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If God The Holy Spirit Calls All…

”Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” | Psalm 110: 3

How often have your heard a preacher say, “God has done all he can to save you, and now it is up to you”?

Think about that for a minute.

If God has done all he can to save all men, if God the Holy Spirit is gracious alike to all, if he calls all alike, if his power is exercised upon all alike for the saving of their souls, and some yet perish in unbelief under the wrath of God and are forever lost, what does the power, grace, will, and call of God the Holy Spirit have to do with anyone’s salvation?

Absolutely nothing!

If the Spirit of God strives to regenerate and save all men alike, if he seeks to bring every man and woman in the world to life and faith in Christ, and some are not saved, then it must be concluded that he has no power to give life to anyone, that he has no grace to regenerate anyone, that he has no ability to save anyone. In a word, it must be concluded that the eternal God is a frustrated, dismal failure, incapable of accomplishing anything!

To say that God loves all people alike, that he wills the salvation of all, that Christ died to redeem and save all, that the Holy Spirit strives to save all is to declare, “Salvation is not of the Lord at all, but rather it is the response and work of man that saves!” It is to declare, as multitudes do, “God has done all that he can do, but salvation is altogether up to you!” Such thoughts are utterly blasphemous!

Caused to Approach

It is written, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Psalm 65: 4) Regeneration, the new birth, eternal life is the gift and work of God the Holy Spirit, the operation of his omnipotent grace. (John 3: 5-8)

Every chosen, redeemed sinner is, at God’s appointed “time of love,” graciously born of the Spirit, made willing in the day of Christ’s saving power, and caused to approach him in faith. It is not the sinner’s willingness to come to Christ, or his coming to Christ in faith that causes him to be born of God.

Can a spiritually dead sinner rally his will and alter it, muster faith in himself and bring himself to Christ?

What nonsense!

By the new birth and the revelation of Christ in the heaven born soul, the sinner is given a new nature and a new will, a new heart with new inclinations, and is sweetly, irresistibly, effectually caused to come to Christ in faith.

More than Religious Knowledge

The new birth is more than a change of mind. It is more than the mere acquirement of religious knowledge. Anyone who is familiar with the Word of God knows that all men and women have some awareness of God, of sin, of life, of death, of judgment, and of eternity. (Romans 1: 18-20; Romans 2: 14-15)

Man is by nature a very religious creature. (John 5: 39-40) And unsaved religious people often recognize and believe some true facts about God and Christ and salvation. (John 3: 2) But the quickening, regenerating work of God the Holy Spirit is much, much more than embracing facts about God and salvation. As John Owen wrote…

“Of all the poison which at this day is diffused in the minds of men, corrupting them from the mystery of the gospel, there is no part that is more pernicious than this one perverse imagination, that to ‘believe in Christ’ is nothing at all but to believe the doctrine of the gospel!’”

In the new birth Christ is revealed in the chosen sinner. (Galatians 1: 15-16) God the Holy Spirit gives impotent, dead sinners eternal life. (John 3: 5-8; Ephesians 2: 1-5) And the life he imparts is Christ himself. (Colossians 1: 27; 2 Peter 1: 4) Revealing Christ in the heart, he convicts and convinces sinners of sin, righteousness, and judgment, (John 16: 8-15; 1 Corinthians 2: 7-10; Zechariah 10: 12) and effectually draws sinners to Christ and makes them willing to come. (John 6: 44-45; Psalm 110: 3)

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “A Great Savior For Great Sinners”

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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 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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In Spirit and Truth

”God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, Must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth,” | John 4: 24

Here are two principles of worship without which all worship of God is vain.

God must be worshipped in spirit – a heart worship – as opposed to mere forms and ceremonies, going through the motions with body and lip service, etc.

If the heart does not pray it, the prayer is not accepted. IF the heart does not sing it, the song is not accepted. If the heart does not believe it, it is vain to profess it.

Those who worship God, must worship in spirit. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 10)

Those who worship God in spirit must also worship Him in truth.

God has revealed Himself in His Word of truth as who HE is; how HE saves; by whom HE saves; the way in which any one must approach unto Him to worship.

All worship that is contrary to truth is vain worship.

All who worship God must worship Him in truth.

Someone has said, “How astonishing is the fact, that man dares to introduce his miserable inventions to deform the scriptural simplicity of divine; as if God who makes all things perfect, had, in this most important institution, forgotten to direct the use of altars – magnificent vestment – pomp and ceremonies. When will man, with child-like simplicity, follow gospel rules?”

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “What is it that really matters”

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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: 15 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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A God Ready To Pardon

”And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” | Nehemiah 9: 17

God, as He has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures delights to shew mercy and to pardon guilty sinners.

He has not left us to guess about His character. David said of Him, “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86: 5) His readiness to pardon is seen in His longsufferings to Israel. God’s dealings with national Israel are very typical of His dealings with spiritual Israel. Though we are no more deserving of mercy than they were, yet God in Christ Jesus has been pleased to choose, justify and pardon His elect. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

God’s readiness to pardon His people is seen in the following points.

1). IN HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE! “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3: 8-12)


We must never think that Christ Jesus died to make God merciful. The death of the Lord Jesus is the result of the eternal purpose and love of God. (Revelation 13: 8) Before Adam’s rebellion ever took place, the remedy and redemption of the sheep of Christ was absolute and certain. (1 Corinthians 15: 22) Before Adam ever fell, Jesus Christ stood as the Surety and Mediator of the covenant of grace. (Hebrews 13: 20)

2). IN HIS GRACIOUS PROVISION! “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4: 4-7)
God at great cost to Himself, from His own bosom gave His only begotten, well beloved Son. (John 3: 16) God in His holiness and strict justice cannot simply give the sinner pardon, without honoring His justice. (Ezekiel 8: 20) Therefore, God took to Himself sinless humanity. Living as our representative He perfectly obeyed the law for us in all its precepts and penalties. (Isaiah 42: 21) (Romans 8: 1-4)

3). IN HIS SATISFYING PROPITIATION! “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2: 16-18) How can God be just and yet justify the ungodly; be a just God and Saviour? That is the vital question of the hour, which nobody is asking. The only way is for God himself to satisfy His own justice. (Isaiah 53: 10) This is what happened at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ died in the place of His people, as the sinner’s Substitute. Bearing the sin of His people being imputed to Him, He suffered for them to satisfy God’s justice. (2 Corinthians 5: 21) (1 Peter 3: 18). The atonement doesn’t change the character of God, it honors and glorifies his justice and mercy. ( Psalm 85: 10)

4). IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL! “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 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.” (1 Corinthians 1: 17-21)


God in His infinite wisdom has devised very simple means to call out His elect. (Romans 10: 13-17) God effectually calls out His sheep through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 10: 27) Wherever His people are, whoever they are, God will cross their path with the truth of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8: 26-40) (1 Peter 1: 23-25) (James 1: 18)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Behold The Lamb 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: 15 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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What Is It To Preach The Gospel?

”I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” | 2 Timothy 4: 1-5

“Let’s just use Bible terms.” That sounds very good, doesn’t it?

Whenever men have backed themselves into a corner by stating and defending a doctrinal position that is shown to be erroneous, if they are unwilling to acknowledge their error, you can almost always expect to hear them say, sometimes without even blushing to show their embarrassment, “Let’s just use Bible terms.” 150 years ago an Arminian by the name of Alexander Campbell started his heretical denomination of will worshippers — they call themselves the Church of Christ – teaching his followers that all errors and divisions in the church arise from men using “enticing words of man’s wisdom” to teach false doctrine. In doing so, he willfully perverted Paul’s doctrine in 1 Corinthians 2. https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1co/2/1/ss0/rl0/s_1064001

Many defend their erroneous doctrine just as Campbell did, insisting that we say exactly what God says in the Bible, no more and no less. At first, that appears very pious. But is it proper, or even possible, for God’s servants, to teach the Word of God using only the words found in Holy Scripture? The obvious answer is, “No, of course not.” In fact, a slight review of the things stated by the very men who make such statements will demonstrate that they do not practice what they insist upon.

If we speak (or write) only in the language of Holy Scripture, we are not preaching the Scriptures, but merely reading the Scriptures. It is the preacher’s responsibility to “preach the Word,” expounding the Scriptures, to make full proof of his ministry by faithfully, honestly, and truthfully declaring that which is revealed in the Book of God.

If we followed the policy of saying exactly what God says in the Bible, no more and no less, we could never use such words as — “New Birth” — “Divine Sovereignty” — “Substitution” — “Trinity” — “Triune God” — “Total Depravity” — “Limited Atonement” — “Accomplished Redemption” — “Free Grace” — “Sovereign Grace” — “Grace Alone” — “Irresistible Grace” and — “Perfect Salvation,” or make statements like — “Christ is a perfect, complete Savior.” — “Jesus Christ is God.” and — “Divine Purpose.”

The list of forbidden words and phrases could be greatly extended; but these will suffice to show the folly of insisting that we say exactly what God says in the Bible, no more and no less.

Several years ago a local Campbellite preacher wrote an article in our local newspaper attacking something he had read by me in which I stated, “Salvation is by grace alone.” In his very pious sounding hypocrisy, he wrote, “We agree that the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace, but the Bible nowhere states that ‘salvation is by grace alone.’” He was exactly right in stating that. The Bible nowhere uses those exact words, but it universally teaches that exact doctrine. After pointing out that, “the Bible nowhere states that ‘salvation is by grace alone,’” the babbling heretic went own to declare that sinners are saved by baptism and good works, referring his readers to the exact words of Scripture!

Those who piously insist that we say exactly what God says in the Bible, no more and no less, prove themselves terribly hypocritical by the fact that they never follow the practice. Like the Campbellite mentioned above, they refer us to a word, phrase, or statement in the Bible, and then explain their meaning in words totally contrary to that which God the Holy Spirit has stated in Holy Scripture.

Words are vehicles of communication. They express ideas.

The ideas expressed by any use of words can only be determined by the context in which they are used. In preaching the gospel we interpret the ideas (the doctrine) conveyed in a passage in the light of its immediate context and in the light of the whole Volume of Divine Inspiration, and declare that doctrine honestly in the language of the people we address. When a man takes refuge in a pretense of using only the very words of Scripture it is because he is either uncertain of the meaning of those words, or those words convey something he wishes to hide.

“Holding fast the faithful Word,” as we have been taught by God the Holy Spirit, let every faithful gospel preacher boldly and confidently expound exactly what God says in the Bible, no more and no less — “by sound doctrine,” – “for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” (1 Peter 5: 2) I say with Paul, to all who are responsible to proclaim the gospel of Christ, “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine,” for the time has come when men “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

Brethren, “PREACH THE WORD!”

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “What Is It To Preach The Gospel”

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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: 15 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Forgiven, Covered, Not Imputed

”Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” | Romans 4: 6-8

Paul does not say that David said, ‘blessed is the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works’, but that he ‘describeth’ the blessedness of the same man.

He describes that blessedness in a little different language. Paul describes this blessedness in its positive aspect, David in the negative. Paul said God imputed something, David said God did not impute something.

Both are speaking of the same man. The absence of the one is the affirmation of the other.

If your sins are gone, you are righteous, but there is more to this righteousness imputed to us than just the absence of sin. If God just wiped the slate clean, we would mar it again before you could say “clean.” Nor is this just a perpetual wiping of the slate clean. We not only are sinless, but we positively have a righteousness that is ours, which is the very righteousness of God, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3: 22) the righteousness of Christ, “the Lord our righteousness.”

What do you mean we ‘have’ a righteousness?

Well, the word imputed is much misused and bandied about to make way for all sorts of wrong thinking. Here is how to clear up all of the wrong thinking about imputed righteousness: stop thinking (and saying) that when something is true in the sight of God, it is yet somehow not true. Imputation is not God seeing something differently than it actually is! Lose that thinking and rejoice! If God considers me righteous, it is because He has made me the righteousness of God in Him Who was made sin for me. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

It is not complicated, just unfathomable. Do not add to or butcher God’s word in an attempt to understand or explain it.

If God says it is so, believe and rejoice.

But, Chris, you are sinful and wretched. According to who? Who said so?

Paul challenges anyone to say so: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8: 33) Whoever raises a charge of sin against me, (my conscience, my enemies, whoever) is flying in the face of God.

Is this a naïve blindness to my present condition in the flesh?

No, it is simply walking by faith, not by sight.

We are sometimes like Elisha’s servant who saw only the enemies and a seemingly hopeless situation. Elisha prayed, “LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6: 17) If God would but open my eyes to see His precious, substitutionary, sin-atoning blood shed for me, then I will see the reality of the matter.

My sins are gone. Elisha’s servant did not see a mirage, but a vision of the true, a glimpse of reality.

The enemies did not disappear when his eyes were opened, but he saw them overwhelmed by the armies of Heaven. My present sinful condition is still visible to me, but where sin abounded, grace has much more abounded. And it is not ‘as though’ Christ put my sin away and became my Righteousness. It is that He ‘d i d s o.’

Now, God says I am sinless and righteous in Christ, and I say “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”

Postscript:

In Romans 4: 7 the word “covered” is used in regard to our sin.

Many words are used in scripture to describe how God has dealt with His people’s sin in Christ. Some have used this word “covered” as a way to explain the false idea that no sin was put away, redeemed, in any sense, until the time that Christ died on the cross. It is said that “cover” means to somehow sweep it under the rug until Christ died for it.

There is an obvious problem with this since our text says that whoever’s sins are covered, also have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, sin is not imputed to them and that their iniquities are forgiven. Sin that is covered from God’s sight is gone! Not deferred until a future reckoning. David described this blessedness long before our Saviour came and died.

In David’s day, as now, blessed is the man who is forgiven by God because of the eternal redemption of Christ for His people of all ages. Christ’s blood was shed in time, but His cross-work is an eternal work.

~ Pastor Chris Cunningham

Click here to listen to the message “Who Then Can Be Saved” 7

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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: 24 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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The Purpose Of The Church

”And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.” | 1 Kings 8: 20-21

This was Solomon’s declaration concerning the temple he built, which is the purpose of the church.

The church (people of God) is the temple of God, wherein the Name of the Lord is proclaimed, worshipped and honored.

And it is the place where you will hear the gospel of Christ… Whom the Ark of the covenant represents.

This is the sole purpose of the church, the pillar and ground of the truth; to honor God and preach Christ and Him crucified.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Miracle Of Salvation

”From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” | Matthew 16: 21-23

The Lord Jesus Christ performed many miracles while upon this earth.

He cast out devils, healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf; He raised the dead.

While these miracles certainly prove Him to be the Christ, they are also illustrations of how the Lord saves sinners.

Every sinner the Lord saves, is all these things…

…possessed by a devil;

…a sinful leper;

…deaf, dumb, blind and dead in sin.

Salvation is a miracle of God’s sovereign grace and power. Nothing more or less can save a sinner but the power of Christ; the Word Truth, the gospel.

May the Lord be pleased to perform a miracle today.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “From Cephas To Satan”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Christ’s Atonement

”He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” | Matthew 16: 15-17

Some people love the doctrine of universal atonement because, they say, “It is so beautiful. It is a lovely idea that Christ should die for all people on the earth.”

They say, “Universal atonement commends itself to the instincts of human nature; there is something in it that is beautiful.”

I admit there are some times when beauty may be associated with error; but while natural men admire the doctrine of universal atonement, I will show you what such a supposition involves.

  1. If Christ on the cross intended to save every person by His death, then He intended to save people who were already dead and in eternal condemnation; for there were myriads already cast away because of their sins for which (you say) He died.
  2. If it were our Lord’s intention to save all people, how deplorably has He been disappointed; for we have His own testimony, “Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many be which go in there at.“
  3. To imagine for a moment that our Lord was the substitute for the sins of all men and that God, the Father, having poured out His wrath on their substitute, afterwards will punish the sinners themselves for the same sins for which Christ died, seems to conflict with ideas of divine justice. In fact, to hold that Christ offered an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that some of those people will be condemned for those same sins, appears to be monstrous inequity!

God forbid that we should attribute such conduct to our just and wise God!

~ C. H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Whom Do Ye Say That I Am?”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Remedy For The Fear of Man

”Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” | Ephesians 6: 11-12

THE FEAR OF GOD… drives away the fear of man, which brings a snare.

Christ says, “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him.” (Luke 12: 4-5)

Christ Himself proposes the fear of God as the great remedy for the fear of man.

Nor is there any other that is found adequate.

But this is enough.

How justly does God rebuke that fear of man: “Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor?” (Isaiah 51: 12-13)

It is not possible for us to fear God too much or man too little.

So surely as we have just conceptions of the eternal power and majesty of God, we shall have no tormenting fear of the puny arm of mortals.

~ William Plumer

Click here to listen to the message “Standing Against Satan’s Wiles”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Work Of The Triune God

”And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” | Acts 11: 1-3

In Acts 11: 1-3 we see how they that were of the circumcision contended with Peter because he went in to uncircumcised Gentiles and ate meat forbidden in the law of God.

The Holy Spirit will not allow sin to have dominion over the believer because we are now under the gracious dominion of Christ. By God’s grace, through the truth of the gospel, he effectually causes us to rejoice in Christ and his perfect work on our behalf.

First, Peter Tells His Brethren What God the Holy Spirit Did In His Heart.

“But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.” (Acts 11: 4-12)

Notice, Peter does not defend himself; that would have only caused more strife between him and his brethren. Nor does Peter argue with his brethren that he had not broken the law because that would have only continued to point his brethren to the law and aroused more contention. Peter declares before his brethren the work of God the Holy Spirit: the Voice of divine revelation from heaven, God’s command in his heart, the work of the Spirit of the LORD.

Secondly, Peter Declares That The Holy Spirit Prepared The Heart Of Cornelius And His Household The Same Way.

“And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” (Acts 11: 13-14)

Peter declares that not only did the Lord prepare him to preach to the Gentiles but the Spirit also prepared Cornelius to gather his house and his friends to hear the gospel of Christ. See how Peter continues to point his brethren to the work of the Lord, away from their works of obdeience to the law.

Thirdly, Peter Declares How The Lord Baptized the Gentiles In the Holy Ghost. “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 11: 15-16)

So when the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius’ and his household, Peter realized this pointed back to what happened on the day of Pentecost. Thus Peter realized it meant God truly had an elect people scattered in the Gentile nations. These elect Gentiles were baptized into one Spirit because they too were bought with the blood of Christ.

All barriers were now taken away.

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Ephesians 2: 18)

“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)

So Peter declares that God did this. “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?” (Acts 11: 17)

Fourthly, As Peter Rehearsed This Matter To Those Who Contended With Him, He Was In Fact Proclaiming The Gospel And The Spirit Wrought His Work In The Brethren To Whom Peter Spoke As Well. “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11: 18)

This work of God the Holy Spirit in turning Peter’s brethren from the captivity of sin in their flesh back to Christ. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Roman 6: 14)

Concerning this verse John Gill wrote: “This is not a precept, exhortation, or admonition, as before, though some read it as such, “let not sin have dominion over you”; nor does it express merely what ought not to be, but what cannot, and shall not be; it is an absolute promise, that sin shall not have the dominion over believers; and respects not acts of sin, but the principle of sin; and means not its damning power, though that is took away, but its tyrannical, governing power: “it shall not lord it over you”, as the words may be rendered; for in regeneration, sin is dethroned; Christ enters as Lord, and continues to be so; saints are in another kingdom, the kingdom of Christ and grace.”

When Christ dwells in you by faith he fills your heart completely full with all the fullness of God. He makes you comprehend his love for you, (which surpasses anything you and I think we know about love) and thereby the Spirit of Christ strengthens your inner man, roots you and grounds you in Christ’s love for you. “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3: 16-19)

This revelation is in beholding what you are in Christ. This word “filled” in Ephesians 3: 19 is the same word as “complete” in Colossians 2: 10.

See what the believer is in Christ. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 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: 6-10)

When Christ enters your inner man, filling you with the fullness of God then you comprehend that Christ is the fullness of God, and in Christ before God, you are complete, as full with all the fullness of God as Christ is. That is why sin shall not have dominion over you. The Spirit reigns, Christ reigns, God reigns in the heart of the believer and will not let sin have dominion over you. The Spirit of Christ will not let you forget that you are not under the law, but under grace and complete in Christ.

In this text we see plainly how you and I will deal with one another if we turn from Christ to the law, we will lift ourselves in pride to such a height that we will sit in judgment over God, his saints, and his work; we will attempt to remove a twig from our brother’s eye when there is a whole tree in our own eye. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4: 1-3)

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “God Keeps Judgment & Righteousness”

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Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 9 October, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey