The Revelation of Jesus Christ

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead” | Revelation 1: 17

John saw Him as the Great High Priest and fell at His feet as dead… and is this not how we, who know Him by faith, fall in our hearts before Him?

Many saw Him in the days of His humiliation but never saw His beauty, honor, or glory. But when John saw Him with the eye of understanding and faith, knowing Him to be the only Mediator before God for men, he knew Him as the only One able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

John fell at His feet in submission as one dead to self and in total need of mercy… and may we do so today.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Revelation of Jesus 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

A Good Opinion of Self???

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry…” | Colossians 3: 5

The first thing the Holy Spirit does when He comes into a person’s heart is this: He finds that person with A VERY GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF. And there is NOTHING which prevents a person coming to Christ like a good opinion of himself.

The Holy Spirit must lay bare that heart and let him see the loathsome disease of sin; uncover to him all the evil and defilement of the human heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17: 9)

But IT MUST BE KNOWN before the sinner will fall at the feet of Christ and cry, “Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner.”

Actually, the Spirit of God not only reveals the corruptions of our EVIL deeds, but the corruptions of our BEST deeds, until the convicted sinner weeps with Wesley and says, “Depths of mercy, can there be / Mercy still reserved for me? Can my God His wrath forbear? / Me, the chief of sinners, spare?”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

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

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

Preparing Ourselves For Worship

“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” | Ecclesiastes 5: 1

We couldn’t imagine the preacher stepping into the pulpit NOT being ready to preach!

We couldn’t imagine him NOT praying to God, begging God for His message of the hour. We couldn’t imagine him NOT earnestly asking for His blessing, and His Spirit in the delivery of His Word!

But have we ever stopped to realize that it is just as vital for us to be “ready to hear,” as it is for the preacher to be ready to preach?

How often do we come to worship assuming that our God will bless His message to our hearts? Our Lord said: “I WILL DO all these things for my people,” but in Ezekiel 36: 37 He said: “I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.”

Our Lord plainly told us: “Ask, and it shall be given you!”

Do you desire a blessing from His Word today? Ask Him for it! Enquire of Him for it!

Ask Him to bring you to the house of God PREPARED for worship! Ask Him to make you “ready to hear,” beg Him for His message of the hour.

Earnestly ask Him for His blessing and His Spirit in the hearing of His Word!

Lord, make your servant ready to declare! …and make us your servants “ready to hear!”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

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: 3 August, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

The Jailer Who Was Freed

“But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” | Acts 16: 28-30

I recently heard a charlatan preacher say, “Give the Lord a handclap.”

If I could, I would tell that man, “God is not worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17: 25)

God doesn’t need our hand claps.

God doesn’t have any needs. But we certainly do!

How amazing it is that God gives to all life and breath, and all things? Our Lord said, “He (God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5: 45) But how much more astonishing is that for the believer, “God shall supply all your need (singular and spiritual) according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Jesus Christ is the one thing “needful,” for life eternal. (Luke 10: 42)

The Lord Jesus provides Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for sin according to the riches of God’s glory, which is also found in Christ Jesus.

Is it any wonder that Peter said, “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)

~ Pastor David L. Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “The Jailer Who Was Freed”

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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: 3 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

PERSERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

“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,” | Ephesians 1: 4-5

According to the Word of God, all true believers shall continue in the grace of God until they reach their heavenly inheritance.

Not one of God’s elect shall ever perish. The purpose of God in election will not allow it. The purpose of Christ in redemption will not allow it. The grace of the Holy Spirit in regeneration will not allow it. And the Word of God, which has plainly spoken, will not allow one of the Lord’s sheep to be lost in the end.

God Himself declares, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never persih, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10: 27-28)

These five basic gospel truths give great comfort and joy to all true believers. We rejoice to declare to all men that we believe the Bible doctrines of Total Depravitiy, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonment, and the Perserverance of the Saints.

Only those who are opposed to the grace of God are opposed to these things.

In stating plainly what the BIble teaches about these things, the people of God are simply declaring what we know to be true, “Salvation is of the Lord!”
“By grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Bible Doctrine Of Election”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Faith Is Essential, But Not Meritorious

“Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” | Hebrews 11:6

Faith in Christ is essential to salvation.

No man will ever be saved, accepted with God, apart from true faith in Christ. You must believe on Christ, or you will perish.

But do not ever think that your faith is meritorious with God.

Faith is the instrument by which we receive God’s blessings, but it is not the meritorious cause of those blessings.

The blood of Christ alone merits God’s favor toward us.

We are never said to be saved and justified because of faith, but through faith.
– Faith receives Christ, but it does not merit Christ.
– Faith receives salvation, but it does not merit salvation.
– Faith receives grace, but it does not merit grace.
– Faith receives justification, but it does not merit justification.
– Faith receives forgiveness and righteousness from God, but it does not merit anything from God.

Faith is essential. Without it you will never be saved. But faith is not meritorious.

Faith, too, is the gift of God’s grace.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Where Is Your Evidence?”

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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: 3 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

“Blessed is the man whom thou choostest and causest to approach unto thee” | Psalm 65: 4

God the Holy Spirit comes to the sinners who were chosen by God in election and redeemed by Christ at Calvery and effectually applies the blood of Christ to their hearts, creating faith in them.

He sovereignly comes to men who are spiritually dead and gives them life.

Through the peaching of the gospel he regenerates all the elect and draws them to Christ with irresistible power.

The Holy Spirit does not try to get men to believe and come to Christ. With the effectual and irresistible power of his grace, the Holy Spirit brings sinners to Christ in true faith.

This is the doctrine of Holy Scripture: “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power”; (Psalm 110: 3) “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and hath learned of the Father, cometh to me” (John 6: 33)

In regeneration, as in election and redemption, “Salvation is of the Lord”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Don’t Come To 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” | John 6: 37-40

Before the World began God chose to save some men in eternal, electing love and predestinated them to be his sons by adoption.

God’s loving choice of his people was in Christ his son, whom he had appointed to be the Mediator, Substitute, and Representative of his people. Election was a sovereign and unconditional act of Divine grace. God did not choose his elect because he foresaw something good and meritorious in them. He chose his own elect simply because he will be gracious, and he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy.

God’s election of his people guarantees and secures their eternal salvation in Christ. All who were chosen by God in election and given to Christ shall be saved.

Not one of God’s elect shall ever perish. This is clearly the doctrine of the Bible.

All of God’s people rejoice in and give thanks to God for his electing love. “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)

The Bible doctrine of election simply says that all who are saved were chosen by God to be saved, because he loved them with an everlasting love in the very beginning, before the foundations of the earth were laid, “Salvation is of the Lord”.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31: 3)
“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)


“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15: 16)


“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matthew 11: 25-26)
“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)


“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)

This blessed gospel doctrine of Divine election, which so greatly rejoices the hearts of God’s people, is taught throughout the volume of inspiration.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Is Salvation Received?”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Number the Days

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” | Psalm 95: 6-8

Richard Baxter once said, “I preach as one who may never preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.”

We need to learn the all-important lesson, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement,” (Hebrews 9: 26) and live our days in Christ, awaiting His call.

It is so foolish to set our affection on a dying world and its short-lived comforts and relationships.

Ryle said, “For a moment of time, men lose a glorious eternity.” We are toiling and wearying ourselves about trifles, running to and fro like ants on a hill to build that which shall soon crumble, not realizing that in a few years we shall all be gone and another generation will fill our place.

“Lord, teach ME to number my days that I may apply my heart to WISDOM.” (Psalm 90: 12)

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Heavenly Arithmetic”

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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: 3 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

LIMITED ATONEMENT

“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: 4-6

The Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood at Calvery for God’s elect.

Christ died to redeem God’s elect alone, The Son of God did not shed his blood in vain, which would not be true if any of those for whom he died perish in hell. It was never our Lord’s intention to redeem and save all men. He even redused to pray for all men! (John 17: 9, 20)

It would be absurd to think that Christ died for men for whom he would not say a prayer!

The sin atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ is limited to those who are actually saved by his blood.

In order for God to save his people, justice had to be satisfied, sin had to be punished, the sinner had to be slain.

Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world as the Substitute and Representative of God’s elect people.

Christ established perfect righteousness for us.

Dying under the penalty of sin as our Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ satisfied the claims of Divine justice against us.

Because the justice of God has been satisfied for God’s elect, by death of his son, God will never charge his own elect with sin. He imputes the righteousness of Christ to every believer, and rewards us for righteousness.

The doctrine of Bible is just this: when Christ died as the Substitute of his people, he effectually accomplished the eternal redemption of all God’s elect, those people for whom he died, all who believe in him.

This is what God says about the death of his son –

  • “For the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53: 8)
  • “It pleased God 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” (Isaiah 53: 10)
  • “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righeous servant justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53: 11)
  • “He hath made him sin for us; who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
  • “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3: 13)

No one who knows Christ can tolerate the notion that he failed in his work, that he tries to save men whom he cannot save, and that he died to redeem some who are not redeemed.

Such doctrine robs Christ of his glory in redemption and destroys all hope for sinners. All of God’s people rejoice to know that Christ died particularly for them and effectually accomplished their redemption in his death.

“By his own blood he entered in once inot the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

We rejoice to declare that “Salvation is of the Lord”.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Who Are The Elect?”

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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: 27 October, 2006 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky