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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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Uphold Me According Unto Thy Word

”Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.” | Psalm 119: 116

A man would be ashamed of his hope if it turned out that it was not based upon a sure foundation.

The Lord taught that there will be many that will learn too late that they built their hope on their own works which proved to be as a house built on sand.

When the storm came that house fell.

That will never be true of a child of God who built his hope on Jesus Christ.

They will never be ashamed that they put their trust in Christ.

They will never have a reason to be.

The hope of believers rests on the sure foundation of the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus.

Since it is a good hope through grace, and an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, we can be certain that those with such a hope will never be ashamed.

~ Pastor Larry Criss

Click here to listen to the message “The Way They Call Heresy, Is The Way Believers Worship” (12:20 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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A Sermon For Me

“Unto you that believe, He is precious” | 1 Peter 2: 7

Believers receive Christ, rejoice in Christ and, to them He is precious.

His obedience is our righteousness.

His blood is our atonement.

His prayers are our intercession.

His reign is our glory.

His coming is our hope.

Christ is all and in all.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Wonderful Persuasion” (35:16 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: 15 March, 2020 | Previous post date: 18 April, 2022

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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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The Revelation Of Jesus Christ

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” | Revelation 1: 1-2

This book is the Revelation (the disclosure) of Jesus Christ.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5: 39)

The Lord said concerning the scriptures, “they are they which testify of me.”

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ (the Savior and Messiah), we behold that which God has revealed concerning the Lord’s Person, His work in creation, in providence and in the redemption of His people.

It is through this revelation that the sheep are told how they have been and shall continue to be kept by Him who loved them and gave Himself for them.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Lord, Do Now What You Did Then” (31:10 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 22 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Leave Them There

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

I know my sins, but I rejoice in His grace.

I know my weakness, but I rest in His strength.

I know my emptiness, but I am complete in Him.

“O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,” all because we do not cast our sins, our souls, on Christ and LEAVE THEM THERE!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “HIS Mind, Will, Purpose & Work” (31:17 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: 26 September, 2021 | Previous post date: 6 April, 2022

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From Nothing, Everything

”For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” | Hebrews 9: 26

The preacher often says, “Mine is a very hard task, for I preach to many in whom I see nothing hopeful. I thunder forth the law, and the conscience is not stirred. I talk of the love and mercy of God, and the heart is not moved. I preach the sufferings of Christ for our sins, and the eye does not weep. I point to hell, and there is no fear, nor is there any desire kindled when I speak of the glory of heaven. There is absolutely nothing in men that encourages me to continue to preach to them. Is there any reason why I should preach the Word to those in whom I see nothing?”

Brother, come back with me to the world’s creation.

Of what did God make the world?

Did He not make it out of nothing?

You have never yet grasped the idea of nothing until you consider the creation.

When God spoke, there was no ear to hear.

When He said, “Let there be light,” there was no eye to see it.

When He made the rose, there was no nose to smell it.

When He made the apple, there was no mouth to taste it.

And when He made the garden, there was no foot to walk in it.

Nothing was everywhere, and yet out of nothing He made all things.

He spoke, and it was done.

He commanded, and it appeared.

You say there is nothing in the sinner to whom you preach?

That’s wonderful, for there is in that state of nothing, room for the great God to create something!

Inasmuch as the heart of man is empty and the soul is dark, the conditions are right for God to create a new heart and a right spirit and put His grace where there was no grace.

If you had to convert the sinner, then I would agree that your task is hopeless; but, if salvation is of the Lord, you may comfort your heart with this thought; that He who created all this marvelous earth out of nothing can also create life, love, faith, and hope where there are no spiritual ingredients nor interest with which to work.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “What Christ Accomplished” (13:37 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: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Have We Learned Christ?

“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:” | Ephesians 4: 20-21

The believer is a person who has undergone and is undergoing a divine work of grace within.

This work began and continues by the hearing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In verse 21, of our text, plainly states, “if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.” This hearing is not the common hearing of men but the hearing of the gospel in power and in demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 2: 4, where this is stated, the word demonstration means an inward manifestation of the gospel. God, the Holy Spirit, demonstrates the mercy and grace of Christ within the hearing sinner and he is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1: 13) Those who truly hear know that both the messenger and his message is from the Lord. John said, “we are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby, know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4: 6)

All those who hear the gospel, in power, are born of God and given the ability, the right, and the privilege to become sons of God. (John 1: 12-13) They have, by the gracious gift of the Father, been “made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1: 12) Those who truly hear, keep on hearing, and never lose their appetite for the gospel.

In Hebrews 10: 39, Paul says, “we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

The believer is a person who has undergone a divine transformation; a divine work of grace within. He is not what he was and not yet what he hopes to be, but is what he is by the grace of God; a new creature in Christ Jesus. “For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that he should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10)

The believer is rather like a woman shopping who sees a garment and thinks to herself how good she would look with it on. So she finds a way to get it. Believers do not continue to walk in the vanity of their minds but have seen with spiritual eyes the beauty and majesty of Christ.

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make provision for the flesh.” (Romans 13: 14)


Apart from this inward work of grace all else is folly.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “How Can You Believe?” (36:16 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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: 18 July, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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We Glory Only In Jesus Christ

“I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.” | Romans 15: 17

Paul was very careful throughout his ministry not to glory, boast or brag in the flesh.

“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)

He taught others not to do this and certainly he would not glory in himself; not in his religious heritage, nor in his attainments or gifts, nor in his labors and success in the ministry but only “through Jesus Christ”.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6: 14)

All the apostles and those who truly believe the gospel of God’s grace only glory “in those things that pertain to God.”

As a result of Adam’s sin, rebellion and fall into condemnation, we have absolutely no reason to glory in the flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5: 19-21)

The things that pertain to our sinful nature give us no motivation to glory or honor the old man and his deeds.

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” (Colossians 3: 9)

We are told in scripture to, “put off the old man with his deeds”.

We truly can only glory in those things that pertain to God.

What are those things?

1). We glory in Christ incarnate as the only hope for sinners. “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)

2). We glory in Christ crucified as the only remedy to put away our sin. “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)

3). We glory in Christ Jesus Who is all our sufficient righteousness and acceptance before a thrice holy God. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 6-7)

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17: 15)

4). We glory in Christ Jesus exalted and seated at God’s right hand as all our justification before God. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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: 1-2)

5). We glory in Christ Jesus coming again as all our hope throughout eternity. When He comes we shall not only see Him as He is, but we shall also be made like Him forever. Every believer can say with David, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34: 1-4)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “A Living Hope” (35:45 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: 1 December, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a