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Christ’s Atonement

”These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” | John 17: 1-3

Some people love the doctrine of universal atonement because, they say, “It is so beautiful. It is a lovely idea that Christ should die for all people on the earth.”

They say, “Universal atonement commends itself to the instincts of human nature; there is something in it that is beautiful.”

I admit there are some times when beauty may be associated with error; but while natural men admire the doctrine of universal atonement, I will show you what such a supposition involves.

  1. If Christ on the cross intended to save every person by His death, then He intended to save people who were already dead and in eternal condemnation; for there were myriads already cast away because of their sins for which (you say) He died.
  2. If it were our Lord’s intention to save all people, how deplorably has He been disappointed; for we have His own testimony, “Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THERE AT.”
  3. To imagine for a moment that our Lord was the substitute for the sins of all men and that God, the Father, having poured out His wrath on their substitute, afterwards will punish the sinners themselves for the same sins for which Christ died, seems to conflict with ideas of divine justice. In fact, to hold that Christ offered an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that some of those people will be condemned for those same sins, appears to be monstrous inequity! God forbid that we should attribute such conduct to our just and wise God!

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Christ’s Prayer and Work” (15:30 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 Remedy For The Fear of Man

”The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” | 2 Samuel 23: 3-4

The fear of God… drives away the fear of man , which brings a snare.

Christ says, “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12: 4-5)

Christ Himself proposes the fear of God as the great remedy for the fear of man.

Nor is there any other that is found adequate.

But this is enough.

How justly does God rebuke that fear of man: “Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor?” (Isaiah 51: 12-13)

It is not possible for us to fear God too much or man too little.

So surely as we have just conceptions of the eternal power and majesty of God, we shall have no tormenting fear of the puny arm of mortals.

~ William Plumer

Click here to listen to the message “Words to Live & Die By” (32:11 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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Live In An Attitude Of Thanksgiving And Prayer

”Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” | 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

The Apostle Paul says, “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God in all things”.

This is the will of God; that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks.

What we are, what we have, where we are, and all that happens in the life of a believer are all according to the will of God for us.

Let us rejoice in prosperity or adversity, and live in an attitude of thanksgiving and prayer, even when we have no particular request.

Very ungrateful is the man who does not set so high a value on the love of God, the righteousness of Christ, and the hope of eternal life that he allows anything in this life to overshadow that wonderful gift of grace.

How can I murmur and complain when I am a child of the King of kings?

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Saved and Gathered to Praise Him” (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: 17 April, 2022 | 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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A Thankful Person

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” | James 5: 7-8

A thankful person is truly a happy person.

It is not possible to be unhappy and thankful at the same time.

If a person is truly thankful to the Lord for saving their soul, that person is also truly happy.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “The Proper Attitude of Believers Regarding Trials” (40:09 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: 17 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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He Leadeth His Dear Children

”Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” | 2 Corinthians 12: 14

The silent influence of parental conduct is far greater, either for good or for evil, than most parents are aware of.

You teach by what you say, you influence by what you do; and also by what you do not say, and do not perform.

O parents, parents!

Take care what you are teaching your children by your example.

You are always influencing them for good – or evil.

You are leading them to Heaven – or to Hell.

Not a day passes, but you produce impressions, perhaps permanent impressions… either good or bad!

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “He leadeth His dear children” (40:13 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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Faith, A Gift Of God

”Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” | Romans 4: 16-17

Before any sinner can or will come to Christ, he must be born again.

Faith is the result, not the cause of the new birth.

That faith by which we receive God’s salvation in Christ is the gift of God.

“Salvation is of the Lord,” in its entirety!

It is not of works at any time in a believer’s life, God will never be brought into debt by the works of any man, He will never owe a blessing, all is of grace.

Faith in Christ is as much the gift and work of God’s free grace as election, redemption, and regeneration.

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” (Philippians 1: 29)

If you believe, it is because God has given you faith.

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” (Ephesians 1: 19)

You “believe according to the working of his mighty power.”

Faith is not the work of the sinner’s imaginary “free will.”

Faith is the gift of God’s sovereign grace, the result of God’s operation upon the heart.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Foundation’s of Faith” (38:42 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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Wisdom In Death

”LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

When we, by God’s grace, are wise enough to face death, judgement, and eternity, things are seen in their proper light.

“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” (Psalm 39: 5)

All these fine ideas of fame, fortune, and friends, and our so-called importance melts like frost in the sun.

“Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.” (Psalm 39: 6)

Death reveals the truth, blows away the chaff, shuts a man’s mouth, and opens the books!

“Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.” (Psalm 39: 8-9)

Death takes no notice of what I thought nor what others thought of me, but only of what God thinks.

“Oh, that I may win Christ and be found in him.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “David Deals With Death and Life” (29:01 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: 17 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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When God Is Displeased With A People

”And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” | Luke 18: 7-8

When God is exceedingly displeased with a people, it is not necessary, in order to their punishment, that He should bury them alive by an earthquake, or destroy them by lightening.

If He only leaves them to themselves, withdraws His blessings from their counsels, and His restraint from their passions, their ruin follows of course, according to the necessary order and connection of causes and effects.

If God gives up a people to the way of their own hearts, they will, they must, perish!

When a general corruption of morals takes place, when private interest extinguishes all sense of public virtue, when a profligate and venal spirit has infected every rank and order of the state, when presumptuous security and dissipation increase as danger approaches, when, after repeated disappointments, contempt for God, and vain confidence in imagined resources of their own, grow bolder and stronger, then there is reason to fear that the sentence has already gone forth, and that the execution of it is at hand.

~ John Newton

Click here to listen to the message “God Shall Avenge His Elect” (34:08 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: 1 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Trust In The Lord

”O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” | Psalm 84: 12

Trust in God implies total self-renunciation.

The moment that I trust in myself, I cease to trust in God.

The moment I take any portion of my confidence away from the Lord and put a grain of it in myself, that moment I take away all my trust in God.

My trust in God must be all or nothing.

It must be unreserved and complete, or else it is false and delusive.

Is not the Lord worthy to be trusted?

And if he is worthy to be trusted at all, is he not worthy to be trusted with all?

What real confidence could a man have in the wife of his bosom if he could trust her with one key, but not with all?

Is that full confidence?

So, if we can trust God for one thing and not for all, it shews that we have no real trust in him.

A man has no real trust in his wife who cannot give her all the keys.

A man has no real trust in God who cannot give him all his heart, and put everything into his hand; family, property, body, and soul.

The province and work of true faith is to put everything into the hands of God, keeping back no part of the price.

It is this secret reserve that God hates; there is hypocrisy on the very face of it.

Trust in God for nothing; or trust in him for all.

God will not take a divided heart.

Give him all, or none.

And is he not worthy of it?

Has he ever disappointed you whenever you have really put your trust in him?

But David saw how few there were that with all their hearts did trust in God.

This feeling seems to have made him say, “Blessed is the man,” that peculiar man, that rare individual, “that trusteth in thee!”

The blessing of God rests upon that happy, that highly-favoured man.

He is blessed for time and for eternity.

He has the blessing of God even now in his soul.

Oh! how rare it is for us to be in that sweet, blessed frame when we can put our trust wholly in God; trust him for life and death; trust him for all things, past, present, and to come.

Yet without a measure of this faith, there is no solid peace, no real and abiding rest.

And to this you must sooner or later come; for you cannot carry your own burdens without their breaking your back.

But when you can cast your burden on the Lord, then you will surely find sweet relief.

May we not, then, join heart and voice with David, “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee?”

Such a one will never be disappointed.

The Lord will hear his prayer; the Lord will bless his soul; will be with him in life, support him in death, and take him to be with him in eternity.

~ J.C. Philpot

Click here to listen to the message “Grace & Truth By Jesus Christ” (35:16 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: 17 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia