Five Things About Manna

“Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.” | Matthew 10: 10-13

There are five things pictured in the heavenly manna as it is given in figure of Christ the true bread of God.

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?” (Exodus 16: 4-7)

These are things which every believer shall come to know in the sweet experience of grace.

First: He will come to see that this true manna was provided by God alone. “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” (John 6: 31)

It did not rise up out of the cursed ground or evolve on the herb bearing grass; it was divinity given. “He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them the corn of heaven.” (Psalm 75: 23-24)

Second: This manna must be discovered.

All those who did not look did not discover the manna.

The manna fell where God said it would.

The manna fell in the assemble of God.

The manna was easy to find.

Most men do not find Christ because they do not look where the manna is revealed.

Third: The manna must be gathered.

Manna on the ground did no good to anyone.

Simply hearing about the manna satisfied no mans hunger.

It must be gathered.

Who gathered this manna?

Hungry souls sought it out and gathered it in.

Fourth: The manna must be processed.

Israel did not just scoop it up by handfuls and eat it like jelly beans; it was ground in the mills or beaten in a mortar and then baked into bread.

“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.” (Matthew 11: 8)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is processed by the inward working of the Spirit.

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2: 10-14)

It must be heard, considered, understood, and believed.

Fifth: The manna must be eaten.

Manna in a basket will not give life.

It must be chewed and swallowed.

It must be taken within where God, the Holy Spirit, makes it one with us and creates faith and life and hope.

Christ is our manna!

May God be pleased to guide us where he can be found, reveal him to our hearts, cause us to gather to ourselves the full measure God has given, help us to process what we have gathered, and eat to the full what God has given.

Amen

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “The Lesson of Grace” (30:46 minutes)

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

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 19 May, 2012 | Previous post date: 7 August, 2021 | Danville, Kentucky

Thou Knowest

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” | John 21: 15

On the night before His crucifixion the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night.” (Matthew 26: 21)

Peter with pride and arrogance spoke up and said, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” (Matthew 26: 23)

Before the rooster crowed the next morning, Peter had denied the Lord three times. Now we fast-forward to the shores of Tiberias, after the Lord’s resurrection, and the Lord asks Peter this solemn, soul-searching question. “Lovest thou me more than these?” (Meaning more than the other disciples that were there also.) In lieu of Peter’s past failure and fall, this time he is not so quick to arrogantly answer.

The enlightened sinner that trusts alone in Christ has been taught not trust in their own heart, but to simply trust in the Searcher of all hearts to decide.

Peter now rested his love and faithfulness upon the omniscience of His Savior and said, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Oftentimes, we, the sinners that we are, feel the need to boast of our love and faithfulness to Christ, when the only thing we have to boast in is Christ’s love and faithfulness to us.

If we ever feel that our love for Christ is in question, by ourselves or others, may we resist the selfish need to defend ourselves and learn to answer as Peter did and claim, “My Lord, knows all things; He knows that I love Him.”

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “For The Labored & Heavy Laden” (27:36 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 September, 2021 | Previous post date: 11 April, 2022

Who Is The Holy One Of Israel?

“Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.” | Isaiah 12: 6

“…Great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

Psalm 89: 18 – “For the Lord is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our King.”

Isaiah 17: 7 – “At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 30: 15 – “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”

Isaiah 41: 14 – “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 43: 3 – “For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”

Isaiah 54: 5 – “For thy Maker is thine Husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

Mark 1: 24 – “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.”

Who is the Holy One of Israel?

Jesus Christ is!

Our King, our Maker, our Lord, our Redeemer, our Savior, our Husband… HE is the Holy One of Israel!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Judge” (33:13 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 15 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

We Glory Only In Jesus Christ

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

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

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3: 7-9)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are those things?

1). We glory in Christ incarnate as the only hope for sinners. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3: 16)

2). We glory in Christ crucified as the only remedy to put away our sin. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3: 18)

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

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

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

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3: 1-2)

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

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “A Living Hope” (35:45 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 1 December, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

God’s Grace Is Sufficient

”And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” | 2 Corinthians 12: 9

What a glorious promise is given to every believer.

God’s grace, given through our Lord Jesus Christ is all sufficient to the saving purpose of His people.

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15: 11)

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient to accomplish its intent, purpose and glorious end; “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient, enough, plenty and adequate to justify. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalms 27: 5)

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient to redeem. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 6-7)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46: 1)

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient to supply all our every need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

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

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient to sustain us through all trials. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13: 5)

“But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10: 2-30)

Grace is never said to be insufficient but always sufficient to strengthen us when weak. “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)

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57)

This mighty and sovereign grace appears to us most glorious, sufficient and appreciated when we realize our own weakness, inability and utter helplessness before God. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7: 24-25)

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9: 15)

“Most gladly therefore,”do we rejoice in our own infirmities, and weakness that the power of our Lord Jesus Christ may rest upon us, or tabernacle over us, sheltering, preserving, protecting us from all adversaries and enemies of the gospel.

Thank God for His unfailing, everlasting, saving, redeeming, electing and all sufficient grace!

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Performs All Things For Us” (31:12 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

It Shall Be Perfect

“Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” | Deuteronomy 32: 18

The voice from the cross did not summon men to do, but to be satisfied with what was done, “It is finished.”

The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only perfect thing which has ever been presented to God on man’s behalf.

“It shall be perfect to be accepted, there shall be no blemish therein” (Leviticus 22: 21)

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “God Is Angry With The Wicked”

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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: 20 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 26 August, 2021

Unearned Favor

“Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” | Matthew 26: 33-35

I recently heard of someone who claimed to believe the grace of God in salvation, yet they were having trouble with the doctrine of election.

The problem they are really having is with true grace.

You see, grace in the true meaning of the word can only mean one thing … UNEARNED FAVOR!

Most people think God looked down through time to see who would believe on Him and elected them accordingly.

But that means that person earned salvation by believing, and God had to choose that person because of what they did.

But NO!

GRACE IS UNEARNED FAVOR, and since no one has earned, or merited God’s salvation and favor, then it stands to reason that God must choose, or elect, whomever He decides.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Pride And Humility” (22:45 minutes)

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

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

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

The Miracle Of Salvation

”Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” | Romans 3: 19

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 “What The Law Saith” (16:54 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: 15 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

Coming To The King

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

Every believer says with Paul, ‘God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’

The reason we glory only in the cross of Christ is we really believe we have nothing to glory in in our flesh.

It is nothing but sin.

The only thing I find any real peace, joy, and comfort and rest in is in what Christ accomplished on the cross.

When He said, ‘It is finished,’ my salvation was signed, sealed, and delivered.

If any aspect of my salvation is dependent upon me, I have no peace.

If it is 100% dependent upon Him… I have peace!

Peace with what conviction we can say, ‘God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world’.

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “Coming To The King” (34:20 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 12 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a