Being Justified Freely

“But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.” | Psalm 63: 11

What does it mean to be justified?

I am sure that there have been many definitions given and I by no means can fully expound all that is involved in sinners being justified before God. However, I am sure that it means to be eternally pardoned from all sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1: 18) It means to be acquitted and vindicated of all charges before the holy justice of God. (Jude 24) It means to be made and regarded righteous in God’s sight. (Colossians 1: 21-22)

How are sinners justified?

By God as the source, “It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8: 33)

By grace as the spring and fountain, “Justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24)

By Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and blood atonement as the ground, “Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 9)

By His resurrection as the proof and evidence, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

By faith as the means to receive this salvation in Christ, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” (Romans 5: 1)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Psalm of a Thirsty Soul”

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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 September, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

The Simplicity of Christ, A Resting Place

”Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” | Hebrews 10: 7

There is, in the simplicity of Christ, a resting place for the weary soul, a place of calm in the tempest.

In the press of life we can lay our burdens at the feet of Him who rules all things. In the grievous experience of our own failures, we can find comfort in Him Who cannot fail.

But I find in the simplicity of Christ another area of rest which I so greatly cherish.

Often, I struggle to understand the things of God. In particular, I feel this struggle when I engage with those who deny some aspect of the gospel.

Often I have read or heard of some theory of this or that doctrine and have immediately recognized it as false. But when I engage to refute it, I am overwhelmed with the complexity which the enemy inserts into the debate. It seems there are always more questions than I can answer. I get confused. It is then that I find such comfort and rest in the simplicity of Christ.

I may not know WHAT all the answers are, but I know WHERE they are; and I rest in the knowledge that God will reveal what I need to know when I need to know it, and the knowledge He reveals will always be found with in that category of “the simplicity of Christ.”

Therefore, I can walk happily in the light I have and likewise leave others to walk in the light they have.

I can cease from fretting over how well I am doing in the battle knowing that “the battle is the Lord’s,” and not mine.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The Reason for Jesus”

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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: 12 October, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

Restraining Grace

”A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” | John 3: 27

The only thing that makes a difference between the breaking out of one man’s sin over another is the restraining grace of God.

You know that if the Lord did not restrain you, there would be no limit to the depths of sin you could fall.

You fear being left to yourself and plead for the Lord to keep you.

You know that you have nothing except that which was given to you from heaven.

You cannot find any reason to be puffed up against another.

The more you grow in His grace and the knowledge of Christ, the less confidence you have in the flesh.

As it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1: 30-31)

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Christ and His Church”

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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 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

Knowing Brethren Your Election Of God

”Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” | 1 Thessalonians 1: 3-5

Your election is known by your calling!

“You hath He quickened who were dead.” Have you been quickened, made alive to the things of God in Christ?

Do you have an interest in the Gospel of God’s grace and mercy to sinners? “The Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.”

Have you been convinced of your sin or unbelief?

Have you been convinced that you have no righteousness and need Christ’s righteousness?

Have you been convinced that there is no judgment only to those in Christ?

If God has been pleased to do these things for you and in you, then you are elected!

“Our Gospel came to you not in word only but in power.” Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ only facts and history to you, or has that Gospel entered your heart and brought you to seek a saving interest in Christ?

“It is given unto you not only to believe on Him but to suffer for His sake.” Do you believe on Him? Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption and that He, of God, is made unto you all you need?

“We love Him because He first loved us.” Do you love Christ the Lord? “No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit.” Is Christ your Lord? Have you truly bowed to Him in your heart of hearts?

“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Do you really love the brethren? There is no problem here.

If we are God’s elect, there are evidences enough, so “give diligence to make your calling sure!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “How a Sinner Deals With Election”

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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: 9 February, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

Christ Our Ark

”I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” | Philemon 4-6

The ark that Noah was commanded to build is a very strong type of Christ.

The ark took the wrath of God while Noah and his family, along with the animals, were safe inside the ark. There was peace in the ark while outside was unrest.

In Christ, we have peace with God. (Ephesians 2: 14)

Inside the ark there was fellowship; (fellows in the same ship) outside the ark there was nothing but violence.

In Christ, we have true fellowship with one another. (1 John 1: 3)

Inside the ark, God was believed and worshipped, but outside the ark was unbelief and hatred of God. The ark was pitched within and without; this word ‘Pitch’ has the same meaning as atonement. In Christ we have the atonement, inside and out. There is nothing left to atone for.

There was only one door in the ark by which to enter in and be saved. Christ said, ‘I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.’ (John 10: 9)

There was only one window by which light could enter; Christ is the only Light and only window by which we can see and know God.

Inside the ark were all sorts of animals from all over the earth that were saved; In Christ, sinners from all over the world are saved.

The ark was only a type.

Christ is the real Ark, and He is the real savior of sinners from the wrath to come.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “The Gospel That Changes Lives”

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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: 14 October, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

Alleluia: For The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth

“The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” | Psalm 104: 31-34

Although the sovereignty of God is universal and absolute, it is not the sovereignty of blind power.

It is coupled with infinite wisdom, holiness, and love. And this doctrine, when properly understood, is a most comforting and reassuring one.

Who would not prefer to have his affairs in the hands of a God of infinite power, wisdom, holiness and love, rather than to have them left to fate, or chance, or irrevocable natural law, or to short-sighted and perverted self?

Those who reject God’s sovereignty should consider what alternatives they have left.

~ Loraine Boettner

Click here to listen to the message “Behold, God Is My Salvation”

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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: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Things Which God Hath Prepared

”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.” | 1 Corinthians 2: 9

We should always read the Old Testament with a desire to find something in it about Jesus Christ.

We study this portion of the Bible with little profit, if we can see nothing in it but Moses, and David, and Samuel, and the Prophets.

Let us search the books of the Old Testament more closely.

It was said by Him whose words can never pass away, ‘These are they which testify of Me’.”

~ J. C. Ryle

Click here to listen to the message “Things Which God Hath Prepared”

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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: 9 February, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

Some Believed and Some Believed Not

REJOICE IN THE LORD” | Philippians 3: 1

Throughout the epistle to the believers at Philippi, Paul is always making reference to rejoicing in the Lord; “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4: 4)

I can truthfully say there have been times in my life when I rejoiced in everything but the Lord, in religious service, office, ceremony, heritage. But there was a time when our God taught me the saving and the true gospel and convinced me that all was vanity and dung, and that Jesus Christ is All and in All, that every believer is complete in Christ. (Colossians 2: 9) Once this was revealed to me, now I find that there are always abundant reasons to rejoice in Him no matter how difficult the day may be. Let me remind you of a few.

1). We rejoice in His glorious person. Totally and fully God and yet identified with our flesh ( John 1: 14; 1 Timothy 3: 16)

2). We rejoice in His perfect righteousness which He worked out for His people as our Mediator and Redeemer, He is the Lord our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23: 6; Romans 4: 6)

3). We rejoice in His glorious sacrifice which eternally puts away all our sin (Hebrews 9: 12; Hebrews 9: 26; Hebrews 10: 17)

4). We rejoice in His powerful grace that can transform us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1: 13)

5). We rejoice in His good and wise providence that works all things for our eternal good (Romans 8: 28)

6). We rejoice in His glorious resurrection by which we are justified (Romans 4: 25)

7). We rejoice in His eternal intercession for us as the Surety of the covenant of grace (Hebrews 7: 25; 1 John 2: 1-2)

8). We rejoice in His second coming, although we do not know the hour or the time, we do know that He will appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 10: 28)

So, my friend, if you are a believer, you always have reasons to rejoice in the Lord! (Philippians 4: 4)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Some Believed and Some Believed Not”

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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 September, 2020 | Previous post date: 11 March, 2021

Contenders Or Pretenders?

”Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” | Jude 1: 3

Those who are not earnestly contending “for the faith” (the gospel of God’s sovereign and free grace in Christ) are only mere pretenders in a false refuge of lies. (Isaiah 28: 15; Matthew 7: 21-23)

Those who are earnestly and eagerly contending “for the faith” are those that are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (Romans 1: 16-17)

Those who fervently contend “for the faith” are those who publicly preach it, (Acts 5: 42; Philippians 1: 27) faithfully support it, (Corinithians 9: 7) zealously identify themselves where the gospel is preached, (Hebrews 10: 25) ardently pray for God’s blessing upon it, (2 Thessalonians 3: 1) dogmatically defend it against all opposition, (Galatians 5: 1-5; Philippians 1: 17; 1 Timothy 6: 3-5) and assertively insist that there is but one gospel. (Galatians 1: 6-10; Ephesians 4: 4-6)

Now the question for us is this, are we genuine and legitimate contenders or wretched and desolate pretenders?

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “We Love God’s Salvation”

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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: 14 October, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

Rahab The Harlot

”By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” | Hebrews 11: 31

In our congregation (Bible Baptist Church, Madisonville, Kentucky) we have, Paul the engineer, Sharon the nurse, Jeff the contractor, Matthew the welder, LuAnn the secretary, and Noah the student.

Oftentimes we are identified with our occupation, or what we do in this life.

I don’t suppose that is a bad way to be remembered, unless, of course, you have an undesirable occupation.

Such was the case with Rahab. She was a harlot.

What a title to be stuck with some three thousand years after her death.

She wouldn’t deny it, that is what she was.

Yet, her name and title is recorded in “The believer’s hall of faith,” as one who had trusted in Christ and perished not.

In the end, it will not matter what my occupation was, or what I did. All that will matter is what Christ Jesus, the One who died to put my sin away, did for me.

With the believer, in heaven’s glory, the title, “Child of God,” will follow each of our names.

-Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Spiritual Cataracts”

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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 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a