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Burial or Cremation?

”And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you” | Exodus 13: 19

Here the Spirit of God tells us that Moses did something that must have been very conspicuous to the nation of Israel as they made haste and left the land of Egypt. They left the land in haste, but not as slaves secretly escaping from their captors in the night. They left Egypt as slaves who had completely conquered, spoiled and dispossessed their captors in an open display of triumph and victory. As they left the land of captivity, Moses took the bones of Joseph with them.

Why do you suppose he did that?

I know this: God the Holy Spirit tells us in Hebrews 11 that Joseph made his brethren swear to carry his bones out of Egypt by faith, Moses carried his bones out of Egypt by faith, and Joshua buried his bones in Canaan by faith. And I think he did this as an indication of how believers ought to honor the dead bodies of those the Lord has taken to glory.

I am often asked, and several of you have asked me about this. — “Should a believer be cremated or buried?”

While the Scriptures do not give any commandment, they do, in my opinion, clearly indicate that the burial of our bodies is most consistent with the faith of the gospel. Our Lord was buried in the earth; and we confess our Savior and our faith in him by a burial in believer’s baptism. Clearly, there is a connection between burial and our faith in Christ.

Jacob Embalmed

Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah in the land of Canaan; and when he died, Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the same tomb (Genesis 23 and 25). And in Genesis 50 Joseph had his father Jacob embalmed, spent forty days mourning him, and obtained special permission from Pharaoh to carry his body up to Canaan. There he buried Jacob with Abraham and Isaac.

No doubt many, as they watched this procession, must have thought, “Why all this bother? Why all this expense? The man is dead.

“And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.” (2 Chronicles 16: 14)

Don’t they know that his body is going to rot and decay and return to the dust? Doesn’t Joseph know that the body is just a shell, not the man?” Yes, Joseph knew all that, and more. He did what he did to honor the father he dearly loved.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 5: 1-5)

And Joseph embalmed his father because embalming was an indication that the one whose body was dead was really very much alive.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11: 25-26)

The Scriptures do not tell us that; but that was the reason the Egyptians embalmed their dead and built great pyramids for their kings.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116: 15)

And our Lord Jesus tells us plainly that the death of the body is not, for God’s elect, death at all, but the beginning of a better life.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.” (Acts 9: 36-37)

Joseph embalmed his father in hope of the resurrection.

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15: 29)

When Paul speaks of the baptism of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29, the word baptism is used there as it is when the Scriptures speak of washing cups and pots and tables.

“And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” (Mark 7: 4-8)

The Apostle asserts that the reason for the practice of washing (embalming the dead) is the hope of the resurrection.

“And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.” (2 Chronicles 21: 19)

The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed our bodies as well as our souls.

It is altogether proper for us to treat the bodies of the dead with the utmost respect and honor, burying them in hope of the resurrection.

Joseph in a Coffin

That is what Joseph did for his father.

“And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50: 22-26)

He embalmed him and buried him in the land of Canaan, believing the Word and promise of God, — that he would live again in resurrection glory. Joseph’s last act, as he was leaving this world, was an act of faith. He required his brothers to swear to him that they not leave his bones in Egypt.

The Book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, closes with Joseph in a coffin.

All God’s dealings with Israel recorded in these 50 chapters, all the promises made to the patriarchs, and the glories of God’s servant Joseph end with “a coffin in Egypt.” For 300 years Israel was left with nothing but a mummy and a word of promise. The elaborately embalmed body of Joseph lay in a coffin, probably on public display somewhere in Goshen for 300 years! For three centuries, that silent “coffin in Egypt” preached its mighty message.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7: 2-4)

What did it say?

First, it was a silent reminder of mortality.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90: 12)

The shriveled, colorless lips that lay in that coffin, wrapped with linen, had left as their last utterance, “I die, but God will surely visit you.” No man is necessary. No mere mortal is indispensable. God’s Israel will survive the loss of the strongest and wisest. God lives, though a hundred Josephs die.

“And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.” (Exodus 1: 7)

Joseph died; “And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them”. So life springs side by side with death. There are cradles as well as graves; but the fact remains, you and I must soon die.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15: 51-58)

Second, that “coffin in Egypt” was a herald of hope. Joseph’s bones, lying in “a coffin in Egypt,” perpetually declared, God will bring you out of this place.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)

That is precisely what the Scriptures teach us about the burial of God’s saints in the earth.

Third, that “coffin in Egypt” was a preacher of patience. No doubt, hope deferred for 300 years had made many hearts sick and caused many fainting Israelites to ask in unbelief, “Where is the promise of his coming?”

But, for all those years, the silent coffin laid before the children of Israel proclaiming, “Though the vision tarry, wait for it.” Surely we need the same lesson.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8: 16-24)

Fourth, that “coffin in Egypt” was a pledge of possession. It proclaimed, “Canaan is yours and you shall possess it”.

Moses and Joseph’s Bones

Why does the Spirit of God tell us that Moses carried Joseph’s bones out of Egypt?

It is certain that Moses did not personally, physically carry that coffin containing Joseph’s bones out of Egypt. Yet, our text declares that the carrying of Joseph’s bones out of Egypt was specifically the work of Moses.

Why?

Moses represented the law of God.

Joseph was typical of our Lord Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead, because the law being satisfied, death had no more claim upon him.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” (1 Peter 4: 1-2)

Joseph also represented God’s elect who have been brought out of the bondage of sin and death, because God’s holy law has no claim upon us, since Christ has put away our sin.

Joshua and Joseph’s Bones

But Moses, the law, could never give Joseph and Israel the possession of the land of Canaan. That was a work that had to be done by Joshua. Joseph’s bones were buried in Canaan with Joshua’s, after the Lord God fulfilled every promise he had made to Abraham and the nation of Israel concerning that land

“And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” (Joshua 24: 29-32)

So it shall be with you and me. As Joshua brought Joseph’s bones into Canaan and laid him to rest with himself in the land of promise, so the Lord Jesus Christ, our great Joshua, shall give us rest in the land of God’s promise

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” (Hebrews 4: 1)

When I leave this body, please, bury my body in the earth with my Redeemer to await the resurrection.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Burial or Cremation?”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 10 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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How Is The Believer Dead To The World?

”And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” | 1 Timothy 3: 16

A young student asked his Bible teacher ‘How is the believer dead to the world when he lives in the world, works a regular job, raises a family, and owns property in the world?’

The teacher sent him out to the gravesite of a friend with instructions to criticize the dead friend, harass him, and find fault, and then praise him with glowing terms and brag on him to excess.

Upon his return, the teacher asked, ‘What did your friend say when you criticized him?’

‘Nothing.’

‘How did he react when you praised him?’

‘It made no difference to him; he is dead!’

‘That is what it means to be dead to this world,’ said the teacher.

Its applause means nothing and its hatred means nothing.

We neither admire the people of this world nor do we fear them.

The riches of this world are but the fancy of fools, and the honors of this world mean little or nothing; for to be a child of God is the highest calling.

The religious traditions and ceremonies of the world have no attraction nor meaning when Christ is all!

That which was once important to us we now consider loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, our Lord.

This spiritual life in Christ cannot be explained; it must be experienced.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Summary of True Religion”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 10 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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No Preaching Is Better Than Bad Preaching

”Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” | Hebrews 6: 1-2

Some people are under the impression that when they are out of town on the Lord’s Day, they ought to go to some sort of church regardless of what kind of preaching they might have to endure.

I have been asked what I do when I find myself in a locality where the gospel is not set forth?

On those rare occasions when I am not preaching on a Sunday and in an area where there is no one nearby who proclaims the message of sovereign grace, this is what I will not do.

I will not go and hear a man preach “another gospel” which robs God of the glory of His free grace in the salvation of sinners.

I refuse to listen to any preacher who insists that God loves everybody, Jesus Christ died for everybody and the Holy Spirit is trying to save everybody.

I reject the idea that I ought to “go to church” even if it means I must sit under the ministry of a false prophet who instructs his hearers that their eternal destiny is dependent upon and controlled by their free-will.

As long as I have somewhat of a sound mind, you will not find me listening to a man who believes that there are sinners in hell for whom Jesus has already endured God’s wrath and paid their price of redemption.

I will, instead, remain wherever it is that I am staying to read the Word, pray and rejoice privately in the gracious Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ, “Who of God is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.”

Permit me to draw a parallel using a far-fetched illustration. I would always choose to remain at home and eat whatever is set before me with the full confidence that, though it might be a simple meal, it will be beneficial for me, rather than go out to a beautiful restaurant where I would be warmly greeted, led to my seat at a gorgeous, flower-adored table and then have to dine upon, at worst, food poisoned by the chef with arsenic or, at best, a plate full of sand and gravel.

~ Pastor Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “Things That Accompany The Salvation of God”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 9 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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The Desert Years

”And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.” | Exodus 2: 23

It is striking how the holy truth of election was woven into the common speech of the early church.

When Paul greets the Thessalonians, he writes,” Knowing brethren beloved your ELECTION of God”. (1 Thessalonians 1: 4)

Peter begins his epistle with, “ELECT according to the foreknowledge of God;” and when he closes the same letter he says,” The church that is at Babylon, ELECTED together with you, saluteth you.”

John writes, “The elder unto the ELECT lady,” and closes the letter with, “The children of my ELECT sister greet thee.”

It was not at all awkward for election to come out even in these greetings and good-byes.

Why?

Because election was not merely a doctrine which they believed the Bible taught, but they worshipped the God of election.

Election tells us God is God!

and election tells us that salvation is all of grace.

This was doctrine that not only a few of the more mature believers believed, but it was woven into the ways and woof of the thinking of the early church.

It was the first thing Annanias told Paul about: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee”. (Acts 22: 14)

Remember this; you cannot separate election and God Himself.

He is the God of election.

The early church knew this, and the church of the 20th century knows it also!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “The Desert Years” (40:54 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The Way They Call Heresy

”But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” | Acts 24: 14

“I commend you to God.”

What better instruction could any minister give to his congregation.

Don’t look to the Law; it will only serve to condemn you.

Don’t look to religious ceremony; it will only serve to befuddle you.

Don’t look to yourself; it will only serve to make you self righteous.

Don’t even look to the preacher; he is a sinner and needs grace just like you.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 22)

Look to the Lord Jesus Christ to provide all things in salvation.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

He is made to the believer wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Keep looking always to Him.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Way They Call Heresy”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 4 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Whosoever Will

”And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” | Revelation 22: 17

Those that love and preach the message of God’s sovereign saving grace in Christ alone are often accused of not believing in “whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”

How can one that God has taught by His Holy Spirit believe anything other than this?

It is clearly taught in scripture!

The unregenerate falsely say that because we accept and preach the truth of God’s electing grace, we proclaim a message that excludes some men from coming to Christ even if they want to. The problem is not the call to come… the problem is man’s willingness and ability to come.

When the Lord Jesus cried in the last day, that great day of the feast… (John 7: 37) “if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” why did men not come to Him to drink of the water of life?

I’ll tell you why… they didn’t want to!

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5: 39-40)

Men by nature are just not willing to come to Christ as He is revealed in scripture!

“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.” (Psalm 110: 3)

Hear the sweet message of God’s grace to an undeserving people… ‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.’

Those that the Holy Ghost effectually calls, willingly come to Him as spiritual beggars in need of a Savior!

They come because they now see the hopelessness of salvation without Christ the Mediator between God and themselves.

They have been given a new heart to come to Christ for mercy.

They willingly come to Christ as their Surety, their Representative, and their Substitute before God.

I leave you with these questions.

Do you want to come? If you do, believe me, it’s not because you decided to exercise your free will, because your natural will is the slave of sin!

Will you be saved by His grace alone? If you will, it’s because you’ve seen your works of self-righteousness to be unacceptable before God because of sin.

Do you know by faith that the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus to robe you for justification before God’s law is the only covering of eternal hope?

Will you come to Christ as the One who was made a curse for you at Calvary? If you will, COME!

If you have no desire to come to Christ like this and you perish in your sins, it’s your own fault.

But if you desire to willingly come because you see by faith your need of Christ for life by His blood, it’s because God has shown you mercy by giving you that new heart to come and has been pleased to not leave you to yourself.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The High Cost Of Free Grace”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 3 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Mechanics of Grace?

”Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” | 1 Corinthians 1: 20-24

Where can I go this Lord’s Day and hear the mercy of God, not the mechanics of grace?

Where can I go and hear the love of Christ and not the law of God for saints?

Where can I go and hear of the righteousness of God fulfilled by Christ and not the righteousness of the creature to be rewarded by God?

Let us say, by God’s grace, this will be the place and I will be the preacher.

The message will not be flowery but full of grace; it will not be with enticing words of man’s wisdom but the sovereign mercy of God to helpless sinners in a language all men understand.

Let the scholars, theologians and authors go elsewhere to have their intellects “challenged.”

Lord make me Thy voice to thy people!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “We Preach Christ Crucified”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 2 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Demand And Supply

”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” | 2 Timothy 4: 2-3

Paul predicted that the time would come when people would not receive the gospel of grace.

Motivated by their carnal desires, they will, therefore, seek out, find and listen to those preachers whose objective is to tell folks exactly what they want to hear. Surely the time about which Paul prophesied has arrived. The philosophy of consumerism has been carried over from the marketplace into the church building.

The rule of the day among false religionists is demand and supply.

Whatever the congregation demands, that’s what lying prophets are ready to supply. The average preacher today may be likened to a clever businessman. He is consumer oriented and motivated by personal success. His job is to find out what religious consumers want and then provide it for them.

That is the secret to success in the business world, and that is the secret to making it big in the religious arena.

There are multitudes of preachers saying virtually anything anybody would want to hear. The demand creates the supply. The hearers determine what their preachers will say and do. As one of the old writers said, “If the people desire a golden calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4: 2)

Though most preachers are ready to supply the demands of the multitudes, the Lord still has His servants who are faithful to their commission which is summed up in Scripture: “preach the Word.”

God’s men boldly proclaim the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

God’s men seek the approval of God, not the applause of men.

God’s men have no selfish ambitions; they have set no lofty, personal goals.

God’s men seek the glory of God in all things and, as Paul told the Corinthians, they are “determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

God’s men faithfully set forth God as being absolutely sovereign in all that He does.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2: 9)

God’s men proclaim that “salvation is of the LORD”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12: 1)

God’s men proclaim man’s total depravity and his utter inability to save himself or make himself acceptable before a holy God.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 2)

God’s men proclaim the successful, redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for His people.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8: 6)

God’s men proclaim the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit. Boldly and unashamedly they declare that “Christ is all.” He is all to be known, all to be seen in the Bible and all to be preached from the pulpit.

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 26)

God’s men proclaim how God can be Just and justify the ungodly through the doing and the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When their hearers are amening the sermon, they preach Christ crucified.

When their hearers are ready to stone them to death because of the gospel they proclaim, they just continue preaching the Word of the Lord in obedience to their Master.

The world’s rule of demand and supply means nothing to them.

The message God has supplied and demands them to preach, that is what they proclaim.

~ Pastor Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “A Promise That Ought To Revive”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 1 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Contemporary Religion

”Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” | Song Of Solomon 1: 4

NEVER in the history of the world has there been so much religious activity.

Religious men and women, young and old, are actively involved in political, social, and moral issues in the name of God (and for the good they do, I am truly thankful).

In the matter of “soul-winning,” evangelists, missionaries, pastors and personal witnesses “compass sea and land” (Matthew 23: 15) in their efforts to “win” sinners to Jesus (and for the success they have, generally speaking, I am truly sorry!).

The true “soul-winners” are those evangelists, missionaries, pastors and witnesses whose chief endeavor is to set forth the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified before sinners as He is revealed in the Word of God, leaving the results to God the Spirit.

”O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3: 1)

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, is not standing by someplace waiting for “soul-winners” to bring sinners to Himself.

”For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2: 2)

The Christ of God comes to the sinners He saves.

Where they are, as they are, through the preached Word, opening their hearts and taking up residence there by the Holy Spirit.

Sinners cannot come to the Lord Jesus, nor can they be “won” to the Lord Jesus by the wiles of some alleged “soul-winner.”

”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.” (Psalm 110: 3)

The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to SAVE sinners, and He is doing just that!

He pursues, subdues and renews whom He wills. ”For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

”No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6: 44,45)

“Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Come to your saints here today. Come to lost sinners here today. “Draw us and we will run after Thee”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “The Words of The Preacher”

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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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Worthy Is The Lamb

”And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” | Revelation 5: 11-12

Let us arm ourselves, above all, with clear, sound views of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the salvation that is in Him.

He is “the image of the invisible God,” “the express image of His person,” and the true preservative against all idolatry, when truly known. Let us build ourselves deep down on the strong foundation of His finished work upon the cross. Let us settle it firmly in our minds that Christ Jesus has done everything necessary in order to present us without spot before the throne of God, and that simple, child like faith on our part is the only thing required to give us an entire interest in the work of Christ. Let us not doubt that, having this faith, we are completely justified in the sight of God; that we shall never be more justified than we are now if we live to the age of Methuselah and do the works of the Apostle Paul; and that we CAN ADD NOTHING to that complete justification by any acts, deeds, words, performances, fasting, prayers, giving to those in need, attendance on ordinances, nor anything else of our own.

Above all, let us keep up continual communion with the person of the Lord Jesus! Let us abide in Him daily, feed on Him daily, look to Him daily, lean on Him daily, live upon Him daily, draw from His fullness daily. Let us realize this, and the idea of other mediators, other comforters, other intercessors will seem utterly absurd. “What need is there?” we shall reply. “I have Christ, and in Him I have all. What have I to do with idols? I have Christ Jesus in my heart, Christ Jesus in the Bible, and Christ Jesus in heaven; and I want nothing more!” — J.C. Ryle (1816-1900, English Preacher)

Martin Luther said in effect that if a man was ashamed of the one truth that was under attack in his own day, then he was ashamed of the truth period. It seems that one truth under attack today is God’s right to determine what is morally right and what is morally wrong, what is sin and what is not. A teen ager just told me this week that there was no such thing as filthy language; it’s only filthy to you if you deem it to be filthy. Yet God says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.”

God has determined what is filthy and what is not. Many in our day want unfettered liberty to live in open and profane sin and they are offended when they are told that God gives no such liberty. This is a truth we must not be ashamed of in our day.

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Worthy is the Lamb”

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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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia