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A Letter To The Brethren

”James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 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: 1-4

We Thank Him For Giving Good Times But Do We Thank Him For Sending Trials?

James is writing to spiritual brethren in the Lord. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8: 5-8)

This is important to note because unbelievers will not, nor can not, understand, believe, submit and heed the instruction God gives in this word. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2: 14)

Be Thankful for Trials

The word “temptations” means trials.

All God’s children encounter a variety of trials.

Trials are never pleasant to endure. Yet, for the believer, whatever the trial, the end result will be the same. “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

First, trials prove that the believer’s faith is true. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 6-9)

Trials prove to us, to our brethren and to the world that our faith is the fruit of our full, complete, sufficient, reigning and ruling Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.” (2 Corinthians 12: 19)

True faith’s approval before God is Christ, its object. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3: 19)

Trials bring those with true faith to Christ’s feet while those who are playing a part are openly made manifest. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3: 11-15)

Secondly, every trial results in the believer’s spiritual growth. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10: 3-6)

The believer becomes more steadfast, more willing to endure persecution because God teaches him by experience the vanity of turning from Christ. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

This fruit is the product of the Holy Spirit working God’s will and good pleasure within the believer. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5: 3-5)

Trials convince the believer that faith is given, kept, and made immovable from Christ by the sufficiency of God’s grace and by the power of Christ resting upon us and in us. “” (Philippians 2: 12-13)

Trials always leave the believer amazed at the Father’s wisdom. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)

Through trials the believer sees that this vital union with Christ can never be severed. “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” (Numbers 14: 9)

No matter how hard the devil and his servants attempt to divide and conquer the brethren, Christ’s blood guarantees us it will never happen. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4: 4)

What a reason to be thankful for trials! But the Spirit of God teaches us something else here. “And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.” (Jeremiah 1: 19)

Be Patient in Trails

When the believer is faced with a new trial God is repeating the lesson learned from the last trial all over again.

Did not God prove to me that my faith is of him and kept by him?

Did not Christ teach me it is better to wait on the Lord than to take matters into my own hands?

After all the confusion created by my impatient attempts to remove the last trial, did I not end up seeing the foolishness of being drawn away from Christ toward my own selfish understanding?

Where did the last trial end?

Was it not at the feet of Christ from where I know I should have never strayed?

In the last trial, did my Intercessor not teach me that his continual prayers for me were the reason that my faith did not fail?

Did the last trial not teach me that his throne of grace is where I am safe?

Yes, he taught me these lessons through the last trial so that I might be less apt to waver from him in this new trial.

Yes, he taught me that patient endurance is looking nowhere else, hearing no one else, depending upon no one else but the all-victorious, Captain of my salvation.

But remember why it is that we joy in trials. Because when, in the midst of my new trial, I react as if everything depended upon me, my faithful Counselor brings me back to his throne of grace, teaching me once again that everything about me depends upon him.

He teaches me the same lesson over and over, “wait on the Lord.” “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27: 14)

The Hebrew word for wait means “to expect”. “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” (Psalm 37: 34)

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.” (Proverbs 20: 22)

When faced with a trial, the believer whom God has grown in the spirit realizes there is much he could say, much he could do, but he expects his Lord will save him from the trial, just as the Lord saved him from sin and wrath.

So he patiently waits with great expectations.

And he is never disappointed.

May God teach us once again to be patient.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “God Will Keep his Children Persevering”

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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: 6 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Effects Of Belief In Election

”And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” | Luke 10: 17-20

When we truly realize that the Lord of heaven and earth CHOSE US in Christ to salvation, REDEEMED US by His blood, and CALLED US by His gospel, it will have a seven-fold effect on us.

It will cause us to REJOICE! “O blessed is the man whom Thou choosest and causeth to approach unto Thee.” Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

It will promote HUMILITY! “Who maketh thee to differ?” Grace and pride are incompatible, impossible to exist together. We rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in this flesh.

It will COMFORT us in hard trials! “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” Even these work together for our good and His glory. When we trust Him, we don’t have to understand.

It will SUPPRESS self and sin! “We are not our own”; we are bought with so great a price. Therefore, we desire to glorify our Lord in our souls and in our bodies.

It gives us ASSURANCE! If God foreknew us, predestinated us to be like Christ, justified us, called us by His Spirit, if Christ redeemed us, interceded for us and is for us, who can be against us?

It makes DYING easier! The eternal covenant of grace in Christ was David’s pillow of rest and peace when he lay dying. He sought no other source of comfort and hope than the sovereign love of God in Christ. (2 Samuel 23: 1-5) http://blb.sc/00FOYf

It will assure us that our PREACHING IS NEVER IN VAIN! “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55: 11)

This cannot be applied to all preaching, ONLY TO THE PREACHING OF HIS WORD!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “My Name Is Written In Heaven”

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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: 27 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia https://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=centralatrockymt

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Who Will Be Justified Before God?

”For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” | John 5: 21-22

I recently asked a local religious leader: ‘who would be justified before God at the judgment seat of Christ?’

To which he replied, ‘I believe all good people will be in heaven.’

To which I said, ‘What is the basis or root cause of goodness?’

The religious man said he thought ‘that the standard to which we would gain eternal heaven was based upon how many goods works we produced.’

This man, like most religious lost people have no concept what God Almighty requires.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3: 10)

Because God is Holy and all men sinful, the best we can produce will never satisfy His demand.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64: 6)

The scriptures plainly and powerfully proclaim that, “there is none good, no not one.”

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3: 9-12)

Certainly, any thinking person would see that creature merit and righteousness is excluded in the scheme of God’s salvation.

“What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” (Romans 4: 1-7)

The only way any guilty sinner can be justified before God is to have a perfect justifying righteousness provided by God Himself without any contribution from the sinner.

This indeed is the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.” (Psalm 57: 2)

Salvation is based upon His performance, not ours.

No wonder the apostle said, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3: 8-9)

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

If any man thinks that he is justified before God by his good works he is tragically and dreadfully mistaken. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3: 5)

What a horrible rebuke of the effectual, substitutionary sacrifice and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, to entertain thoughts of self glory, self righteousness and self salvation! “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:” (Philippians 2: 6-9)

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16: 15)

Paul made this very argument to the Galatians church. “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2: 21)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 19-22)

The Lord Jesus Christ alone is all any sinner needs to stand in God’s presence justified. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” (Jude 24)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

Those in Christ by sovereign adoption, effectual calling, powerful regeneration and saving faith have no other hope nor ground on which to stand. “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13-16)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

Some might ask, “Is the Lord Jesus Christ enough?”

“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)

If the Lord Jesus Christ is all you have, God says that is enough!

Here is one of many scriptures that tells us this blessed truth, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Things Concerning the Kingdom of God”

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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: 14 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Don’t Believe It, He’s Not There

”And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.” | 1 Samuel 2: 1

The twenty-forth Chapter of Matthew has been the source of much speculation by men trying to predict the time of the Lord’s return.

The tragic irony is that most of the discussion and debate has been by the very ones our Lord was warning us to avoid.

Right in the middle of this glorious prophecy is a description of the “false Christ’s” and “false prophets”.

“Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Matthew 24: 26)

Here is the standard of measure we can use to try the spirits.

All false gospels declare Christ to be either in the desert or in the secret chambers.

Don’t believe it.

He will not be found in the desert of law keeping, the arid landscape of ceremony, or the dry lifeless soil of free-will.

Nor will He be found in the secret chambers of higher knowledge, deeper life, or an “anointed” charismatic experience.

No, when our Lord returns it will be just like when He comes to one of His elect in salvation.

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24: 27)

He comes suddenly, sovereignly, and surely.

Look for Him in His free, sovereign, simple gospel of accomplished substitution and full satisfaction.

That is the only place He will be found, and He will be found there.

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Rejoice in The Lord”

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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: 14 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Good News For Pilgrims

”These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” | Hebrews 11: 13

Let us go to Calvary to learn how we may be forgiven; and then let us linger there to learn how we may forgive.

~ Charles Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Good News For Pilgrims” 5

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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: 27 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Power Of The Word

”And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” | 2 Samuel 9: 1-3

Things will make us moral, but they will not last.

If man’s wisdom, learning, eloquence, or religious persuasion could reform, we would be a reformed people.

But, in spite of all the churches and religion we have today, wickedness abounds on every hand.

Religion has very little influence on our life.

Napoleon said, “Religion is to keep the poor from murdering the rich.”

Things cannot change the heart.

They cannot put into the heart the love and peace of God.

They will not cause the heart to bow to His will.

The only thing that will do this is the Gospel, the Word which the Lord has given.

The Gospel alone shows sin in its true light, and gives us hope of mercy.

When the Gospel is preached in the power of the Spirit of God, and it is received and believed, an immediate and wonderful change takes place. The sinner leaves all his other false hopes; he is freed from the slavery to this world, and becomes the willing servant of Him who redeemed him.

~ Pastor Milton Howard

Click here to listen to the message “A Picture of Mercy”

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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: 14 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Clean And Unclean Animals

”And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.” | Leviticus 11: 1-4

When God told Noah to fill up the ark with animals, He distinguished between the “clean and unclean.”

Clean animals were designated as those which “parteth the hoof… and cheweth the cud”

There were some animals which had cloven (parted) hooves but did not chew the cud, and there were some which chewed the cud but did not have the parted hooves.

These were declared unclean.

Why these distinctions and what are their significance?

When God creates a “new creature in Christ”; when He makes him “holy, righteous… CLEAN”, that new person then exhibits two characteristics: he parteth from his sin and cheweth on the gospel.

Repentance and faith is what I am talking about.

Every regenerated person has been given both repentance and faith; every one born of God repents and believes.

If not, he or she is not clean.

There is no true conversion without a “turning to God… “turning from sin” and “believing on the Son”… belief of the Truth.

Repentance and faith (parting and chewing) are lifelong characteristics.

Also, most of the “unclean” animals were FLESH EATING.

The new creature in Christ, the child of God, the true circumcision… “puts no confidence in the flesh.”

Brother Nibert said of the Raven which never returned to the ark, “it represents the religious man who… is satisfied with the dead, rotting works of the flesh.”

But the believer is only satisfied with Christ and His Gospel!

When he hears the gospel of Christ, he feeds on that gospel, he feeds on Christ Himself, and then chews upon it as a cow chews his cud, over and over, the same blessed gospel, which gets better the more you chew on it.

What about you?

Do you desire to part with your sin and do you love to chew upon the gospel?

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Salvation By Covenant Mercies”

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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: 3 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Man With The Unclean Spirit

”Go home to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee” | Mark 5: 19

The Lord had shown great mercy to this poor sinner, setting him free from demons and from sin.

Now He tells him to go home to his family and friends and be the Lord’s witness.

Do not go home and begin to preach.

Do not go home and take up the great doctrines of grace and expound them.

Do not go home and strive to bring everyone to your views and beliefs.

Do not go home and condemn all who do not see what you see.

Go home and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you! Not what great things you have read or heard, but what great things you have experienced!

“We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4: 5)

This is the way to begin our witnessing.

There never is a more interesting story than the story a person has experienced, lived, and felt.

If you would really interest others and get their attention, tell them what great things the Lord has done in you and for you!

Notice, the Lord said, “Tell them what great things the Lord hath done.”

It is a story of free grace.

Not what we did, willed, or gave, but what He did for us by his own free, sovereign, and undeserved love.

We will not convince them nor change them any more than another man could convert us.

But the Lord, who did great things for us, can do great things for them if He is so pleased.

“But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.” (Psalm 9: 7-11)

And He is pleased to use the faithful witness of those who go and tell “how great things the Lord hath done for thee.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Man With the Unclean Spirit”

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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: 14 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Our Sins And Our Guilt

”Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” | Acts 20: 28

As the people of God, we don’t deny Adam’s sin and guilt before Him.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3: 23)

We also confess and own that in Adam all have sinned, all have spiritually died, that we are all guilty by imputed and actual sin and imputed and actual guilt.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

However, I have never read in the scriptures of anyone praying forgive me for Adam’s sin, or Adam’s guilt.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5: 12)

Rather, the people of God are always praying, Lord forgive me for my sin, like the publican prayed, “Lord have mercy on me the sinner” or like David prayed, “Against thee and thee only have I sinned.”

We must understand, (and that only by sovereign revelation) that we are the guilty party, that we are ruined and lost and guilty before God.

Until we do, we will never earnestly beg for pardon, mercy or say with Job, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42: 5-6)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Church Bought With His Blood”

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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: 7 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Sound Doctrine

”I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” | Galatians 1: 6-9

There are but two schemes of religion in this world.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2: 9)

One is true the other is false. One is saving the other is damning.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

The two schemes of religion are free grace and free will.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5: 12)

Free grace declares that salvation is the work of God alone.

“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)

Free will declares that salvation is, at least in part, the work of man.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6: 63)

Free grace declares that salvation is conditioned upon the obedience of Christ alone as the sinner’s Substitute.

“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)

Free will declares that salvation is ultimately and finally conditioned upon the obedience of the sinner himself.

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1: 5)

Any doctrine that makes salvation, eternal life, acceptance with God, and the reward of the heavenly inheritance to be dependent upon, or determined by you, at any point or in any measure, is contrary to sound doctrine and must be rejected.

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (1 Timothy 4: 6-7)

To receive, believe, or embrace such doctrine will be damning to your soul.

Here are five points of Divine truth revealed in Holy Scripture. Anything that is contrary to, or in any measure diminishes these five points of sound doctrine must be rejected as heresy.

  1. TOTAL DEPRAVITY – All men by nature are both sinful and helpless, because all are spiritually dead in sin “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” (Matthew 15: 19)

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” (Ephesians 2: 1-4)

  1. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION – God, from eternity, chose a people in Christ whom he determined to save, without consideration of anything in them or anything that might be done by them “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 3-6)

  1. LIMITED ATONEMENT – Christ died for and redeemed his elect only. The benefits of Christ’s death are limited to the elect. His death effectually accomplished and secured their eternal salvation “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53: 8-11)

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10: 11, 15)

  1. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE – God the Holy Spirit calls sinners from spiritual death to spiritual life in Christ by the power of his grace, which cannot be successfully resisted “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” (Psalm 65: 4)

“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)

  1. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS – Every sinner chosen by God in election, redeemed by Christ at Calvary, and called by the Spirit in grace shall persevere in grace unto eternal glory, because they are all preserved and kept by grace. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10: 27-30)

“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:” (Jeremiah 32: 38-40)

Those who preach any doctrine contrary to God’s testimony, concerning Who Christ is and what He accomplished, we as believers should immediately identify it as false and reject it as heresy.

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11: 5)

Salvation is all of grace!

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

We were chosen by his grace. “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)

“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,” (Galatians 1: 15)

We are justified by his grace.

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2: 7)

We are saved by his grace. (Romans 8: 28-39) http://blb.sc/00F5OJ

We are called by his grace.

“It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9: 12-16)

We are glorified by his grace.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

From election to glorification, salvation is all of GRACE!

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Way They Call Heresy”

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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: 3 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia