Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Prayer Of Faith

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” | James 5: 15-16

James assures us that the prayer of faith, the prayer that is born of and caused by faith in Christ, shall save the sick.

Of course the word “save” means “deliver.”

The prayer of faith shall, most assuredly, deliver the sick from his sickness.

What is “the prayer of faith”?

The next verse tell us: “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

“THE PRAYER OF FAITH IS “EFFECTUAL”.

The word used by James means “in wrought”.

It is a prayer wrought in, or produced in the heart of a believer by the Spirit of God.

“For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.” (2 Samuel 7: 27)

It is a prayer that is found in the heart, produced by the work of God and based upon the Word of God.

Without question, the prayer of faith willingly submits to the will of God.

But there is more to it than that.

“And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8: 27)

The prayer of faith discerns what the will of God is by the illumination of the Holy Spirit in his heart.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1 John 5: 14)

And the prayer of faith is according to the will of God.

THE PRAYER OF FAITH IS “FERVENT”.

Faith is importunate.

“I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11: 8-10)

It will not give up its plea until it obtains the mercy it seeks.

“Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” (Matthew 15: 28)

Like the Syrophenician woman, faith cannot be turned away.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7: 25)

THE PRAYER OF FAITH IS THE PRAYER OF “A RIGHTEOUS MAN”, one who has been made righteous by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to him and by the cleansing of his blood.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14: 15)

It is the prayer of one who draws near to, calls upon, and is accepted of God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH “AVAILETH MUCH”.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” (Proverbs 15: 8)

The prayer of the righteous is God’s delight; therefore “he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

We have what we desire, because what we desire is what our heavenly Father desires – his will and his glory.

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15: 29)

We gladly subject all our desires to these two things.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4: 3)

The prayer of faith is free of selfish desire and personal want.

The prayer of faith wants what God has purposed.

Therefore, it is always effectual.

If my will is subject to and in harmony with my Father’s will, I may, and most assuredly shall have what I will.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Baptist, The Bride, & The Bridegroom” (45:01 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 11 August 2008 | Previous post date: 8 March, 2022 | Ewing, New Jersey

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Saving Knowledge

“No man knoweth the Father, save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him” | Matthew 11: 27

Men may believe in God, but there is no way that they can know the living God except in Christ.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

They may know of His existence, but His essence and glory are only revealed in Christ.

They may know of His works, but His will and wisdom are only seen in Christ.

They may know of His power, but His purpose and decrees are only revealed in Christ.

They may be acquainted with His miracles, but His mercy and grace are only received in Christ.

They may behold His judgments, but His justice satisfied and honored is only revealed in Christ.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

If we miss a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we may talk of God all our lives and never really know Him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Meeting And A Kiss” (18:05 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 2 November, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Spirit Of Grace And Supplications

”He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” | Isaiah 53: 11

I am not satisfied with anything that has my fingerprints on it.

I can only find satisfaction in that which God finds satisfaction in.

“He shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied.”

God is completely satisfied with the work of His Son.

He is perfectly satisfied with all for whom Christ died!

Christ is satisfied with what He did in their behalf.

That is why He sat down at the right hand of God.

He left nothing undone!

”Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10: 15-17)

The Spirit is satisfied with the work of the Son.

“By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified, whereof also the Holy Ghost is a witness to us.”

If the Father, Son, and Spirit are completely satisfied with what Christ did, I am too!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “The Spirit of Grace and Supplications” (34:30 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 9 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

With God All Things Are Possible

”It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” | Mark 10: 25-27

Nothing more clearly reveals to us that salvation, sanctification, and redemption are the work of our God than to observe the efforts and failure of those who try to accomplish this work for themselves!

The disciples asked, “Lord, who then can be saved?”

He said unto them, “with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Thou Shalt Call His Name John” (29:59 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 29 March, 2026 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Comfort Of Christ

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” | 1 Thessalonians 4: 18

The comfort that our God has given to us within the pages of His Word is indescribable.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 4)

For every low and broken child of God who needs it, there is an endless supply of mercy in the blood of Christ; an endless supply of grace in the gift of Christ; an endless supply of righteousness in the work of Christ; an endless supply of satisfaction in the offering of Christ; and an endless supply of appeasement in the intercession of Christ.

“And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 14: 23)

The more that we see of our sin, the more comfort we find in the Savior of sinners.

The more we see of our insufficiency, the more comfort we find in His ALL sufficiency.

The more we see of our need, the more comfort we find in the fullness of His supply.

When we’re sad, He cheers us.

When we’re empty, He fills us.

When we’re far, He draws us back near to Him.

“O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.” (Psalm 98: 1-2)

The comfort that we have in the Holy Word that tells us of our God and Savior, Redeemer and Friend, Christ Jesus our Lord.

Brethren, let’s comfort one another with these words.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Drawing Nigh To God” (30:15 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 17 January, 2021 | Previous post date: 30 January, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Look And Live

“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.” | Mark 10: 46

All who the Lord shall save are like blind Bartimaeus.

“Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, set by the highway side begging.”

What he was outwardly by nature is what he was inwardly by nature… blind, poor, and unable to work to provide life.

“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10: 47-48)

All he could do was sit and beg mercy from another.

“And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.” (Mark 10: 49-50)

We are so blind by nature that we cannot even see we need salvation.

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10: 51-52)

When God gives us sight the first thing we behold is that our flesh profits nothing.

Only then will a sinner come to Christ empty and begging mercy.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “One Need, Nothing Else Matters” (37:30 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 11 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 5 June, 2022

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Go Forth Unto Him!

”Let brotherly love continue.” | Hebrews 13: 1

If you confess to this world that all your hope is — not in yourself – but in Christ Jesus your Lord whose suffering without the camp made you holy and accepted with God eternally then you will be an offense to this world.

Glorying in the cross of Christ means renouncing any sanctifying, justifying work that you, or any other man, has or can perform.

Glorying in the cross of Christ is to give yourself, your time, your energy, your all to worship and witness of Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior.

”Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3: 12)

If you leave behind this self-serving, self-righteous, will-worshipping generation and go forth unto Christ without the camp then you shall bear reproach.

You will bear it from unbelieving fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and family, but the Lord stated that if we love any more than him we are not worthy of him.

You will bear scorn from the religious world.

Remember: the reproach which Christ suffered was at the hands of religious men and women — religion excommunicated him, kicked him out of the camp, because they would not confess their sin, let go of their self-righteous deeds, and confess him to be Lord and Savior.

The political, secular world rejected him because faith in Christ requires no compromise and the world’s system requires you to compromise to the world’s government, business, and popularity.

It is fine with the world if you serve Christ and the world; but Christ is clear that it is an impossibility to do so.

Yet if Christ makes you know in spirit that he was suffering for you then you will find that there is not anything which is too much to suffer for Christ!

Either we go without the camp and bear his reproach or we compromise with the enemies of Christ.

We can not do both.

”Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13: 13)

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Unbelief and Faith” (59:19 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

This God Is Our God

”For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” | Psalm 48: 14

This God who is God and beside Him there is none else.

This God who created the heavens and the earth.

This God who is Sovereign over all, none can stay His hand or say unto Him, what doest thou.

This God who is holy, just, gracious and merciful.

This God who was manifest in the flesh.

This God who worked out a righteousness for His people.

This God who satisfied justice by His obedience in His life and in His death.

This God who ascended on high and led captivity captive.

This God will guide our every step until this life is over.

This God is Jesus Christ, as Thomas said in John 20: 28 – “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “I Want To Be One Of The Us” (35:00 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 29 March, 2026 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Brethren, Pray For Us

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” | Matthew 6:9-13

When we elders stand behind this pulpit and open the Word to preach the gospel of Christ, I can think of nothing as important as these four words – “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

“Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 25)

When we teachers stand before our classes and endeavor to teach the Word of God, you can render no greater service or help than – “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

When our missionaries depart from these shores to face the dangers and perils of foreign lands and to preach the Gospel in a hostile environment, I’m sure that there is one common request
they all would leave with us – “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

Our young couples are starting their lives together, and the responsibility of raising children is upon them – “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

Some of us are growing older; the sands of time are almost out of the upper glass. We have a faith to keep, a witness to give, our God to glorify, and a death to die – “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

What did Samuel say? “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:” (1 Samuel 12: 23)

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Put Them In Mind” (24:23 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 5 October, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

What Is Your Comfort?

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” | Psalm 23: 4

Are you happy?

Yes!

But I am not without times of sorrow and depression.

Like any human, I weep over loved ones, friends, sickness, death, and disappointment.

But I sorrow not as those who have no hope.

CHRIST IS MY HOPE!

He loved me, gave Himself for me, and will make ALL THESE THINGS work together for my eternal good.

Are you at rest in your soul?

Yes! but I am not free from concern and conviction over my sins and my infirmities.

I love Christ but not as I should or as I desire.

I am satisfied with Him, His mercy, His grace, and His love; but I will never be totally satisfied until I wake with His likeness.

Do you have peace?

Yes! but that peace with God, peace of conscience, and peace in any situation or condition is not based on my merit, feelings, nor religious duties.

CHRIST IS MY PEACE!

He said, “In ME ye have peace. In the world ye shall have trouble.”

Any man or woman who claims continual, uninterrupted joy, rest, and peace in this world is either not telling the truth or has no connection with reality!

True joy, rest, and peace are things we enjoy in Christ IN THE MIDST of troubles, afflictions, and infirmities.

Paul’s exhortation was “rejoice in the Lord.”

When I am conscious of my weakness, failures, and sins, I rejoice in Christ, my righteousness.

When I am concerned about food, clothing, and shelter, I rejoice in Christ, my provider.

When I am sick, Christ is my healer.

When I am grieved, Christ is my comfort.

When I am faced with death, Christ is my life!

So it is not necessary to put on a false face and deceive others.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on Thee.” (Isaiah 26: 3)

We are still human; but our peace, rest, and joy is Christ.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Believer’s Comfort” (27:27 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 11 August 2008 | Previous post date: 1 September, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey