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Dead to This World

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” | Isaiah 28: 16

A young student asked his Bible teacher this question: “How is the believer dead to the world when he lives in the world, works a regular job, raises a family, and owns property in the world?”

The teacher sent him out to the gravesite of a friend with instructions to criticize the dead friend, harass him, and find fault, and then praise him with glowing terms and brag on him to excess.

Upon his return, the teacher asked, “What did your friend say when you criticized him?”

“Nothing.”

“How did he react when you praised him?”

“It made no difference to him; he is dead!”

“That is what it means to be dead to this world,” said the teacher.

Its APPLAUSE means nothing and its HATRED means nothing. We neither ADMIRE the people of this world nor do we FEAR them. The riches of this world are but the fancy of fools, and the honors of this world mean little or nothing; for to be a child of God is the highest calling.

The religious traditions and ceremonies of the world have no attraction nor meaning when CHRIST IS ALL!

That which was once important to us we now consider loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, our Lord.

This spiritual life in Christ cannot be explained; it must be experienced.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Christ- A Sure Foundation”

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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: 10 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Eternally Beloved of the Lord

“We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation” | 2 Thessalonians 2: 13

If you are “beloved of the Lord,” you always were “beloved of the Lord.”

He did not begin to love you when you repented of sin and believed on Christ. God saw you in Christ in His eternal covenant and loved you then. That love for those “beloved of the Lord” was shown two thousand years ago when it pleased Him to bruise His Son for you.

Christ redeemed you not only before you were aware of His grace, but before you were born.

There was nothing in you to merit His eternal, infinite, and unchangeable love.

On the contrary, you were His enemies, profaned His name, and even despised His mercy after you heard about it.

“HEREIN IS LOVE, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and gave His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Evidences of 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: 20 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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Cast All On Christ

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” | John 15:13

The most difficult thing for any of us to do is to TOTALLY and COMPLETELY trust and rest in our blessed Lord Jesus to redeem us, sanctify us, and make us accepted of the Father.

We are so prone to self-righteousness and works that we have a constant battle trying to remember that “man at his BEST STATE is altogether vanity” but also that, in his WEAKEST MOMENTS, is no less loved and accepted if he is in Christ.

As Brother Don Fortner said, “My relationship with the eternal God (in Christ) does in great measure determine what I do. But what I do (good or bad) in no way determines my relationship with the eternal God.” Actually, “In my flesh dwelleth NO GOOD THING.”

It is in Christ that the Father is well-pleased; and only in Christ can He love, accept, and be pleased with me.

I did not come to Christ on the basis of my works, nor am I kept in Christ on the basis of my works!

I looked to Him THEN for ALL THINGS, and I look to Him NOW for ALL THINGS!

Any look within will serve only to discourage and depress me; but, looking to Christ, the author and finisher of my faith, will only encourage me, for He never changes. His gift of life and calling to grace is without change.

The command, “Look unto Me and be ye saved,” is not only the hope and strength of the seeking sinner, but it is the constant hope and strength of the believing sinner.

I know my sins, but I rejoice in his grace.

I know my weakness, but I rest in His strength.

I know my emptiness, but I am complete in Him.

“O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear” all because we do not cast our sins and our souls on Christ and LEAVE THEM THERE!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Direction for Seekers”

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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: 10 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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OUR PORTION AND INHERITANCE

“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.” | I Timothy 1: 15

One who is born of God has the Lord as his portion and inheritance.

He is thankful for who he is and what he has; for in Christ he has “all things” that are worth having. Having food and clothing and believing friends, he is content. He brought nothing into this world and will carry nothing out.

Earthly possessions, honors, and property have no value after death; but to be forgiven of sin and alive in Christ is the highest prize and glory.

As soon as a person really learns, believes, and embraces the grace of Christ, like Moses, “he esteems even the reproach of Christ greater than the riches of this world.”

But they that seek after riches and worldly honor fall into many temptations, which drown men in destruction and misery.

This craving for the world’s wealth and approval has caused many to depart from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows. (I Timothy 6: 6-10)

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation”

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

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How Sinful are We?

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” | Romans 3: 25-26

We can read the Scriptures which declare, “There is none good, no not one… every imagination of man’s heart is only evil continually… our righteousnesses are filthy rags… man at his best state is vanity;” but what makes this question difficult to answer is the fact that we have such little understanding of true holiness.

We compare ourselves with ourselves and arrive at a weak, perverted view of sin.

A man’s conception of sin is determined by his understanding of TRUE HOLINESS. I declare, without reservation, that a man will never come to an understanding of the exceeding sinfulness of sin until he sees the holiness and righteousness of the Lord God!

Job was an honest, upright, and righteous man in his own eyes until he saw the Lord; and then he cried, “I abhor myself.”

Isaiah put a “woe” on everyone else until he saw the Lord; and then he cried, “Woe is ME, I am undone.”

Until preachers begin to preach the true character of our God in His awesome holiness, justice, and righteousness, men will not be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgement and will continue in their efforts to establish a righteousness of their own, denying the necessity of a REDEEMER, who alone can enable God to be both just and justifier.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Self-Righteousness Slain”

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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: 10 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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What Is Your Comfort?

“And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” | Job 1: 5</b

Are you happy?

Yes! but I am not without times of sorrow and depression.

Like any human, I weep over loved ones, friends, sickness, death, and disappointment. But I sorrow not as those who have no hope. CHRIST IS MY HOPE! He loved me, gave Himself for me, and will make ALL THESE THINGS work together for my eternal good.

Are you at rest in your soul?

Yes! but I am not free from concern and conviction over my sins and my infirmities.

I love Christ but not as I should or as I desire. I am satisfied with Him, His mercy, His grace, and His love; but I will never be totally satisfied until I wake with His likeness.

Do you have peace?

Yes! but that peace with God, peace of conscience, and peace in any situation or condition is not based on my merit, feelings, nor religious duties. CHRIST IS MY PEACE! He said, “In ME ye have peace. In the world ye shall have trouble.”

Any man or woman who claims continual, uninterrupted joy, rest, and peace in this world is either not telling the truth or has no connection with reality! True joy, rest, and peace are things we enjoy in Christ IN THE MIDST of troubles, afflictions, and infirmities.

Paul’s exhortation was “rejoice in the Lord.”

When I am conscious of my weakness, failures, and sins, I rejoice in Christ, my righteousness. When I am concerned about food, clothing, and shelter, I rejoice in Christ, my provider. When I am sick, Christ is my healer. When I am grieved, Christ is my comfort. When I am faced with death, Christ is my life!

So it is not necessary to put on a false face and deceive others. We are still human; but our peace, rest, and joy is Christ.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on Thee.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Lessons Learned In Trouble”

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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: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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CHRIST IS FAITHFUL

“Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.” | II Samuel 23: 5

Jeremiah wrote, “Great is THY faithfulness.”

We preach and exhort our hearers to be faithful stewards of the grace of God, faithful givers to help others, faithful in worship, prayer, and holiness. And we will be faithful by His grace and because He has given us a new heart which desires to walk with Him.

But even when we fail, fall, and make a mess of things, HE IS FAITHFUL: and our hope of life and glory is not in OUR faithfulness but in HIS faithfulness.

God is faithful to His Son, to His covenant, and to His Word. And this was David’s comfort when he lay dying – not in his works, service, nor even his faith, but in God’s faithfulness to His covenant.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Righteous Shall Hold His Way”

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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 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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Speaking The Truth in Love

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” | James 3: 5-6

I wonder if when we preach or teach or witness to others, does the love of Christ and love for sinners come through in our words and in our countenance?

I am interested to know if our hearers detect from our presentation of the Gospel of sovereign grace (whether in sermon or articles) the love, compassion, and pity we should feel; or do we come across as harsh, bitter, and with a critical spirit?

Do we tend to take our disappointments in some and our conflicts with others into the pulpit, or classroom, or personal discussions, and tear into everybody?

This is not the way of Christ.

James said, “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” It was His love that chose us, gave us repentance, and led us to faith; and if any other sinner is brought from darkness, death, and error to light, life, and truth, it will be by and through the love and grace of Christ.

We are quick to say that the whip of the law will not make a man righteous, but neither will the whip of doctrine make a man a believer.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Today Is The Day”

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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: 4 October, 2020 | Previous post date: 31 January, 2021

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Commit Thy Way Unto The Lord

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” | Psalm 37: 5

Some of you are having great trouble and are walking a rough way.

It may seem to you right now that these sorrows are more than you can bear. Indeed, they ARE more than you can bear; but you do not have to bear them alone. David said, “Commit thy way unto the Lord”, and Peter wrote, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5: 7)

You have committed your soul to Him; then you can surely trust Him with your home, children, and business. These things are far inferior to your immortal soul.

He has promised us troubles in this world, but not without HIS SUFFICIENT GRACE to carry us through them.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Golden Precepts and Precious Promises”

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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 September, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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Six Stubborn Statements

I realize, as much as any of you, that we are out of step with the great parade of religion today.

I realize we are putting a question mark on some very successful religious organizations, and in conflict with all the major denominations.

I realize that we are charging some popular, recognized, powerful, and hard-working preachers and religious leaders with failure to preach the true gospel of God’s glory and grace.

We are charging them with the crime of preaching “another gospel.” This is serious; for Paul said, “If any man preach any other gospel, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1: 8) I realize that we are a very small minority compared with the vast religious movement of this day. But, to me, the issues are as clear as the sun!

  1. God is infinitely sovereign in all things, including salvation; or he isn’t sovereign at all.
  2. Man, in the fall, was rendered spiritually dead, without hope, without God, without Christ, and is shut up to the power of God to give him life; or he is not dead at all.
  3. God either elected a people to eternal salvation according to the good pleasure of his sovereign will, or he did not choose anyone, and has left the success of his purpose to save totally in the hands of the creature.
  4. Christ either sufficiently, effectually, and eternally saved those for whom he died, by his obedience and death, or he actually saved no one! The ransom was no ransom at all, only an offer.
  5. The eternal Spirit of God either effectually and powerfully quickens, regenerates, and calls the elect to repentance toward God and to faith in Christ, or extends an offer to all sinners to regenerate themselves. We must go back to the question, “Is man dead?”
  6. All the elect of God will be preserved by his grace and will persevere in the faith of Christ; or none will. For, if left to ourselves, we shall eventually fall as all creatures have.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Standing Up Under 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 19 September, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia