The Race That Is Set

”Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” | Hebrews 12: 1

Everything about the believer’s race is set by God.

Our Lord determined before the foundation of the world those whom he would put in this race when he chose his people in Christ. The love of God for his people is as eternal as God is. It existed before time; it shall exist when time is no more. The everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus gives the believer great cause for patiently running this race.

Our God set the precise moment he would cross our path with the gospel. He determined the pastor he would raise up, gave him the heart to trust Christ, and the unction to preach his word in truth and in spirit. In that hour of love he made Christ our Wisdom.

We beheld something of the righteous skill with which Christ Jesus honored and magnified God’s law on our behalf.

We beheld his faithfulness and graciousness in satisfying justice on our behalf. In the light of Christ we heard the law condemn our sins and our sins were more than we could bear. But the Spirit revealed in our hearts that all our sins have been forever put away by Christ’s one offering.

In love and power Christ was made our Perfection, our Completion, our Righteousness, our All. When we behold God’s all-powerful hand in all providence which brought us to Christ in spite of us, the believer finds great comfort in knowing that the God who provided and is our Righteousness will continue to be our Strength to run this race.

Our God set every hurdle on this course which we must run and declares plainly to us that we must suffer much tribulation in this race. Yet, the God who set the course also reveals in us that he is the God who supplies the grace. That is what he teaches us as he carries us through every dark vale.

Our God set the length of our course. He has appointed the hour our race will end. By his grace we will find the finish line to be the most glorious hour of all the hours of our lives for then we shall enter into the presence of Christ our Redeemer.

What a joy to know that our race ends where it began, in Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “According to Promise” (41:21 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: 25 December, 2022 | Ewing, New Jersey

Our Steps Are Ordered Of The Lord

”For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” | Romans 11: 36

What will happen in the days to come?

Everything the Lord has wisely decreed in His eternal purpose for us to experience. ”In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Ephesians 1: 11)

”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

The Lord gave David these words in Psalm 37:23; “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

”And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Joshua 23: 14)

Our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples in their day; “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”.

”According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 3-4)

The apostle Paul declares that every believer has won the victory of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ forever; “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

”But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57)

We can be assured by the word of our blessed God and Saviour; that every promise of God will be fulfilled; that our gracious Lord will provide for our every need; that He will never leave us or forsake us.

”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

As the old writers used to express it; “The Lord will give us all grace now and glory forever. ”My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” (Psalm 31: 15)

”Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Promised Before The World Began” (23:05 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 5 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

It Is All Of The Lord

”Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” |

Where you die, when you die, or by what means, is scarcely worth a thought, if you do but die in Christ.

~ Rowland Hill

Click here to listen to the message “It Is All Of The Lord” (28:09 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 16 March, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

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

Wisdom In Death

”LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

When we, by God’s grace, are wise enough to face death, judgement, and eternity, things are seen in their proper light.

”God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118: 27-29)

All these fine ideas of fame, fortune, and friends, and our so-called importance melts like frost in the sun.

”But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22: 31-32)

Death reveals the truth, blows away the chaff, shuts a man’s mouth, and opens the books!

”Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20: 36)

Death takes no notice of what I thought nor what others thought of me, but only of what God thinks.

“Oh, that I may win Christ and be found in him.”

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “What Did It Please God To Do?” (14:48 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

In Time Of Trouble

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.” | Psalm 36: 9-11

In 1895, the pastor and writer, Andrew Murray, was in England suffering from a terribly painful back, the result of an injury he had incurred years before.

One morning while he was eating breakfast in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any advice for her.

Murray handed her a paper he had been writing on and said, “Just give her this advice I’m writing down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.”

This is what he had written:

“In time of trouble, say,

‘First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.’

‘Next, ‘He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.’

‘Then say, ‘He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.’

‘And last, say, ‘In His good time He can bring me out again. How and when, He knows.’

‘Therefore, say ‘I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.”

~ Pastor Angus Fisher

Click here to listen to the message “Regenerated By The Spirit” (30:38 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 November, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

Live In An Attitude Of Thanksgiving And Prayer

”Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” | 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

The Apostle Paul says, “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God in all things”.

This is the will of God; that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks.

What we are, what we have, where we are, and all that happens in the life of a believer are all according to the will of God for us.

Let us rejoice in prosperity or adversity, and live in an attitude of thanksgiving and prayer, even when we have no particular request.

Very ungrateful is the man who does not set so high a value on the love of God, the righteousness of Christ, and the hope of eternal life that he allows anything in this life to overshadow that wonderful gift of grace.

How can I murmur and complain when I am a child of the King of kings?

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Saved and Gathered to Praise Him” (37:21 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 17 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

Lord, What Will You Have Me To Do?

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” | Acts 9: 6

“Lord, what will you have me to do?” This is Paul’s question on the road where he met the sovereign Christ.

It was not, what do I think is best for me?

Or what will afford me the most pleasure and comfort?

Or even what do other people do?

But “Lord, what will YOU have me to do?”

“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalms 18: 1-2)

In every case enable me, by Thy grace, to do what is pleasing in Thy sight and that which will bring glory to Thy name.

Where we get in trouble is putting our wills and ways before His!

It is not I but Christ, His gospel, His church, His kingdom, His glory, which must be considered.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3: 6)

When this is settled “I” will fall in the right place and though the way may not be easy; in the end it will be pleasant.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Help, Lord!” (26:56 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 5 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Cast All Your Care Upon Him

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” | 1 Peter 5: 7

How great is our God whose hand paints every flower and shapes every leaf.

How great is our God who forms every bud on every tree and every infant in the womb.

How great is our God who feeds each crawling worm with a parent’s care and every insect that sleeps in the bosom of a flower.

How great is our God who opens the golden gates of day and draws the dusky curtains of the night.

How great is our God who measures every drop of rain, the whirling flakes of snow and the sands of man’s earthly life.

How great is our God who determines alike the fall of the sparrow and the fate of a kingdom.

How great is our God who so overrules the tide of human fortune that, whatever befalls a man, come joy or sorrow, the believer readily declares, “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

Cast all of your care upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Thomas Guthrie

Click here to listen to the message “Cast All Your Care Upon Him” (31:39 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 July, 2021 | Previous post date: 4 September, 2021

Only Sinners Saved By Grace

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” | Ephesians 2: 8

In Christ there is no great and small, no important and unimportant, but only sinners saved by the grace of God.

We are all brethren!

The servant is not greater than his Lord; and if the Lord humbled himself to become a servant, shall we not do likewise?

Happy are those who know this gracious truth by experience and perform the doing of it.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Impossible Made Possible”

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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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 19 August, 2021