Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

It Is Good For Me That I Am Afflicted

”It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy ways.” | Psalm 119: 71

God’s ways and God’s word are best learned by experience and in time of trouble.

When our Lord is pleased to lay his hand heavily upon us, we do not soon forget the lessons learned.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3: 19)

When the Lord singles out a believer or a church for special affliction and adversity, it is not for punishment nor lack of love for them; it is for eternal blessings and because He does love them.

“Whom the Lord loveth” he chastens, corrects, and teaches!

When Job sat before his friends, who was afflicted?

The one God loved!

When Paul stood before King Agrippa, who wore the chains?

The one God loved!

Humanly speaking, which path of life would you prefer to live on earth, that of Esau or Jacob?

Esau had the life of prosperity and ease; Jacob was full of trouble and conflict.

But God loved Jacob!

Thank God he has not left us alone!

Thank God he has loved us in Christ and is pleased to teach us his ways by dealing with us in such a way that we are weaned from the world and find our life, comfort, and hope only in him.

“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12: 8)

A person who measures his blessings and relationship with God by his prosperity, health, happiness, and worldly comforts makes a fatal mistake.

Paul wrote, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

He who sends the trial for his glory and my good will supply the grace sufficient.

Those who know the Redeemer also know that when we are weak, we are strong; when we are poor, we are rich; when we are empty, we are full; and when we die, we live!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Joy After Chastening” (44:48 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 3 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Blood Before The Lord

”Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.” | Exodus 12: 5-7

Note in the scriptures how many times the blood is said to be “before the Lord.”

Whether any man saw it or not was of small account, for it was offered for sin “before the Lord.”

“And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.” (Leviticus 16: 18)

When the passover lamb was slain in Egypt, where was the blood placed?

It was on the OUTSIDE of the door “before the Lord.”

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12-13)

He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2: 9)

The suffering and death of Christ on behalf of His people was “BEFORE the Lord,” UNTO the Lord, to declare the Lord’s righteousness, to satisfy the Lord’s justice, to fulfill the Lord’s purpose, to glorify the Lord’s character, to enable the Lord to be both just and justifier.

The atonement does not change the NATURE and CHARACTER of God, but rather the atonement HONORS and MAGNIFIES the character of God.

“Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38: 23)

The death of Christ is NOT the cause of God’s love, but the result of it.

God is not merciful because Christ died; Christ died because God is merciful.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (2 Chronicles 20: 21)

In order that every attribute might be expressed, glorified, and honored, God gave His Son to be the Saviour of the chosen people!

Thank God we have an atonement “before the Lord.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Christ’s Blood Speaks” (34:48 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 3 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Constrained By Love

”For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” | 2 Corinthians 5: 14

Why do you folks read the Bible, pray for one another, attend worship services and support the preaching of the gospel so faithfully and generously?

Why do you help one another, comfort one another, and encourage one another?

Why do you share your blessings, work at the church, seek the well-being and happiness of others, and invite others to your homes and tables?

I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU!

All believers in the Lord Jesus are under the SWEETEST and STRONGEST constraint to do what they do; they are motivated by the LOVE OF CHRIST; His love for them and their love for Him! “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4: 19)

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 11-12)

It is not fear of hell, desire for reward, nor concern for acceptance that excites us to duty, devotion, and works of faith, but Christ’s eternal love which led Him to redeem us by His life and death.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Humility of Preaching” (28:48 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 25 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Problem And The Solution

”O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” | Psalm 136: 1

We won’t make much headway in finding a solution if we don’t understand the problem.

A cure is not likely to be found if we have no knowledge of the disease.

In the matter of salvation, the problem is man’s sin; the solution is God’s grace.

The disease is moral depravity and spiritual inability; the remedy is God’s mercy in Christ.

If a man is near-sighted, he only needs corrective glasses, but if he is blind, he needs the miracle of sight!

If a man is sick, he only needs medicinal aid, but if he is dead, he needs the miracle of life!

If man has only strayed from the way, he needs directions, but if he is completely lost, he needs to be found!

So here is the question that must be settled by preachers and people alike: “What happened in the garden?”

When one feels obliged to come to some conclusions on the subjects of election, irresistible grace, and particular redemption it would be wise for him to first determine the condition of the sinner who is to be saved.

If man was only wounded by the fall he needs only assistance; if he is dead in sins, he needs to be resurrected and that by the purpose and power of the God of life.

If fallen man still has his moral ability and power of choice, then let us wait for him to choose and seek God, but if fallen man loves darkness and will not come to Christ, then Christ must love and come to him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Study of the Fall” (44:33 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 29 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Unto You That Believe, He is Precious

“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” | 1 Peter 2: 7-8

Believers receive Christ, rejoice in Christ, and to them He is precious.

His obedience is our righteousness, His blood is our atonement.

His prayers are our intercession.

His reign is our glory.

His coming is our hope!

Christ is all and in all!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “He Is Precious”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 March, 2020 | Previous post date: 14 September, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Tie The Scarlet Line

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. | Psalm 94: 12-14

In most circles it is unfashionable to believe in the old gospel of substitution and atonement.

“Modern culture” and intellectualism have altered the Bible and religion until there is no real sin-offering and sacrifice left. The blood of His cross and the obedience of His life are only examples now, and not a propitiation, payment, nor imputed righteousness.

As for me, I tie the scarlet line in my window; I put the blood on my door; I stand amazed as my great High Priest enters within the veil with His own blood to make atonement for my soul.

In the midst of a thousand “new gospels” that aren’t worth the breath it takes to preach them, I hold in my heart and soul to the gospel of God concerning His Son, who was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, and by whose stripes I am healed.

Like Rahab of old, tie the scarlet line in your window.

If no one else sees it, GOD WILL!

If no one else is pleased – GOD IS!

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Is My Light And Salvation”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 12 September, 2021 | Previous post date: 11 September, 2022 | Pikeville, Kentucky

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

I Will Help Thee

”Fear not, thy worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel, I WILL HELP THEE, saith the Lord and they Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” | Isaiah 41: 14

God says to true Israel, “I WILL HELP THEE.”

And, when God says, “I will help thee,” there is something to it, brethren!

The will of God started the world into existence; the will of God sent Christ into the world and to the cross; the will of God called you by grace to faith in Christ.

And if God says to you, “I will help thee,” there is no doubt about it.

He does not say, “I will PROBABLY help you,” or “I MAY help you if you fit certain requirements,” or “It is possible to obtain help of the Lord.”

No!

Without any qualifications the Lord our Redeemer says, “I will help thee!”

Now, there is comfort there.

That is enough to cheer the heart of every believer.

Why should He not help us?

Consider what He has already done.

He loved us, chose us, died for us, called us, and intercedes for us.

If this be the case, He will surely help us at every point along our way; for, without Him, we can do nothing.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Brethren” (32:14 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 8 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Children Of Love

”Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” | John 13: 1

God showed His power in making us creatures, but He showed His love in making us sons.

A man may give thanks that God had made him a man rather than a beast, but how much more we ought to praise His glorious name for making us children of love rather than leaving us in our state of sin.

When I think of what and where I could be, my heart overflows with gratitude to my Redeemer!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “HIS Mind, Will, Purpose & Work” (31:17 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Return To Thy Rest, O My Soul

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” | Psalm 23: 2-3

Some believers are troubled because they cannot always and at all times feel the joy and comfort set forth in Psalm 23.

We should remember that, though David lived long and wrote much, he wrote only one twenty-third Psalm.

There are other psalms; psalms of conviction, praise, prayer, seeking, and mourning. In fact, even this Psalm closes with our walk through the valley of death.

This valley of death is our entire journey through life.

The fall of Adam put the stamp of death on everything and everyone.

But we are walking through.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 4)

It is not our home, and it is a valley of the SHADOW of death.

Christ has removed the substance and sting of death for us.

The shadow of a dog can’t hurt; the shadow of a gun can’t kill.

‘I will fear no evil’

He does not say: ‘there will be no evil’; but, because He is with me, I don’t FEAR the evil.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Take No Thought For Your Life” (33:21 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 25 July, 2021 | Previous post date: 7 Septembner, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Jesus Is The Christ

”I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.” | Psalm 17: 6-9

Jesus is the Christ.

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.” (1 John 2: 22-23)

He is the true, eternal Son of God.

There cannot be a father without a son, or a son without a father.

He that honors not the Son as such honors not the Father.

He is the very Christ and true Messiah spoken of by the prophets, typified in the sacrifices and looked for by Old Testament saints.

He is the God-man, Mediator and Saviour.

He is that Prophet, our great High Priest and sovereign King.

He is our sin-offering, propitiation and atonement!

Anyone who denies this, no matter what high office, position, or praise he gives to Jesus Christ, is a liar, an antichrist, and does not know the Father or the Son.

Jesus of Nazareth is either the Christ and all that is written, promised, prophesied, typified and expected of the Christ, or He is an impostor!

If He is the Christ and we compromise, deny or take away any aspect of his total deity, humanity, office, work, or glory, then we are impostors, liars, antichrists!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Christ, The True Tabernacle” (25:34 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 25 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky