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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. It is a prayer that is found in the heart, (II Samuel 7: 27) 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. The prayer of faith discerns what the will of God is by the illumination of the Holy Spirit in his heart. (Romans 8: 27) And the prayer of faith is according to the will of God. (I John 5: 14)

THE PRAYER OF FAITH IS “FERVENT”. Faith is importunate. It will not give up its plea until it obtains the mercy it seeks. (Luke 11: 8-10) Like the Syrophenician woman, faith cannot be turned away. (Matthew 15: 21-28)

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. 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. (John 14: 15; Hebrews 7: 25)

AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH “AVAILETH MUCH”. The prayer of the righteous is God’s delight; therefore “he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15: 8; Proverbs 15: 29) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (I John 5:1 4-15) We have what we desire, because what we desire is what our heavenly Father desires – his will and his glory. We gladly subject all our desires to these two things. The prayer of faith is free of selfish desire and personal want. (James 4: 3) 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”

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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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 11 August 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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GOOD NEWS FOR PILGRIMS!

“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 good news for weary, heavy-hearted pilgrims from our homeland in Heaven.

Do you have heartaches and troubles too numerous to count? It will do you good to receive some good news from home.

The Lord our God is still on His throne. Our Savior is still in Heaven, preparing a place for you, representing you, interceding for you.

There are many in Heaven just like you and me already.

There is . . .
a fallen David there,
a doubting Thomas there,
an angry Moses there,
a feeble Philip there,
an impetuous Peter there, and
a righteous Lot there.

All are there by grace alone, through the merits of Christ’s blood and righteousness. And, soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to take you there!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14: 1-3)

~ 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 July, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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Why Hath The Lord Done Thus?

How sweet it is to awake every day knowing that God my Savior is on his throne, that he has purposed all that the day shall bring forth, and that he has purposed it for me, for my everlasting good.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Why Hath The Lord Done Thus”

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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: 15 August, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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What Is Grace?

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” | Galatians 2: 21

Paul tells us repeatedly that we are saved and justified, called and sanctified, preserved and glorified by the grace of God, without our works; but what is grace?

Almost all professing christians say they believe that salvation is by grace. The Word of God lays such heavy emphasis upon the fact that salvation is by grace that it is very difficult for anyone to claim to believe the Bible and yet openly deny that salvation is by grace. Papists, pentecostals, and fundamentalists, all claim to believe in salvation by grace. But most people think and speak about grace in such a way that they frustrate the grace of God.

That is the reason Paul declared, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain!” The grace that most people talk about is not grace at all. It is so mixed with human merit and human works that it is “no more grace.” (Romans 11: 6)

Grace that looks to the worth of man, waits upon the will of man, or depends upon the work of man is frustrated grace; and frustrated grace is not the grace of God!

Grace is the unmerited favor of God.

Grace is free!

Grace is unconditional!

Anything earned, merited, or deserved by you is not grace.

The man who thinks he deserves God’s salvation does not believe in grace. The person who imagines that his acceptance with God depends upon his will, his works, or his worth, does not believe in grace, as the Bible speaks of grace. He has fallen from grace. (Galatians 5: 2, 4) Such people may talk about grace, but grace does not mean to them what it does to poor, helpless, guilty, bankrupt, self-condemned sinners, whose only hope is Christ.

No one will ever honor and extol the grace of God until he has experienced it.

It was only after he had experienced it that Paul declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Before that, though he was religious, he was a blasphemer who hoped for salvation by something he did.

Paul took no credit for his conversion.

He ascribed the whole of his salvation to God’s free grace alone.

He knew he did not make himself to differ from others.

A great change had taken place in his heart. His opinions, affections, ambitions, desires, hopes, and motives had been radically changed; and he attributed the change to the grace of God alone.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Faith of The Son 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: 13 August, 2017 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Purpose Of God

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” | Romans 9: 17

We believe, according to the scriptures, that the Lord our God is a God of purpose, absolute and unalterable purpose.

Before the world began, Almighty God sovereignly purposed all that ever comes to pass in time.

Nothing in this world is left to chance.

Everything is moving toward the predetermined end of God’s eternal purpose with absolute, precise accuracy. Even a casual reader of Holy Scripture has to face this fact: The God of the Bible is a God of purpose.

Read:
Romans 8: 28-30
Romans 9: 11-26
Romans 11: 33-36
Ephesians 1: 3-14
Ephesians 3: 11
2 Timothy 1: 9

These passages plainly state that the Triune Jehovah is a God of purpose, and clearly teach several things about the purpose of God:

The purpose of God is eternal.

The purpose of God includes all things.

The purpose of God has for its peculiar design the everlasting benefit of God’s elect. Everything that God has purposed is for the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal benefit of his covenant people.

The purpose of God is immutable and sure. The Lord himself says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46: 10)

And in its ultimate end, God’s purpose will accomplish the eternal salvation of his chosen people and the glory of his own great name.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Simplicity That Is In Christ”

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 10 January, 2021 | Previous post date: 14 January, 2021

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Look And Live!

“Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” | Psalm 86: 3-5

Throughout the Bible that act of faith by which we receive eternal life is spoken of as a look.

Like those children of Israel who were bitten by the fiery serpents had to look to the brazen serpent for life, we must look to Christ crucified for life eternal.

Salvation begins in a look. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45: 22) We must look away from ourselves to Christ for our entire salvation.

Salvation is maintained by a look. “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 2)

Salvation will end in a look. “And they shall see his face.” (Revelation 22: 4)

If you hope to see the Savior’s face with joy in glory, you must look to him now.

Look, I say, look to Christ! Look and live!

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Looking Unto Jesus”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Look And Live!

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. | Psalm 86: 3-5

Throughout the Bible that act of faith by which we receive eternal life is spoken of as a look. Like those children of Israel who were bitten by the fiery serpents had to look to the brazen serpent for life, we must look to Christ crucified for life eternal.

Salvation begins in a look. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45: 22) We must look away from ourselves to Christ for our entire salvation.

Salvation is maintained by a look. “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 2)

Salvation will end in a look. “And they shall see his face” (Revelation 22: 4)

If you hope to see the Savior’s face with joy in glory, you must look to him now.

Look, I say, look to Christ!

Look and live!

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “To Make Reconciliation For The People”

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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: 20 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 1987 | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Give Me Such Grace

“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

No one has ever done anything to or against me that can even begin to compare with what I have done to and against my God, both before He saved me and since. If God in heaven has forgiven me, it should be easy for me to forgive you of anything. Spirit of God, give me such grace!

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Grace Alone”

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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: 7 May, 2017 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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DO WE REALLY BELIEVE GOD?

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” | Luke 15: 4-7

If we truly believe God, we will serve Him with confidence and peace, simply trusting His total sovereignty, power, wisdom, and grace.

The fear of man shall not be a threat to us.

The favor of man shall not be a motive to us.

The circumstances of the hour shall not pressure us, and the desire for results shall not alter our message nor cause us to employ the popular methods of others.

If we believe God, we will simply perform our responsibilities faithfully and wait upon the Lord to work His purpose according to His will.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Parable of The Lost Sheep”

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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: 2 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 1986 | Pikeville, Kentucky

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God Rules Everywhere

“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

Where God rules there are no accidents, preventable diseases, untimely deaths, stray bullets, or arrows that miss their mark; and God rules everywhere.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Glorious Predestination”

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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: 18 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 30 December, 2020