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Whosoever Will, Take It Freely

”He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.” | Psalm 62: 6

Have you any other rock but Christ?

I do not ask you whether you have a feeling of enjoyment of it.

I know you will rejoice in Jesus when the Holy Spirit enables you.

But have you any other refuge?

Can you go out into eternity resting upon any other rock but the Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you any other righteousness but His?

Can you lean upon, desire, or want any other than Christ’s righteousness?

“No,” says the soul, “None but Christ! None but Christ!”

Bless your poor heart, then, you shall have it as sure as God has wrought the desire in your conscience and brought you to trust alone in Jesus for refuge, for righteousness, for salvation, by stripping you of all false props and dependencies.

Such a soul as this will trust in the Lord, overcome all opposition, and be more than a conqueror through Him that hath loved him.

~ John Warburton

Click here to listen to the message “A Covenant of Peace With Them” (27:17 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 21 May, 2022

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Caleb And Joshua

”For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.” | Numbers 26: 65

Caleb and Joshua were among the twelve men who went into the land of Canaan to spy out the land and people and bring the report to Moses.

”And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:” (Numbers 13: 17)

Ten men brought an evil and unbelieving report, they said, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

”But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” (Numbers 13: 31)

God gave the nation forty years in the wilderness for their unbelief.

”Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.” (Numbers 14: 28-35)

Caleb and Joshua believed God and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”.

”And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13: 30)

None that were numbered among the men from age twenty and older entered into the promise land with exception of Caleb (the faithful dog) and Joshua (the faithful Saviour).

”And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;” (Numbers 27: 18)

This is another glorious picture of the gospel of Christ.

”Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1: 6)

None will enter into glory but the Saviour and those sinners (dogs) for whom He died.

”And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 5-9)

Christ the forerunner has entered in for us and every believer will enter upon His merits alone.

”That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6: 18-20)

However, there is another picture of the gospel here.

”For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2: 13)

The scripture says of both Caleb and Joshua that they had another spirit.

”But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” (Numbers 14: 24)

It was not the spirit and attitude of unbelief, but that of spirit of faith that honors and glorifies God.

”For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3: 3)

It is said of Abraham, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”.

”He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4: 20-21)

Something else is also said of Caleb and Joshua, “they have wholly followed the LORD”. ”Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.” (Numbers 32: 12)

”For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

Faith and conduct cannot be separated. ”If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3: 1)

”I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” (1 Corinthians 16: 15)

One preacher of the past said, “Faith is the mother of obedience.” ”God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 24)

”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)

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ puts another spirit and attitude in the sinner, that spirit of love, obedience, devotion, hope and confidence in the Lord. ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Galatians 5: 22)

”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4: 13)

It is right and commendable for every believer to fully and wholly follow the Lord with an undivided heart, unbridled spirit, unwavering commitment, unbroken addiction and uninterrupted dependence upon the gospel of the Lord Christ.

”And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8: 34-35)

Our Lord said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “We Are Here to Hear All Things Commanded of God” (35:34 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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His Name Is Lord Jesus Christ

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” | Ephesians 6: 1-3

It is most grievous to me to hear those who profess to fear, know and love the Lord… refer to Him simply as ‘Jesus.’

It is not intimacy, it is ignorance and irreverence, no matter who does so; though we or an angel from heaven. (Though no angel would do so!)

His disciples did not!

His disciples, who were closer and more intimate with the Lord than anyone, never called Him Jesus but always called Him Lord.

He said they did well in doing so. “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” (John 13: 13)

I was very intimate with my earthly father but never referred to him as Henry, still don’t.

I had/have too much respect for him.

The unbelieving world refers to the Lord Jesus simply as Jesus.

The devils referred to Him as Jesus – “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1: 24)

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (Acts 19: 15)

The Pharisees called Him Jesus.

Some Greek men wanted to ‘see Jesus.’ Well, they never did. He didn’t give them audience. He did not speak to them.

If you want to see the King you must refer to Him as such.

He that cometh to God must believe that He is and must call Him so.

A.W. Pink once said: ‘The Holy Spirit can refer to the Lord Jesus as Jesus in scripture, like the queen can call the king (George) by his first name, but His servants and subjects must always call him King George.’

Paul wrote: ‘We see Jesus, made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.’

He was a man named Jesus in order to die, but since He died, He is now ‘crowned with glory and honor… high and lifted up… seated in the Heavens and upon hearing the name of Jesus, you are to always call Him LORD Jesus.

Those who truly fear Him, reverence Him and love Him call Him Lord.

‘Lord’ is the name above every name.

Jesus, though a worthy name, a wonderful name, which means savior, is the name of His humanity, His humiliation… another man bore that name… Joshua.

You may refer to Joshua as Jesus, but never as Lord.

No one bears the Name Lord but the Lord of lords.

Every single person in scripture who was called by Him, saved by Him, came to know Him… called Him Lord.

Christ’s Most Intimate Disciples Call Him ‘Lord.’

Listen to brother Matthew Henry’s comment on John the apostle, who was closer and more intimate with the Lord than all the disciples… “He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto Him, Lord who is it?”

“He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?” (John 13: 25)

Though John whispered this in Christ’s ear, yet he called him ‘Lord’; the familiarity he was admitted to did not at all lessen his respect for his Master.

It becomes us to use a reverence in expression, and to observe a decorum even in our secret devotions, (which no eye is a witness to) as well as in public assemblies.

“And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:” (Genesis 18: 27)

The more intimate communion someone has with Christ, the more sensible they are of His worthiness and their own unworthiness, as Abraham, though the friend of God, says, “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes”.

~ Matthew Henry

Click here to listen to the message “Children, Servants, Masters” (38:32 minutes)

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

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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More Than The Usual Religious Bargain

”And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.” | Acts 3: 5

Many spiritually lame sinners have grown accustomed to the usual religious bargain.

Sinners are brought by their friends to a place that should be beautifully filled with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ only to receive a carnal trinket to momentarily gratify the flesh.

In like manner, after years of receiving the usual religious bargain, this lame man expected to receive nothing more than the same from Peter.

Yet, that which Peter had he gave.

Through his gospel the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth sends forth the sovereign command with power from his throne of grace, saying, “Rise up and walk.”

Through his gospel from his throne of dominion, the Lord of heaven and earth takes hold of his redeemed, illustrated by Peter taking hold of the lame man.

Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Power becomes the strength of the sinner, even as this impotent man received strength in his ankle bones and feet.

When the Faithful One joins himself with a lame sinner he gives the gift of faith whereby the lame leap up to walk for the first time.

Through his gospel command the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth unites sinners with their brethren and together they enter into Christ the true Temple.

The sinner saved by the absolute, irresistible, free grace of God in Christ praises continually the Lord who healed him.

If Christ is our Life then he is our Life at the time of conversion, in every hour of trial, in every hour of joy, and for all eternity.

Believers do not go to Mt. Zion for eternal salvation then back to Mt. Sinai for matters of daily life.

God has given his Son a name which is above every name.

The more that name is declared the more the lame leap as a hart with joy.

It is through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that the lame receive more than we could have ever bargained for.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Valley of Dry Bones” (39:01 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: 24 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Whosoever Will

”And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” | Revelation 22: 17

Those that love and preach the message of God’s sovereign saving grace in Christ alone are often accused of not believing in “whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”

How can one that God has taught by His Holy Spirit believe anything other than this?

It is clearly taught in scripture!

The unregenerate falsely say that because we accept and preach the truth of God’s electing grace, we proclaim a message that excludes some men from coming to Christ even if they want to. The problem is not the call to come… the problem is man’s willingness and ability to come.

When the Lord Jesus cried in the last day, that great day of the feast… (John 7: 37) “if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” why did men not come to Him to drink of the water of life?

I’ll tell you why… they didn’t want to!

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5: 39-40)

Men by nature are just not willing to come to Christ as He is revealed in scripture!

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

Hear the sweet message of God’s grace to an undeserving people… ‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.’

Those that the Holy Ghost effectually calls, willingly come to Him as spiritual beggars in need of a Savior!

They come because they now see the hopelessness of salvation without Christ the Mediator between God and themselves.

They have been given a new heart to come to Christ for mercy.

They willingly come to Christ as their Surety, their Representative, and their Substitute before God.

I leave you with these questions.

Do you want to come? If you do, believe me, it’s not because you decided to exercise your free will, because your natural will is the slave of sin!

Will you be saved by His grace alone? If you will, it’s because you’ve seen your works of self-righteousness to be unacceptable before God because of sin.

Do you know by faith that the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus to robe you for justification before God’s law is the only covering of eternal hope?

Will you come to Christ as the One who was made a curse for you at Calvary? If you will, COME!

If you have no desire to come to Christ like this and you perish in your sins, it’s your own fault.

But if you desire to willingly come because you see by faith your need of Christ for life by His blood, it’s because God has shown you mercy by giving you that new heart to come and has been pleased to not leave you to yourself.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The High Cost Of Free Grace”

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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: 3 February, 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 “The End of Our Conversation”

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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, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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I Am Persuaded

”For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” | Romans 10: 13

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1: 12, “I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

That is all that a believer needs to know.

To know Christ, and to know that He has secured everything that needs to be secured concerning eternal salvation for His people, will bring absolute rest to his soul.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Whoever Shall Call On His Name”

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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: 21 February, 2021 | Previous post date: 16 March, 2021