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Only Sinners Saved By Grace

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” | Ephesians 2: 8

In Christ there is no great and small, no important and unimportant, but only sinners saved by the grace of God.

We are all brethren!

The servant is not greater than his Lord; and if the Lord humbled himself to become a servant, shall we not do likewise?

Happy are those who know this gracious truth by experience and perform the doing of it.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Impossible Made Possible”

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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 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 19 August, 2021

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Why Christ Came

”The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” | Psalm 12: 3-7

Jesus Christ came into the world not only to reveal the Father, but to redeem the sinner.

He came not as the President of our country would go into a disaster area to look upon the poor, helpless victims, but to redeem victims of depravity whom the Father gave him in the covenant of redemption.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;” (1 Peter 1: 18)

Christ came not to redeem by appointed methods, but by Himself.

He came not to stand by and prescribe, but to minister and provide the means of salvation.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” (Revelation 1: 5)

The Savior came not only to provide salvation, but to be that Salvation.

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “The Salvation of a Thief”

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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: 4 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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For The Labored & Heavy Laden

”In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” | Psalm 71: 1-3

That wrath, that great wrath, that fierce wrath, that pure wrath, that infinite wrath, that matchless wrath of an angry God, that was so terribly impressed upon the soul of Christ, quickly spent his natural strength, and turned his moisture into the drought of summer. “For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.” (Psalm 32: 4)

And yet all this wrath he patiently underwent, that sinners might be saved, and that ‘he might bring many sons unto glory,’

“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2: 10)

Oh wonder of love!

~ Thomas Brooks

Click here to listen to the message “For The Labored & Heavy Laden”

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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: 19 September, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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We Preach Christ Jesus the Lord

”For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” | 2 Corinthians 4: 5

The apostle describes in this verse the ministry of every true preacher; we preach Christ, not ourselves!

We point you to Christ and not to us, our wisdom, or our organization.

With that in mind, when can it be said of us that we are preaching ourselves and not Christ?

1.) When we preach what we think instead of preaching what God says.

2.) When we preach what men want to hear instead of what men ought to hear.

3.) When we seek to please men by taking the offense out of the cross and glory in the flesh.

4.) When we set ourselves up as spiritual authorities over the consciences of our hearers, judging their salvation by their relationship with us and our requirements.

5.) When we try to impress men with our wisdom, knowledge, or piety.

6.) When we become ambitious for personal recognition and begin to boast of numbers and converts and attach our names to buildings, organizations, monuments, and movements.

7.) When we fear public opinion and court the friendship and approval of carnal men at the expense of truth.

8.) When we allow our hearers to entertain any hope of salvation except by the sovereign grace of God through the merits of Jesus Christ.

9.) When we preach for any other reason than the glory of Jesus Christ and the eternal good of our hearers.

We preach Christ, not ourselves!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord” (29:28 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: 1 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Nevertheless

”Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” | Psalm 106: 8

“Nevertheless”! What a glorious summary of the gospel in one word!

Every soul that God chose to save was completely ruined by sin!

“Nevertheless”!

They were ignorant of the True and Living God, ungrateful for all of His loving provisions, and rebellious toward His Word!

“Nevertheless”!

They were not owed and did not deserve His affection and favor!

“Nevertheless”!

They craved the things of this sinful world, and rejected the beauty and holiness of Christ!

“Nevertheless”!

In their flesh they added no glory TO Him, and could not glory IN Him!

“Nevertheless”!

For the rest of their days on this earth they will constantly be beggars, begging Him to supply all of their needs, both physical and spiritual; “Nevertheless HE… (The Lord Jesus Christ) saved THEM… (every soul that God chose to immerse in the Blood of Christ)!

Why would He do that?

“For His name’s sake.”

Call His name Jesus, because that’s WHO He is and WHAT He accomplished – He saved His people from their sins… “that He might make His mighty power to be known.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “For Christ’s Sake”

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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: 17 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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God Be Merciful To Me

”Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” | Luke 18: 10-13

Men do all they can to divorce themselves from their own sinfulness.

Some do like the Pharisee in the story referenced above and define sin by mere actions.

Having defined sin by certain actions, they avoid those actions and thus divorce themselves from their sin.

Seeing sin as a matter of what a man does, they seek a salvation that is a matter of what a man does.

To them, sin is a “practical” matter, that is, a matter of what a man practices; therefore, to them, salvation is also a practical matter.

In reaction to such a weak view of what sin is, some take a more theological approach to it and speak of sin in terms of original sin in both its imputed and imparted aspects.

They declare that the sin of Adam is imputed to us so that we are held responsible for the rebellion that took place in Eden.

They also hold that because of that rebellion, Adam passed on to his posterity a nature bent to sin.

Their theology is accurate, yet some have no further knowledge of their sin than a theological understanding of the origin and nature of it.

Thus they divorce themselves from any real responsibility for their sin: it is only a matter of the rules of the game.

Since their sin is, to them, a matter of theology, so is their salvation.

Since their condemnation came to them by a theological construct, they believe that their salvation comes to them by the construction of a proper theology of salvation.

The remedy for a proper theology of sin is a proper theology of salvation.

A theological savior is sufficient for theological sinners.

But I see this tax collector near the temple.

I hear no recitation of evils done, no theological definitions of who and what he was.

I see no evidence that he considers the deeds of others: He does not look back to Adam to find the source of his sin nor look around at others to note that he does not compare favorably with them.

He does not feel that he is a sinner because he is not as good as yonder praying Pharisee.

He simply knows that he is a sinner in need of mercy, and thus he calls on God for it.

Only two sights occupy his heart’s vision: he sees himself as the worthless wretch that he is and he sees with his heart the mercy seat upon which the blood of the sacrifice was poured in behalf of sinners.

He does not care for theological definitions of sin nor would he be satisfied with a theology of salvation.

To him, sin is a very personal thing, and thus the only remedy for it is a personal interest in the blood poured out on the mercy seat.

Real sinners need a real Savior. And thank God, there is one: Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Hath Put Away My 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 17 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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No Condemnation And No Separation

”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” | 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21

Consider this dreadful truth for a moment.

”But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59: 2)

Our sin in fallen Adam charged to us has separated us from God.

In Adam we are ”The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psalm 58: 3)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5: 12)

In Adam death and sin entered into us.

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Romans 8: 3)

But now consider this glorious truth for a moment.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4: 4-6)

Our sin has been separated from us forever.

Our Blessed Saviour came in the flesh apart from sin and in our nature to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9: 26)

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” (1 John 3: 5)

Now because of His glorious, full and eternal atonement for sin the believer has no sin. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 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: 14-17)

Our Lord said, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12)

He has also assured us that “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10: 17)

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 32-39)

This is the good news of the gospel no condemnation and no separation but rather eternal reconciliation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “What Does It Mean To Be Justified”

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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: 21 February, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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An Honest And Pure Heart

”Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” | 1 Timothy 1: 5

Several times when I was growing up and had done something I was not supposed to have done or had failed to do something I was supposed to have done, and was trying to keep it hidden, my mom (whom I often thought was a mind reader!) would remind me of that old adage, “Honesty is always the best policy.”

And she was right.

In the kingdom of God, however, honesty is not merely the best policy, honesty is the only policy!

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36: 26)

There is no place in the kingdom of God for pretense, deceitfulness, or hypocrisy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5: 8)

God gives those whom He saves a new heart, an honest heart. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8: 15)

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

Having been given a saving knowledge of God, the saints know this: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4: 12, 13)

“As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17: 2, 3)

They are conscious of the fact that their God knows their words before they speak them and their thoughts before they come to mind.

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139: 1-4)

Who would dare pretend or practice hypocrisy before such a God?

God’s people are honest before their God and with each other.

They are God-conscious people, and are not moved by the smiles or frowns of the world.

They are not trying to impress men, but seeking to please God. And “honesty is the only policy!”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “Things That God’s People Know”

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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: 3 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Just Shall Live By Faith

“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” | Genesis 15: 6

While it is true that all for whom Christ died cannot become unsaved, and the Holy Spirit will never leave one who is born of Him; every believer feels the worst thing that could happen to him is to be left to himself.

This is what led David to make this cry, “Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51: 11)

David felt as though he deserved to be cast away from God’s presence, but he could not bear the thought.

He felt as though he deserved to have the Holy Spirit leave him, but he could not endure the thought of being left alone!

Cain went out from the presence of the Lord because he did not want to be in His presence.

But the believer must have His presence and His Spirit.

There is no life without this.

Whether we feel this or do not feel this, we always realize this.

We cannot be left to ourselves!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “Willing To Do His Will?”

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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 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 17 August, 2021

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Christ Died For Us

”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” | Romans 5: 8

I cannot say if these words are for you, for I do not know whether Christ died for you.

I know that everyone should sincerely hope that he is among those of whom it is written, “Christ died for us.”

And why is this?

Because, if Christ has not died for a person, then that person shall have to die for himself.

The wages of sin is death, and someone must receive those wages: if not Christ, then the man who has actually done the sinning.

Now then, who may rightly say, “Christ has died for me”?

The very Scripture quoted makes it plain, for a fuller version of it is, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.

So it is sinners that may claim the words, “Christ died of us”.

Maybe you think, “Then it must apply to me, for I confess that there are some sins in my past. I am not a perfect man, I suppose. I am a fairly decent individual, but, like all other men, I have sometimes failed in my attempts to be a good man.”

If that is your confession, then I fear that Christ has not died for you; for your confession of sin has much of a boast of righteousness in it.

You see, to you, your sins are only blots and blemishes on an otherwise good life.

But an even fuller reading of our text teaches us that Christ died for those who are neither righteous nor good, yet you think there is righteousness and good in you.

Maybe you have some hope in this, that even though your sins are many, they are not very big sins.

After all, you are neither a thief nor a murderer.

You have not bowed down to any stone or wooden idol.

If you boast in the smallness of your sins, then you have no warrant to claim that Christ has died for you.

Do you ask why? It is simple.

God is just, and He always makes the punishment fit the crime.

Your boast in the fewness or smallness of your sins is a boast that it would not take much of a savior nor any great act of salvation to rescue you from them.

But Christ died for those whose condition is so bad that nothing less than His death would remedy it.

He died for sinners whose sins deserve what Christ endured.

Can you look on the scene of the dying Savior and confess that you sins are so wicked that they deserve such punishment and that nothing less than His death could put your sin away?

Are you so bad that Christ must die in order for you to be saved?

Then I have great hope for you that you are among that blessed few who can rightly say, “Christ died for us.”

But there is yet one more test.

Maybe you are among those who lay in a bondage of legal guilt and have an understanding of the greatness of their sin but are blind to the greatness of Christ’s death.

Even though they believe Christ’s death is necessary to put away their sin, they have no confidence that it is sufficient to put away their sin.

They feel something more than Christ is needed.

They look for certain frames of mind or emotions.

They try to add their own works to his great work: morality, Sabbath keeping, church attendance and such.

Is that how you feel?

Then I fear you are in a very sad state, for Christ did not die for those who have no confidence in the power of His sacrifice to take away their sin.

Christ did not die for those who do not need Him.

Nor did He die for those who feel they need something more.

The death of the Lord Jesus is both necessary and sufficient for the removal of guilt.

You absolutely need Christ, and you need nothing more.

Do you honestly believe this?

If so, then Christ died for you.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “Strive to Enter by the Narrow Door”

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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: 11 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky