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Sick of Love

”Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” | 2 Timothy 3: 1-4

Love is a word that is one of the most abused words in the world no matter what language it is spoken in.

I for one am sick to death of the love of this world and its abuse. What kind of love is it that causes men and women to live together without marriage? God calls it fornication.

Then there is the love that causes a couple to stand before a preacher, enter into a covenant before God and men, promising to love, and cherish, till death do us part. In a few months or a few years the love dies or even turns to hate. I am sick of this kind of love.

What about mothers and fathers who have children and tell them how much they love them, then start using drugs and would rather give up their children than their drugs or alcohol. I am sick of this sad excuse for love aren’t you? A couple gets married, one of them meets someone else and brings their new lover in over their children, who abuses them, verbally or physically, and they allow it for fear of losing their lover. Oh how sick am I of this love.

The world now rejoices in men loving men and women loving women, when on its face it is perverted and unscriptural, it is against nature itself. Are you as sick of this kind of love as I am?

One thing all these “loves” I have mentioned have in common is a love of self… a love of pleasure.

But there is LOVE that makes my heart full and thankful. The love of God for His elect that was manifested in the Son of His love. I rejoice that He loved us with an everlasting love, and that He commended His love to us while we were yet sinners.

It was His love that made Him go willing to the cross and shed His blood to cleanse us from our sins. Bless His name His love never changes, it is as God Himself, immutable. Having loved us when we were unlovable He will love us and keep us from eternity to eternity.

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Teach no other doctrine”

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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: 7 September, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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True Conversion

”Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” | Psalm 143: 7-8

When the Word of GOD converts a man, it takes away from him his despair, but it does not take away from him his repentance and sorrow for sin.

True conversion gives a man full pardon from all sin, but does not make him presumptuous. He continually is “coming to Christ.”

True conversion gives a man perfect rest, but does not stop his growth in grace, works of faith and labor of love.

True conversion gives a man security and assurance in Christ, but does not allow him to leave off being watchful. “Keep thine heart, for out of it are the issues of life.”

True conversion gives a man strength and righteousness, but it never lets him boast nor have any confidence in the flesh.

True conversion makes Christian duties, service, worship, and study to be a joy and a pleasure, never burden- some nor grievous, and certainly never considered as a way to find favor with GOD.

True conversion brings a man to live FOR GOD. He does what he does for the glory of GOD. True conversion brings a man to live WITH GOD. He seeks and desires blessed communion with the Redeemer.

The most treasured times are those hours of sweet fellowship with Him and His people.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Hear My Prayer, O 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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We Ought To Obey God

“Unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings.” | Malachi 4: 2

Oh, what a mercy for the Church of Christ that the God and Father of the Lord Jesus has not left her as He might justly have left her, to perish in her sins, but has provided for her a Saviour, and a Great One, and does from time to time encourage every poor, self-condemned sinner to hope in His mercy!

The very things, poor, exercised soul, that most try your mind are the very things that make such a Saviour suitable to you.

You are dark; this makes the Sun of righteousness exactly suitable to enlighten you.

You are cold; this makes you want the Sun to warm you.

You are cheerless and cast down; this makes the Sun to gladden you.

You are barren and unfruitful, and lament that you cannot bring forth fruit to God’s glory; so you want the Sun to fertilize you.

You are, at times, very dead in your feelings, and can scarcely find any inclination to pray, meditate, or read the Scriptures; you want the Sun to enliven and revive you.

Are not, then, these very trials and temptations necessary to make you feel that the Lord Jesus is the Sun you need, the very Sun that David felt Him to be, when he said: “For the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield?” (Psalm 84: 11)

What value do those put upon the Lord Jesus who make a fire for themselves, and walk in the sparks of their own kindling? (Isaiah 50: 11)

What is the Lord Jesus to those who know no trouble of soul?

What real and earnest prayer or fervent longing for His appearing?

What breathings to see and feel His blood and righteousness?

Oh! it is sharp exercises, manifold trials, and powerful temptations that make the soul really value the Lord Jesus.

~ J.C. Philpot

Click here to listen to the message “We Ought To Obey 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 September, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Greatest Privilege in All The World

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” | Ephesians 3: 2-4

BRETHREN, as redeemed sinners, we have the greatest privilege in all the world: to be counted among the people of God and gather with them to worship our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As enlightened sinners we have the greatest work to do: make known in this world the glories of the Savior who has saved us.

As children of God, we have the most glorious destiny in all the world: to be made like the Lord Jesus Christ. In light of these things, do not the troubles and disappointments of this life become small?

O, let us, with sincere hearts, press on to lay hold of the wonderful salvation for which God has laid hold of us, letting nothing distract us from the goal.

We will never regret the loss of anything which is lost for the sake of Christ. But, O, the regrets of the Esau’s of the world who for comfort, riches, worldly success, self-vindication, or anything else, draw back from their dedication to Christ and His gospel.

Brethren, at all costs, press on!

The end is glorious to those who persevere!

~ Pastor Joseph Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ”

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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: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Lord Of The Storm

“So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.” | John 6: 19-20

The exclusion and/or diminishing of the necessary work of God the Father and/or God the Spirit in the message of salvation for fear of not exalting the glory of Christ on the cross (or for any other reason) denies the very Deity of Christ our Lord.

For since Christ is truly one with the Father and the Holy Spirit then the omission of the work of one in salvation is the omission of the work of all in salvation.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Lord Of The Storm”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Since Christ Is!

“Lord, make me to know my end and the measure of my days that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

He that hath the Son hath life!

WISDOM . . . to be without Him is folly. No matter how much worldly wisdom one may have, not to know Him and worship Him is to be a fool. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. For the ox or ass to not know nor acknowledge his Master would be fatal folly. The fool hath said NO GOD.

RIGHTEOUSNESS . . . to be without Him is to be unrighteous (totally wrong). No matter how right one may think they are, or others may think they are, they are wrong in all that they are and believe. Everything they do, think and say is wrong.

SANCTIFICATION . . . to be without Him is to be unholy. No matter how moral, how seemingly good before men. To be without Christ is to be counted unholy, unrighteous, self-righteous, unclean, filthy, unprofitable and totally unacceptable to God. Yes, God is that strict and holy.

REDEMPTION . . . to be without Him is to be sold unto sin, in captivity to the god of this world, worthless, vain and waiting to be cast away from God’s presence as rubbish.

THE WAY . . . to be without Him is to be headed the wrong way. There is a way that seemeth right to men, but it is all wrong and ends up in destruction. Christ is the Way . . . the right Way, the only Way to God.

THE TRUTH . . . Everything and everyone else is a lie. All religions, doctrines, beliefs, messiahs, and those who believe and follow them are living a lie. Half a truth is a lie and only Christ is whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.

THE LIFE . . . to be without Him is to be dead! No matter what kind of life one may think they have, it is no life at all without Christ. They are not living the good life who merely have an abundance of things without any troubles, but are as lambs being fattened for the slaughter. Should we envy the fat cow who does nothing but eat and sleep? No, nor should we look on anything but eternal things as being true blessings. He that hath the Son hath life!

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Waiting for something good”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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The Lord’s Last Seven Beatitudes

”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,” | Romans 4: 1-6

We read in the Psalms many times about how believers are blessed in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32: 1)

Our Lord Jesus Christ also on the Sermon on the Mount gave us nine beatitudes we read about in Matthew 5: 3-12. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God.”

Then in the apostles Paul’s last word to the elders from Ephesus he gave the church the Lord’s words about giving, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20: 35)

But we also find in the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ the Lord’s last seven beatitudes given unto His church. What a great blessing the Lord pronounces upon every believer of the gospel.

Revelation 1: 3; “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

Revelation 14: 13; “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

Revelation 16: 15; “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

Revelation 19: 9; “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

Revelation 20: 6; “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ.”

Revelation 22: 7; “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22: 14; “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ give us grace to trust and rest in Him! (Psalm 62: 6-8; Isaiah 41: 10; John 5: 24)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “God Imputes Righteousness Without Our Works”

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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: 2 January, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The Scarlet Line

“And she [Rahab the harlot] said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” | Joshua 2: 21

God’s true messengers can not preach the gospel without preaching the blood of Christ Jesus the Lord because a gospel with no blood is no gospel.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God; …and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 18; 23)

God chose a people and promised to save them in covenant with his Son and Spirit. Then that people became totally ruined and guilty in sin. God’s holy character demands he must make good on his promise or his word is worthless. At the same time, the soul that sinneth it must die, or God’s holy justice means nothing.

The power and wisdom of God in Christ on the cross is manifest in Christ offering his fleshly body through the eternal Spirit and thereby perfecting a people forever. God’s Christ is eternal in his Godhead and thus able to obtain eternal satisfaction, one as Man with his people and thus able to die in their place. He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. So there, covered in flesh, covered in the marks inflicted on him by man’s depravity and hatred for Holy God and bearing the wrath of Holy Justice is not a helpless Jesus, but the Power and Wisdom of God! He suffered eternal wrath for each chosen child of God; he died the eternal death of each chosen child of God, but he rose and is the eternal Resurrection of each chosen child of God.

Now, he sits enthroned in majesty at God’s right hand with power over heaven and earth. He is sending forth the Holy Spirit to each one for whom he died; recreating an inward man in righteousness and holiness; gifting them with repentance toward God and faith in Christ; protecting each one as the apple of his eye. The God Man is both able to know the infirmity of the flesh and thus provide the comfort his people need while at the same time dwell as their Advocate with God.

Therefore all the glory in their justification is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their being made holy is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their being made a new creation by the power of the Holy Spirit is God the Savior’s; all the glory in their persevering belongs to God the Savior; and after the Lord Jesus has raised all to be with him ALL SHALL KNOW THAT ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD THE FATHER, SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

So as surely as that scarlet thread hanging there between Rahab and the spies bound them to one another in covenant mercy, so Christ’s blood binds — it is the New Testament in his blood – his blood is the scarlet thread which binds everyone one of his blood-bought children to him and not one shall be lost.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Power & Wisdom 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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A Sure Cure For Fretting

“And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.” | Mark 10: 48-49

David, a man after God’s own heart gives us some very inspired instruction and direction in Psalm 37: 1; when he says, “fret not.”

Surely, David writes to us with the experience of his own heart trouble, for he had much to fret about. Now, I will be the first to adrnit that our fallen, sinful nature is prone to fretting and worrying about most everything. Most of us have a worry-wart nature! Fretfulness and worrying are sins of their own punishment. How dreadful it is to lay awake all night worrying. But, David also gives us a sure cure for fretting in the following verses. He gives us a sevenfold cure!

1). TRUST IN THE LORD. (Psalm 37: 3) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will cure fretting! When we trust Him to provide all our physical and spiritual needs, (Matthew 6: 33; Philippians 4: 19) we find comfort. We don’t look to the deeds or strength of the flesh to find our comfort, but to Him alone. We are to trust Him at all times. (Psalm 62: 8)

2). DELIGHT THYSELF ALSO IN THE LORD. (Psalm 37: 4) Rejoicing in the Lord also is a sure cure for fretting! (Philippians 3: 3) When we are taken up with the glory of His person, the power of His atonement, the freeness of His grace sureness of His mercy, it leaves no room for fretting.

3). COMMIT THY WAY UNTO THE LORD. (Psalm 37: 5) The marginal reading is, “Roll the whole burden of life upon Him” Peter put it this way, “casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 1: 5) When we realize that our Heavenly Father does all things well, surely we can commit our way to His wise providence and stop our fretting. (Romans 8: 28)

4). REST IN THE LORD. (Psalm 37: 7) Our Lord Jesus Christ having accomplished salvation for His elect, entered into His rest. (Hebrews 1: 3) Let us learn by His grace to cease from going about to establish a righteousness (Romans 10: 4) and make haste to enter into Him by faith and rest. (Hebrews 4: 10) When we are busy resting we have no time for fretting.

5). CEASE FROM ANGER. (Psalm 37: 8) When we try to take the matters into our own hands, we are bound to create a sure mess of things. Remember, that the wrath of man will never work the righteousness of God. (James 1: 18) God will take care of the sheep and subdue all our enemies under our feet. (Colossians 2: 14)

6). DEPART FROM EVIL. (Psalm 37: 27) We are exhorted in the scripture to put off the old man with his deeds. (Colossians 3: 8-15) By God’s grace and power He does restrain the believer from living for self and to strive to live for the glory of God. (Jeremiah 9: 23-24)

7). WAIT ON THE LORD. (Psalm 37: 34) We wait with great expectations on the certainties of His promises. (2 Peter 1: 4) God’s purpose of grace and mercy cannot fail. (Isaiah 42: 1-4; Isaiah 43: 1-5)

Believer, fret not.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Jesus Stood Still”

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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: 2 September, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The Only True And Eternal Treasure is Jesus Christ

”Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.” | Genesis 18: 4-5

I read an article concerning the mysterious pyramids of Egypt.

King Cheop’s great pyramid is the only of the seven wonders of the ancient world still surviving. It covers an area of thirteen acres, originally was four hundred eighty one feet high and contained six and one half million tons of stone.

At Cheop’s death, his body was preserved, adorned with gold mask, precious necklaces and jewels and laid in the middle of his large pyramid.

His coffin was surrounded by valuable Egyptian furniture.

By careful planning and much labor the one and only exit was forever sealed. No one was to ever enter this royal tomb.

I had to chuckle when I read the close of the article, “Despite all these precautions, the burial chamber suffered the same fate as most of the royal tombs in Egypt: it was stripped of its treasures.”

I know many people just like old King Cheop.

All the treasures they possess are worldly, and they will soon be stripped of it.

The only true and eternal treasure is Jesus Christ and his benefits.

If you possess Christ, you are rich indeed and your riches are secure. They dwell where no thief can ever enter or break through and steal.

In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6: 20-21)

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Rest yourselves under the Tree”

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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: 2 September, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky