The Plank Of Free Grace!

”But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” | Acts 15: 11

A minister lay dying in Scotland.

A fellow-minister called to see him, and inquired, “Well, my brother, what are you doing?”

“Doing?” answered the dying servant of God.

“Doing? I will tell you: I am gathering together all my prayers and sermons, all my good deeds and bad deeds – and am going to throw them all overboard together, and swim to glory on the plank of free grace!”

”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2: 5)

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Comfort In Appointed Trials”

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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 May, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Contemporary Religion

”Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” | Song Of Solomon 1: 4

NEVER in the history of the world has there been so much religious activity.

Religious men and women, young and old, are actively involved in political, social, and moral issues in the name of God (and for the good they do, I am truly thankful).

In the matter of “soul-winning,” evangelists, missionaries, pastors and personal witnesses “compass sea and land” (Matthew 23: 15) in their efforts to “win” sinners to Jesus (and for the success they have, generally speaking, I am truly sorry!).

The true “soul-winners” are those evangelists, missionaries, pastors and witnesses whose chief endeavor is to set forth the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified before sinners as He is revealed in the Word of God, leaving the results to God the Spirit.

”O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3: 1)

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, is not standing by someplace waiting for “soul-winners” to bring sinners to Himself.

”For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2: 2)

The Christ of God comes to the sinners He saves.

Where they are, as they are, through the preached Word, opening their hearts and taking up residence there by the Holy Spirit.

Sinners cannot come to the Lord Jesus, nor can they be “won” to the Lord Jesus by the wiles of some alleged “soul-winner.”

”Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to SAVE sinners, and He is doing just that!

He pursues, subdues and renews whom He wills. ”For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

”No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6: 44,45)

“Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Come to your saints here today. Come to lost sinners here today. “Draw us and we will run after Thee”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

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: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

A Believer Wouldn’t Do That

”What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” | Psalm 8: 4-6

Let us never again be guilty of saying, “A believer wouldn’t do that.”

Oh yes they will!

When we say such a thing we are trying to take some credit for our righteousness.

A believer will commit any sin an unbeliever will commit with the exception of apostacy (and only because God keeps them from it).

David, the man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and murder and didn’t even feel guilty about it for a time.

“Just Lot” (2 Peter 2: 7) chose to separate from Abraham and live in the well watered plain of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Peter who confessed all of his hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, also denied he even knew the Lord Jesus and later, by his actions, denied salvation by grace without works when he quit eating and fellowshipping with the Gentiles when some Jews arrived at the dinner.

Yes, the strongest of believers will commit any kind of sin.

So rather than say, “A believer wouldn’t do that”, let’s say “I am nothing but sin but Christ is my righteousness and He will never fail me.”

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Why Would God Think On Man?”

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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: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

A Fountain Opened

”In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” | Zechariah 13: 1

Preachers are more interested with telling their folks what to do, instead of telling them what Christ has done.

When they know what He has done they will stop telling folks what to do.

For they will be saying; “more about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show, more of His saving love to see, more of His love who died for me.”

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “A Fountain Opened”

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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 May, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Tell It One More Time

“And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. | 2 Kings 5: 7

Our Lord was made flesh and dwelt among men on this earth for over thirty years in full and perfect obedience to the law of God.

“By the obedience of ONE shall the many be made righteous.” He then took upon Himself all of our sins. He was arrested, not only by men, but by the hand of divine justice, as if He had been the greatest sinner.

“He was numbered with the transgressors” and given over to wicked men who scourged Him, crowned Him with thorns, spit upon Him, and condemned Him to be crucified. He died on the cruel tree, not for any sins of His own, (for He had none) but “He was made a curse for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

“He died, the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God.” Our Lord was buried and has risen from the dead, leaving our sin in the grave, and has ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on High to intercede and prepare a place for all who believe in Him. This is good news to the guilty, for our Lord “came to seek and to save the lost.”

