The World Judged At The Cross

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.” | Mark 15: 31-32

A wonderful, prayerful resolve would be; Lord, let me look into the glorious glass of Thy Word and see the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, and let me conformed to His blessed image in all things.

Let me see Christ in all Thy Word.

Let me look to Him and look like Him.

Deliver me from this present evil world, deliver me from the god of this world, deliver me from my sinful self, and receive me into Thy Kingdom forever.

Let me be resolved to seek Thy will and do Thy will always.

~ Unknown

Click here to listen to the message “What Is It To Confess Christ” (32:17 minutes)

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 August, 2017 | Previous post date: 18 August, 2021 | Rocky Mount, Virginia

Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” | Psalm 122: 1

What defines a true house of the Lord?

”And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” (Exodus 9: 16)

It is a house where the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared – God, Man, Mediator, Savior!

”And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16: 15)

It is a house where the Word of Christ is declared – every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God.

”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 6)

It is a house where the Spirit of Christ dwells – in truth.

”Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26: 14)

It is a house where the glory of Christ dwells – in power.

”By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13: 35)

It is a house where the people of Christ dwell – in love.

”And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3: 10-11)

It is a house where Christ is ALL and in all.

That is a house that all of God’s people are glad to go to.

May that be THIS house today!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Believers Have All Things In Common” (67:22 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 24 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

The Greatest Of All Charity

”To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ” | Romans 3: 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

”Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Shepherd and His Sheep” (49:59 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 8 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

Such Were Some Of You

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

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

”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

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

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

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

”But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are justified by the grace of God through the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. ”But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 21-24)

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

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

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

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Jesus Christ Came to Save Sinners” (33:21 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

What Is Grace?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace is the unmerited favor of God.

Grace is free!

Grace is unconditional!

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

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

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

He has fallen from grace.

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

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

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

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

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

Paul took no credit for his conversion.

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

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

A great change had taken place in his heart.

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

~ Pastor Don Fortner

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

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

Render What Is Due

”And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” | Matthew 1: 21

Recently, my son became a lifeguard at a local water park.

He went through his training for CPR, basic first aid, swim tests, and finally his lifeguard certification exam.

”And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.” (Mark 2: 1)

In “modern terms”, he is now equipped to save lives.

”And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.” (Mark 2: 2)

However, the company’s policy for assisting a person in danger is to ask them if they are willing to receive aid.

While they attempt to rescue themselves, they may refuse any help.

If the one needing support is a small child, the lifeguard must ask permission from the parents to intervene.

”And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” (Mark 2: 3)

Some refuse this “help”!

If the lifeguard is allowed to help, the swimmer would be assisting in some way.

”And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.” (Mark 2: 4)

Both could be praised.

But, when someone is unresponsive; when someone (child or adult) appears dead; when they are lifeless; when they cannot even request help; when they have no ability to save themselves; when no one is around to accept assistance on their behalf; it is then lawful for the lifeguard to rescue, resuscitate the injured and “save” them.

”When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Mark 2: 5)

Only the lifeguard can be praised.

Spiritually, there is a vast difference between helping and saving someone!

It is eternal life and death!

The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to help His people, He came to save His people, while we were dead in trespasses and sins.

He will receive all the glory for it!

~ Pastor Kevin Thacker

Click here to listen to the message “Render What Is Due” (35:02 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 24 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Three Questions Concerning Our Faith!

”And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.” | Acts 12: 7-8

Rowland Hill once said that, “…when a man comes to know the Lord, even his dog and cat and farm animals will be the better for it”

”When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” (Acts 12: 10-11)

It was William Jay who wrote that, “…a person, when he comes to Christ, will be better in every relationship. He is a better husband, father, master, worker, and friend than before or else his religion is not genuine.”

”And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.” (Acts 12: 12-13)

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Do you hear one saying, ‘I keep my religion to myself’? Well, friend, you do not have to worry about it being stolen. You do not have to put it under lock and key; there is not enough of it to even tempt Satan to take it from you. A man who can keep his godliness to himself has so small a portion, I am afraid it will be of no credit to him nor any blessing to anyone else.”

”But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.” (Acts 12: 16-17)

I ASK THREE QUESTIONS CONCERNING OUR FAITH!

(1) Does it cause us to pray? worship God? give thanks?

(2) Does it cause us to seek His will, His word, and His way?

(3) Does it cause us to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us?”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Providence and Power” (28:35 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Behold The King Cometh

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” |Zechariah 9: 9-11

God gave to His prophet the very exact description of our Lord Jesus Christ as He entered into Jerusalem to accomplish our salvation, 550 years before it actually happened, what He would accomplish.

“Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him.” (Luke 19: 30-34)

Notice these vital things!

“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2: 2)

1). Jesus Christ is the King of our salvation. “Behold thy King cometh unto thee.”

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3: 10-13)

The wise men ask, where is He that is born King?

“And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19: 13-16)

Our Lord as God incarnate, is King of Kings.

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2: 6)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5: 1)

As King He is sovereign in salvation.

“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17: 2)

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2: 36)

2). Jesus Christ is the Just God, “He is just.”

“And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3: 12-15)

That means He is righteous in all His ways and Holy in His character.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 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:” (Philipians 2: 5-9)

Stephen and Peter called Him, “the Just One.”

3). Jesus Christ is the only Saviour, “having salvation.”

“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.” (Isaiah 45: 21)

He is not only a Just God but also our righteous Saviour.

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isaiah 42: 21)

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2: 14)

Paul often calls Christ God our Saviour.

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 28)

He came to give His life as a ransom to purchase His covenant people.

“It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9: 12-16)

“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:” (Acts 7: 52)

4). Jesus Christ is also identified with our humanity, “lowly, and riding upon an ass.”

“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” (Titus 1: 3)

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20: 28)

Totally, fully God Almighty, yet also a real man.

“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” (Luke 2: 30)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)

As the Godman He honored the law and perfected righteousness for us.

“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)

“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” (Ephesians 2: 16-17)

5). Jesus Christ is our Peace with God, “he shall speak peace unto the heathen.”

“And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9: 10)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

Surely, no one else has the authority to speak peace unto the sinner, but Jesus Christ Himself.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3: 18)

He made peace with God for His people through the blood of His sacrifice.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4: 18)

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6: 14)

6). Jesus Christ is our Deliverer, “by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.”

“As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.” (Zechariah 9: 11)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 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:” (Colossians 1: 19-22)

Our blessed Lord came to set His people free; from the curse of the law, from the bondage of sin, from the terror of death, from the grip of the devil.

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1: 18)

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” (Romans 11: 26)

What a great Deliverer we have in the Lord Jesus Christ!

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord God Of Israel Was Their Inheritance” (41:43 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: July 22, 2018 | Previous post date: 14 August, 2021 | Pikeville, Kentucky

God Delights To Show Mercy

”Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” | Micah 7: 18

Do not try to come to God through your religious ceremonies and traditions.

God does not delight in outward shows of religion.

”To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1: 11-15)

Do not try to come to God through the strength of the flesh.

God does not delight in the works of the flesh.

”He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” (Psalm 147: 10)

Come to God begging His mercy for guilty sinners.

God delights to show mercy to sinners.

Nothing glorifies God more than showing mercy to sinners through the sacrifice of Christ.

”The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” (Psalm 147: 11)

God delights in mercy and He delights in those who come to Him begging mercy.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Mediator” (54:16 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 24 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

What A Contrast Between “I AM” And “I Am A Worm!”

”But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” | Psalm 22: 6

This verse is a miracle in language.

How could the Lord of glory be brought to such abasement as to be not only lower than the angels, but even lower than men.

”My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.” (Psalm 22: 1-2)

What a contrast between “I AM” and “I am a worm!” yet such a double nature was found in the person of our Lord Jesus when bleeding upon the tree.

”But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22: 3)

He felt himself to be comparable to a helpless, powerless, down trodden worm, passive while crushed, and unnoticed and despised by those who trod upon him.

”Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.” (Psalm 22: 4)

He selects the weakest of creatures, which is all flesh; and becomes, when trodden upon, writhing, quivering flesh, utterly devoid of any might except strength to suffer.

”They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.” (Psalm 22: 5)

This was a true likeness of himself when his body and soul had become a mass of misery — the very essence of agony – in the dying pangs of crucifixion.

”But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” (Psalm 22: 6)

Man by nature is but a worm; but our Lord puts himself even beneath man, on account of the scorn that was heaped upon him and the weakness which he felt, and therefore he adds, “and no man.”

”All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” (Psalm 22: 7-8)

The privileges and blessings which belonged to the fathers he could not obtain while deserted by God, and common acts of humanity were not allowed him, for he was rejected of men; he was outlawed from the society of earth, and shut out from the smile of heaven.

How utterly did the Saviour empty himself of all glory, and become of no reputation for our sakes!

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “The Mission of the Messiah” (43:31 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky