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God Performs The Salvation Of Sinners

“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” | Mark 16: 14-15

God’s grace is not an offer, but an operation.

It is not a passion in God desiring the salvation of sinners, but the operation of God performing the salvation of sinners.

-Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Go And Preach The Gospel” (34:57 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: 18 March, 2017

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We Shall See Him As He Is

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” | James 1: 2-4

No trial or suffering is easy.

If trials were without pain and discomfort, they would not accomplish the purpose for which they are sent.

But, when we look at all of earth’s sorrows, sufferings, and trials in the light of His eternal glory; when we shall be like Him, enjoy His presence, and partake in His perfect kingdom, then we will look on these present inconveniences as nothing.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3: 1-3)

They are not worthy to be compared to that glory.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “We Shall See Him as He Is” (42:42 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: Special | Previous post date: 4 March, 2021

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Standing Up Under Trials

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” | James 1: 2-4

No trial or suffering is easy.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3: 1-3)

If trials were without pain and discomfort, they would not accomplish the purpose for which they are sent.

But, when we look at all of earth’s sorrows, sufferings, and trials in the light of His eternal glory; when we shall be like Him, enjoy His presence, and partake in His perfect kingdom, then we will look on these present inconveniences as nothing.

They are not worthy to be compared to that glory.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Standing Up Under Trials” (44:56 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: 1 March, 2021

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And The Word Was God

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” | John 1: 14

My friends, if you will carefully consider it, this is the most extraordinary fact ever declared in human language.

God became a man and “took upon him the likeness of sinful flesh.”

The Ancient of Days became an infant of days.

The Son of the Most-High God became a man of sorrows.

He made the world; but as a man, “he had no place to lay his head.”

He who made the rivers asked a woman to give him a drink of water.

He who cast out devils was tempted of the devil, and the author of life died and lay in a tomb.

“The sun that hid from Him its face
By His own hand was hung in space;
The sky which darkened o’er His head
By Him above the world was spread;
The spear that shed His precious blood
Was tempered in the fires of God;
The grave in which His form was laid
Was hewn in rocks His hand had made.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Four Things Essential to Salvation” (49:36 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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 September, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Message To Remember

“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

All who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ.

The title THE CHRIST signifies anointed and includes all the offices of the Son of God.

To believe Him to be THE CHRIST is to believe Him to be that Prophet which Moses said should come, who has declared the whole mind and will of the Father.

It is to believe He is that Priest which should arise after the order of Melchizedek and make full atonement for sin and effectual intercession for transgressors.

It is to believe He is King of kings and Lord of lords, whom God hath set over all things from all ages and for all time.

“And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.” (Luke 4: 41)

This faith in Christ is not a mere assent to the fact nor merely acknowledging it as the demons have done.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10)

It is to believe with the heart.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2: 5)

It is to bow the knee in repentance and to look to Christ, trust in Him, receive Him as our righteousness, to rest in His blood for cleansing, and to lay hold of Him as our Savior, Redeemer, and Mediator.

Such faith is far above and beyond the reach of the human mind.

It is the gift of God.

“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)

It is the result of regeneration and a new birth, for we must be drawn to Christ and taught of God.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Message to Remember” (44:17 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: 16 February, 2022

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By Grace Alone

“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

“By grace are ye saved.”

There is no present salvation except that which begins and ends with grace!

No man can preach or possess a present salvation except those who preach and believe that we are saved by grace alone!

The work is finished!

Any other way of salvation is dependent on the sinner and it will fail.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Jesus – Friend of Sinners” (33:16 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: 17 January, 2021
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Stewardship

”As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” | 1 Peter 4: 10

Thank God that we have the privilege of being personally and vitally involved in the lives and ministry of so many pastors, churches, and missionaries.

They are the servants of our Lord; and it is our blessed privilege to pray for them, encourage them, and help them in every way that we can.

“Let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6: 9)

Let us not look so much on our own things as on the things of others.

The best way I know of receiving God’s blessings is to give them away; and the surest way to keep God’s mercies flowing into your silo is to have the feed door always open, for God has appointed no man nor church to be his bankers, only his stewards.

“Lord, teach me your word and I’ll teach others. Reveal your gospel to me and I’ll preach it to all who will listen. Shed abroad your love in my heart and I will love others. Forgive me as I forgive. Entrust me with gifts and I will give to those who have need. Help me, by thy grace, to be a channel of blessings and not a dead sea.”

May I ask a question?

Who is on your mind and heart today?

Or even this week?

Whom have you encouraged?

Whose burden have you lifted?

For whom have you prayed?

For whom have you called?

For whom have you written?

What contribution have you made to the furtherance of the gospel?

To those who reach out, I encourage you to continue to do so; and, to those who have not yet discovered the joy of giving and helping, I say, “It is His way!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Appearing With Christ In Glory” (34:02 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: 12 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Man Is Justified By Faith

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” | Romans 3: 28

Most preachers, church members, and Bible teachers agree with this statement, “A man is justified by faith.”

But when we define, from the Scriptures, what Paul is actually saying here, we have great disagreement.

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:” (Luke 3: 16)

1.) WHO JUSTIFIES? “It is God that justifieth.” Salvation is of the Lord from origination to consummation.

2.) WHOM DOES HE JUSTIFY? “The ungodly.” There are not a lot of folks standing in line to take this title unto themselves.

3.) HOW DOES HE JUSTIFY? “By grace through faith in Christ.” His blood and righteousness is our peace and holiness. By His doing and dying He – alone – enables God to be just and justifier!

4.) WHERE DOES SAVING FAITH COME FROM? “It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Yes!

I do believe a man is justified by faith!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “It’s All About Him” (28:53 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: 20 July, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

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Blessed Assurance

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” | John 15: 16

Assurance of salvation and a saving interest in our Lord Jesus is not a feeling cultivated by thinking good thoughts and doing good deeds.

Paul calls it “full assurance of faith.” It has to do with faith, with believing God!

Assurance is born of confidence in the Father as our covenant God; “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

Assurance is born of confidence in the Son as our just God and Saviour; “By His stripes we are healed.”

Assurance is born of confidence in His promises; “Abraham was fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

“Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4: 11)

So your assurance of redemption is not enhanced by the more you work, but by the more you trust in Him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain” (39:07 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: 11 February, 2018 | Previous post date: 10 June, 2022

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We Have An Advocate

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” | 1 John 2: 1-2

This scripture recognizes our frail, sinful human nature.

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7: 24-25)

A believer does not love sin, does not excuse or justify sin, but grieves over sin and desires to be without sin.

Yet he owns and confesses his sin!

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:4)

As Spurgeon once said, “Sin is my name, sin is my nature, and to deny is to deny the Word, deceive myself and call God a liar. My old nature is such that I will sin until I die, for sin pollutes the best things I do.”

This scripture encourages the believer to trust and hope in the mercy of God AT ALL TIMES!

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3: 5)

It does not say, “If any man is holy, prayerful, and almost faithful, he has an advocate;” but IF ANY MAN SINS, he has an ADVOCATE with the Father.

It does not say, “IF any man sins he forfeits his right to Christ’s advocacy.”

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 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: 9-11)

Grace that can be forfeited because of human failure is not GRACE at all.

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 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: 2-5)

Mercy that is conditioned upon the merit of the creature is not mercy at all.

“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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1: 16-17)

If my title to glory rests upon my works, either BEFORE OR AFTER conversion, it is a total failure.

This scripture declares that at all times, under all conditions, Jesus Christ is our righteousness, our sanctification, our advocate and our redemption.

So when I sin, when I consider my past or present, and come creeping to my closet with a guilty conscience and an aching heart, I can rejoice in the mercy of my Father; for I have an ADVOCATE, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “God’s Grace & Peace Multiplied” (31:49 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: 13 July, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a