Bless The Lord

”Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” | Psalm 103: 13-16

How does one bless the Lord?

I would say that when we sincerely, in our hearts, gladly ascribe unto the Lord all glory, power, and dominion, we are blessing Him.

When we wish others to love and believe on Him, faithfully preaching and witnessing of His saving grace, we are blessing Him.

When we grieve over our dullness of spirit and desire to love Him with a perfect heart, we are blessing Him.

When we sing, praise, and worship Him with a true heart, we are blessing Him.

When we endure trials and burdens with a submissive and grateful attitude, not murmuring against His good providence, we are blessing Him.

When we wait upon the Lord, ready to do His will, we are blessing Him.

When we can truthfully think and say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” we are blessing Him!

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Bless the Lord”

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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 March, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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

Works, Dead or Good

”And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” | Ruth 1: 16-17

Dead works are those things men do and look to for the hope of their salvation.

Good works are those things believers do when they are looking to Christ alone for all the hope of their salvation.

Dead works are things men glory in.

Good works are never acknowledged by those who do them.

Dead works are performed out of obligation and for reward.

Good works are willing acts of service done out of love for Christ.

Lord, purge our conscience of dead works to serve Thee, the true and living God. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9: 14)

Make us a peculiar people unto Thyself, zealous of Good works. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2: 14)

Which Thou hast ordained that we should walk in. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 10)

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Every Believers Testimony”

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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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

A Message For The Empty & Weak

”And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.” | Matthew 15: 36-37

An old man testified that it took him forty years to learn three things:

That he couldn’t do anything to save himself.

That God didn’t expect him to.

That Christ had done it all.

Click here to listen to the message “A Message For the Empty & Weak”

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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 March, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

The Strait Gate And The Narrow Way

“And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed.” | Genesis 27: 27

There is, without a doubt, no clearer picture or type of the blessing of God Almighty to an unworthy rebel than the blessing of Jacob by his father Isaac.

Jacob had exhibited the true nature of a wretched sinner. In Jacob’s mind, the only way he could get his father’s blessing was to impersonate his brother Esau. Lying with every breath, Jacob attempted to convince his father that he was someone else. Not until Isaac smelled the coat of Esau did he bestow the blessing. The smell of his first born satisfied the aging Isaac.

And just as the smell of Esau’s coat that covered Jacob ushered in the blessing to the younger son… Christ’s royal robe of righteousness, imputed to everyone that believeth in Christ, is the smell of satisfaction, obedience, and truthfulness to God the Father.

In ourselves, we are but “Jacobs,” deceivers, liars and supplanters.

But robed in the glorious robe of Christ’s imputed righteousness… we are accepted and blessed in the Beloved.

Apart from Him, there is no hope, no life, and no blessing from the just and Holy God.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Strait Gate And Narrow Way”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 14 May, 2021

I Kill And I Make Alive

”See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” | Deuteronomy 32: 39

THERE is no greater comfort for the believer than this. This blessed truth will deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2: 15)

Our Lord is the Author (giver) of this life and the Finisher (taker) of it.

God tells us this about man: “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” (Job 14: 5)

The bounds He has set for us are the place, the time, and the instrument of our death to this world. The day, the hour, the moment, the means of our passing is set by the Lord. Though it may be sickness, old-age, bullet, sword, car-wreck… no matter; God determined it for each of us before the world began.

“I Kill”, saith the Lord. What a comfort that is.

Our God in His wisdom, takes us in His good time, according to His will and pleasure. We are immortal until it’s our time.

There is nothing and no-one to fear.

The Lord encourages every believer in this, saying: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” (Psalm 91: 5)

Let the unbelievers of the world fear terrorists; but let the people of God fear no one but God. “Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Psalm 91: 6-7) This is God’s command to His people: ‘Fear not!… Thou shalt not be afraid.’

We wouldn’t be flesh and blood if we had no fears, but too much fear and worry dishonors our God and leaves us in distress and anxiety. Rest in this thought: the Lord gave us this life as it pleased Him and the Lord will take it when He pleases.

I had my old dog put down the other day and personally buried his body. Though I had another give him the injection that put him to sleep, I was the one who determined it. It was completely my decision. I was his master. He was my dog. I was the one who chose him as a pup, picking him out of all the rest, purchased him, brought him home, fed him, nurtured him, taught him, loved him. He was my dog. No-one knew him as I did. I knew when it was time and I gave the command. So it is with our Master.

Our Lord and Master chose His people before the world began, brought them into this world, led, fed, taught, bought and cared for them all the days of their lives. And in His good time… He puts them to sleep.

There is no death for those in Christ. He takes them home.

What peace there is in believing that our kind Master in His infinite wisdom and eternal purpose wounds and heals, kills and makes alive.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Words of The Preacher”

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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

Cleanse Us From All Sin!

”Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” | 2 Corinthians 9: 15

A man is never so fit for believing as when he is most unfit.

It is unfitness, not fitness, that is really required.

What is fitness for being washed? Filth!

What is fitness for receiving pardon? Guilt!

If you are filthy, if you are guilty, you have all the fitness that is required.

So, come and find in Jesus Christ all that meets your greatest need.

~ C. H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Cleanse Us From All Sin!”

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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: 27 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

But God!

”And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” | Ruth 3: 9

You could have been passed by. Multitudes were.

But God loved you, and chose you to be an heir of eternal glory.

You could have been left under the curse of the law to bear the penalty of your sin. Multitudes were.

But God made his Son to be sin for you and redeemed you.

You could have been left in your lost, ruined condition. Multitudes were.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

But God!

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Kinsman Redeemer”

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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

The End Is Greater Than The Means

”Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” | Philippians 2: 6-11

The ultimate end or goal of redemption is not the happiness, well-being, or even conversion of sinners, BUT THE GLORY OF GOD. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

Man’s comfort and safety is not the supreme goal of God’s glorious gospel. The supreme goal of our gospel is the glory of God, the establishment of His rule and reign over a kingdom of peace and righteousness, the exaltation and manifestation of His character, and the preeminence of His beloved Son. Our salvation will serve that purpose. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 12)

Everything in covenant mercies, in salvation, and in God’s purpose for the sons of men (past, present, and future) turns upon the will of God in Christ. This makes CHRIST THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE in our gospel, our goals, and our glory. But, if you have salvation and God’s purpose waiting upon the freewill of the creature, then MAN is the principal figure in your landscape and will lead you to compromise divine truth in order to win man’s approval. “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1: 14)

The attitude that we must get men converted at any cost and compromise usually winds up costing the very character and truth of God, which is a price too high to pay.

Conversions are never more important than truth.

Truth is always more important than results.

“Let God be true and every man a liar!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Hate 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Bless God And Rejoice In The Lord

“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” | Luke 19: 38

Let us learn to BLESS GOD!

Let us learn not only to be content but to REJOICE IN THE LORD! The word rejoice is used ten times in the epistle to the Philippians.

Let us learn the meaning of the word, not just in doctrine, but in experience.

There is always cause to rejoice in the Lord; in His BLOOD that cleanseth, His RIGHTEOUSNESS that perfects, His LOVE which never fails, His PROVIDENCE which works all things for our good, His INTERCESSION which is continual, and in the fact that our names are in the Book of Life; by His grace!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The King Cometh”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 12 May, 2021