His Good Pleasure

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” | Philippians 2: 13

Everything concerning a sinner’s salvation is of God.

Nothing is of us.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1: 6)

We don’t begin the work of salvation, He does.

We don’t perform the work of salvation, He does.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19: 30)

We don’t finish the work of salvation, He does.

“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)

We don’t call on Him, He calls us.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19: 10)

We don’t seek Him, He seeks us.

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 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.” (Luke 15: 3-6)

We don’t find Him, He finds us.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

We don’t accept Him, He accepts us.

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

We don’t produce our own faith to believe on Him, He puts His own faith in us and causes us to believe on Him.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3: 5)

We don’t earn any perfection of our own, He earned it for us.

“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 4: 10)

It’s not that we loved Him, but that He loved us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1: 3-5)

We don’t keep ourselves in His love, He keeps us there.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2: 9)

Salvation is totally of the Lord.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Lord, Don’t Leave Me To Myself!” (36:17 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: Special | Previous post date: 21 February, 2021

Grow In Grace

“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

The apostle’s exhortation to us as God’s people who have been called by faith to believe on Christ is, “grow in grace.”

When God‘s people “grow in grace,” they grow in the doctrine of grace.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

They grow in the object of grace – which is Christ Himself!

“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)

And when God‘s people “grow in grace,” they grow in the practice of grace.

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2: 1)

Psalm 111: 4 says, “…the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”

And all who “grow in grace” say, “As He is, I desire to be.”

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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: 17,18)

True growth in grace says with David, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with THY likeness.” (Psalm 17: 15)

The doctrine!

The object!

The practice!

“As He is, I desire to be.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Hear And Your Soul Shall Live” (26:53 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: Special | Previous post date: 13 February, 2021

The Lord Jesus Christ Set His Love On Sinners

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” | 1 Timothy 1: 15

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ came to save sinners?

Sinners will!

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners?

Sinners will!

Do you know who will love to hear that Christ died on purpose, for a particular people, whom the word of God calls ungodly sinners?

Ungodly (in the flesh) sinners will love to hear that!

The blood of Christ was not shed for the self righteous world, but it was shed for sinners.

Christ did not set His love on the self righteous world, but He set His love on sinners.

Christ will not receive the self righteous world, but He said He would receive sinners!

So, let me ask you this question: Are you a sinner?

If you are, like I am, this is the greatest news we will ever hear in our lives… “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “That’s Who The Savior Is” (27:31 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 20 January, 2021

God’s Election

“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

Knowing something of the wickedness of my own heart…

Knowing that I would have never come to the Christ of the scripture on my own…

Knowing that I would have chosen destruction, and loved darkness more than the salvation and light of life with Christ…

That makes God’s election to be the sweetest, kindest, most loving thing I have ever heard in my life.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “There Is Only One Hope For Us” (32:42 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: 26 January, 2020 | Previous post date: 26 December, 2022

What Is The Gospel?

”But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” | 1 Corinthians 1: 23

“We preach Christ!”

The gospel is a Person!

”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.”

What do we preach about the Lord Jesus Christ that causes it to be the “good news” of the gospel?

“How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

We preach the Lord Jesus Christ crucified.

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

We preach the accomplishment of the cross.

”But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6: 14)

We preach the finished salvation of ALL of God’s elect people, through the blood of the cross.

”When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19: 30)

We preach the grace, mercy, and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ that has been freely given to His people through the redemption of the cross.

”That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5: 21)

We preach His glory, His praise, His honor, His worth, His work – everything that is owed to Him!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “They Preached Jesus Christ” (44:58 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 2 October, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Grace Be With You. Amen.

“The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” | 2 Timothy 4: 22

If our hope lies in us, or in what we do, it is a delusion.

“Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?” (Job 4: 4-6)

If our hope lies in this church it is a lie.

“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” (Psalm 147: 11)

If our hope stands with one foot on the work of Christ and the other foot on our own merits, it will fail us.

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” (Psalm 33: 20-22)

Hope in Christ is the only hope which can be acceptable to God.

“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” (Psalm 16: 7-9)

Our only hope of Heaven will be through Christ alone.

Here our hope begins, and here our hope ends.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Grace Be With You. Amen” (22:29 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 June, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” | Psalm 122: 1

What defines a true house of the Lord?

”And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” (Exodus 9: 16)

It is a house where the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared – God, Man, Mediator, Savior!

”And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16: 15)

It is a house where the Word of Christ is declared – every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God.

”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 6)

It is a house where the Spirit of Christ dwells – in truth.

”Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26: 14)

It is a house where the glory of Christ dwells – in power.

”By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13: 35)

It is a house where the people of Christ dwell – in love.

”And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3: 10-11)

It is a house where Christ is ALL and in all.

That is a house that all of God’s people are glad to go to.

May that be THIS house today!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Believers Have All Things In Common” (67:22 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” | Psalm 122: 1

What defines a true house of the Lord?

It is a house where the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared – God, Man, Mediator, Savior!

”Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Psalm 62: 1)

It is a house where the Word of Christ is declared – every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God.

”He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62: 2)

It is a house where the Spirit of Christ dwells – in truth.

”How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.” (Psalm 62: 3)

It is a house where the glory of Christ dwells – in power.

”They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” (Psalm 62: 4)

It is a house where the people of Christ dwell – in love.

”My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” (Psalm 62: 5)

It is a house where Christ is ALL and in all.

”He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62: 6)

That is a house that all of God’s people are glad to go to.

May that be THIS house today!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Truly My Soul Waiteth Upon God” (29:41 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: 5 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

If You Need This, This Is For You

”Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” | Isaiah 41: 10

Are there any evidences that a person can have of being physically alive?

Yes there are… Breathing lungs, a beating heart, and a thinking mind will all be present and active.

If any of those three are absent; if the lungs no longer breathe, the heart no longer beats, or the mind no longer thinks, then it cannot be said that the person shows the evidence of life. The same can be said concerning Spiritual life.

When Spiritual life is present, the quickening breath of God’s Holy Ghost will be in the soul; faith IN and ON Christ will be in the heart; and a right view of God, man, and salvation will be in the mind.

When a continual, fervent, immediate need for Christ is within a person – the breath of God’s Spirit is in the soul.

When Christ becomes a sinner’s only hope, and only desire; when a sinner stops looking to his own works for salvation, and starts looking to Christ’s work on the cross alone – true, saving faith is in the heart. And when a sinner throws out every word but God’s word, and says: “let God be true, and every man a liar” – repentance has come to the mind.

When these things are present, God given life has come!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “True Hope For Depression”

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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: 9 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 5 May 2022

Who Is The Holy One Of Israel?

“Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.” | Isaiah 12: 6

“…Great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

Psalm 89: 18 – “For the Lord is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our King.”

Isaiah 17: 7 – “At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 30: 15 – “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”

Isaiah 41: 14 – “Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 43: 3 – “For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”

Isaiah 54: 5 – “For thy Maker is thine Husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

Mark 1: 24 – “Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”

Who is the Holy One of Israel?

Jesus Christ is!

Our King, our Maker, our Lord, our Redeemer, our Savior, our Husband… HE is the Holy One of Israel!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Judge” (33:13 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: 15 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a