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The Word Of God

”The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.” | Jeremiah 23: 28

It is certain that the Lord is speaking of false prophets who do not know God’s word nor use it, but rather tell their dreams and entertain with miracles, signs, and wonders.

But I am afraid this word also has some reference to believers as well, particularly preachers.

God’s word is His power.

His word is what He uses to call, break, save, create, sustain, keep, feed, mold, and shape His people.

One word of God is of infinite power and value.

The Holy Spirit can take one word and bring about what a multitude of ours cannot.

One word, such as LOOK!

One line, such as THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH, is sufficient, by the power of the Spirit, to bring a dead sinner to life.

It is not our comments upon God’s word, but God’s actual word that He uses.

PREACHING IS VITAL, whereby the sense of the word is given; but in reality IT IS NOT THE PREACHING THAT SAVES, BUT THE WORD!

When we witness to others, it is good to tell what we have learned; but when all is said and done, nothing will impress that person except the word of God applied by His Spirit.

This is why a word in season means a portion of God’s word.

Perhaps we would do well to say less and quote more from God’s word.

Even better, it would be good to just leave someone with a portion from, God’s word and say, “Go and learn what that means.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Turning God’s Glory Into Shame” (14:03 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 April, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The Miracle Of Salvation

”Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” | John 1: 22-23

The Lord Jesus Christ performed many miracles while upon this earth.

He cast out devils, healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf; He raised the dead.

While these miracles certainly proved him to be the Christ, they are also illustrations of how the Lord saves sinners.

Every sinner the Lord saves, is all these things… possessed by a devil, a sinful leper, deaf, dumb, blind, and dead in sin.

Salvation is a miracle of God’s sovereign grace and power.

Nothing more or less can save a sinner but the power of Christ; the Word, the Truth and the Gospel.

May the Lord be pleased to perform a miracle today!

~ Pastor Paul E. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Behold The Lamb Of God” (44:29 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Unearned Favor

“Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” | Matthew 26: 33-35

I recently heard of someone who claimed to believe the grace of God in salvation, yet they were having trouble with the doctrine of election.

The problem they are really having is with true grace.

You see, grace in the true meaning of the word can only mean one thing … UNEARNED FAVOR!

Most people think God looked down through time to see who would believe on Him and elected them accordingly.

But that means that person earned salvation by believing, and God had to choose that person because of what they did.

But NO!

GRACE IS UNEARNED FAVOR, and since no one has earned, or merited God’s salvation and favor, then it stands to reason that God must choose, or elect, whomever He decides.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Pride And Humility” (22:45 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: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Mercy For The Worst

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

There was never a more evil king in the history of Israel than Manasseh. Scripture says, Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do WORSE than the heathen. “So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 33: 9)

As a result of the sins of Manasseh and the sins of Israel, judgment and wrath came down upon Israel as a nation.

They were delivered into captivity and suffered many things.

And then it says, ‘And when (Manasseh) was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto Him: and he was intreated of (God), and heard his supplication… and (Manasseh) took away the strange gods and idol… and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.’

“And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 33: 12-16)

How amazing and wonderful is the mercy of God!

It is higher than the heavens.

The Lord is merciful to the worst of men and will pardon all manner of sin.

The Lord is able to save to the uttermost.

He is able to save the most sinful and rebellious man on earth.

There are no impossible cases with the all powerful Lord of Heaven and earth.

If there is hope for the likes of Manasseh, surely there is hope for you, O’ chief of sinners.

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Words of The Preacher” (23:05 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Purpose Of The Church

”And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.” | 1 Kings 8: 20-21

This was Solomon’s declaration concerning the temple he built, which is the purpose of the church.

The church (people of God) is the temple of God, wherein the Name of the Lord is proclaimed, worshipped and honored.

And it is the place where you will hear the gospel of Christ… Whom the Ark of the covenant represents.

This is the sole purpose of the church, the pillar and ground of the truth; to honor God and preach Christ and Him crucified.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Where Is The God of Judgment” (15:43 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Miracle Of Salvation

”Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” | Romans 3: 19

The Lord Jesus Christ performed many miracles while upon this earth.

He cast out devils, healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf; He raised the dead.

While these miracles certainly prove Him to be the Christ, they are also illustrations of how the Lord saves sinners.

Every sinner the Lord saves, is all these things… possessed by a devil, a sinful leper, deaf, dumb, blind and dead in sin.

Salvation is a miracle of God’s sovereign grace and power.

Nothing more or less can save a sinner but the power of Christ; the Word Truth, the gospel.

May the Lord be pleased to perform a miracle today.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “What The Law Saith” (16:54 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Blasphemous Modern Preaching

”For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” | Malachi 2: 16-17

Modern preaching in mainstream religion is this: ‘God loves you and wants to save you if you will let him, and he sent Jesus to die for your sins. So if you will accept him as your personal savior and start living right and coming to church, you will be saved.’

This is the so-called gospel of every false preacher and false church throughout the world.

That false gospel is not only blasphemous and dishonoring to God and His Son, but is completely contrary to the Word of God and the Truth of the Gospel.

It is also contrary to good sense.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 21)

What kind of ‘god’ is he, who wants to do something but cannot because puny man won’t let him?

That’s no ‘God’ at all, but a pathetic failure and an idol.

If I am more powerful than him, I am more god than he is.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13: 8)

What kind of god is he who needs to be ‘accepted’ by mortals?

Man is the one on trial, not God.

It is up to God to accept man, not vice versa.

And what kind of love is it that is helpless to do anything for me, or worse yet, stands by while I am perishing and will not save me?

Why, my love for my child is not that weak!

If I see her fall, I go pick her up.

If I see her in danger, I go save her from it.

And if the blood was shed for every person and some are now in hell, what good did it do?

“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: 12)

Listen to what scripture says of God, Christ, His love and salvation. ‘GOD WILL WORK AND WHO SHALL LET IT?’ “Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?” (Isaiah 43: 13)

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Where Is The God of Judgment” (15:43 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 22 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Seeking God’s Will

“Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” | Isaiah 40: 10-11

Every believer desires to do the Lord’s will.

He wants to do what the Lord’s Word says.

And I believe that for every situation we face and every decision we are to make there is a scriptural example or principle given.

If we seek diligently we will find the answer to every question regarding what the Lord would have us to do.

Like the faithful Father that He is, He never leaves His children without clear instruction.

His Word is a “lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path.”

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3: 6)

If we really want direction from the Lord, He will give it.

Most of the time we have not because we ask not, and sometimes we ask not because we may already know the answer and do not really want to do what we know should be done.

It is sad but that is the flesh.

May God deliver us from it and make us willing and obedient to do His will.

I submit three things that I believe can be applied to every decision we need to make; every situation which arises that we need an answer as to what to do. Examine everything using these criteria…

  1. IS IT FOR GOD’S GLORY? — Is what I am about to do or where I am about to go in the best interest of God’s glory? Will God receive more glory in this way or another? “Whether we eat or drink, do all for the glory of God.”
  2. IS THIS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH? — How is this decision going to affect the church of which I am a member and vitally joined to? No believer is independent, but is a member of the body. Everything we do affects the church. We need to guard against anything which may bring reproach upon our God and His church, and we need to seek ways to serve the body and not ourselves. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” “And all that believed were together, and had all things common.”
  3. HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT MY FAMILY’S SPIRITUAL GOOD? –- If I have a husband, wife, son or daughter; everything I do, every decision I make affects them in some way. I must lay aside my personal desires in favor of them. I must do what is best for their spiritual good. “…as Christ loved the church.”

The very last consideration (and perhaps no consideration at all), is my own personal desires or happiness.

“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Arm Of The Lord” (37:21 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Honouring The Lord With Our Substance

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” | Proverbs 3: 9-10

Modern false preachers promise great returns on your money if you will but send it to them; much like one would invest in the stock market for quick and easy gain.

But the believer’s motivation for giving is God’s grace and charity toward him or her.

Since everything we have has been freely given (loaned) to us, therefore we give back a portion of what belongs to the Lord anyway.

The believer gives out of heartfelt gratitude and a desire to see the work of the gospel prosper.

The believer gives because he wants to, needs to, and because he knows it is his reasonable service.

The Lord will bless those who give in this way.

Although we are not to give in order to be blessed, yet the Lord will bless those who give willingly, lovingly and cheerfully.

Didn’t He say, “It is more blessed to give than receive”?

David, the king, observed the people giving willingly and generously (as did he) and thanked the Lord that they did so. “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29: 10-17)

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

When God saves someone, He makes them willing in the day of His power; He makes them willing worshippers, subjects, servants, followers and supporters.

Someone said, when God saves a man he saves his wallet too; meaning, when a soul is liberated that person becomes liberal with their money.

Know something?

It is not our money, but a loan from our Lord.

The above scripture is a promise from God Who cannot lie.

He tells us to give the first fruits… not what is left over.

Why is it we do not have anything left over to give?

Along with our own covetousness and greed, perhaps it is because we do not first honour the Lord with our substance.

If this be true with us, we should not wonder at our financial difficulties.

God is not going to bless someone who first thinks of himself and lavishes himself with things, while reluctantly or grudgingly giving a little (if anything) back to the One Who gave it all.

How can this be? Consider what He gave… Himself.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” God honours His word and honours those who honour Him by doing what He says.

Listen to the following scripture, better yet, turn to it and read it for yourself.

Listen carefully… “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3: 8-10)

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “O’ Our God, We Don’t Know What To Do” (45:57 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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A Peculiar People In Perilous Times

”Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” |

The saints of God have doubts and fears.

They sometimes feel that they have no faith at all, and because of their sinfulness, they feel they may not be one of God’s elect after all.

But ask them where all their hope and trust is found and they will quickly tell you Christ is their only hope.

No true believer puts any hope of eternal life in his works, goodness, or faith, but all his hope is in Jesus Christ.

And that is a good hope; a sure hope.

And according to God’s promises, all who put their trust in Him are saved and shall be saved.

There are no doubts in the mind of God’s people as to Who does the saving.

They all know “Salvation is of the Lord.”

And they all know how God saves: through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They all doubt themselves but never doubt God’s Word of Truth, the Gospel.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Peculiar People in Perilous Times” (50:57 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: 8 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a