Let the guilty sinner, who would be saved from all his sins, believe God and trust God as He is revealed in and through the Lord Jesus Christ; for, with Him, there is plenteous redemption, and sin is no longer imputed to those who are IN CHRIST BY FAITH. (Romans 4: 7-8)

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Way Up Is Down”

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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: 6 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 7 July, 2021

Worthy Is The Lamb

”And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” | Revelation 5: 11-12

Let us arm ourselves, above all, with clear, sound views of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the salvation that is in Him.

He is “the image of the invisible God,” “the express image of His person,” and the true preservative against all idolatry, when truly known. Let us build ourselves deep down on the strong foundation of His finished work upon the cross. Let us settle it firmly in our minds that Christ Jesus has done everything necessary in order to present us without spot before the throne of God, and that simple, child like faith on our part is the only thing required to give us an entire interest in the work of Christ. Let us not doubt that, having this faith, we are completely justified in the sight of God; that we shall never be more justified than we are now if we live to the age of Methuselah and do the works of the Apostle Paul; and that we CAN ADD NOTHING to that complete justification by any acts, deeds, words, performances, fasting, prayers, giving to those in need, attendance on ordinances, nor anything else of our own.

Above all, let us keep up continual communion with the person of the Lord Jesus! Let us abide in Him daily, feed on Him daily, look to Him daily, lean on Him daily, live upon Him daily, draw from His fullness daily. Let us realize this, and the idea of other mediators, other comforters, other intercessors will seem utterly absurd. “What need is there?” we shall reply. “I have Christ, and in Him I have all. What have I to do with idols? I have Christ Jesus in my heart, Christ Jesus in the Bible, and Christ Jesus in heaven; and I want nothing more!” — J.C. Ryle (1816-1900, English Preacher)

Martin Luther said in effect that if a man was ashamed of the one truth that was under attack in his own day, then he was ashamed of the truth period. It seems that one truth under attack today is God’s right to determine what is morally right and what is morally wrong, what is sin and what is not. A teen ager just told me this week that there was no such thing as filthy language; it’s only filthy to you if you deem it to be filthy. Yet God says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.”

God has determined what is filthy and what is not. Many in our day want unfettered liberty to live in open and profane sin and they are offended when they are told that God gives no such liberty. This is a truth we must not be ashamed of in our day.

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Worthy is the Lamb”

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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: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

Nothing But Christ

”And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” | Acts 5: 42

Oh! that those glorious days would return, when Christ and Christ alone, Jehovah’s Christ, and Jehovah’s chosen, may fill every pulpit, occupy every house, warm every heart, and flow from every tongue, in his Churches, and among his people!

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4: 2)

The Lord Jesus was with them, both text and sermon; they found enough in him for endless discourse.

Lord the Spirit, in mercy to thy Church, hasten the hour, when, the Redeemer shall arise out of Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob!

Come my beloved, (saith the Church,) and be thou like to a roe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

~ Robert Hawker

Click here to listen to the message “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: 1 August, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

The Result Of The Cross

”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; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” | 1 Peter 1: 18-20

The death of Christ on the cross was not an afterthought.

It was not a fix to a situation that had gone horribly wrong.

It was the eternal purpose of God!

Before The world was ever created, and before man ever sinned, God the Father provided a sacrifice for sin – Jesus Christ His Son!

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13: 8)

He is “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world!”

In time, He came and accomplished His Father’s purpose.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29)

On the cross of Calvary we “Behold the Lamb of God!”

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5: 9)

Soon, He will come again and gather every sinner that He was slain for to Himself. And for the rest of time and eternity they will cry to the Lamb who is seated on the throne: “Thou art worthy!… For Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood!…”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Result Of The Cross”

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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 May, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

The Sun Of Righteousness

”But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” | Malachi 4: 2

This is one of the many promises found throughout the scriptures that proclaim and declare unto us the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation accomplished by HIM.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 4)

This promise is given to those that fear and reverence His name.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3: 18)

We know the scriptures describe the ungodly as, “having no fear of God before their eyes”.

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3: 11)

However, those that are humbled by Almighty grace, do have a saving and loving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus and truly worship and confess that Jesus Christ is all and all.

Notice several blessings that are given in this scripture:

1). The Sun of Righteousness shall arise. The Lord Jesus Christ is the very power and glory of the righteousness that every believer desires to be found in. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3: 9)

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” (Jeremiah 23: 5)

It is only through the obedience of our Saviour unto death that fully answers to the demand of God’s Holy Law. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3: 1-3)

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isaiah 42: 21)

As there is but one Sun, so also there is but one Righteousness that justifies the ungodly, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” (Romans 4: 6)

2). There is healing (salvation) in His wings (person). Our Lord Jesus Christ is known as, Jehovah Rapha: the Lord that healeth thee.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15: 26)

Our Redeemer declared He was sent to heal the broken hearted.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4: 18)

Pardon of our iniquities and the cleansing of our sins are only through His blood atonement.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin; Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 1: 7; 4: 10)

3). You shall go forth. (Set at liberty.)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 32-36)

Believers have been set free from spiritual death and made new creatures in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

Set at liberty to serve the Lord as a loving bond slave and given spiritual life to honor and worship.

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 24)

4). Grow up as calves of the stall. Every believer, upon whom the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, shall grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2: 2)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1: 3)

God has commanded that the Light should abundantly shine in us. “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)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23: 1)

Believers are like the calves of the stall, that are lavishly fed; comfortably housed. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46: 1)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

Regularly attended with much concern.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13: 5)

Assured of full growth.“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3: 18)

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

Even so, the elect of God are blessed in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing and are assured of complete salvation.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Great Things The Lord Hath Done”

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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: 3 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Grace, Grace, And More Grace

“And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” | Acts 8: 3-35

Absolutely no one will cry out for God’s mercy until the Holy Spirit makes them see that they are spiritually bankrupt!

Then, and only then, are they ready to receive Jesus Christ as their only hope; as their Savior; as their Sovereign Lord; AS THEIR ALL IN ALL!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not ‘God has done His part, now the rest is up to you.’ The Gospel is not what the sinner can do for God, but what Jesus Christ has done for the sinner. “Christ… hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3: 18)

When Jesus Christ died, He, by Himself, purged our sins; “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1: 3)

He reconciled us to God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5: 10)

Our Savior was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.”

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

Christ suffered and died for our sins THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD!

The risen, exalted Christ of God is not trying to find His lost sheep.

In the Person of God, the Holy Spirit, our sovereign Lord will seek and save all those He suffered and bled and died for.

He MUST bring them to Himself.

They MUST hear His voice.

He said so. “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”> (John 10: 16)

God the Father has put all things under the feet of His glorified Son and has given Him power over all flesh.

By the quickening power of our risen Savior, He gives eternal life to as many as His Father gave Him. “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17: 2)

He gives us a new heart to come to Him by faith, a heart that rejoices in His glorious Gospel.

Sinners have not come to God if they have not bowed down to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

They have not come to God if they’re trusting in something they have done to try and merit God’s grace, including their socalled free will.

We come to God when we come to the Christ of Holy Scripture; when we believe that He suffered for our sins that He might bring us to God; when we believe that being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Sinners come to God when we, by His gift of true saving faith, bow down to the risen, glorified Son of God, confessing Him as our Sovereign Lord and Saviour.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But absolutely no one will call upon the name of Jesus Christ until they hear and believe the true Gospel of God‘s sovereign, amazing grace.

Brethren, God the Holy Spirit is the one who sends His preachers to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in those areas where His lost sheep are. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”> (Romans 10: 13-15)

Under the preaching of the Christ of Holy Scripture, the sovereign power of the risen, glorified Son of God is manifested for the glory of God the Father when He delivers His chosen, redeemed children from the prison-house of unbelief, bringing them into a living union with Himself.

~ Pastor Gene Harmon

Click here to listen to the message “Grace, Grace, and More 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 30 May, 2021 | Previous post date: 21 July, 2021