

The kings of the earth preferred a golden scepter.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “First Be Reconciled” (43:00 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 22 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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What Do We Think of Christ?

”For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” | 2 Corinthians 2: 15-16

Every time I am about to preach, I pray the Lord would give me the ability to speak to every soul there as if no one has ever heard of the Lord Jesus Christ – that every person is lost and must come to Christ for life!

”If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3: 1)

AND I pray that He enables me to tell of our Great God’s faithfulness and promises to His people, with all comfort and assurance – as though every person there has come to Him and was surely His child!

”Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3: 2)

Then I ask – “Who is sufficient for these things?”

”For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3: 3-4)

If we preach only Christ and Him crucified, the Word of God, His person and His work – HE will accomplish both!

Not me.

~ Pastor Kevin Thacker

Click here to listen to the message “What Do We Think of Christ?” (32:23 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 12 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Man Is Justified By Faith

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” | Romans 3: 28

Most preachers, church members, and Bible teachers agree with this statement, “A man is justified by faith.”

But when we define, from the Scriptures, what Paul is actually saying here, we have great disagreement.

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” (Luke 3: 16)

1.) WHO JUSTIFIES? “It is God that justifieth.” Salvation is of the Lord from origination to consummation.

2.) WHOM DOES HE JUSTIFY? “The ungodly.” There are not a lot of folks standing in line to take this title unto themselves.

3.) HOW DOES HE JUSTIFY? “By grace through faith in Christ.” His blood and righteousness is our peace and holiness. By His doing and dying He – alone – enables God to be just and justifier!

4.) WHERE DOES SAVING FAITH COME FROM? “It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Yes!

I do believe a man is justified by faith!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “It’s All About Him” (28:53 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 July, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

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From Heaven Through His Church

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” | Isaiah 2: 1-3

The passage speaks of all nations flowing unto the Lord’s house.

We read that many people, not just his elect from among the Jews, shall go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.

Also, note that it is the Lord who shall do the teaching; that he shall teach, not of man’s ways, but of his ways.

The prophet says that when he teaches his people they will walk, not in the path of the little obstinate-stiff-necked hills, but in the Lord’s paths.

All this is because the law and the word of the Lord are going forth out of Zion from the top of the mountains and out of his Jerusalem.

“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23: 1-8)

After our Lord established and exalted his church by his life, his sacrifice and his ascension, God the Father gave him all power in heaven and in earth to send forth the gospel from heaven through his church on earth that he might rule in the midst of his enemies.

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110: 1-4)

From his throne in the mountain of glory, Christ Jesus the Lord is now establishing his church by drawing his redeemed people from the north, the south, the east and the west; an elect people out of all nations.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

From heavens Zion our victorious King Prophet is teaching his people through the local assemblies and pastors which he has established and raised up.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Colossians 1: 21-23)

His people rejoice to hear of his way of electing grace, of establishing them complete in God’s presence in righteous judgment by his own wisdom, righteousness and holiness.

They delight in his way of regenerating his spiritually dead children when he comes in power and grace to each of them; his way of preserving them by the word of his power and of faithfully fulfilling his every promise.

“Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” (Zechariah 8: 1-3)

As he draws them to his house one-by-one, it is not a grand spectacle or something even noticed by the world of religion who reject the gospel for another jesus.

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.” (Micah 4: 1)

Yet, by the work that he alone is performing, his elect, hear his voice from heaven through his church on earth and they follow him.

“Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.” (Micah 3: 9-12)

Christ has made the path free of all thorns of sin and stones of ignorance; they know he is the Way and therefore they walk in his path.

“Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 51: 25-26)

This is the second manner in which the Lord establishes and exalts his house above the insignificant hills of falsehood.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Faith’s Confidence” (17:15 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 1 August, 2008 | Previous post date: 28 August, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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Don’t Cling To Shadows

”And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” | Colossians 2: 15-23

The more we are in the presence of Him Whom our souls love, the less we can bear to be out of it.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Don’t Cling To Shadows” (27:36 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 12 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a