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The End Is Greater Than The Means

”Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” | Philippians 2: 6-11

The ultimate end or goal of redemption is not the happiness, well-being, or even conversion of sinners, BUT THE GLORY OF GOD. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

Man’s comfort and safety is not the supreme goal of God’s glorious gospel. The supreme goal of our gospel is the glory of God, the establishment of His rule and reign over a kingdom of peace and righteousness, the exaltation and manifestation of His character, and the preeminence of His beloved Son. Our salvation will serve that purpose. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 12)

Everything in covenant mercies, in salvation, and in God’s purpose for the sons of men (past, present, and future) turns upon the will of God in Christ. This makes CHRIST THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE in our gospel, our goals, and our glory. But, if you have salvation and God’s purpose waiting upon the freewill of the creature, then MAN is the principal figure in your landscape and will lead you to compromise divine truth in order to win man’s approval. “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1: 14)

The attitude that we must get men converted at any cost and compromise usually winds up costing the very character and truth of God, which is a price too high to pay.

Conversions are never more important than truth.

Truth is always more important than results.

“Let God be true and every man a liar!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Hate Free Grace”

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

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Greater Things Hereafter

”Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” | John 1: 50-51

Isaiah said, “I saw also the Lord…” “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6: 1)

Sinners only see the Lord through faith by revelation from God. “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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1: 16-17)

John tells us it was the glory of Christ the Lord which Isaiah saw. (John 12: 36-41)

The glory of Christ which Isaiah saw is the glory which sinners are brought by grace to behold through faith.

How did Isaiah describe his glory?

1. Sitting. The Lord Jesus Christ finished the work given him by the Father before the world began. He fulfilled all prophecy concerning him, he honored and magnified the law of God as the Representative of his people in righteous obedience; as their Substitute as God’s Lamb he laid down his life that they might become dead to the law. He cried, “It is finished.” When he had by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. “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)

2. Upon a throne. Isaiah saw Jesus Christ as he is, the Living Lord. He is LORD of lords AND KING of kings. He reigns with God the Father from his heavenly throne “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3: 21)

3. High. Isaiah beheld who the Lord Jesus is. Christ Jesus is THE SON OF GOD. The child born, is also a Son given, also the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He is indeed the great I AM which was before Abraham. If we are going to be brought low, we must first behold him HIGH. Our Savior is God Almighty.

4. Lifted up. We must see that God the Father is well-pleased with him and that, by God the Father he was and is lifted up. He is the preeminent Captain, the Author and Pioneer of faith, the Faithful One, he faithfully obeyed and gave himself to be lifted upon the cross and God the Father is well-pleased; God the Father lifted him up glorified in heaven “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1: 4)

“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1: 17)

5. His train filled the temple. His train signifies his dominion and glory as our King Priest. Isaiah beheld that his dominion reaches not just around his throne but fills his whole temple in heaven and earth. He reigns in the midst of his church.

May the Holy Spirit be pleased to reveal in us the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Greater Things Hereafter”

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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: 9 November, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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For All His Benefits To Me

”I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” | Psalm 116: 11-15

The work which God gives into the hands of his pastors is God’s work.

The work he gives into the hands of his witnesses is God’s work.

The Sovereign of heaven and earth will soon discover this to us through enemies which he has foreordained that we face.

We will face some who appear so full of light that if it were possible they would deceive even the elect of God.

Yet God will expose them to be enemies of the righteousness of God and he will conquer them before us.

There will be times when some within will depart from us and break our hearts.

But God will use those things to reveal to us that there is absolutely no sufficiency in us for this work.

He is not depending upon the strength of men; he teaches us not to depend upon men, not even those who profess to trust him.

We love our brethren, we receive one another without doubting, but we are to look only to Christ.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

Our strength is the grace of our God alone.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “For All His Benefits To Me”

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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: 9 November, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Eternal Life Is A Promise Received

”And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” | 1 John 2: 25

Eternal life is a promise of God for His people.

This promise, like every promise of God, is in Christ.

Eternal life is a blessing that the Father promised His people in grace, Christ earned for His people in grace, and the Holy Spirit applies to God’s people in grace.

Eternal life, like every blessing of God, is never earned by our works.

It is always a free gift of God’s grace to His people through Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Cast Your Works Out”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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The Lord Hath Been Mindful Of Us

”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: 39

I have often thought, how very gracious it was in God the Holy Ghost, in directing his servant Paul thus to teach the church.

The Lord well knew how many of his people of little faith are at times sharply exercised, by reason of the slenderness of this principle; so as sometimes from the temptations of the enemy, and their own misgiving hearts, to call in question whether they have the least measure of faith.

And what a relief to the souls of all such ought it to be, and no doubt hath frequently proved, when they are here told, and from an authority which cannot err, that all that believe; whether strong believers, or weak believers; whether babes in Christ, or fathers in God: all are alike justified from all things, by Christ.

And the reason is given.

It is by Him.

Yes! Christ’s Person and Christ’s blood and righteousness, are the sole causes of justification; and perfectly distinct from, and unconnected with, any other circumstance whatever.

It is indeed a very blessed thing, and calls for great thankfulness in the hearts of those, whom grace gives the power to enjoy it; when a child of God is strong in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

But it never should be forgotten, at the same time, that it is not our faith, but Christ’s salvation, which is the whole security of the Lords’ people, and the weakest believer, as well as the strongest, are alike safe in Christ Jesus.

“That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.” (Isaiah 14: 25)

In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

~ Robert Hawker

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Hath Been Mindful Of Us”

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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: 9 November, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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No Condemnation And No Separation

“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” | Job 42: 5-6

Consider this dreadful truth for a moment.

Our sin in fallen Adam charged to us has separated us from God, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59: 2) In Adam we are, “Estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psalm 58: 3) In Adam death and sin entered into us, “By one-man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” (Romans 5: 12)

But now consider this glorious truth for a moment.

Our sin has been separated from us forever.

Our Blessed Saviour came in the flesh apart from sin (Romans 8: 3) and in our nature to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9: 26; Galatians 4: 4-6; 1 John 3: 5) Now because of His glorious, full and eternal atonement for sin the believer has no sin. (Hebrews 10: 14-17) Our Lord said, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12) He has also assured us that He remembers our sin no more, “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10: 17) This is the good news of the gospel no condemnation and no separation but rather eternal reconciliation. (Romans 8: 1; Romans 8: 32-39; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21)

REPENTANCE | “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!” (2 Corinthians 7: 11)

Now Paul gives us seven evidences of true, sincere and genuine-godly repentance that is the gift of God.

1). What carefulness (eagerness, diligence and haste) it wrought in you; to correct our behavior before God and to avoid future offences, diligence and carefulness; as opposed to our past negligence in the gospel and in spiritual matters. (1 Thessalonians 1: 4-9)

2). What clearing of yourself; not by denying our sin, (what we are before God) and our guilt (because of our transgressions against God), but rather by confessing and owning them and seeking forgiveness for them only thru Christ) (1 John 1: 7-9; Hebrews 9: 12-14)

3). What indignation, (righteous anger), not against God’s holy law, nor against God’s servant for declaring the truth, but rather against our own selves, because of our own sin and foolishness. For true repentance is taking God’s side against ourselves because of our own folly and sin. (Job 42: 5-6; Isaiah 6: 5; Romans 7: 24-25)

4). What fear; (alarm) not of eternal condemnation; (Romans 8: 1) no condemnation to them that are in Christ, but rather of the Father’s disapproval and chastisement, and the fear of bringing reproach on the gospel of Christ. “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16: 6) What fear and reverence the Lord does give us when He grants unto us repentance! (Psalm 111: 9)

5). What a vehement desire; (longing for) to honor God and to live for His glory in the present evil world. When God gives repentance He changes our desires, of self-glory, self-centeredness, self-righteousness to seeking His glory; (Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3: 7-14)

6). What zeal; to promote God’s gospel. (1 Peter 2: 9) To stand for the true gospel of grace in Christ, having nothing to do with those who promote salvation by deeds of the law. (Galatians 1: 7-10; Galatians 2: 16)

7). What revenge; not against any person in a private way, for vengeance belongs unto God, but rather against anything contrary to the gospel of Christ. (Psalm 119: 104) These sweet and gracious effects wrought in us spring from the first great cause, God’s sovereign grace in Christ. They come from God and always lead to Him. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2: 4)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Redemption Only In Christ”

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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: 29 January, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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No Reason To Fear

”There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” | Romans 8: 1

There is no fear of condemnation for the believer’s sin since Christ was made sin for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ took all of the sin of His people away from them and put that sin away by the blood of His sacrifice.

Christ has died for the sin of His people so justice is satisfied.

God’s holy justice can never condemn anyone for whom Christ died.

What blessed peace there is for everyone who trusts Christ the Savior!

What blessed peace to live life never having to fear punishment from God.

What peace of heart to not only not dread, but actually look forward to, the death of the body and going to see God without any fear of condemnation because of the sacrifice of Christ!

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “What Kind of Grace Saves a Sinner?”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Consider Him

”For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” | Hebrews 12: 3

The Greek word for “consider” is translated in another place, “proportion.”

It is a mathematical term, signifying to compute by comparing things together in their due proportions.

Consider who Christ is in light of who you are.

Consider what Christ endured in light of what you endure.

Consider how Christ endured in light of how you endure.

Consider who he is. This is God in human flesh, the second person in the Trinity; the Lord of glory; Creator of heaven and earth. This is the Son of God, the Beloved of the Father.

Consider who you are in relationship to him. He is the believer’s Redeemer and we are his Possession. The believer is his willing bond-servant; he is our Master.

Consider why he endured suffering. He was called on by God the Father to suffer here on earth — in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 15)

Believer, he suffered for the purpose of obeying God’s law as our Representative Man.

He was born to suffering that he might die in agony as the Substitute of his people, that God might be just and the justifier of all who believe on him. He suffered in order to make his people perfect and complete.

Christ finished this work by first being born and then living in a world of sin and sin’s consequences, despised and rejected of men. Is it a strange thing that you and I should be called on to endure a little suffering in his service. “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15: 20, 21)

Consider what he was accused of.

