Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Grace Alone

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” | Acts 10: 43

I can understand how men and women, who have never read or heard the Word of God preached, can look to and depend on their works and self-righteousness to make them acceptable before God; for such things seem logical to the natural mind which knows nothing of God, sin, righteousness, and divine holiness.

But I cannot understand how any person who has read the Scriptures can fail to see that salvation is by grace alone through the merits and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Some Words of Assurance”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Love Produces Where Duty Fails!

”For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” | Romans 6: 14

Dear Brother:

I appreciate your note received this morning. It was good to hear from you, and I am pleased that the conference was a blessing to you and to your wife. I enjoyed being there very much and enjoyed the messages!

In regard to your question about the ten commandments in reference to the believer, there is one thing of which I am certain – I do not and cannot speak for anyone else or for the sovereign grace movement as a whole. I do not claim to know the position which all of our brethren take, but I certainly can fill you in on my position in regard to some of these matters.

The word law in the Scriptures sometimes refers to all of the Word of God, sometimes to the ten commandments, sometimes to the ceremonial laws given to Moses concerning the holy days, feast days, sacrifices, types, symbols, etcetera, and even to the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. For example, fulfilling the law of Christ is fulfilling His law that we love one another. But I think your question has to do with whether or not the ten commandments are a sufficient motivation for producing sanctification and holiness in the life of a believer, and before I comment I would like to say this. The ten commandments are holy, just and true. They have not been repealed, nor does any believer wish to violate them or minimize their greatness and glory. If anyone were to ask me “Are the ten commandments in effect today?”, I would reply, “Which of them can you violate and not be held guilty before God?”

There are two principles in the world that are supposed to promote holiness. The one is the principle of law and duty. The other is the principle of grace, love and faith. It is a popular notion with some preachers that you can tell men what they ought to do, prove to them the authority of the Law-giver and show them the penalty for violation and this will enlighten their judgment and give them proper inclination and motivation for holiness. The history of mankind shows that this pretext is without proof. Those who are under the law are always under sin! Such is our nature. The law, instead of promoting holiness, does not promote it; and even the terrible penalties of hell have failed to inspire fear or promote holiness in the lives of men. There is another principle and it is believed by some of us to be fruitful in every good word and work, a main instigator and promoter of righteousness and true holiness. It is the principle of grace on the part of God and operates by faith and love in the hearts of men.

Grace does not say to a believer, “You must do this or you will be punished;” But it says, “God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you all your sins. You are saved; you are a child of God; heaven is yours. Now, for the love you bear to God Who has done this for you, what will you do for Him?” If God so loved us, we ought to love one another. If Christ gave Himself for us, we ought to give ourselves to Him. If God has forgiven us, we ought to forgive one another. Be ye kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This is a constraining power, a motivating power, stronger than death, and has succeeded in consecrating and sanctifying the lives of those who felt it and experienced it! Who would take better care of a sick child, a nurse who is paid for her services and required to fulfill certain obligations, or a mother who loves that child more than she loves her own life?

Christ used the spiritual requirements of the law to expose the sin of the Pharisees who boasted that they kept the law. Paul was made to realize his lust by revelation of the law “Thou shall not covet.” And we are ministers not only of the gospel but of the law as well, but we do not go to calvary for justification and to Sinai for sanctification! Christ is our redemption and our sanctification. I like the verse of the hymn that goes like this,

“Now for the love I bear His name, / What was my gain I count my loss. / My former pride I call my shame, / And nail my glory to His cross.”

Love makes a man do for you what mere duty never could. The law can never make as good a servant as grace and love. The motive of true love is always the strongest. What Paul is saying in Romans 6: 14 is this Christ fulfilled the law for you. It has been kept. You owe it no obedience as a matter of mere justice. You have been delivered from that; and, being now under the law of love and not under the law of force and duty, sin never shall have dominion over you.

I hope that these few words have been of some help in this matter. I appreciate your taking the time to write to me.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Ten Commandments for Believers”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 5 January, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

True Profession

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” | 1 John 3: 18

The thing that troubles me most about the validity of our profession of Christ is that we talk, preach, and sing of love, mercy, and forgiveness.

But then, when the opportunity comes for us to love the unlovely, forgive the offender, and bind up the wounded heart, we join the circle of Pharisees, clutching our stones, ready to wound and maim.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23)

A profession that does not produce is a false profession.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “I Never Knew You”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 31 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 21 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Only One Way Of Salvation

“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” | Genesis 7: 1

When our God sent the flood, the whole world perished except those happy ones who were found in the ark.

Even so, there is only ONE WAY of salvation for all persons living under heaven.

There is only one name whereby they can be saved.

Would you be saved, rich man? There is no way except that way whereby the poorest pauper is also to be saved.

Would you be delivered, O man of intelligence? You must be saved in the same way as the most ignorant!

There were not two arks, only one. So there are not two saviors, only one Savior!

There was no other means of salvation except the ark; so “there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved”, except “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Ark – A Picture of Christ”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 18 February, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Divine Paradoxes

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them | Ephesians 2: 4-10

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” (1 Corinthians 3: 18)

The wiser we get, the greater fools we become.

“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)

The stronger we grow, the weaker we are.

“As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2 Corinthians 6: 10)

The more we possess, the less we have.

“And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” (Luke 7: 42)

The more completely bankrupt, the more freely forgiven.

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

The more utterly lost, the more perfectly saved.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18: 4)

And the more like a child, the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

Click here to listen to the message “Orthodox Paradoxes”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 11 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Bless The Lord

”Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” | Psalm 103: 13-16

How does one bless the Lord?

I would say that when we sincerely, in our hearts, gladly ascribe unto the Lord all glory, power, and dominion, we are blessing Him.

When we wish others to love and believe on Him, faithfully preaching and witnessing of His saving grace, we are blessing Him.

When we grieve over our dullness of spirit and desire to love Him with a perfect heart, we are blessing Him.

When we sing, praise, and worship Him with a true heart, we are blessing Him.

When we endure trials and burdens with a submissive and grateful attitude, not murmuring against His good providence, we are blessing Him.

When we wait upon the Lord, ready to do His will, we are blessing Him.

When we can truthfully think and say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” we are blessing Him!

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Bless the Lord”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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 March, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The End Is Greater Than The Means

”Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” | Philippians 2: 6-11

The ultimate end or goal of redemption is not the happiness, well-being, or even conversion of sinners, BUT THE GLORY OF GOD. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

Man’s comfort and safety is not the supreme goal of God’s glorious gospel. The supreme goal of our gospel is the glory of God, the establishment of His rule and reign over a kingdom of peace and righteousness, the exaltation and manifestation of His character, and the preeminence of His beloved Son. Our salvation will serve that purpose. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 12)

Everything in covenant mercies, in salvation, and in God’s purpose for the sons of men (past, present, and future) turns upon the will of God in Christ. This makes CHRIST THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE in our gospel, our goals, and our glory. But, if you have salvation and God’s purpose waiting upon the freewill of the creature, then MAN is the principal figure in your landscape and will lead you to compromise divine truth in order to win man’s approval. “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1: 14)

The attitude that we must get men converted at any cost and compromise usually winds up costing the very character and truth of God, which is a price too high to pay.

Conversions are never more important than truth.

Truth is always more important than results.

“Let God be true and every man a liar!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Hate Free Grace”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Bless God And Rejoice In The Lord

“Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” | Luke 19: 38

Let us learn to BLESS GOD!

Let us learn not only to be content but to REJOICE IN THE LORD! The word rejoice is used ten times in the epistle to the Philippians.

Let us learn the meaning of the word, not just in doctrine, but in experience.

There is always cause to rejoice in the Lord; in His BLOOD that cleanseth, His RIGHTEOUSNESS that perfects, His LOVE which never fails, His PROVIDENCE which works all things for our good, His INTERCESSION which is continual, and in the fact that our names are in the Book of Life; by His grace!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The King Cometh”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 12 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Old Story Is Forever New

”Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” | Philippians 3: 1

We never grow weary of preaching the word of our Lord, the gospel of His grace; and we never tire of gathering together in His name to worship, pray, and fellowship with His people.

The old story is forever new; the familiar scriptures are fresher and sweeter with every taste.

  1. To often hear His word preached is to keep our hearts and minds on Christ, the fountain of life.
  2. To often hear His word preached is a safeguard against false doctrine and false teachers. An untaught child is more easily led astray than one “taught of God.”
  3. To often hear His word preached guards against self-righteousness. No danger of a person who is often in the presence of His holiness seeing any merit in himself.
  4. To often hear His word preached refreshes our spirits, brings peace to our hearts, and beauty to our countenances. One can look at flowers and readily see which flowers are most often watered!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Something Better”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 13 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

A Believer Is A Mystery

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” | 1 Timothy 3: 16

The believer is a mystery to others and to himself also.

He is sanctified yet feels himself to be the chief of sinners.

He loves God’s law and will, yet he wrestles with an inward desire to have his own way.

He has great sorrow and heaviness of heart for many reasons, yet he rejoices in the Lord always.

His spirit longs to depart and be with Christ, yet his flesh clings to this earth.

He knows that he is secure in Christ, yet he examines his faith continually.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Mystery of Godliness”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: 11 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a