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Spiritual Growth By The Word

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” | 1 Peter 2: 2

One certain evidence of spiritual life is growth.

The grace of God that brings salvation causes one to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Spiritual life is the life of faith, and “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” And it is not just ‘reading the bible’ but feeding on Christ. He said, “except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no part in me.” That is faith in Christ. And that faith cometh by the hearing and reading of God’s Word.

The Word of God (gospel) is the seed that is sown in the heart and soul, bringing forth new and spiritual life. The Word of God is the food of that new soul, causing it to grow and bring forth fruit. God’s Word is called milk (for babes), meat (for strong men and women), bread, butter, honey… FOOD for the nourishment and growth of our spiritual bodies.

Just as poor diet, bad food and vices can stunt physical growth, leaving one weak and sickly; a poor diet of God’s Word, lack of hearing the preached Word, lack of fellowship, and the things of this world can stunt the growth of a believer.

Would it not be well to start the day with God’s Word?

Would it not be a good thing to supply our minds, hearts and souls with good food to go on? (Rather than fill them with junk.)

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” And even more important than the reading of the Word is the hearing of the Word preached. It is like a double portion of food; a many course meal of good food for the soul, already prepared for you. You need only come with hunger and dine. The soul who comes to the gospel table often will be fat and prospering; while the one who stays away will have leanness of soul.

“Desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Peculiar People 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 August, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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A Good Opinion of Self???

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry…” | Colossians 3: 5

The first thing the Holy Spirit does when He comes into a person’s heart is this: He finds that person with A VERY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF. And there is NOTHING which prevents a person coming to Christ like a good opinion of himself.

The Holy Spirit must lay bare that heart and let him see the loathsome disease of sin; uncover to him all the evil and defilement of the human heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17: 9)

But IT MUST BE KNOWN before the sinner will fall at the feet of Christ and cry, “Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner.”

Actually, the Spirit of God not only reveals the corruptions of our EVIL deeds, but the corruptions of our BEST deeds, until the convicted sinner weeps with Wesley and says, “Depths of mercy, can there be / Mercy still reserved for me? Can my God His wrath forbear? / Me, the chief of sinners, spare?”

~ 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 August, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Preparing Ourselves For Worship

“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” | Ecclesiastes 5: 1

We couldn’t imagine the preacher stepping into the pulpit NOT being ready to preach!

We couldn’t imagine him NOT praying to God, begging God for His message of the hour. We couldn’t imagine him NOT earnestly asking for His blessing, and His Spirit in the delivery of His Word!

But have we ever stopped to realize that it is just as vital for us to be “ready to hear,” as it is for the preacher to be ready to preach?

How often do we come to worship assuming that our God will bless His message to our hearts? Our Lord said: “I WILL DO all these things for my people,” but in Ezekiel 36: 37 He said: “I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.”

Our Lord plainly told us: “Ask, and it shall be given you!”

Do you desire a blessing from His Word today? Ask Him for it! Enquire of Him for it!

Ask Him to bring you to the house of God PREPARED for worship! Ask Him to make you “ready to hear,” beg Him for His message of the hour.

Earnestly ask Him for His blessing and His Spirit in the hearing of His Word!

Lord, make your servant ready to declare! …and make us your servants “ready to hear!”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “We Ought To Obey 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: 3 August, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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PERSERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” | Ephesians 1: 4-5

According to the Word of God, all true believers shall continue in the grace of God until they reach their heavenly inheritance.

Not one of God’s elect shall ever perish. The purpose of God in election will not allow it. The purpose of Christ in redemption will not allow it. The grace of the Holy Spirit in regeneration will not allow it. And the Word of God, which has plainly spoken, will not allow one of the Lord’s sheep to be lost in the end.

God Himself declares, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never persih, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10: 27-28)

These five basic gospel truths give great comfort and joy to all true believers. We rejoice to declare to all men that we believe the Bible doctrines of Total Depravitiy, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonment, and the Perserverance of the Saints.

Only those who are opposed to the grace of God are opposed to these things.

In stating plainly what the BIble teaches about these things, the people of God are simply declaring what we know to be true, “Salvation is of the Lord!”
“By grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Bible Doctrine Of 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

“Blessed is the man whom thou choostest and causest to approach unto thee” | Psalm 65: 4

God the Holy Spirit comes to the sinners who were chosen by God in election and redeemed by Christ at Calvery and effectually applies the blood of Christ to their hearts, creating faith in them.

He sovereignly comes to men who are spiritually dead and gives them life.

Through the peaching of the gospel he regenerates all the elect and draws them to Christ with irresistible power.

The Holy Spirit does not try to get men to believe and come to Christ. With the effectual and irresistible power of his grace, the Holy Spirit brings sinners to Christ in true faith.

This is the doctrine of Holy Scripture: “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power”; (Psalm 110: 3) “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and hath learned of the Father, cometh to me” (John 6: 33)

In regeneration, as in election and redemption, “Salvation is of the Lord”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Don’t Come To 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” | John 6: 37-40

Before the World began God chose to save some men in eternal, electing love and predestinated them to be his sons by adoption.

God’s loving choice of his people was in Christ his son, whom he had appointed to be the Mediator, Substitute, and Representative of his people. Election was a sovereign and unconditional act of Divine grace. God did not choose his elect because he foresaw something good and meritorious in them. He chose his own elect simply because he will be gracious, and he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy.

God’s election of his people guarantees and secures their eternal salvation in Christ. All who were chosen by God in election and given to Christ shall be saved.

Not one of God’s elect shall ever perish. This is clearly the doctrine of the Bible.

All of God’s people rejoice in and give thanks to God for his electing love. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him: in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1: 3-6)

The Bible doctrine of election simply says that all who are saved were chosen by God to be saved, because he loved them with an everlasting love in the very beginning, before the foundations of the earth were laid, “Salvation is of the Lord”.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31: 3)
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” (Psalm 65: 4)


“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15: 16)


“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matthew 11: 25-26)
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13)


“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)

This blessed gospel doctrine of Divine election, which so greatly rejoices the hearts of God’s people, is taught throughout the volume of inspiration.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Is Salvation Received?”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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LIMITED ATONEMENT

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” | Ephesians 1: 4-6

The Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood at Calvery for God’s elect.

Christ died to redeem God’s elect alone, The Son of God did not shed his blood in vain, which would not be true if any of those for whom he died perish in hell. It was never our Lord’s intention to redeem and save all men. He even redused to pray for all men! (John 17: 9, 20)

It would be absurd to think that Christ died for men for whom he would not say a prayer!

The sin atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ is limited to those who are actually saved by his blood.

In order for God to save his people, justice had to be satisfied, sin had to be punished, the sinner had to be slain.

Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world as the Substitute and Representative of God’s elect people.

Christ established perfect righteousness for us.

Dying under the penalty of sin as our Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ satisfied the claims of Divine justice against us.

Because the justice of God has been satisfied for God’s elect, by death of his son, God will never charge his own elect with sin. He imputes the righteousness of Christ to every believer, and rewards us for righteousness.

The doctrine of Bible is just this: when Christ died as the Substitute of his people, he effectually accomplished the eternal redemption of all God’s elect, those people for whom he died, all who believe in him.

This is what God says about the death of his son –

  • “For the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53: 8)
  • “It pleased God to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53: 10)
  • “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righeous servant justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53: 11)
  • “He hath made him sin for us; who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
  • “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3: 13)

No one who knows Christ can tolerate the notion that he failed in his work, that he tries to save men whom he cannot save, and that he died to redeem some who are not redeemed.

Such doctrine robs Christ of his glory in redemption and destroys all hope for sinners. All of God’s people rejoice to know that Christ died particularly for them and effectually accomplished their redemption in his death.

“By his own blood he entered in once inot the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

We rejoice to declare that “Salvation is of the Lord”.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Who Are The Elect?”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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TOTAL DEPRAVITY

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” | Ephesians 2: 1-3

All men, by nature, since the sin and fall of our first father Adam are guilty and helpless sinners before God.

By God’s own arrangement Adam was the representative of all mankind before God, so that when Adam sinned, we all sinned in him. When Adam suffered the penalty of sin, death, we all died.

This is clearly the doctrine of Holy Scripture. “By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5: 12)

The guilt of Adam’s sin was imputed to all men without exception. “By the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation” (Romans 5: 18)

All men were in Adam as our representative before God. All men sinned in Adam. All men were condemned in Adam. All men are born in spiritual death.

We do not become sinners when we reach a certain age and commit certain evil deads.

We were all born sinners.

Being sons and daughters of Adam, we inherited our father’s nature – sin.

We are all born with a decided bais and tendency toward evil. Every member of the human race is born with a corrupt, sinful heart, which is capable of every evil thing, were it not restrained by the hand of God in providence.

This is what the Son of God says about the natural human heart, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15: 19) Because our hearts are evil, everything we do is marred by the pride and selfishness and evil of our hearts. We do not have the ability, the will, or the potential to do a single thing that is truly and perfectly good and righteous. “There is none righteous… There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3: 10,12)

Because all men are spiritually dead in trespasses and in sins, all men are utterly helpless by nature. We do not have the ability to obey the law of God.

Salvation comes by believing on Christ, but dead sinners cannot believe.

The Bible doctrine of toal depravitly is just this: All men by nature are sinful, guilty, and helpless.

Unless God intervenes and does for man what man cannot do for himself, all men will perish. “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2: 9)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Died For The Ungodly”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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A Profound Word

“And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” | Acts 27: 44

Here is a profound word — “Again”

The new birth is a mystery of grace.

It cannot be explained; neither can it be fully understood. It is a work of God beyond our comprehension. When our Lord says, “Ye must be born again,” his meaning is twofold. The word again has two meanings.

First, it means, “You must be born from above.”

James tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Then he tells us what he is teaching in the next verse. “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.” (James 1: 17-18)

Second, it means, “You must be born a second time.”

Your first birth was of sinful parents, and you were born in their image.

The second birth is of God, and we are born in his image.
— The first birth was of corruptible seed. The second birth is of incorruptible seed.
— Our first birth is in sin. Our second birth is in righteousness.
— By our first birth we were polluted and unclean. By our second birth we become holy.
— Our first birth was fleshly and carnal. Our second birth is spiritual and makes us spiritual.
— By the first birth all men are foolish and ignorant. By our second birth we become wise unto salvation.
— By our first birth we were slaves to sin and the lusts of the flesh. By our second birth we are made free from the dominion of sin.
— By our first birth we are all children of wrath. By our second birth we are children of promise.

Our Lord says, “Ye must be born again,” because we were all born wrong the first time.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Broken Pieces”

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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: 10 August, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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A Powerful Word

“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

Here is a powerful word — “Born”

Salvation is the gift of life, eternal life.

When our Lord declares, “Ye must be born again,” he is saying you must be the object and recipient of Divine power.

Just as God created the world, God must create life in your soul.

Just as God breathed into Adam and made him a living soul, so God must breathe into you the breath of life by his Spirit, or you will perish in your sins.

This is what I am saying: you are spiritually dead, helplessly lost by nature. Your only hope is that God the Holy Spirit will give you life — “You must be born again!”

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “When Is a Person Saved?”

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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: 10 August, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky