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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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Trusting God

”Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” | Hebrews 3: 1

Most of us don’t know God well enough to trust Him.

Are you persuaded that God has complete control in reference to the things, which excite our anxiety?

Are you persuaded that He will use this control in the best way as far as we are concerned?

If I am to cast my cares on Him, I must know Him to be my Father; I must know Him to be my Friend; I must know Him to be my Protector, my Shepherd, my Guide, my Righteousness, and my Salvation.

I must believe His testimony that He loves me for Christ’s sake.

He careth for you.

It’s a small thing for God to care for us.

He provides for the cattle on a thousand hills, all the wild beasts, an army of birds, fish and insects.

Your needs and mine are scarcely a crumb from God’s table.

If He says, “I will care for you,” then He WILL.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Consider These Things” (43:10 minutes)

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

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 2 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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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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The Lord Is My Shepherd

”The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” | Psalm 23: 1-3

If God will be gracious to you, he will make Christ more than the Savior of sinners to your understanding. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 4)

”Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23: 5)

He will make Christ the Savior of you the sinner. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23: 6)

~ Pastor Eric Lutter

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (40:02 minutes)

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

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 2 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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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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Straight Gate, Wide Gate

“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” | Matthew 7: 24

The Rock, of course, is Christ; the sand is self.

But the test, the mark, the evidence, the proof of the two builders and the two buildings is the hearing of Christ’s sayings and doing them, or the hearing of Christ’s saying and doing them not.

We may twist and wriggle under such a text, and try all manner of explanations to parry off its keen, cutting edge; we may fly to arguments and deductions drawn from the doctrines of grace to shelter ourselves from its heavy stroke, and seek to prove that the Lord was there preaching the law and not the gospel, and that we are saved by Christ’s blood and righteousness, and not by our own obedience or our good works, either before or after calling, all such tests and all such texts are inapplicable to our state as believers.

But after all our questionings and cavilings, our nice subtle arguments to quiet conscience and patch up a false peace, there the words of the Lord stand, and what is more, will stand forever, backed as they are by that solemn declaration from the same Lips of Eternal Truth: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7: 19-21)

~ J.C. Philpot

Click here to listen to the message “Built Upon A Rock” (34:25 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: 21 August, 2021 | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Preaching Versus Debating

”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

No spiritual good will ever come from debating doctrinal points of view.

God never has and never will save or feed His people by debating.

God saves His people through the preaching of Christ alone.

”And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,” (Luke 1: 76-77)

Rather than debate what it means that Christ was made sin for His people, let’s declare there is full remission of sins for God’s elect because Christ took their sin away by His sacrifice for them.

”Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.” (1 Chronicles 16: 24)

Rather than debate the sovereignty of God, let’s declare God, as He has been pleased to reveal Himself in the Bible, who saves whom He will, when He will.

”Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)

Rather than debate when is the moment a man is justified, let’s declare there is justification for sinners in Christ.

Debating never blesses anyone because the goal of debating is the glory of the flesh when we think we have proved our point.

Preaching Christ always blesses God’s people because the goal of true preaching is to glorify Christ.

May the Lord be pleased to keep our eyes on the ball.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “The Believer’s Road to Glory” (33:47 minutes)

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

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 2 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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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