The Race That Is Set

”Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” | Hebrews 12: 1

Everything about the believer’s race is set by God.

Our Lord determined before the foundation of the world those whom he would put in this race when he chose his people in Christ. The love of God for his people is as eternal as God is. It existed before time; it shall exist when time is no more. The everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus gives the believer great cause for patiently running this race.

Our God set the precise moment he would cross our path with the gospel. He determined the pastor he would raise up, gave him the heart to trust Christ, and the unction to preach his word in truth and in spirit. In that hour of love he made Christ our Wisdom.

We beheld something of the righteous skill with which Christ Jesus honored and magnified God’s law on our behalf.

We beheld his faithfulness and graciousness in satisfying justice on our behalf. In the light of Christ we heard the law condemn our sins and our sins were more than we could bear. But the Spirit revealed in our hearts that all our sins have been forever put away by Christ’s one offering.

In love and power Christ was made our Perfection, our Completion, our Righteousness, our All. When we behold God’s all-powerful hand in all providence which brought us to Christ in spite of us, the believer finds great comfort in knowing that the God who provided and is our Righteousness will continue to be our Strength to run this race.

Our God set every hurdle on this course which we must run and declares plainly to us that we must suffer much tribulation in this race. Yet, the God who set the course also reveals in us that he is the God who supplies the grace. That is what he teaches us as he carries us through every dark vale.

Our God set the length of our course. He has appointed the hour our race will end. By his grace we will find the finish line to be the most glorious hour of all the hours of our lives for then we shall enter into the presence of Christ our Redeemer.

What a joy to know that our race ends where it began, in Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “According to Promise” (41:21 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: 25 December, 2022 | Ewing, New Jersey

I Hope I Belong To Christ

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” | 1 Timothy 1: 1

God is unchangeable in His essence, nature, and perfections.

Isn’t it wonderful that in our experience in a life that is nothing but change, to know that the Lord changes not?

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3: 6)

His purpose has never altered and never will.

This gives assurance and peace to all who have fled to Christ for refuge.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “I Hope I Belong To Christ” (37:15 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: 24 November, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

When The Lord Speaks

”Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” | Acts 2: 37

What happens when the Lord Jesus Christ speaks?

When the Holy Spirit pricks a sinner in the heart, beginning in regeneration and throughout the life of the believer, we cease to hear the words of a man. We hear the words of our Lord himself. That is what happened on the day of Pentecost.

An earthen vessel was speaking, but whose word was being preached?

It was a sinner preaching but whose Spirit sent forth the Word?

When the folks at Pentecost were made to hear, who did they hear?

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2: 33)

Some only heard the voice of a men speaking in unlearned languages.

Some were listening to hear if Peter would tell them what man must do or must not do according to man’s own ability.

They were not listening to hear the Word of the One whom they had just rejected.

But the Spirit made some to truly hear and it had a sure and certain effect.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2: 37)

For the first time, they heard the gospel of God.

“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)

That is, by the power of the sovereign King Jesus, by grace they received the gift of faith from him, so that they could believe on him.

When God, through the promise of the Holy Spirit given to Christ Jesus, turned them from their empty tradition to their new King the gospel of Christ, the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION, exploded their stony hearts.

Therefore, their response was the same as Saul of Tarsus after he heard King Jesus: “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9: 6)

That is what happens every time the Lord Jesus Christ speaks directly into our hearts.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Message From The King”

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

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

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” | John 14: 1

The Master had just finished telling His disciples that some very troubling things were soon coming to pass.

  • He told them that one of them would betray Him.
  • He told them that He was going away and they could not come with Him.
  • He told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times that very night.
  • I would imagine the disciples were shocked and dismayed.
  • They probably felt defeated just like we often do.

Then the Lord gave us these comforting words. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

O what comfort faith in Christ gives to the hearts of His elect.

When you are shocked at the pain and suffering you endure, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain, because you believe in Christ who has sacrificed Himself for your soul.

Your body will suffer but your soul will never suffer if Christ died for you.

When you are disappointed in your failure, let not your heart be troubled, because you believe in Christ the Savior.

Thankfully, your salvation and acceptance with God depends on who Christ is and what Christ has accomplished, not who you are or what you have done or what you have failed to do.

When you don’t understand what is happening, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain.

Our God rules every event so that every event works together to bring to pass the salvation of His people.

Our God is working even this together to accomplish His eternal will.

Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ never have reason for real despair because everything that God is doing is best for me, best for His people and best for His Kingdom.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Knowing God”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 February, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

The Race That Is Set

”Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” | Hebrews 12: 1

Everything about the believer’s race is set by God.

Our Lord determined before the foundation of the world those whom he would put in this race when he chose his people in Christ. The love of God for his people is as eternal as God is. It existed before time; it shall exist when time is no more. The everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus gives the believer great cause for patiently running this race.

Our God set the precise moment he would cross our path with the gospel. He determined the pastor he would raise up, gave him the heart to trust Christ, and the unction to preach his word in truth and in spirit. In that hour of love he made Christ our Wisdom.

We beheld something of the righteous skill with which Christ Jesus honored and magnified God’s law on our behalf.

We beheld his faithfulness and graciousness in satisfying justice on our behalf. In the light of Christ we heard the law condemn our sins and our sins were more than we could bear. But the Spirit revealed in our hearts that all our sins have been forever put away by Christ’s one offering.

In love and power Christ was made our Perfection, our Completion, our Righteousness, our All. When we behold God’s all-powerful hand in all providence which brought us to Christ in spite of us, the believer finds great comfort in knowing that the God who provided and is our Righteousness will continue to be our Strength to run this race.

Our God set every hurdle on this course which we must run and declares plainly to us that we must suffer much tribulation in this race. Yet, the God who set the course also reveals in us that he is the God who supplies the grace. That is what he teaches us as he carries us through every dark vale.

Our God set the length of our course. He has appointed the hour our race will end. By his grace we will find the finish line to be the most glorious hour of all the hours of our lives for then we shall enter into the presence of Christ our Redeemer.

What a joy to know that our race ends where it began, in Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “According to Promise”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

It’s All According

“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

Oh, The Wonder Of It!

When I think of the wonder, majesty, and glory of God, I can hardly believe that such a worm as I am should be called to be an heir of His grace.

Yet, it is just this vast difference that manifests the glory of His grace.

He who is the highest, the holiest, and the greatest has set His affection on the lowest, the most sinful, and weakest.

It is “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.”

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “It’s All According”

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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: 24 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

Not Eloquent, Why?

“And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” | Exodus 4: 10-11

The LORD made Moses slow of speech.

Think of all God had given Moses since birth: he delivered Moses out of the river, raised Moses in Pharaoh’s house, directed his steps to where he was now, and gave him all these sure promises.

The LORD could have given Moses eloquence but he did not. Why?

The glory in delivering his people is the Lord’s. “This is the word of the LORD… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4: 6)

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “How Can You Believe?”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

The Promises of God

“For I am the Lord, I change not.” | Malachi 3: 6

God is unchangeable in His essence, nature, and perfections.

Isn’t it wonderful that in our experience in a life that is nothing but change, to know that the Lord changes not?

His purpose has never altered and never will.

This gives assurance and peace to all who have fled to Christ for refuge.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “The Promises of God”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 January, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” | John 14: 1

The Master had just finished telling His disciples that some very troubling things were soon coming to pass.

  • He told them that one of them would betray Him.
  • He told them that He was going away and they could not come with Him.
  • He told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times that very night.
  • I would imagine the disciples were shocked and dismayed.
  • They probably felt defeated just like we often do.

Then the Lord gave us these comforting words. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

O what comfort faith in Christ gives to the hearts of His elect.

When you are shocked at the pain and suffering you endure, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain, because you believe in Christ who has sacrificed Himself for your soul. Your body will suffer but your soul will never suffer if Christ died for you.

When you are disappointed in your failure, let not your heart be troubled, because you believe in Christ the Savior. Thankfully, your salvation and acceptance with God depends on who Christ is and what Christ has accomplished, not who you are or what you have done or what you have failed to do.

When you don’t understand what is happening, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain. Our God rules every event so that every event works together to bring to pass the salvation of His people. Our God is working even this together to accomplish His eternal will.

Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ never have reason for real despair because everything that God is doing is best for me, best for His people and best for His Kingdom.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Knowing God”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 February, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a