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The Morning Of Forever

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” | Isaiah 2: 1-4

The Lord Jesus Christ established and exalted his church by his life, death and resurrection.

From heaven through the church on earth he is now establishing and exalting his church above every hill of falsehood by calling out his people, teaching them, and causing them to walk in him alone by faith.

But there is one last work which he shall perform in establishing and exalting his house.

By the power of his grace working within his people in his church the Lord makes his people a peaceful people.

Swords and spears are poor gardening tools.

Therefore he makes his people instruments for husbandry.

Believers have ceased binding others with the law – not only because we can not obey it but because an obedience to the law can in no way cleanse the filth of our flesh so that we are holy, only Christ can.

Knowing that Christ has freely, fully, forever accomplished our warfare by reconciling us to God in righteouness and true holiness we no longer study how to war against God with the sword and spears of our works.

Instead, we preach Christ who has made us more than conquerors.

And though this is true of the believer in this life, we do not yet know the fullness of peace while we remain in this sinful flesh and sinful world.

Yet, in the end of these last days, after the Lord has called his saints from the four corners of this world, he shall then bring the remainder of the nations before him in judgment and shall rebuke many people for the hardness of their hearts and the sin that all men are.

But at last he shall establish his bride in a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells only righteousness; where there will fully be no war and need for instruments of war.

In that day he shall exalt his bride as the trophy of his victory by the work he performed from beginning to end.

She shall be established and exalted when he presents her to himself, a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without blemish.

He established and exalted his church by his person and finished work, and by raising her in him to the right hand of God.

He is establishing and exalting his church above the hills of every false dominion through his church through the gospel he teaches in the heart.

He shall establish and exalt his bride one last time to be with him.

On that morning when forever begins, all those present shall have one and the same song, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

Amen.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Candlestick, The Table and The Showbread” (25:34 minutes)

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

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 2 August, 2008 | Previous post date: 29 August, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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No More Curse

“Why dost thou strive against Him? For He giveth not account of any of His matters” | Job 33: 13

Years ago when asked by my children for a reason about a decision I had made concerning them my answer was often, “because I said so!”

I had my reasons and that was enough.

Truthfully I had their best at heart and my decision was for their good and therefore I owed them no further explanation.

When it comes to the Lord’s dealings with us, Scripture reveals that: “He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say into Him, what doest Thou?” (Daniel 4: 35)

He owes no explanation to His creatures.

He is the Potter and we are the clay.

If we’re called upon to suffer at the merciful hand of chastisement, He has promised that He’ll never leave nor forsake us.

Rest assured, the path that He has chosen for His elect is according to absolute wisdom and as He told the apostle Paul, when Paul besought the Lord thrice to remove a thorn in the flesh, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “No More Curse”

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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 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Love Produces Where Duty Fails!

”For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” | Romans 6: 14

Dear Brother:

I appreciate your note received this morning. It was good to hear from you, and I am pleased that the conference was a blessing to you and to your wife. I enjoyed being there very much and enjoyed the messages!

In regard to your question about the ten commandments in reference to the believer, there is one thing of which I am certain – I do not and cannot speak for anyone else or for the sovereign grace movement as a whole. I do not claim to know the position which all of our brethren take, but I certainly can fill you in on my position in regard to some of these matters.

The word law in the Scriptures sometimes refers to all of the Word of God, sometimes to the ten commandments, sometimes to the ceremonial laws given to Moses concerning the holy days, feast days, sacrifices, types, symbols, etcetera, and even to the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. For example, fulfilling the law of Christ is fulfilling His law that we love one another. But I think your question has to do with whether or not the ten commandments are a sufficient motivation for producing sanctification and holiness in the life of a believer, and before I comment I would like to say this. The ten commandments are holy, just and true. They have not been repealed, nor does any believer wish to violate them or minimize their greatness and glory. If anyone were to ask me “Are the ten commandments in effect today?”, I would reply, “Which of them can you violate and not be held guilty before God?”

There are two principles in the world that are supposed to promote holiness. The one is the principle of law and duty. The other is the principle of grace, love and faith. It is a popular notion with some preachers that you can tell men what they ought to do, prove to them the authority of the Law-giver and show them the penalty for violation and this will enlighten their judgment and give them proper inclination and motivation for holiness. The history of mankind shows that this pretext is without proof. Those who are under the law are always under sin! Such is our nature. The law, instead of promoting holiness, does not promote it; and even the terrible penalties of hell have failed to inspire fear or promote holiness in the lives of men. There is another principle and it is believed by some of us to be fruitful in every good word and work, a main instigator and promoter of righteousness and true holiness. It is the principle of grace on the part of God and operates by faith and love in the hearts of men.

Grace does not say to a believer, “You must do this or you will be punished;” But it says, “God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you all your sins. You are saved; you are a child of God; heaven is yours. Now, for the love you bear to God Who has done this for you, what will you do for Him?” If God so loved us, we ought to love one another. If Christ gave Himself for us, we ought to give ourselves to Him. If God has forgiven us, we ought to forgive one another. Be ye kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This is a constraining power, a motivating power, stronger than death, and has succeeded in consecrating and sanctifying the lives of those who felt it and experienced it! Who would take better care of a sick child, a nurse who is paid for her services and required to fulfill certain obligations, or a mother who loves that child more than she loves her own life?

Christ used the spiritual requirements of the law to expose the sin of the Pharisees who boasted that they kept the law. Paul was made to realize his lust by revelation of the law “Thou shall not covet.” And we are ministers not only of the gospel but of the law as well, but we do not go to calvary for justification and to Sinai for sanctification! Christ is our redemption and our sanctification. I like the verse of the hymn that goes like this,

“Now for the love I bear His name, / What was my gain I count my loss. / My former pride I call my shame, / And nail my glory to His cross.”

Love makes a man do for you what mere duty never could. The law can never make as good a servant as grace and love. The motive of true love is always the strongest. What Paul is saying in Romans 6: 14 is this Christ fulfilled the law for you. It has been kept. You owe it no obedience as a matter of mere justice. You have been delivered from that; and, being now under the law of love and not under the law of force and duty, sin never shall have dominion over you.

I hope that these few words have been of some help in this matter. I appreciate your taking the time to write to me.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Ten Commandments for Believers”

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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: 5 January, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Things Above

”Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” | Colossians 3: 2

One of the old writers once said: “Do not look for that in the law which can only be found in the gospel; do not look for that in ourselves which is only to be found in Christ; do not look for that in the creature (world) which can only be found in the Creator; and do not look for that on earth which can only be found in Heaven.”

~ William Jay

Click here to listen to the message “Why Do We Preach Christ?”

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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: 13 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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He Pulled Us Out!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” | Psalm 40: 1-3

I received a note the other day from a person who is going through a very difficult time.

This could be the greatest trial of this person’s life.

But in the note, this person was acknowledging all of the goodness and mercy that the Lord has shown to His people. And in spite of all the sad news, the note ended with this word of great thankfulness to our savior: “He pulled us out!”

That’s exactly what Christ did for his people!

He reached way down for us, and lifted us out of the deep miry clay!

We were sold into the slavery pit of sin, but God in sovereign love sent His own Son to rescue us!

And when He on the cross of Calvary cried: “It Is Finished!” God the father cried: “Deliver them!… I have found a Ransom”

In spite of the deep sorrow and tribulation that we must endure in this world because of sin; for the rest of time and eternity, the redeemed of the Lord will never get over the glory of the Gospel; “He pulled us out!”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Heart Of The Gospel”

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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.

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The Miracle Of Salvation

”From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” | Matthew 16: 21-23

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 prove 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 Truth, the gospel.

May the Lord be pleased to perform a miracle today.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “From Cephas To Satan”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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A True Gift Is Freely Given

”Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” | 2 Corinthians 9: 15

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If a person has been truly given a gift, then that person does not owe anything for receiving the gift.

A gift is not bought, a gift is not earned – a true gift is freely given.

Thank God, when He gave the precious gift of His Son to be the Redeemer of life for His sinful people, He did not give that glorious gift only to sinners from the nation of Israel, He gave that wonderful gift to sinners all over this world! Not every sinner in the world, but sinners that He chose in Christ out of the world. And with the gift of Him comes every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer in Him – life, forgiveness, perfection, holiness, love, peace… and that list could go on forever.

In the gift of Christ, the child receives a Father, the bride receives a Husband, the lonely receives a Friend, the outcast receives a welcome acceptance, the poor receive an inheritance, the guilty receive a spotless record of innocence… and THAT list could go on forever.

Have you and I received the gift of Christ? If so, it will be evidenced in this way: we will totally believe in and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We will cast our all on Him. He will be ALL of our hope before God. His righteousness will be ALL of our worth, and His blood will be ALL of our redemption and forgiveness for our sin. We will see His work for salvation to be ALL, and our work for salvation to be NOTHING before God!

If God has revealed that truth to us and in us, if God has revealed Christ as being ALL to us, then we have received His unspeakable gift, and we can give thanks to Him forever! Because in Christ, we will not perish.

In the gift of Him, we have eternal life!

O how thankful that makes us want to be!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The King Who Keeps His Sheep”

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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: 19 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

”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.” | John 6: 67-68

When the Lord spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many found it to be a hard saying, unbelievable saying, and many of His disciples went back and walked no more with him.

  1. To whom shall we go for Truth? Christ said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…” apart from Christ we cannot know the Truth. Truth is a person.
  2. To whom shall we go for forgiveness? Jesus Christ only has the authority to forgive us of our sins. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” (Matthew 9: 6)
  3. To whom shall we go for Redemption? If we are to be saved we must be redeemed from the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3: 13) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1: 14)
  4. To whom shall we go for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption? Jesus Christ is all these to every believer. “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)
  5. God the Father has made His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our all in all. “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3: 11)

Thank God if you know that there is no one else to go to for all you need to stand before God accepted.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “What the Redeemed Know”

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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 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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Redeemed In Christ

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” | Matthew 7: 6-8

Here is a word from God that should brighten the day for you: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3: 13)

When the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, hung upon the cross, he was made to be a curse, an object of Divine wrath and Judgment, so that we who believe might never endure the curse of God’s wrath.

He did not simply make it possible for us to be redeemed.

He did not simply make us redeemable.

The text says, “Christ Hath redeemed us from the curse of the law!”

This redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the central theme of Holy Scripture, the foundation of our faith, and the only hope we have of eternal salvation.

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Religion Today”

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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 October, 2020 | Previous post date: 7 February, 2021