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Righteous And Justified In Him

”I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” | Isaiah 45: 23-25

The Lord declares that He will require no more than He gives, that He will give what He requires, and that He will accept what He gives; and what can God say more?

”For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 23-26)

And what can a gracious soul desire more?

~ Thomas Brooks

Click here to listen to the message “Righteous & Justified In Him” (28:25 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

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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

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The Wrath Of Man Worketh Not The Righteousness Of God

”For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” | James 1: 20

The Word of truth works the Righteousness of God in a sinner causing us to look nowhere else but to the Lord Jesus Christ our Righteousness. The natural man, in the filthiness and naughtiness of the flesh, never has, nor ever will, produce the Righteousness of God.

By the Word of truth the believer knows that even though we were elected unto salvation in Christ before the world began, we were born into bondage to our own spiritually dead flesh and spirit. The Word of truth will not let the believer forget, that in the deadness of our flesh all our righteous works were only dead fruit. “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” (Romans 7: 4-6)

Sin, having dominion over us, would not allow us to deny the flesh by looking to Christ alone but made us constantly defend the flesh–dead fruit. By the dominion of sin, all we could do was think evil, say evil and do evil by thinking, saying and doing everything for the cause of our dead flesh–dead fruit. In this dead state, when our guilty conscious got the best of us, the dominion of sin caused us to look to that same dead flesh in an attempt to make self more acceptable to God–dead fruit.

We attempted to clean a dirty floor with a dirty mop.

The dominion of sin would not allow us to look to the Lord our Righteousness and confess that in our flesh is no good thing. (Romans 8: 5-14) http://blb.sc/00F5OJ

Through the Spirit of God, the Word was engrafted within us and gave us spiritual life. “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures; Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1: 18, 21)

By the Word of truth, God’s holy law threw a spotlight on our persons (our old man–our flesh and our old dead spirit) and said, “Behold, sin!” “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Romans 7: 7-13)

In the new spirit of meekness given by God, we put our hands over our mouths and became swift to hear. Christ our King entered in shedding his love abroad in our hearts so that the hatred for God in our old man no longer reigns within. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1-4)

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Colossians 1: 11-14)

With new eyes we discovered that when Christ was made sin and died in the flesh, we died in the flesh. Our body of sin was buried in the ground. The Holy Law of God released all claim on us.

Therefore, being raised to newness of life with Christ, we regard our old man as dead and buried. We no longer worship God in the flesh but in spirit and in truth “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 23, 24)

We are still in this dead flesh, (and too often still look to it) but sin has no more dominion over us to keep us from trusting Christ our all. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 21, 22)

Before the all-seeing eye of God, our life is hid in Christ. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after 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: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (Colossians 2: 8-14)

Therefore we no longer look to our dead body for proof of righteousness or for proof of liberty as do the legalist, the antinomian and all dead religionists tittering somewhere between the two. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3: 1-4)

Instead, BELIEVERS LOOK TO CHRIST FOR ALL.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Preparation For An Ordained Work”

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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: 9 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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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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The Perfect Priest With The Perfect Sacrifice

”The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” | Psalm 19: 7-14

In Leviticus 21 and Leviticus 22 the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron with the most vital and fundamental information on how to approach and worship Him.

The high priest could not have any defect, deformity or blemish. (Leviticus 21: 16-21)

Likewise, the sacrifice could not have any blemish at all. (Leviticus 22: 17-24)

If the priest had no defect, yet brought a sacrifice with blemishes it would not be accepted, for it “must be perfect to be accepted.” Likewise, if the sacrifice had no blemish, but the priest that offered it had any blemish, the sacrifice would not be accepted at all, for it “must be perfect to be accepted.” (Leviticus 21: 16-21)

All of this declares the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the perfect and great High Priest without blemish, spot, defect, deformity or sin

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 14-15)

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7: 26)

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” (Hebrews 8: 1)

Not only is that true, but He is also the perfect sacrifice.

He is the Lamb without blemish or spot

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1: 18-20)

It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious sacrifice, that we can be justified from all sin

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

In the Lord Jesus Christ every believer is a priest with no blemish, no sin

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1: 5-6)

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (Revelation 5: 9-10)

Likewise, in Christ’s precious blood atonement we can approach the throne of grace with boldness, because we have a perfect sacrifice that fully, eternally satisfies the holy justice of God .

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 19-22)

“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)

Through Christ, we meet God’s standard, “It must be perfect to be accepted,” all of this, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1: 6)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Word Of The Lord Is Perfect”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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There Is One Ransom

“Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” | Job 33: 24

There is one ransom that delivers men from the pit of hell.

God found it or provided it in “giving His only begotten Son.”

The ransom is called “the righteousness of God.”

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 22)

It is the absolute and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ to God’s holy law; obeying its precepts and suffering its penalty.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61: 10)

It is upon that righteousness alone that we as believers must rest; and on that righteousness alone we must live, die, and appear before the righteous LORD God.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “An Important Question”

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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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A Ransom Has Been Found

“Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” | Job 33: 24

There is one ransom that delivers men from the pit of hell.

God found it or provided it in “giving His only begotten Son.”

The ransom is called “the righteousness of God.”

It is the absolute and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ to God’s holy law; obeying its precepts and suffering its penalty.

It is to that righteousness, to Christ that we must look and be saved. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” | (Isaiah 61: 10)

It is upon that righteousness alone that we as believers must rest; and on that righteousness alone we must live, die, and appear before the righteous LORD God.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “An Important Question”

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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 Scarlet Line

“And she [Rahab the harlot] said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” | Joshua 2: 21

God’s true messengers can not preach the gospel without preaching the blood of Christ Jesus the Lord because a gospel with no blood is no gospel.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God; …and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 18; 23)

God chose a people and promised to save them in covenant with his Son and Spirit. Then that people became totally ruined and guilty in sin. God’s holy character demands he must make good on his promise or his word is worthless. At the same time, the soul that sinneth it must die, or God’s holy justice means nothing.

The power and wisdom of God in Christ on the cross is manifest in Christ offering his fleshly body through the eternal Spirit and thereby perfecting a people forever. God’s Christ is eternal in his Godhead and thus able to obtain eternal satisfaction, one as Man with his people and thus able to die in their place. He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. So there, covered in flesh, covered in the marks inflicted on him by man’s depravity and hatred for Holy God and bearing the wrath of Holy Justice is not a helpless Jesus, but the Power and Wisdom of God! He suffered eternal wrath for each chosen child of God; he died the eternal death of each chosen child of God, but he rose and is the eternal Resurrection of each chosen child of God.

Now, he sits enthroned in majesty at God’s right hand with power over heaven and earth. He is sending forth the Holy Spirit to each one for whom he died; recreating an inward man in righteousness and holiness; gifting them with repentance toward God and faith in Christ; protecting each one as the apple of his eye. The God Man is both able to know the infirmity of the flesh and thus provide the comfort his people need while at the same time dwell as their Advocate with God.

Therefore all the glory in their justification is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their being made holy is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their being made a new creation by the power of the Holy Spirit is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their persevering belongs to God the Savior; and after the Lord Jesus has raised all to be with him ALL SHALL KNOW THAT ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD THE FATHER, SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

So as surely as that scarlet thread hanging there between Rahab and the spies bound them to one another in covenant mercy, so Christ’s blood binds — it is the New Testament in his blood – his blood is the scarlet thread which binds everyone one of his blood-bought children to him and not one shall be lost.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Power & Wisdom Of God”

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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: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Righteousness of Faith

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” | Romans 10: 4

If all our works were perfect and we expected salvation thereby, we would still be living in total unbelief, because the end of every precept of God’s holy law is that we believe on his precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Righteousness of Faith”

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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: 7 September, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey