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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

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Thy People Shall Be Willing

”Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” | Psalm 110: 3

God’s elect worship and serve Him with willing hearts.

We willingly believe, willingly worship, willingly give, and willingly do what we can for the glory of God.

It is God Who, by effectual grace, makes us willing; but we are willing servants of the Most High God!

Any worship, service, or gifts offered to God that is not done with a willing heart is an abomination.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “It Shall Be Well With The Righteous” (43:40 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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The Things Of God

”But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” | Acts 1: 8

It is hard to say which is worst—the atheist who says, “There is no God” or the religionist who maintains that God cannot do as He pleases.

”To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.” (Acts 1: 3-4)

Since all men by nature have stony hearts, all the threatenings in the world will do no good; the stony heart of natural man must be pierced by THE POWER OF GOD in order to be tender!

”For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1: 5)

One with a tender heart desires to know the will of God, has a readiness for spiritual things, has a disposition to obey revealed truth, and has a desire to make the things of God his chief business.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “They Went Everywhere Preaching the Word” (36:19 minutes)

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

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

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The Word Of God

”The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.” | Jeremiah 23: 28

It is certain that the Lord is speaking of false prophets who do not know God’s word nor use it, but rather tell their dreams and entertain with miracles, signs, and wonders.

But I am afraid this word also has some reference to believers as well, particularly preachers.

God’s word is His power.

His word is what He uses to call, break, save, create, sustain, keep, feed, mold, and shape His people.

One word of God is of infinite power and value.

The Holy Spirit can take one word and bring about what a multitude of ours cannot.

One word, such as LOOK!

One line, such as THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH, is sufficient, by the power of the Spirit, to bring a dead sinner to life.

It is not our comments upon God’s word, but God’s actual word that He uses.

PREACHING IS VITAL, whereby the sense of the word is given; but in reality IT IS NOT THE PREACHING THAT SAVES, BUT THE WORD!

When we witness to others, it is good to tell what we have learned; but when all is said and done, nothing will impress that person except the word of God applied by His Spirit.

This is why a word in season means a portion of God’s word.

Perhaps we would do well to say less and quote more from God’s word.

Even better, it would be good to just leave someone with a portion from, God’s word and say, “Go and learn what that means.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Turning God’s Glory Into Shame” (14:03 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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On The Death of Christ

“Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” | 2 Samuel 9: 6-7

Christ did not die to win our sympathy, nor did He die to win our friendship.

He died so that a holy God could save our souls.

He died so that “GOD COULD BE JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER OF THE UNGODLY.”

His death is not a PATTERN but a PAYMENT.

His death is not an EXAMPLE, but an ATONEMENT.

His death does not REVIVE US, but it REDEEMS US.

If you are not saved, it is not because His blood is not sufficient nor does not have the power to save, but because you reject this remedy.

God will not pardon without satisfaction by the blood of Christ.

If you ever see this “Fountain opened,” you will cry with the woman of Samaria, “Give me this water, that I thirst no more.”

~ Pastor Milton Howard

Click here to listen to the message “Looking, Waiting, Expecting” (47:08 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: 16 April, 2012 | Previous post date: 28 July, 2021 | Danville, Kentucky

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Do What God Commands You To Do

”No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” | John 6: 44-45

Suppose a man should say to you, “I will not open my store today because I do not know if God has decreed that I should sell my goods, or do not know if God has ordained anyone to buy from me.”

Suppose that he added, “I shall neither eat nor drink this month, for God has fixed the length of my life and I shall die at the appointed time.”

Would you not conclude that the man was either mentally ill or a total fool?

EVEN SO, the man who declares, “There is no need to search the Scriptures, seek the Lord, nor strive to enter the kingdom of God; for if I am elected and ordained to life, I will be saved,” IS ALSO A FOOL!

It is true “the election of grace hath obtained,” and “as many as were ordained to eternal life believed;” but let me tell you, in the matter of seeking the Lord, repenting toward God, and believing on Christ, you have no more concern with the secret counsels and purposes of God than you have in the length or quality of your life on earth.

DO WHAT GOD COMMANDS YOU TO DO; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, reach out (like the weary woman) and touch the Lord, cry out for mercy like Bartimaeus of old, and THEN YOU SHALL KNOW YOUR ELECTION OF GOD.

“God maketh rich and God maketh poor;” but the man who draws the paycheck is the man who goes faithfully to work; the man who enjoys eternal glory is the man who goes, believing, to Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “No Man Can Come” (16:21 minutes)

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

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

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Preaching

”And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” | 1 Corinthians 2: 3

C. H. Spurgeon is called by many “The Prince of Preachers”.

Spurgeon wrote, “For many years my own preaching was exceedingly painful to me, because of the fear and trembling which beset me before entering the pulpit. Often, the dread of facing my hearers has been overwhelming.

“I wrote to my dear grandfather, who was a minister of God for many years, and told him of the overwhelming mental emotions, sickness of body, and trembling fears which gripped my heart when I preached the Word of God.”

The old gentleman wrote back, “My son, I have been preaching the gospel of Christ sixty years, and I still feel the same trembling fears that you feel. Be content to have it so. When these emotions go away, your strength will also be gone. When you are able to preach the gospel and think nothing of it, the people will think nothing of it, and God will do nothing with it.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Delivered From the Fear of Death” (39:10 minutes)

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

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