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In The Beginning

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” | 1 John 1: 1

The other Gospel writers begin with Bethlehem.

John begins with “the bosom of the Father.”

Luke dates his narrative by Roman emperors and Jewish high-priests.

John dates his “in the beginning.”

With those words, he carries us into the depths of eternity, before time or creatures were.

Both the Book of Genesis and the Gospel of John start from “the beginning.”

Genesis starts with “the beginning” and works downward, telling us what followed.

John starts with “the beginning” and works upward, telling us what preceded “the beginning.”

Before the beginning, Christ the Word, our God and Savior, already was.

The Beginning

John’s Gospel opens with these three simple words that are full of instruction: “In the beginning.”

In First John, this same Apostle used similar language to describe our Savior and speaks of him as, “That which was from the beginning”.

But what is he talking about?

Certainly, he is not talking about the beginning of eternity, for eternity has no beginning.

Rather than trying to determine the meaning of these words for ourselves, let’s look at them as they are used in other places by the Spirit of God.

“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.” (Proverbs 8: 22-23)

Our Savior asserts, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was”.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46: 9-10)

He who alone is God identifies himself as God with these words: “I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”.

“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;” (Acts 15: 18)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1: 18)

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

The Spirit of God declares to you who believe on the Lord Jesus, “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth”.

We read: “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” (Hebrews 1: 10)

Our blessed Savior is “the beginning” and “him that is from the beginning”. “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2: 14)

Beginning before the Beginning

As these words are used in Holy Scripture, and specifically as John used them, “the beginning” speaks of the beginning of the manifestation or Jehovah’s purpose of grace, the beginning of his great work of saving his elect by the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior, whose “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting”.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5: 2)

It seems to me that he is telling us that there was a beginning before the beginning of time. Our blessed Savior went forth from the beginning as our covenant Surety to save us from our sins.

In John 1: 1 the Holy Spirit teaches us to look upon the Son of God, both as the Essential Word and as the Revealed Word, standing forth in the everlasting councils of the triune God as our Surety, and set up as the Wisdom of God from everlasting. He says of himself: “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.” (Proverbs 8: 22-31)

Done in the Beginning

The whole work of our salvation was accomplished “in the beginning.” “In the beginning,” before ever the earth was made, Christ stood forth as the Word in and by whom the Lord God would make himself known in the salvation of chosen sinners. He was not only the Word from the beginning, but “in the beginning.”

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 12)

He stood forth “in the beginning” as our covenant Surety, and assumed all responsibility for our souls before the triune God. The triune God trusted him as the Surety of his elect “in the beginning”.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Our Lord Jesus Christ was accepted as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” His blood and sacrifice reached all God’s elect, as John Gill put it, “from the beginning of the world, for the justification of their persons, the atonement of their sins, and cleansing from them, for the remission of sins.”

“Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.” (Psalm 89: 19)

Every sinner saved in time in the experience of grace was saved “in the beginning” by the purpose and will of God, chosen, accepted, blessed and redeemed in Christ from “the beginning”.

“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4: 3)

When the Son of God stood forth as our Surety “in the beginning,” the triune Jehovah laid help for our souls upon our Mediator as “One that is mighty”, and finding satisfaction for our souls in him, “the works were finished from the foundation of the world”.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “You Cannot Make Him King” (24:16 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: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Miracle Of Salvation

”Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” | John 1: 22-23

The Lord Jesus Christ performed many miracles while upon this earth.

He cast out devils, healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf; He raised the dead.

While these miracles certainly proved him to be the Christ, they are also illustrations of how the Lord saves sinners.

Every sinner the Lord saves, is all these things… possessed by a devil, a sinful leper, deaf, dumb, blind, and dead in sin.

Salvation is a miracle of God’s sovereign grace and power.

Nothing more or less can save a sinner but the power of Christ; the Word, the Truth and the Gospel.

May the Lord be pleased to perform a miracle today!

~ Pastor Paul E. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Behold The Lamb Of God” (44:29 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: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The God Of Daniel Is Able

”And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” | John 17: 3-4

In all the heresies that have troubled the church over the last 2,000 years — there is, in truth, only one heresy – The Insufficiency of Christ.

No matter what form a heresy may take – free-willism, ceremonialism, legalism, moralism and so forth – the underlying issue is a lack of belief that Christ is the necessary and sufficient Savior for sinners.

We need Him, and He is all we need.

In a very real sense, many shall perish forever, not because they did not have enough, but because they had too much.

They believed that Christ was necessary for their salvation, but they prove they do not believe that Christ is sufficient for they act as though the salvation brought by Christ is waiting for them to do something that activates or supplements the work of Christ.

But the glory of the gospel of Christ is that its success rests entirely on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The gospel of God requires nothing from us.

It comes to us as sinners, expecting nothing from us other than sin.

Even the faith by which we lay hold of Christ does not arise from our natural selves but is a gift from God, given to us without us asking for it, worked in us by the power of the Spirit of God as He imparts new spiritual life to us through the New Birth.

Everything in the gospel is designed so that “he who boasts, boasts in the Lord.”

The praise of heaven does not contain a single word about the works of man.

Rather, every syllable is toward the Son of God.

He did it; He did it all; He did it well!

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The God of Daniel is Able” (49:46 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 31 March, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Gracious, Righteous And Merciful

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” | 1 Timothy 1: 15

If salvation depends upon our being or doing anything, we shall inevitably be lost.

Thank God, it does not; for the great fundamental principle of the gospel is that Christ is all: man is nothing.

It is not a mixture of Christ and man – it is all of Christ.

The peace of the gospel does not rest in part on Christ’s work and in part on man’s work; it rests wholly on Christ’s work, because that work is perfect, perfect forever; and it renders all who put their trust in Him as perfect as Himself!

Christ must either be a whole Savior or no Savior at all.

The moment a man says, “Except you be this or that, you cannot be saved,” he totally subverts the gospel; for in the gospel I find Christ coming down to me, just as I am – a lost, guilty, self-destroyed sinner; and coming, moreover, with a full remission of all my sins, and a full salvation from my lost estate, all perfectly wrought by Himself on the cross.

~ C. H. Mackintosh

Click here to listen to the message “Gracious, Righteous & Merciful” (25:58 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: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?

“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” | John 6: 65-69

Believers often are very concerned over their spiritual state; they grieve over the condition of their hearts and minds of the way they act and react to their Lord Jesus and his word and dealings with them.

Our Lord asked a pointed and poignant question to the twelve, “Will you also go away”? Why would he ask such a question?

Because there were many defections from him! “From that time many of his disciples went back”.

Have you ever wondered if you would go back, or where would you be a year or five years from now?

Simon Peter makes a blessed declaration of faith, even in the midst of defection and betrayal. “Lord to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are SURE that thou art that CHRIST”.

Here is a humble confession, maybe even a hint of fear, or urgency.

Everyone who is anyone has turned thumbs down on you …but to whom shall we go?

What would we gain by forsaking you?

Where could we show our faces without feeling every eye on us and every thought accusing us?

Lord you have spoken WORDS OF LIFE to us. Words of forgiveness, words of peace, words from the Father and you said, we could come unto him by you.

You said; “I AM HE”, the true vine, the light of the world, the water and the bread of life which came down from heaven.

To whom shall we go to find peace of heart, peace with God?

To find hope of eternal life, forgiveness, justification, righteousness, sanctification, redemption…O Lord to whom shall we go?

To find comfort in our trials, courage in our fears, strength for our weakness, light for our darkness, understanding for our ignorance.

Lord to whom shall we go?

However sorry and poor our love, zeal, faithfulness, and service, Lord to whom we go?

You have the WORDS of eternal life that holds up my soul.

Lord to whom shall we go?

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “No tears in heaven” (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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Worthless Piece Of Brass

”He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.” | 2 Kings 18: 5-6

Forgetting those things which are behind is difficult work.

It is like the runner who tries to shed every weight that does so easily beset him.

However, if God has forgotten our sins and will remember them no more, then we must let them go also.

We must not go back and try to repair our past; only Christ can make satisfaction for the sins of God’s elect: past, present, and future.

”Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13-14)

Therefore, let us do this: “Reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Let us spend our time reaching forth, looking to Him, learning of Him.

Christ is the mark; He is the prize.

The high calling of God is to be made like His Son.

May God help us to quit looking back and just look to Him. (We have enough to mourn over in a day without looking back for something else.)

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “A Worthless Piece of Brass” (27:00 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: 31 March, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Jesus Is The Christ

”But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” | John 20: 31

The scriptures tell us plainly that if all the miraculous, holy and righteous things that Christ our Lord did had been recorded in the Scriptures the world is too small to hold them.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21: 25)

However, that which has been recorded in the pages of divine inspiration are written for one purpose, “that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus Christ is salvation.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9: 35

All the scriptures are concerning Him!

“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 119: 25-27)

In believing this, you have eternal life through His name.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Do You Believe On Christ” (48:23 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: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Complete In Christ

”I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” | Psalm 138: 1-2

All that is necessary to secure our eternal salvation is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

There is a completion or a complete filling up in Him, so as to leave nothing lacking in the sinner. In the Lord Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of God.

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

All that is lacking in us by our ruin and sin in Adam is abundantly, freely and eternally supplied to us in the Lord Jesus Christ, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”.

”Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5: 20-21)

His perfect obedience is our righteousness.

”But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2: 7-8)

His sacrifice for sin is our atonement.

”Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2: 17)

His word is our instruction.

”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3: 16)

His wisdom is our direction.

”In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2: 3)

His power is our protection.

”Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1: 5)

His blood sacrifice is our justification.

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

His grace is our salvation. ”Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

”My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2: 1)

His eternal love is our security.

”He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 32-39)

His everlasting mercy is our hope.

”It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3: 22-26)

His fullness is our completeness. ”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

”But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8: 9-10)

His immutability is our strength. ”For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3: 6)

”Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1: 24-25)

His resurrection is the guarantee of our full and final glory. ”Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

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

His intercession is the assurance of all our deliverance from sin. ”Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7: 25)

Tell me my friend, what could we possibly want for, when all the Godhead is engaged to make the believer complete in the Lord Jesus Christ, to His eternal glory.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Whole Hearted Worship” (35:49 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 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Complete In Christ

”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” | Ephesians 1: 3-7

All that is necessary to secure and to complete our eternal salvation is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. ”For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

”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)

There is a completion or a complete filling up in Him, so as to leave nothing lacking in the sinner. ”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

In the Lord Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of God. ”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

”In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 22)

He is perfect and the believer stands perfected in Him. ”But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

All that is lacking in us by our ruin and sin in Adam is abundantly, freely and eternally supplied to us in the Lord Jesus Christ, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. ”For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5: 19-20)

”For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8: 29-30)

Christ’s perfect obedience is our righteousness. ”But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2: 7-8)

His sacrifice for sin is our atonement. ”Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2: 17)

His word is our instruction. ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3: 16)

”That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17: 21-24)

His wisdom is our direction. ”In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2: 3)

His power is our protection. ”Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1: 5)

”Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1: 24-25)

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

His grace is our salvation. ”Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

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

His eternal love is our security. ”He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 32-39)

His everlasting mercy is our hope. ”It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3: 22-26)

”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3: 5)

His fullness is our completeness. ”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

His immutability is our strength. ”For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3: 6)

”Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13: 8)

His resurrection is the guarantee of our final glory. ”Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

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

His intercession is the assurance of all our deliverance from sin. ”My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2: 1)

”But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1: 30-31)

Tell me my friend, what could we possibly want for, when all of the Godhead is engaged to make the believer complete in the Lord Jesus Christ, to His eternal glory?

Being found in Christ, having eternal union with Him, we have all things and all spiritual blessings in Christ.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “She Hath Wrought A Good Work” (26:49 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: 11 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

His Hands And Side

“And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” | John 20: 20

These poor, miserable disciples had forsaken the Lord Jesus in the hour of his greatest need.

Peter had denied him three times and even swore that he never knew him.

Oh, the guilt they felt upon their conscience for their sin; the shame and fear of it all had now overwhelmed them.

They were hiding out in an upper room.

“And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” (Mark 16: 10)

All you could hear from them was mourning and weeping and groans — “They mourned and wept,”.

Now, in the midst of such felt misery, the resurrected Lord stands in their midst and says, “Peace be unto you.”

Then He shows unto each of them the prints in his hands and the hole in his side.

Then something amazing suddenly happened, “Then,” immediately upon seeing these scars, “Then were the disciples glad.”

There is no doubt what brought this sudden change; they saw the scars in his hands and side.

What was it about these scars that gave them such gladness?

Well, many things no doubt, but, think of this; the scars told them that their sins had been atoned for; their sins had been punished, their sins had been put away.

Can you imagine such a thing as this, while Peter and the rest of the disciples were mourning over their sins; their sins had already been atoned for!

And these scars were the proof of it! — “Our awful sin! The shame of what we have done! GONE! And here are the scars to prove it!”

How often you and I are so conscious of our sin.

The thought of it weighs heavy upon our minds and often affects us in such a negative way.

We hide out in our little upper rooms and mourn and weep and we are hardly fit to worship or serve or do anything.

Here is our remedy.

By the eye of faith upon the Word of God, get a sight of Jesus’ scars.

Your sins have been punished to the fullest extent.

They have already been atoned for just as surely as the sins of those disciples were.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20: 31)

If God has punished them in his Son, why carry them any longer on your conscience?

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “And The Veil Was Rent In Twain” (32:08 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 30 June, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a