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How Hard Is The Natural Heart?

”Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:” | Romans 1: 1-5

Most who continued worshipping in the temple had seen and heard Christ the Lord with the natural eye and ear. “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” (Acts 3: 1)

When the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the whole law of God, every one present in the temple saw the veil split from top to bottom. “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” (Romans 3: 20)

They discovered the holiest of holies empty, no ark, no mercy seat; God’s glory was not there but rested in the One to whom the law and ceremonies had always foreshadowed. “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)

They were well aware that the priests and elders were guilty of leading a charade and taking advantage of them. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10: 12-14)

Still, they continued right on in their religious play like actors on a stage. That is how hard the natural heart of every child of Adam really is. “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”; “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: 6-9, 14)

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36: 26)

It is utter denial to think that the same idolatry no longer exists among those who profess faith in Christ. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2: 16)

Idolatry in our day calls on the name of Jesus while imagining acceptance and spiritual growth before God through a sinner’s obedience to the Ten Commandments, or any other work of the sinner “I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.” (Isaiah 57: 12)

The gospel is, and always has been, concerning the person and finished work of God’s Son. “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)

Those in the temple who continued in their free-will, works-religion only manifested what the free-will, works-religionists of our day manifest, that the natural heart hates God and can not submit to believe on Christ alone. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8: 6-8)

The evil deeds which carnal religion does not want brought to light are not only the deeds of immorality, but the deeds of self-wrought religious works. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3: 19-20)

Yet, the place where the vilest sinners are found is where the gospel is needed most. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 24)

So Peter and John went up to the temple to preach the gospel of Christ, the power of God unto salvation. “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)

It is evidenced from the eight thousand souls saved through Peter’s two messages that the word God blesses is the gospel which proclaims that God’s Son by himself purged our sin, that Christ alone obtained eternal redemption. “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1: 3)

“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)

God set forth Christ to declare his righteousness that God alone is both just and the justifier of the believer. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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)

The gospel which excludes all boasting on the part of the one saved, will not draw in the multitudes of those who rest in a form of religion, but it remains the only dynamite through which the sovereign Lord busts the adamant stone called the natural heart and creates a new heart “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” (Ezekiel 11: 19)

Then the joy of true worship is found through faith in the Captain of our salvation who accomplished our warfare on our behalf “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40: 1-2)

True holiness to God ceases to be the burdensome whip of false religion and becomes the peaceful, comforting rest in the eternal security of our King Priest.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Christ teach us the Gospel”

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

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 17 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Glorious Gospel of The Blessed God

”This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” | 1 Timothy 1: 15-16

Suppose that an ‘accident’ should take away our lives; I smile to think that the worst thing that could happen would be the best thing that could happen.

If we should die, we should but the sooner be “forever with the Lord.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “The Glorious Gospel of The Blessed 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 6 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Things Above

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

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

~ William Jay

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

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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A God Ready To Pardon

”And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” | Nehemiah 9: 17

God, as He has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures delights to shew mercy and to pardon guilty sinners.

He has not left us to guess about His character. David said of Him, “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86: 5) His readiness to pardon is seen in His longsufferings to Israel. God’s dealings with national Israel are very typical of His dealings with spiritual Israel. Though we are no more deserving of mercy than they were, yet God in Christ Jesus has been pleased to choose, justify and pardon His elect. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

God’s readiness to pardon His people is seen in the following points.

1). IN HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE! “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3: 8-12)


We must never think that Christ Jesus died to make God merciful. The death of the Lord Jesus is the result of the eternal purpose and love of God. (Revelation 13: 8) Before Adam’s rebellion ever took place, the remedy and redemption of the sheep of Christ was absolute and certain. (1 Corinthians 15: 22) Before Adam ever fell, Jesus Christ stood as the Surety and Mediator of the covenant of grace. (Hebrews 13: 20)

2). IN HIS GRACIOUS PROVISION! “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4: 4-7)
God at great cost to Himself, from His own bosom gave His only begotten, well beloved Son. (John 3: 16) God in His holiness and strict justice cannot simply give the sinner pardon, without honoring His justice. (Ezekiel 8: 20) Therefore, God took to Himself sinless humanity. Living as our representative He perfectly obeyed the law for us in all its precepts and penalties. (Isaiah 42: 21) (Romans 8: 1-4)

3). IN HIS SATISFYING PROPITIATION! “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 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. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2: 16-18) How can God be just and yet justify the ungodly; be a just God and Saviour? That is the vital question of the hour, which nobody is asking. The only way is for God himself to satisfy His own justice. (Isaiah 53: 10) This is what happened at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ died in the place of His people, as the sinner’s Substitute. Bearing the sin of His people being imputed to Him, He suffered for them to satisfy God’s justice. (2 Corinthians 5: 21) (1 Peter 3: 18). The atonement doesn’t change the character of God, it honors and glorifies his justice and mercy. ( Psalm 85: 10)

4). IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL! “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 17-21)


God in His infinite wisdom has devised very simple means to call out His elect. (Romans 10: 13-17) God effectually calls out His sheep through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 10: 27) Wherever His people are, whoever they are, God will cross their path with the truth of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8: 26-40) (1 Peter 1: 23-25) (James 1: 18)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Behold The Lamb 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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The Greatest Privilege in All The World

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” | Ephesians 3: 2-4

BRETHREN, as redeemed sinners, we have the greatest privilege in all the world: to be counted among the people of God and gather with them to worship our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As enlightened sinners we have the greatest work to do: make known in this world the glories of the Savior who has saved us.

As children of God, we have the most glorious destiny in all the world: to be made like the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of these things, do not the troubles and disappointments of this life become small?

O, let us, with sincere hearts, press on to lay hold of the wonderful salvation for which God has laid hold of us, letting nothing distract us from the goal.

We will never regret the loss of anything which is lost for the sake of Christ. But, O, the regrets of the Esau’s of the world who for comfort, riches, worldly success, self-vindication, or anything else, draw back from their dedication to Christ and His gospel.

Brethren, at all costs, press on!

The end is glorious to those who persevere!

~ Pastor Joseph Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ”

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

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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THE GOSPEL I PREACH

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. | Psalm 96: 1-4

The gospel I preach is the “gospel of God.” (Romans 1: 1)

I fear Him and the glory of His name more than I do those to whom I speak. I had rather ruffle YOUR feathers than dishonor His character.

I persuade men with a view to His name and glory, knowing He alone can convince, convict, and regenerate dead sinners. I want men and women to believe but I want more the integrity of His name to be maintained.

In II Corinthians 5: 18-20, it says God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation and that we are therefore “…ambassadors for Christ as though GOD did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

It is not my purpose to intentionally offend anyone but if someone must be offended, I had rather it be those who hear me than the God who sent me.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “A Word To A Dear Friend”

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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: 10 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Six Stubborn Statements

I realize, as much as any of you, that we are out of step with the great parade of religion today.

I realize we are putting a question mark on some very successful religious organizations, and in conflict with all the major denominations.

I realize that we are charging some popular, recognized, powerful, and hard-working preachers and religious leaders with failure to preach the true gospel of God’s glory and grace.

We are charging them with the crime of preaching “another gospel.” This is serious; for Paul said, “If any man preach any other gospel, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1: 8) I realize that we are a very small minority compared with the vast religious movement of this day. But, to me, the issues are as clear as the sun!

  1. God is infinitely sovereign in all things, including salvation; or he isn’t sovereign at all.
  2. Man, in the fall, was rendered spiritually dead, without hope, without God, without Christ, and is shut up to the power of God to give him life; or he is not dead at all.
  3. God either elected a people to eternal salvation according to the good pleasure of his sovereign will, or he did not choose anyone, and has left the success of his purpose to save totally in the hands of the creature.
  4. Christ either sufficiently, effectually, and eternally saved those for whom he died, by his obedience and death, or he actually saved no one! The ransom was no ransom at all, only an offer.
  5. The eternal Spirit of God either effectually and powerfully quickens, regenerates, and calls the elect to repentance toward God and to faith in Christ, or extends an offer to all sinners to regenerate themselves. We must go back to the question, “Is man dead?”
  6. All the elect of God will be preserved by his grace and will persevere in the faith of Christ; or none will. For, if left to ourselves, we shall eventually fall as all creatures have.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Standing Up Under Trials”

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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: 19 September, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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He First Loved Us

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” | 1 John 4: 19

Because He first loved us, there are some things that we, God’s people, love about Him: We love His sovereignty. We love the fact that He has the power, ability, and right to do as He pleases. We especially love that truth because He said, in Christ, it pleased Him to make us His people. (1 Samuel 12: 22)

We love His election. We love who He elected to save. He said He chose to save sinners, and that is what we are. (1 Timothy 1: 15) We love His predestination. It is the means that He said He would use to conform us to the image of Christ, and that is our greatest desire and need. (Romans 8: 29)

We love His grace, because it is what gave Christ to us.

We love His mercy, because it is what gave Christ to the cross of our punishment. It is what shed His blood for the payment of our sin.

We love His redemption, because it is finished. We are washed clean, made pure, and accepted in Him.

We love His righteousness, because it has covered everything that we are in our flesh with His perfection.

We love His glory, because it magnifies Him.

We love His word, because it reveals Him.

We love His message, because it points us and calls us to Him.

We love His people, because there is no greater pleasure on earth than being with those who love Him and desire to worship and praise Him together.

The glorious gospel of Christ is in the fact that He loved us, even when there was nothing about us to love. For that, we love Him.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Therefore Wait Ye Upon Me”

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