He was accused of being a deceiver: “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.” (John 7: 12)

He was accused of perverting the people: “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:” (Luke 23: 14)

Religious people essentially accused him of being without the law because of those he received into his company: “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” (Luke 15: 2)

He was accused of being a law-breaker: “And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.” (Mark 3: 2)

He was accused of healing sinners by the power of the devil: “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matthew 12: 24)

He was looked down upon as a lowly, uneducated, uncouth Nazarene from Galilee: “Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?” (John 7: 41)

He was called a “glutton and a winebibber.” “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matthew 11: 19)

He was falsely accused of speaking against Caesar: “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.” (John 19: 12)

When we are reviled, rebuked, treated spitefully by men, we quickly become offended.

All too often we are quick to let folks know why we do not deserve to be spoken to in such a manner.

Then after we have wrestled with the accusations of others in our minds and gloated in how “we told them,” all we have done is weary ourselves to the point of fainting from this gospel of Christ. Oh, we’re somebody aren’t we!

Every grain of wisdom you and I have is total darkness in proportion to the infinite Wisdom of Christ Jesus.

Every good thought or deed you and I have ever done has been full of enough wickedness to send a million men to eternal hell; he was Holy from conception to the cross.

We flatter ourselves with the idea that we treat others the way we want to be treated but fact is our obedience makes the golden rule look like unpolished brass; he left the riches of heaven for you, believer.

The very presence of every single person he came into contact with stunk with such abomination of sin to him by just their very presence.

That is not to mention the cruelness, the venom, the ignorance and the rejection that foamed up out from beneath our tongues toward him the entire time he walked this earth.

Yet he opened not his mouth but trusted God to deliver him. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Peter 2: 19-23)

Are you, believer, disheartened by the hard usage you are receiving from men, yea, from the religious world?

Are you fearful as you anticipate the persecutions which may yet attend your Christian profession; or, are you too ready to show resentment against those who oppose you?

Then consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself.

Do you desire to be strengthened by Christ as you strive against sin?

Consider him, look to him, and commit yourself to him that judgeth righteously.

What are our trials when compared with His agonies!

I want to blush with shame because of my murmurings.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “O Wretched Man”

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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 November, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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It Pleased The Lord Through Preaching

”Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” | Acts 13: 1-3

In this text, we have the account of how the Lord faithfully sent forth Barnabas and Saul to the Gentile world.

God has an elect people whom he has determined to save OUT OF all corners and people of this world in Christ Jesus.

This was the Lord’s word to Abraham: “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed” (Christ the Seed) ‘shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22: 17-18)

The gospel of Christ the Seed was preached to Abraham: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3: 16)

“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 3: 8, 9)

This same gospel shall be preached to all God’s elect scattered throughout the entire world.

God uses his church to do so.

The very wisdom of God which chose his people in Christ, the very wisdom which accomplished the work whereby mercy and peace have met in harmony in Christ our Substitute, is the same wisdom of God which chose that the instrument he would use to proclaim his gospel would be his church in this world. The believer — who is perfectly complete in Christ to enter glory right now – remains in this world because God choose to use saved sinners to carry his gospel to his elect and save them through the gospel of our glorified Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“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)

Just as the work of election, of redemption, and of regeneration is the work of our triune God even so the work of raising up and equipping his vessels of mercy is the work of our Lord. God’s ambassadors’ are called of God; God gives his saints a heart to recognize his messengers and to support them in God’s work; God separates them to the work he would have them to do; God’s messengers are filled and led by the Spirit of God.

Thus they go forth preaching the gospel of Christ and him crucified.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Consider Him”

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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: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Understanding The Gospel

”These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him” | John 12: 16

When the Lord is pleased to glorify and reveal Himself to us and in us, in the way of mercy and grace, then He also gives us an understanding of the gospel of Christ.

“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)

Consider these four things:

1). When we see the glory of His electing grace He gives us an understanding that had Christ not chosen us, we never would have believed and loved Him.

“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 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)

2). When we see the glory of His atonement for our sin; how complete, how eternal, how full and how powerful it is — that our sin is put away forever – He gives us an understanding to see and know the absolute necessity for Christ to put away our sin and how futile and useless is our vain attempts to redeem ourselves by the deeds of the flesh or law, “by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

We are redeemed by the blood of Christ alone.

“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)

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10: 14-17)

“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)

“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. 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: 19-24)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1: 18-20)

3). When we see the glory of His salvation: taking the rebel and making him righteous in Christ; taking the ignorant and the foolish and making them new creatures in Christ; taking those dead in sin and giving them spiritual life; then we understand the need of the new birth, regeneration and being reconciled to God in Christ. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see (understand) the kingdom of God.’

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17- 21)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 3-8)

4). When we see the glory of His person — who the Lord Jesus Christ really is, Almighty God and sinless man in one blessed person – then we have understanding of the only object of saving faith and the only message we are to preach.

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

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

“These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.” (John 12: 41)

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

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4: 1-4)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “All Our Need Freely Supplied”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky