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Willfull Sin

”For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” | Hebrews 10: 26-27

First, this text does not support the lie that God’s saves sinners and then they can be lost.

To say such a thing is an attempt to belittle the Lords’ strength to deliver.

The apostle John was clear about whom a verse such as this is speaking when he said in 1 John 2: 19: ”They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

Secondly, the willful sin mentioned here is the same sin that the morality-preachers who crept into the Galatians’ assembly devoted their time to by preaching the necessity of a sinner’s law-obedience

”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. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5: 2-5)

It is the sin the Hebrew brethren would commit if they gave in to the pressure of those around them who compromised.

”Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3: 31)

Such sin is the willful rejection of the truth that Christ the Lord fully completely accomplished salvation on behalf of his people

”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.” (Colossians 2: 8)

This willful sin is a forsaking of the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ alone upholds the law of God as the representative of those trusting him.

”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:” (Romans 3: 21-22)

It is the willful denial of the truth that Christ by himself purged the sins of a particular, exact number of sinners chosen by God before the foundation of the world

”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,” (Ephesians 1: 4-5)

It is the sin of deliberately compromising with those who claim Christ’s blood is only effectual by the sinners will, by the sinner’s faith in his faith, by the sinner’s pretense of devotion

”Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Galatians 1: 6-9)

”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? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3: 1-3)

It is the willful, deliberate sin of choosing to side with father or mother who trust in their religious acts and creeds and vain traditions instead of Christ Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life

”He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10: 37)

”Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1: 23)

This truth is always too strong for the prostituting, intellectual, compromising Pharisees and Sadducees of the day but God promises that his eternal vengeance will be far stronger!

”For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10: 30-31)

By all means, seek a place where Christ is preached unapologetically every time you attend the service – HE IS THE ONE THING NEEDFUL!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Parable of the Mustard Seed” (32:21 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 26 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The God Of Peace Shall Be With You

”And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

All the glory in salvation belongs to Christ Jesus the Lord.

Even the believers willingness and obedience is by Christ the Power and Wisdom of God.

”For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1: 16)

We all know that the power is exercised in these last days through preaching.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

Throughout the generations the LORD God has proven that you and I can never know God by our own wisdom.

”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: 21)

Therefore the preaching of the gospel is God’s ordained means of saving his people in these last days.

”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

But the power in the gospel is the person of Christ who reveals himself in the sinner

”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 Power which makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation is not the power of a preacher, or of a discourse, or of persuasion – Christ worked all things to bring the sinner and the gospel together, Christ sent the truth, Christ opened the heart and revealed himself, and the revelation is Christ himself, the Power of God.

The revelation of the mystery is Christ.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

This is the true God, and eternal life.

”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: 23, 24)

The hope of glory is Christ in you, the Power and Wisdom that Christ IS when he makes himself known in the heart which makes a sinner willing.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

Only when you see Christ — the beauties of holiness in him – will you be persuaded that he is All.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

All your complete acceptance with God with nothing needed by you.

As we endeavor to bear witness of Christ in this place let’s remember when we are forbidden to go forward as we plan that the Lord always opens the door in his time and not ours.

Let us actively wait on the Lord.

We will know as assuredly as Paul knew when it is time.

Seeing the great detail with which our Lord governs the hearts of those he uses and those whom he calls out, let it not cause us to use his sovereignty as an excuse for laziness.

But may it give us assurance that we can give ourselves to this work: Immediately, Making a straight course, Today and the next day and the next day, Assuredly gathering that the Lord has called us to promote the gospel of Christ in this place.

And finally, may we do so giving all glory to Christ Jesus the Lord in whom dwells all fullness.

”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4: 8)

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church later he comforted them by reminding them to always think on “things” – those things are the blessings of the person and work of Christ which you have learned and received (been given.)

The God of peace shall be with you.

~ 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: 26 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Look And Live

“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.” | Mark 10: 46

All who the Lord shall save are like blind Bartimaeus.

“Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, set by the highway side begging.”

What he was outwardly by nature is what he was inwardly by nature… blind, poor, and unable to work to provide life.

“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10: 47-48)

All he could do was sit and beg mercy from another.

“And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.” (Mark 10: 49-50)

We are so blind by nature that we cannot even see we need salvation.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10: 51-52)

When God gives us sight the first thing we behold is that our flesh profits nothing.

Only then will a sinner come to Christ empty and begging mercy.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “One Need, Nothing Else Matters” (37:30 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 5 June, 2022

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Go Forth Unto Him!

”Let brotherly love continue.” | Hebrews 13: 1

If you confess to this world that all your hope is — not in yourself – but in Christ Jesus your Lord whose suffering without the camp made you holy and accepted with God eternally then you will be an offense to this world.

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

Glorying in the cross of Christ is to give yourself, your time, your energy, your all to worship and witness of Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior.

”Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3: 12)

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

You will bear it from unbelieving fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and family, but the Lord stated that if we love any more than him we are not worthy of him.

You will bear scorn from the religious world.

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, let go of their self-righteous deeds, and confess him to be Lord and Savior.

The political, secular world rejected him because faith in Christ requires no compromise and the world’s system requires you to compromise to the world’s government, business, and popularity.

It is fine with the world if you serve Christ and the world; but Christ is clear that it is an impossibility to do so.

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

Either we go without the camp and bear his reproach or we compromise with the enemies of Christ.

We can not do both.

”Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13: 13)

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Unbelief and Faith” (59:19 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: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Race That Is Set

”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,” | Hebrews 12: 1

Everything about the believer’s race is set by God.

Our Lord determined before the foundation of the world those whom he would put in this race when he chose his people in Christ. The love of God for his people is as eternal as God is. It existed before time; it shall exist when time is no more. The everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus gives the believer great cause for patiently running this race.

Our God set the precise moment he would cross our path with the gospel. He determined the pastor he would raise up, gave him the heart to trust Christ, and the unction to preach his word in truth and in spirit. In that hour of love he made Christ our Wisdom.

We beheld something of the righteous skill with which Christ Jesus honored and magnified God’s law on our behalf.

We beheld his faithfulness and graciousness in satisfying justice on our behalf. In the light of Christ we heard the law condemn our sins and our sins were more than we could bear. But the Spirit revealed in our hearts that all our sins have been forever put away by Christ’s one offering.

In love and power Christ was made our Perfection, our Completion, our Righteousness, our All. When we behold God’s all-powerful hand in all providence which brought us to Christ in spite of us, the believer finds great comfort in knowing that the God who provided and is our Righteousness will continue to be our Strength to run this race.

Our God set every hurdle on this course which we must run and declares plainly to us that we must suffer much tribulation in this race. Yet, the God who set the course also reveals in us that he is the God who supplies the grace. That is what he teaches us as he carries us through every dark vale.

Our God set the length of our course. He has appointed the hour our race will end. By his grace we will find the finish line to be the most glorious hour of all the hours of our lives for then we shall enter into the presence of Christ our Redeemer.

What a joy to know that our race ends where it began, in Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “According to Promise” (41:21 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: 25 December, 2022 | Ewing, New Jersey

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By The Blood

”Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” | Hebrews 10: 19-22

The word “boldness” means “liberty.”

”In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3: 12)

Under the old covenant the worshippers could never enter the holiest of holies because the way into the holiest of all — that way being, Christ Jesus the Lord – had not yet been made manifest while that first tabernacle was yet standing.

”Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:” (Hebrews 9: 6-8)

God’s law had to be satisfied on behalf of all God’s elect.

”Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34: 7)

The sins of those people given to Christ before the world had to be officially put away by Christ Jesus the Lord.

”For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9: 26)

Christ our High Priest had to enter into God’s presence with his own blood as our forerunner through the veil.

”And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” (Mark 15: 38)

”Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7: 27)

But now, brethren, the believer has liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

”By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10: 10)

”Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” (Hebrews 6: 19)

His blood is our right into God’s throne room of grace. ‘By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.’

”Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10: 19-22)

Christ’s blood is our access to our heavenly Father.

When you cry, “Abba, Father” it is Christ’s blood that guarantees your loving Father hears you.

Sinner’s saved by grace cannot say too much about the blood of Christ!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Veil and The Golden Censer” (26:37 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: 24 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Stump Next Door

The kings of the earth preferred a golden scepter.

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

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

Yet there was never a king like Christ.

He holds all the offices at once.

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus is King of kings and LORD of lords.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But this branch grew and brought forth much fruit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His kingdom is not of this world.

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

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

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

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

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

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

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

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

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

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The Morning Of Forever

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

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

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

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

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

Swords and spears are poor gardening tools.

Therefore he makes his people instruments for husbandry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

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

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

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

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There Shall Come Forth A Rod

The word means a KING shall come forth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The kings of the earth preferred a golden scepter.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

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

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

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

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From Heaven Through His Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

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

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

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