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Caleb And Joshua

”For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.” | Numbers 26: 65

Caleb and Joshua were among the twelve men who went into the land of Canaan to spy out the land and people and bring the report to Moses.

”And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:” (Numbers 13: 17)

Ten men brought an evil and unbelieving report, they said, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

”But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” (Numbers 13: 31)

God gave the nation forty years in the wilderness for their unbelief.

”Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.” (Numbers 14: 28-35)

Caleb and Joshua believed God and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”.

”And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13: 30)

None that were numbered among the men from age twenty and older entered into the promise land with exception of Caleb (the faithful dog) and Joshua (the faithful Saviour).

”And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;” (Numbers 27: 18)

This is another glorious picture of the gospel of Christ.

”Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1: 6)

None will enter into glory but the Saviour and those sinners (dogs) for whom He died.

”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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 5-9)

Christ the forerunner has entered in for us and every believer will enter upon His merits alone.

”That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6: 18-20)

However, there is another picture of the gospel here.

”For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2: 13)

The scripture says of both Caleb and Joshua that they had another spirit.

”But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” (Numbers 14: 24)

It was not the spirit and attitude of unbelief, but that of spirit of faith that honors and glorifies God.

”For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3: 3)

It is said of Abraham, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”.

”He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4: 20-21)

Something else is also said of Caleb and Joshua, “they have wholly followed the LORD”. ”Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.” (Numbers 32: 12)

”For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

Faith and conduct cannot be separated. ”If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3: 1)

”I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” (1 Corinthians 16: 15)

One preacher of the past said, “Faith is the mother of obedience.” ”God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 24)

”But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3: 7-9)

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ puts another spirit and attitude in the sinner, that spirit of love, obedience, devotion, hope and confidence in the Lord. ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Galatians 5: 22)

”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4: 13)

It is right and commendable for every believer to fully and wholly follow the Lord with an undivided heart, unbridled spirit, unwavering commitment, unbroken addiction and uninterrupted dependence upon the gospel of the Lord Christ.

”And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8: 34-35)

Our Lord said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “We Are Here to Hear All Things Commanded of God” (35:34 minutes)

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

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

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Is Our Message Offensive?

“I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” | Galatians 5: 10-12

Paul called his message “the offence of the cross.” Again and again he warned that the true gospel of God’s grace and glory would meet with great opposition from the religious world and the natural world. “The preaching of the cross is foolishness.” “The natural man receiveth not the things of God.”

Our Lord said, “Marvel not if the world hate you.” He also said in John 16, “They will cast you out of organized religion, and whosover killeth you will think that he serves God in doing so.”

If what we preach is NOT offensive to the religionist and to the worldling, then it is NOT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

I repeat, it is not the gospel!

1). GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY in creation, providence, and redemption offends man’s claim to a freewill!

“But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19: 14)

2). The preaching of TOTAL DEPRAVITY and INABILITY offends man’s dignity and claim to personal righteousness.

“We be not born of fornication”, that is, “we be not (they say) born in sin.”

“We may not be perfect, but we are not totally corrupt in God’s sight.”

3). The gospel of Christ comes by REVELATION and this offends man’s natural wisdom.

The college professor knows as much about the mysteries of grace as the farmhand, which is nothing apart from the Spirit of God.

4). EFFECTUAL REDEMPTION through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, our substitute and sin-offering, offends man’s pride.

Men would have God do all that He wants to do or can do; but, there must be a work left for the sinner to perform, that we might share somewhat in the glory.

5). The LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST offends man’s desire for recognition here and the hereafter.

“Grant, Lord, that we may sit at Thy right and left hand.”

“Let us have a system of rewards to distinguish us in some way from the beggar.”

We have established our social levels here and choose to continue them in heaven.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “What Is Your Response To The Gospel?” (38:55 minutes)

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

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: July 22, 2018 | Previous post date: 11 August, 2021 | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Why Are You Here?

”To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 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: 4-5

Why have you come to the house of the Lord this morning?

Is it to be seen of men so people will know how pious you are?

Have you come to fulfil a social need to see friends?

Have you come because you feel better going through some religious ceremony?

”Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

I pray we have come with the same heartfelt need that Cornelius had in Acts 10 when he said, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

It very well could be that God will speak to us if we have come needing to hear a word from Him.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Why Should I Come to Christ?” (34:53 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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The Old Man And The New

”Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” | Acts 11: 19

A man that is regenerate and born of God consisteth of two men, namely the “old man,” and the “new man.”

”And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 11: 20)

So that one man, inasmuch as he is corrupt with the seed of the serpent, is an “old man;” and inasmuch as he is blessed with the seed of God from above, he is a “new man.”

”And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (Acts 11: 21)

Inasmuch as he is an “old man,” he is a sinner and an enemy to God.

”Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.” (Acts 11: 22)

So, inasmuch as he is regenerate, he is righteous and holy and a friend to God, so that he cannot sin.

”Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11: 23)

One man therefore which is regenerate well may be called always just, and always sinful: just in respect of God’s seed and his regeneration; sinful in respect of Satan’s seed and his first birth.

~ John Bradford

Click here to listen to the message “Called Christians First at Antioch” (31:47 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.

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

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In Spirit And Truth

”God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” | John 4: 24

Here are two principles of worship without which all worship of God is vain.

God must be worshipped in spirit – a heart worship – as opposed to mere forms and ceremonies, going through the motions with body and lip service, etc.

If the heart does not pray it, the prayer is not accepted.

IF the heart does not sing it, the song is not accepted.

If the heart does not believe it, it is vain to profess it.

Those who worship God, must worship in spirit.

”For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 10)

Those who worship God in spirit must also worship Him in truth.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 22)

God has revealed Himself in His Word of truth as who HE is; how HE saves; by whom HE saves; the way in which any one must approach unto Him to worship.

All worship that is contrary to truth is vain worship.

All who worship God must worship Him in truth.

Someone has said, “How astonishing is the fact, that man dares to introduce his miserable inventions to deform the scriptural simplicity of divine; as if God who makes all things perfect, had, in this most important institution, forgotten to direct the use of altars – magnificent vestment – pomp and ceremonies. When will man, with child-like simplicity, follow gospel rules?”

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Look To The Lord Jesus Christ For All Salvation” (16:05 minutes)

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

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 17 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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I Will Give Unto Him That Is Athirst

”And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” | Revelation 22: 17

It is not good for people to spend their lives seeking God and not finding peace in Him.

It is not good that we should be ever learning and never able to rest in the knowledge of Christ.

It is not good to be always doubting, and when asked about our doubts to make the untrue excuse, ‘Oh, I am not doubting God, I am only doubting myself,’

No!

”And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22: 17)

It is God who promised life in Christ, and it is God whom we are doubting.

”And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21: 6)

Of this promise BONAR wrote, “Thirsty one, it is with the WATER and not the VESSEL that our souls need to be concerned! It is not the quality of your vessel, but the quality of the water of life (Christ Jesus) that satisfies, sanctifies, and purifies! And he whose pride will not allow him to drink from a weak, soiled, and broken vessel (such is the best faith) must die of thirst; and he who puts away the promise of reconciliation because of imperfect faith must die the death.”

He who says, “I believe the right doctrine, but I don’t believe it in the right way; therefore, I can’t have peace” is looking totally in the wrong direction and will never find peace.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Fear Not” (33:06 minutes)

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

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

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Let Him Deny Himself

”Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” | Matthew 16: 24

To deny yourself is not refusing yourself something that you want, even if it is for the greater good.

That is temperance or self control.

Neither is the idea of giving up something you love as an effort to sacrifice for God, denying yourself.

That is self-righteousness.

To deny yourself has nothing to do with “things” at all, but rather, it has to do with you.

”His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.” (Psalm 21: 5-7)

It is to remove yourself from the equation in the accomplishment of a thing.

It is to give all glory to God.

It is to say with Paul, “Not I but Christ,” with John, “He must increase and I must decrease” and with Jeremiah, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

~ Pastor Tim James

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

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

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

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Five Things About Manna

“Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.” | Matthew 10: 10-13

There are five things pictured in the heavenly manna as it is given in figure of Christ the true bread of God.

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?” (Exodus 16: 4-7)

These are things which every believer shall come to know in the sweet experience of grace.

First: He will come to see that this true manna was provided by God alone. “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” (John 6: 31)

It did not rise up out of the cursed ground or evolve on the herb bearing grass; it was divinity given. “He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them the corn of heaven.” (Psalm 75: 23-24)

Second: This manna must be discovered.

All those who did not look did not discover the manna.

The manna fell where God said it would.

The manna fell in the assemble of God.

The manna was easy to find.

Most men do not find Christ because they do not look where the manna is revealed.

Third: The manna must be gathered.

Manna on the ground did no good to anyone.

Simply hearing about the manna satisfied no mans hunger.

It must be gathered.

Who gathered this manna?

Hungry souls sought it out and gathered it in.

Fourth: The manna must be processed.

Israel did not just scoop it up by handfuls and eat it like jelly beans; it was ground in the mills or beaten in a mortar and then baked into bread.

“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.” (Matthew 11: 8)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is processed by the inward working of the Spirit.

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2: 10-14)

It must be heard, considered, understood, and believed.

Fifth: The manna must be eaten.

Manna in a basket will not give life.

It must be chewed and swallowed.

It must be taken within where God, the Holy Spirit, makes it one with us and creates faith and life and hope.

Christ is our manna!

May God be pleased to guide us where he can be found, reveal him to our hearts, cause us to gather to ourselves the full measure God has given, help us to process what we have gathered, and eat to the full what God has given.

Amen

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “The Lesson of Grace” (30:46 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 19 May, 2012 | Previous post date: 7 August, 2021 | Danville, Kentucky

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Our Rock And Salvation

”He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” | Psalm 62: 2

God is our rock and our salvation.

There are five things mentioned in this Psalm concerning God’s relationship to His people.

1). God only is my Salvation. This word “ONLY” is a very powerful word. It reveals if we understand the gospel or not. It reveals if we believe God or not. If we add any thing to this word, we pervert the only gospel that is of God.

2). God is our Rock. Christ, who is God Incarnate, is the Rock on which the church is built. He is the sure Foundation. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ”He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62: 2)

”For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3: 11)

3). God is our Defence. He is a wall around us. God Himself is our protection. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. ”He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62: 6)

”The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.” (Psalm 121: 5)

4). God is our Refuge. He is our shelter in the time of storm. A shelter must be a safe place from all danger and truly the Godman, Christ Jesus is our hiding place. And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. ”In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” (Psalm 62: 7)

”And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32: 2)

5). God is our Glory. The glory of every believer is Jesus Christ Himself. ”Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62: 8)

”Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3: 2)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

”But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (Psalm 3: 3)

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “My Salvation Is Near To Come” (33:22 minutes)

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

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

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Our Righteousness Keeps Us Apart

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. | Matthew 13: 15

There is not a sin upon you that the blood of Christ cannot wash clean.

There is not an offense that the gracious God cannot forgive.

The great obstacle that lies between you and God is not your sin so much as your righteousness! It is true that our sins have separated us from our God, but it is our righteousness that keeps us apart.

There is a remedy for sin in the gospel, so our sin is no hindrance to our salvation in Christ. However, our righteousness will keep us from simply receiving God’s grace in Christ; and that will prevent our being saved.

If you have not trusted the Lord Jesus to save your soul by His blood and righteousness, it is because you yet have hope in your own righteousness: either a righteousness you have already performed or one that you hope to perform in the future. How subtle is self-righteousness!

God grant you and me grace to see it for what it is and forsake it in favor of Christ who is our righteousness.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “And He Shall Reign For Ever and Ever” (51:15 minutes)

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

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 18 May, 2012 | Previous post date: 4 August, 2021 | Danville, Kentucky