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Go Forth Unto Him

”Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.” | Hebrews 13: 9-11

If you are will believe on Christ Jesus the Lord then you must leave behind all ceremony, legalistic, human works, worldliness, and every other falsehood, and identify ourselves as being one with Christ.

It will mean reproach from those who yet attempt to come to God some other way, but it is reproach worth bearing if we believe that Christ is all.

Atonement ‘at’ ‘tone’ ‘ment’ – God is holy.

God’s elect are sinners.

In order for God to accept a sinner, God must make that sinner holy.

Atonement makes a sinner, holy, so he can be at one with holy God.

God declared how atonement is made for a sinner.

A spotless, sinless, innocent sacrifice is made to be sin for that sinner.

Then the sacrifice dies in the place of that sinner.

Its blood — wherein is the life of the sacrifice – is offered to God upon the mercy seat in the holiest of holies.

Only the High Priest could enter the holiest of holies with the blood.

God prepared a body like ours for his Son.

He took upon him flesh and blood like those he came to save.

He was made under the law of God like those he came to save in order that he might show himself to be perfect in thought, word and deed.

He is the perfect, sinless, spotless, Lamb which God provided to take away the sin of his people.

He had to be perfect or he would not be fit to take our sin.

In order to pay the debt his people owed to the law’s justice, it was a must for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had never done any sin, to be made sin for us, to made a curse for us.

And it was a must that he suffer all the consequences of our sins until God’s justice was fully satisfied.

It meant Jesus had to suffer the fire of God’s holy law and wrath.

It had to be because God can not show you or me mercy unless his law is first honored and his justice first satisfied toward his people.

Do you see how holy God is?

He will by no means clear the guilty.

God is so holy that he sent his only begotten Son to bear the guilt of his people.

God is so holy that when sin was found on the Lamb he provided, he would not hold back his holy fury.

God is so holy that he will not accept his people until there sin be completely put away and they be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

That is why Christ was made a curse for his people

But we see in this, not only the suffering our Lord endured under the fire of God’s holy, unbending justice, but we see also the shame and reproach he endured by being made sin for us.

If you confess to this world that all your hope is — not in yourself – but in Christ Jesus your Lord you will be an offense to this world.

Glorying in the cross of Christ means renouncing any sanctifying, justifying work that you or I or any other man can perform.

Glorying in the cross of Christ is to confess that Christ sanctified me, made me holy and without blame by his one offering without the camp.

If you leave behind this self-serving, self-righteous, will-worshipping generation and go forth unto Christ without the camp, you shall bear his reproach.

And you will bear it most of all from this religious world.

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate – in that shameful, reproachful place where the cursed leper was separated from the camp.

Remember: the reproach which Christ suffered was at the hands of religious men and women – religion excommunicated him, kicked him out of the camp, because they would not confess their sin and let go of their self-righteous deeds.

But if he makes you know that he was suffering for you then you will find that there is not anything which is too much to suffer for Christ!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Teaches Lydia the Gospel” (42:14 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: 15 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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In The Last Days

“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.” | Isaiah 2: 1

The Lord Jesus Christ alone must establish and exalt his house.

He has and he shall.

This is the word which came from the Lord God of covenant promise delivered by his messenger Isaiah.

Christ’s church, made up of the small remnant of his elect in that physical nation Israel as well as his elect from the four corners of the earth, shall be established and raised.

In the last days that the Mosaic system of worship existed the Son of God was made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.

“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. (Galatians 4: 4, 5)

Christ bought the remnant of his elect children who were natural descendants of Abraham out from the Mosaic law so that they now are free to approach God through Christ the Lamb rather than an earthly sacrifice by the law of commandments.

At the same time, for both his elect Gentiles and his remnant in national Israel, Christ judicially delivered them from sin and death earned by the first Adam in the garden.

By his holy person and his righteous obedience Christ established an everlasting righteousness which his people could never do for themselves.

Being made sin for us, he who knew no sin satisfied God’s justice, reconciled us to God and established us before God.

When he was exalted to God’s right hand in resurrection glory his church was exalted in him.

This is what the word “established” and “exalted” means.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “From the Country of Moab to the House of Bread” (40:53 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 31 July, 2008 | Previous post date: 25 August, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Glory In Trials

”Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” | Romans 5: 1-5

Faith believes God’s promise to perform all that is necessary to justify us and make us the righteousness of God.

That is what Abraham believed.

How does it say Abraham gave glory to God?

He staggered not at God’s promise through unbelief.

But was fully persuaded — that is what faith is – being fully persuaded.

Fully persuaded that what?

That what God promises, God is able also to perform.

God promised Abraham righteousness by the work Christ Jesus the Son of God would perform on Abraham’s behalf – and Abraham believed God’s promise, fully persuaded he was able to perform it.

Through faith, God imputed — charged or laid to his account – the very righteousness God requires.

”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3)

When you do not believe that God is able to perform all the work necessary to justify you and bring you to himself, without you helping him, then you are in a constant warfare against God.

God is your enemy.

You fight to deny the very being and perfections of God.

You fight to deny that justification is accomplished by Christ.

Faith believes that my peace with God is by Christ.

Faith also believes that it is by Christ that I continue in the perpetual care of God’s unchanging favor – His grace.

This word stand, means, that true God-given faith shall endure because God’s grace in Christ Jesus continually makes us to stand.

”As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17: 15)

We can rather glory in tribulations, in our infirmities, in suffering, for when I am weakest that is when I behold the more that I shall be saved by his life.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Glory in Trials” (51:16 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: 15 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Power To Cross Our Path

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” | Acts 8: 26

In absolute power God moves his messenger and his vessel of mercy so that they meet right where God would have them meet.

There were two roads which Philip could have taken.

Yet, through the Spirit the Lord commanded Philip to go south on the road which went down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

This was the desert road.

The phrase “go toward the south” has an alternate meaning in the Greek which means “at midday.”

So in power the Holy Spirit of God, literally, moved his messenger to take the road least traveled, at the time of day when it was least likely to be traveled, to meet the most unlikely person, an Ethiopian eunuch.

The Lord’s elect may be wandering lost in the most remote places on this globe but the Lord who saves in power knows exactly where they are.

We may have to be led away from the religion of the day out onto old Gaza Road, as was the Ethiopian eunuch, but God is able.

God our Savior, the King of heaven and earth, shall bring the good news of his Son to each of his children in his time in his power.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Fire in the Wall” (45:59 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: 4 July, 2008 | Previous post date: 22 August, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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We Have An Altar

”Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.” | Hebrews 13: 9-10

The only ones to whom God gave directions concerning an altar were his peculiar people.

From the patriarchs throughout the old covenant dispensation the only people who had an altar were the people whom God choose to have it.

All who come to Christ the Altar are God’s elect, chosen by God.

By Divine choice, God’s mercy and grace gives the believer the right to come to Christ our Altar.

What is our Altar?

Our Altar is not the cross — the cross was an instrument of execution like an electric chair, or a needle for lethal injection, or a gun used by a firing squad or stones used throughout scripture – I would no more remember my Lord by such a misrepresentation than I would use a cancerous tumor to remember my grandfather who died of cancer.

Christ bore the fiery wrath of God but he consumed the fire of God’s wrath and his offering came up to God as a sweet savour ever to be remembered by the LORD of hosts.

Our Altar is not your heart – we must be sincere but only the blood of Christ makes us accepted with God, we do not trust our sincerity for acceptance but our sincerity rests in Christ in whom we are accepted.

We eat at this Altar, bringing not the leaven of our works, but trusting Christ our Sacrifice alone for our entire acceptance with God.

He is most holy – our sin offering and trespass offering.

Our Altar is not a piece of furniture in a church building – not the table on which the bread and wine are placed (table of remembrance not a table of sacrifice); not a place at the front of the church where preachers call men in order to profess Christ.

”All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.” (Leviticus 6: 18)

Those things are temporal, fleshy idols used to appeal to the carnal eye.

People who put any significant meaning on such material things are nothing less than idolators.

We have no such altar.

”Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?” (Matthew 23: 19)

Those who serve in such fleshly carnality have no right to eat at the believer’s altar.

The believer’s Altar is not a what, but a Who – our Altar is Christ.

”Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2: 5)

It was through the Altar that God said, in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Christ is the Altar in whom God came unto us and blessed us.

We can only come to God through the Altar — through his Sacrifice – through our High Priest, through Christ.

Are you yet earthy, serving an earthly tabernacle, occupying your time in meats – observance of days, and seasons, and certain meats, and ceremonies?

Touch not, taste not, handle not?

We who worship God in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh and we have an altar, Christ Jesus, which they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “We Have an Altar” (29:23 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 8 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Rule We Are Under

”For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” | Galatians 5: 13-15

How did Noah get the animals in the ark?

He simply said, “Here is the ark.”

”Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6: 1)

The LORD drew the animals into the ark, not Noah.

Noah simply displayed the ark.

This is the chief motive of the law of love written on the believer’s heart.

I know that Christ is in his throne; my heart is not to vainly attempt to do the work only Christ has the right and the power to perform.

I simply point them to Christ the Ark.

Christ will effectually work in our hearts to draw us in to him.

The law of Christ always remembers who is able to make us stand and who does not have that power.

”Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. ” (Galatians 6: 2-5)

The direct, effectual rule of Christ who works in the heart he has made new is the rule the believer is under.

Before Christ came in power I was only flesh attempting to obey God and appear righteous before men with only the Ten Commandments as my rule.

I could not even hear what the law said of me.

”Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6: 6-10)

Now I have something better than the flesh and the letter of of Ten Commandments.

I am one with Christ in spirit.

The Holy Spirit leads me in spirit and in truth.

I walk after the Spirit of Christ as a little child is led by a father who will not allow that child to turn out of the way they should go.

”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.” (Romans 8: 20-22)

The law was not made for a righteous man.

Believers are perfectly righteous in Christ Jesus our Lord.

His correction, his establishing, his building-up comes through the preaching of his glorious person and work, not through the Law of Moses.

His power and grace is so sovereign and so effectual that either you are under his grace, righteous in him, led of him and rejoice to say Amen; or you are yet in your sins and under the law.

”Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.” (Luke 11: 45)

The law of love makes us aware, and behaves thus in a manner consistent with the understanding that only Christ has the rightful power to chasten and correct.

We may, at times, have to rebuke and correct.

But the authority by which we do so is not in ourselves but the word of God.

The Authority who alone is able to work it effectually in the heart is Christ Jesus our Lord.

The best way to rebuke and chasten is by setting Christ before the erring brother or sister.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Establishing The Law” (48:54 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 5 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Wisdom From Above

”Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” | Psalm 24: 3-4

Seek not to be masters: teachers, rulers or judges over men.

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” (Matthew 23: 1-3)

In the day in which James ministered this disease of the flesh spread throughout the land — men seeking a reputation as being the wisest among men.

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,” (Matthew 23: 4-5)

The most common avenue men took to achieve this coveted praise was to oppress sinners with religious rules and regulations — some from God’s word – others made up by men.

“And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” (Matthew 23: 6-8)

Then when the sinner committed an offense, the self-appointed wise man would expose them to others.

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matthew 23: 9)

The motive was ambition and pride — a desire to exalt oneself above others, in the eyes of men – so as to appear “more holy than any of their peers”.

“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23: 10-11)

Knowing That The Greater the Judgment We Use Against Men, the Greater the Judgment God Will Use Against Us

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 12)

Every man is an offender in many things and offending in one point is to break all the law of God — so then it is hypocritical of us to deny to others the mercy we need ourselves.

Nothing causes us to be merciful to our brethren like knowing our need of mercy.

The man who covets a reputation as being wise — with his ungracious rebuke and strictness over men – reveals he is not wise at all.

“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3: 3-5)

Like the small bit in the mouth of a horse and the small rudder on a ship our tongues are capable of turning the whole body — for good or for evil.

Both the bit and the rudder are at the command of the Rider and the Captain of the ship.

But the Holy Spirit says the man whose religion is vain can’t bridle his tongue or his body.

It is as if the tongue rules the man rather than the man ruling the tongue.

“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;” (Proverbs 2: 10-12)

Christ our Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits

He visited us orphans and widows in our affliction.

He gives ears to the deaf and sight to the blind

He feeds us the Bread from heaven – a feast of fat things.

He clothes us in his garments of righteousness

He hedges us about as a flaming fire to protect and keep us as the apple of his eye.

“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)

Christ our Wisdom is without partiality, and without hypocrisy

He shows no respect of persons based on outward appearances

He does not prefer or despise men, because of their being of this nation or that nation.

Or because they are circumcised, or not circumcised

Or because they are high or low, rich or poor, free or bound, male or female

There is no deceitfulness in our Savior.

What he does is right, it is holy, no man can question him–shall not the God of the whole earth do right–he loves freely without a cause in us.

He is the PeaceMaker–He Made Peace Between His People and their offended God.

And through the Holy Spirit the seed that is sown in our heart is Christ – He sows the fruit of righteousness into our hearts in peace

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Wisdom From Above” (54:30 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 29 June, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Greatest Of All Charity

”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

Ultimately, there have only ever been two beliefs among professing Christians throughout all generations.

One belief is that it is the sinner’s act of believing which justifies him before God.

The other is that it is God who is both just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

I do not doubt that many are sincere in their desire to show “charity” when they attempt to bridge these opposing beliefs.

I have heard it said that the issue is not what the Lord Jesus Christ did or did not accomplish by his one offering, but rather the issue is “justification by faith.”

Such error is the same as saying the issue is not on whom one believes but merely that he believes.

It is the same as saying it is not Christ’s work that justifies but “self’s act of believing” that justifies.

To say such a thing is to make the justifier, not God, but “self.”

The slightest agreement with such comprise is not only the opposite of love, it is blasphemous to God and murderous to our friends and family.

The very righteousness of God, witnessed throughout scripture by both the law and the prophets, is that sinners are justified freely by God showing grace to whom he is pleased to show grace.

Christ Jesus justified those for whom he fully paid the ransom.

God declared his righteousness clearly before the whole world by setting forth his Son in whom both justice and mercy are satisfied toward all whom God chose to save.

”Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 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: 24-26)

God’s very righteousness is that he alone is both just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Justification by faith is the Spirit of God shutting sinner’s mouths and giving such vessel’s of mercy faith to believe on their Justifier.

The gospel is offensive to sinners because, by nature, we want the glory that belongs to God alone.

Yet, if we would truly be a friend to sinners, we must not attempt to save ourselves from the hurt we will incur by stating the truth of God according to his word.

”Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15: 13)

The Lord Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

If we would truly show love to all who will listen, we must lay down our lives and preach the gospel by which God is pleased to call out those he has justified – doing so is showing the greatest of all charity.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Shepherd and His Sheep” (49:59 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: 8 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Such Were Some Of You

”Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” | 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11

When the apostle came to this city of Corinth, he found it was given over to gross idolatry, sexual perverseness, obscene drunkenness, and corrupt, greedy extortioners.

”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)

These vial conditions did not discourage him from preaching the gospel, but rather gave him great incentive to declare the gospel of God’s sovereign mercy to sinners for Christ’s namesake. ”Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

”O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7: 24)

In doing so, God was pleased to call out, save and reveal the gospel to many of His Elect.

”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:” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13)

Some of these had been most violent offenders of God’s law, others had been restrained by grace, but all were guilty and stood in need of mercy.

”That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5: 27)

Then the apostle reminds them of the great work of grace for them and in them.

”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 3-6)

“But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1: 3)

God has given all these blessings to every sinner He is pleased to save.

1. YOU ARE WASHED!
Paul plainly declared by the Spirit of God that sinners are cleansed, forgiven and made clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.

”But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7)

Any notion that a man can purge himself from his sins is to be totally deceived.

”Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1: 3)

This verse has no reference to water baptism, water cannot make atonement for sin.

2. YOU ARE SANCTIFIED!
Sanctification is the work of God’s sovereign grace whereby He has separated us to be holy in Christ by election, declared us to be holy in Christ by redemption, made us to be holy in regeneration.

”To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1: 27)

Believers are partakers of a divine nature implanted within. ”” (2 Peter 1: 4)

”Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3: 9)

This sinful flesh never gets sanctified, it is the new man that is sanctified in Christ! ”And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4: 24)

3. YOU ARE JUSTIFIED!
Sinners are never justified by their best efforts.

”Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

We are justified by the grace of God through the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. ”But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 21-24)

”Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 9)

This is a glorious work done for the sheep at Calvary, applied to the soul of the believer by the work of the Holy Spirit and received by God-given faith. ”Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5: 1-2)

God accomplished all the believer’s salvation, for Paul says, “In the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit.”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Jesus Christ Came to Save Sinners” (33:21 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: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

What Is Grace?

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” | Galatians 2: 21

Paul tells us repeatedly that we are saved and justified, called and sanctified, preserved and glorified by the grace of God, without our works; but what is grace?

Almost all professing christians say they believe that salvation is by grace.

The Word of God lays such heavy emphasis upon the fact that salvation is by grace that it is very difficult for anyone to claim to believe the Bible and yet openly deny that salvation is by grace.

Papists, pentecostals, and fundamentalists, all claim to believe in salvation by grace.

But most people think and speak about grace in such a way that they frustrate the grace of God.

That is the reason Paul declared, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain!”

The grace that most people talk about is not grace at all.

It is so mixed with human merit and human works that it is ‘no more grace’.

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11: 6)

Grace that looks to the worth of man, waits upon the will of man, or depends upon the work of man is frustrated grace; and frustrated grace is not the grace of God!

Grace is the unmerited favor of God.

Grace is free!

Grace is unconditional!

Anything earned, merited, or deserved by you is not grace.

The man who thinks he deserves God’s salvation does not believe in grace.

The person who imagines that his acceptance with God depends upon his will, his works, or his worth, does not believe in grace, as the Bible speaks of grace.

He has fallen from grace.

“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5: 2-4)

Such people may talk about grace, but grace does not mean to them what it does to poor, helpless, guilty, bankrupt, self-condemned sinners, whose only hope is Christ.

No one will ever honor and extol the grace of God until he has experienced it.

It was only after he had experienced it that Paul declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

Before that, though he was religious, he was a blasphemer who hoped for salvation by something he did.

Paul took no credit for his conversion.

He ascribed the whole of his salvation to God’s free grace alone.

He knew he did not make himself to differ from others.

A great change had taken place in his heart.

His opinions, affections, ambitions, desires, hopes, and motives had been radically changed; and he attributed the change to the grace of God alone.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The World Judged At The Cross” (27:14 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 August, 2017 | Previous post date: 15 August, 2021 | Rocky Mount, Virginia