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Too Many Things To Choose From

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” | Isaiah 42: 1-4

Have you ever made a phone call and a voice comes on and says push one or two or four, then when you push that number it starts all over again?

How frustrating.

In every part of life there are too many things to choose from, in going to a restaurant, in choosing a car, what kind of computer should I get, on and on it goes.

But there is one thing in which there are no options:

SALVATION from sin and condemnation.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

God in His Holy Word has made it plain and straightforward; ‘This is my beloved Son, hear Him.’

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 6)

God says there is ONE WAY to come unto Him.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17: 1-2)

God says there is One who has the power to give eternal life.

“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Romans 9: 22-23)

God says there is One who has the power to make God the Father known.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

God says there is One in whom a sinner can be accepted.

“The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.” (Psalm 98: 2)

The Holy Scriptures tell us there is One Righteousness;

“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)

The Holy Scriptures tell us there is Onee Savior of sinners,

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2: 5)

The Holy Scriptures tell us there is One Mediator between God and men, ‘The man Christ Jesus’.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (Psalm 119: 156)

The Holy Scriptures tell us there is One who has the power to give life and quicken whom He will.

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1: 2)

God says there is One whom He appointed heir.

“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1: 17)

God says there is One by whom He will be addressed.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8: 6)

God says there is One by whom He will address sinners, One – JUST ONE.

God will give no man any wiggle room here, freewill won’t do, works won’t do, merit has no place, and law keeping won’t be accepted.

The Lord God said it this way, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3: 36)

I am so thankful that God the Father brought me to the place where there was no way out from under the guilt and condemnation of my sin and revealed the ONE WAY in which He would accept and make me righteous.

That Way is through and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “How Sinners Come To Christ” (40:23 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 July, 2021 | Previous post date: 9 September, 2021

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Pure Religion And Undefiled

”Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” | James 1: 27

The Son of God who took upon him the form of a servant and became obedient even unto the death of the cross is truly the only pure and undefiled worshipper before God the Father.

He visited this worldly orphanage and adopted a multitude of sons and daughters who were afflicted with no knowledge of the Father who loved them.

Christ Jesus visited his church revealing that though she thought herself a widow, fact was, she had a Husband who loved her with an everlasting love and bought her with his own blood.

This One who visited us orphans and widows kept himself undefiled from this world.

While carnal religion splattered itself with stains of hypocrisy by making known all their works, by taking advantage of the helpless, by using only those who could offer them gain in return, Christ our Lord quietly went about providing for those who could add nothing to him.

That is pure religion and undefiled before God the Father.

When this same gracious Spirit of Christ enters a sinner, his religion is made pure and undefiled before God the Father in spirit.

Now the former orphan is a son adopted and taken into the loving arms of his Father.

Once full of wrath, he now bridles his tongue so he can listen to priceless instruction drop like honey from the lips of his Father.

Now the former widow is adorned in the wedding garment of righteousness provided by her Husband who loved her and gave himself for her.

Though their old nature wars against them, neither the son nor the bride would dare return to their former state, but rest under the care of their Father and Husband.

Thus they keep themselves unspotted from this sinful world.

Moreover, sinners saved by grace behold their former state in those who are orphans and widows, poor and needy.

In a spirit made of love and mercy they visit the afflicted.

But visiting is more than giving carnal gifts during the holidays.

True visiting is a God-given spirit which willingly, continually, takes the oversight, not just with temporal provisions, but also with the gospel which provides for the soul.

Doing it without being noticed by anyone, for those who can offer you absolutely nothing in return, while knowing such acts add nothing whatsoever to your standing before God, that is keeping yourself unspotted from this world.

That is the spirit God gives to those who know what it is to be orphans and widows saved by God’s abounding grace.

That is pure religion and undefiled before God the Father.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Brotherly Love” (30:10 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: 22 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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New Mercies Every Morning

”This I recall to my mind, therefore have I 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.” | Lamentations 3: 21-23

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I 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.

When I think of the Lord’s mercies and compassions being new every morning, I must confess that I leave none of them unused each day.

There is never a carryover of unused mercies and compassions.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “I Know Whom I Have Chosen” (28:10 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: 8 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Lord Jesus Christ Has Completed The Work Of Salvation

”And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” | Romans 11: 6

I spoke with a dear friend this week who I have known for the better part of thirty five years.

Since this was the first time we had spoke in nearly a year and a half we had a lot of catching up to do.

Towards the end of the conversation he told me that he had joined a particular religious denomination.

Without even hesitating for a second he said proudly. “I worked hard for over a year to become a part of this church and it was not an easy thing.”

As he continued speaking all I could think about was works religion.

If he had worked for a year to be a part of this religious organization, his work was far from done.

I am so thankful that the Lord saves His people by sovereign grace.

I am so glad that my salvation is not based upon my works.

I am so grateful that Christ paid my enormous sin debt for me and taught me that if it is by grace IT IS NO MORE OF WORKS.

All my works are works of iniquity, filthy rags, which produce only self-righteousness.

All the glory goes to Christ, my Savior, because he did all the work.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “That No Flesh Should Glory” (23:26 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: 8 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Some Things Are Not Worth It

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” | Ephesians 5: 15-21

There are many ways to waste precious time other than by evil living.

There are books not worth reading.

There are television not worth watching.

There are thoughts not worth thinking.

There are places not worth going.

There are games not worth playing.

There are buildings not worth building.

There are wars not worth fighting.

There are victories not worth winning.

There are songs not worth singing.

There are appointments not worth keeping.

There is pain not worth causing.

There are enemies not worth hating.

There are prayers not worth praying.

There are sermons not worth preaching.

There are lessons not worth learning.

There are friends not worth making.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Redeeming the Time” (47:17 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Those Who Hear and Do

”But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” | James 1: 25

Those who are “doers of the Word” look into the perfect law of liberty – they hear the gospel of Christ and behold their old, sinful bodies as dead and buried in Christ.

They see in Christ — their Perfect Liberty – that their acceptance with God is complete in him.

“Doers of the Word” hear their King declare that all who believe on him are no longer under the law of Mt. Sinai but are under his perfect law of freedom.

They go their way continuing in the liberty with which Christ has set them free.

“Doer’s of God’s Word” do not look to what they do — whether good or bad – they look to Christ alone.

The “doer of the Word” is said to be blessed in his deed.

His deed is simply continuing by faith in Christ, the great Liberator.

His blessing is that when every beguiling philosopher, every religious activist, every carnal friend or foe, even the old nature itself, attempts to turn him from Christ back to death, his King will not allow it.

Christ makes him lay down all his carnal weapons, lay aside the old man with his deeds and simply sit down at Christ’s feet where he continues in liberty by faith.

This is being a “doer of the Word and not a hearer only.”

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Preparation For An Ordained Work” (36:16 minutes)

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

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 20 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Return To Thy Rest, O My Soul

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” | Psalm 23: 2-3

Some believers are troubled because they cannot always and at all times feel the joy and comfort set forth in Psalm 23.

We should remember that, though David lived long and wrote much, he wrote only one twenty-third Psalm.

There are other psalms; psalms of conviction, praise, prayer, seeking, and mourning. In fact, even this Psalm closes with our walk through the valley of death.

This valley of death is our entire journey through life.

The fall of Adam put the stamp of death on everything and everyone.

But we are walking through.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 4)

It is not our home, and it is a valley of the SHADOW of death.

Christ has removed the substance and sting of death for us.

The shadow of a dog can’t hurt; the shadow of a gun can’t kill.

‘I will fear no evil’

He does not say: ‘there will be no evil’; but, because He is with me, I don’t FEAR the evil.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Take No Thought For Your Life” (33:21 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: 25 July, 2021 | Previous post date: 7 Septembner, 2021

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A Sign Of Vain Religion (Or, A Warning Against Vain Religion)

”If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” | James 1: 26

A man may appear religious, yet, an unbridled tongue comes from the spirit of a self-righteous heart puffed up in the vanity of the carnal mind.

All God’s saints say things on occasion that we wish we could take back.

But this text speaks of a man whose tongue continually reveals the hidden thoughts of his heart.

Here are some ways the tongue runs wild:

If a man insists on ascribing any part of salvation to “self” rather than every part of salvation to the triune God then the Holy Spirit says this man’s tongue reveals he has deceived his own heart.

When he speaks of how he made Christ “lord of his life” instead of confessing Christ is the Lord and the Life who graciously gives spiritual life to dead sinners then his unbridled tongue reveals his true god.

As he continually speaks of “his faith” instead of Christ who God says is the only Faithful One then he proves himself a wild ass unaccustomed to the bit.

When he brags of his “fleshly moral reform after conversion” instead of speaking of the holy, complete and perfect life that the saints have in spirit in Christ at God’s right hand, his run-away tongue brays into the wind like a stiff-necked mule bucks at the bridle.

And a favorite of all, the untamed tongue justifies his own unfaithfulness by kicking Christ’s redeemed into the mud by exposing their fleshly faults.

In short, an unbridled tongue is one which constantly exalts self while belittling the Lord Jesus Christ and those who are complete in him.

The Holy Spirit says this man’s religion — his attending worship services, his support, his reading scripture, his prayers, his singing, his witnessing unto others, his faith, his hope, his assurance, and every other part of his religion – is vain.

He loves self and hates God.

Oh, may God reveal the greatness of his glory in the face of Christ Jesus.

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. 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 Corinithians 1: 29-31)

When sinners behold Christ our Holiness they become submissive nobodies in reverence to him who alone is holy, just and good!

Only God bridles the tongue of the old corrupt nature when he creates the inward spiritual man.

The believer’s boasting ceases to be of his accomplishments but of the Excellencies of his Lord and his Savior, Jesus Christ the Son of God!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Word Of This Salvation” (58:28 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: 21 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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He Is Precious!

”Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” | 1 Peter 2: 7

God sets forth His Son in the holy scriptures as a pearl of great price and a royal diadem.

He is high and lifted up, a one of a kind, who has been given preeminence in all things.

He will be found when He becomes precious in our minds and hearts.

A thing is precious as it is esteemed, rare, or has a personal affection.

Christ is all of this and more to the believer.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 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.” (John 17: 20-24)

He is precious and grows more precious as time goes by.

God help me to preach Him that way.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “The Love Of God In Christ” (34:13 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: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Peculiar People In Perilous Times

”Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” |

The saints of God have doubts and fears.

They sometimes feel that they have no faith at all, and because of their sinfulness, they feel they may not be one of God’s elect after all.

But ask them where all their hope and trust is found and they will quickly tell you Christ is their only hope.

No true believer puts any hope of eternal life in his works, goodness, or faith, but all his hope is in Jesus Christ.

And that is a good hope; a sure hope.

And according to God’s promises, all who put their trust in Him are saved and shall be saved.

There are no doubts in the mind of God’s people as to Who does the saving.

They all know “Salvation is of the Lord.”

And they all know how God saves: through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They all doubt themselves but never doubt God’s Word of Truth, the Gospel.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Peculiar People in Perilous Times” (50:57 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: 8 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a