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Complete In Christ

”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

Christ’s perfect obedience is our righteousness. “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.” (Philippians 2: 7-8)

His sacrifice for sin is our atonement. “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2: 17)

His word is our instruction. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3: 16)

His wisdom is our direction. “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2: 3)

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

His blood sacrifice is our justification. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 9)

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

His eternal love is our security. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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: 32-39)

His everlasting mercy is our hope. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3: 22-26) | “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)

His fullness is our completeness. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

His immutability is our strength. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3: 6) | “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13: 8)

His resurrection is the guarantee of our final glory. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25) | “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1: 18)

His intercession is the assurance of all our deliverance from sin. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2: 1)

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8: 29-30)

Tell me my friend, what could we possibly want for, when all the Godhead is engaged to make the believer complete in the Lord Jesus Christ, to His eternal glory?

“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, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1: 24-25)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Is Plenteous In 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: 13 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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The Importance Of Faith And Repentance

”And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” | Acts 20: 20-21

Paul, when giving these words of farewell to the faithful elders of Ephesus reminded them of his ministry when he first came among them.

Consider for a moment how important faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance toward God is. Our Lord said, “except that you repent you shall perish” (Mark 13: 1-5) Again He said, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11: 6) What does the scripture teach us about faith and repentance?

Here are seven things to remember.

1). Both faith and repentance are sovereign gifts of God given to the sinner.

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5: 29-31)

“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11: 18)

“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)

“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)

2). Both faith and repentance are the commands of God.

“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17: 3)

“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17: 29-31)

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” (1 John 3: 23)

3). Both faith and repentance own, bow, believe and submit to the true Lord Jesus Christ, the true and living God and His gospel.

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” (2 Timothy 2: 25)

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;” (Titus 1: 1)

4). Both faith and repentance are not isolated experiences of the believer, but rather a life-long state of being that is both powerful, permanent and perpetual.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 2)

“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,” (1 Peter 2: 4)

5). Both faith and repentance are not the ground or cause of our salvation but rather the fruit of life in Christ Jesus.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” ( Galatians 5: 22)

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

6). Both faith and repentance come together at the same time not apart from each other. Where you find a broken and repentant heart you find a believing heart. Read these testimonies from the word:

“[[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.]] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. gainst thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51: 1-10)

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7: 18-24)

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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: 7-9)

7). As repentance grows so does faith. As faith grows so does repentance. The deeper our conviction of sin, the greater our esteem of Christ, who put away our sin. “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9: 26) The deeper our faith grows in Christ, as we see more of His beauty, the more we see the repulsiveness of our own depravity.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 6: 5)

“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)
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1: 15)

One preacher of the past said, “When we have grown too big for repentance, we have also grown too proud for faith.” “When faith is tempted to climb to presumption, repentance brings us back to sit at the Master’s feet as little children.”

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13: 5)

Now, do I have real and true repentance that leads to genuine faith? Do I have real faith that leads to true and valid repentance?

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Important Is Faith and Repentance?”

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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: 9 December, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Covenant Mercies

”Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” | 2 Samuel 9: 11

Faith is necessary for salvation.

But we do not look to our faith to save us; rather, in faith, we look to Christ.

Repentance is necessary for salvation.

But we do not look to our repentance to save us; rather, in repentance, we turn to Christ.

There are graces, which God works in us as He saves us. But these graces are never to be the object of our trust, confidence or hopeful gaze.

All the graces God gives us in salvation are to be used to look to, turn to, appreciate, and lay hold of Christ, who is our Salvation!

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 9 December, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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I Think Myself Happy

”I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:” | Acts 26: 2

When the apostle Paul stood before king Agrippa he had been in prison for two years. (Acts 24: 27)

The Lord now opens the door for Paul to declare the gospel unto both Festus the governor and Agrippa the king and he does so by first declaring that he was a happy man. Paul was saying that he was abundantly blessed of God. That is the reason even though in bondage he was rejoicing in the Lord. He writes to the Philippians from prison in Rome and says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4: 4)

That is the exact case of every believer.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

“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. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Consider what David says in the Psalms about those who are blessed of God:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” (Psalm 32: 1-2)

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34: 8)

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee.” (Psalm 65: 4)

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” (Psalm 84: 5)

Even though we live in this body of sin and in the bondage of death and are plagued by many trials, heartaches and much grief, we should always consider our case to be the same as Paul: “I think myself happy.”

Believers are abundantly blessed in Christ above all people of the earth and have every reason to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and be of good cheer.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “To This Poor Man Will The Lord Look”

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 November, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Only Reason For Salvation

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” | 1 John 2: 12

There is only one reason revealed in Holy Scripture that any sinner would be pardoned from all sin.

That one reason is Christ alone. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4: 32)

Christ Jesus was manifested to take away our sin and in Him is no sin. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3: 5)

The only reason for grace is Christ. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

The only reason for mercy is Christ. “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)

The only reason for salvation is Christ. “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)

The only reason for sanctification is Christ. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

His name’s sake includes all these things and much more. “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5: 20)

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43: 1-7)

Salvation is not because of our merit, nor our baptism, nor our works, nor our prayers, nor our repentance, nor our faith; but for the sake of Christ, his blood, sacrifice and satisfaction; and it reaches to all our sins, original and actual, secret and open, past, present, and future.

“Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” (Isaiah 44: 21-23)

The only reason for our salvation is not found in us, but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Called, Chosen and Faithful”

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 11 April, 2021

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A God Ready To Pardon

”And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” | Nehemiah 9: 17

God, as He has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures delights to shew mercy and to pardon guilty sinners.

He has not left us to guess about His character. David said of Him, “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86: 5) His readiness to pardon is seen in His longsufferings to Israel. God’s dealings with national Israel are very typical of His dealings with spiritual Israel. Though we are no more deserving of mercy than they were, yet God in Christ Jesus has been pleased to choose, justify and pardon His elect. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3: 24)

God’s readiness to pardon His people is seen in the following points.

1). IN HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE! “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3: 8-12)


We must never think that Christ Jesus died to make God merciful. The death of the Lord Jesus is the result of the eternal purpose and love of God. (Revelation 13: 8) Before Adam’s rebellion ever took place, the remedy and redemption of the sheep of Christ was absolute and certain. (1 Corinthians 15: 22) Before Adam ever fell, Jesus Christ stood as the Surety and Mediator of the covenant of grace. (Hebrews 13: 20)

2). IN HIS GRACIOUS PROVISION! “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4: 4-7)
God at great cost to Himself, from His own bosom gave His only begotten, well beloved Son. (John 3: 16) God in His holiness and strict justice cannot simply give the sinner pardon, without honoring His justice. (Ezekiel 8: 20) Therefore, God took to Himself sinless humanity. Living as our representative He perfectly obeyed the law for us in all its precepts and penalties. (Isaiah 42: 21) (Romans 8: 1-4)

3). IN HIS SATISFYING PROPITIATION! “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2: 16-18) How can God be just and yet justify the ungodly; be a just God and Saviour? That is the vital question of the hour, which nobody is asking. The only way is for God himself to satisfy His own justice. (Isaiah 53: 10) This is what happened at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ died in the place of His people, as the sinner’s Substitute. Bearing the sin of His people being imputed to Him, He suffered for them to satisfy God’s justice. (2 Corinthians 5: 21) (1 Peter 3: 18). The atonement doesn’t change the character of God, it honors and glorifies his justice and mercy. ( Psalm 85: 10)

4). IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL! “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 17-21)


God in His infinite wisdom has devised very simple means to call out His elect. (Romans 10: 13-17) God effectually calls out His sheep through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 10: 27) Wherever His people are, whoever they are, God will cross their path with the truth of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8: 26-40) (1 Peter 1: 23-25) (James 1: 18)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Behold The Lamb 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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I Think Myself Happy

”I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews” | Acts 26: 2

When the apostle Paul stood before king Agrippa he had been in prison for two years. (Acts 24: 27)

The Lord now opens the door for Paul to declare the gospel unto both Festus the governor and Agrippa the king and he does so by first declaring that he was a happy man. Paul was saying that he was abundantly blessed of God. That is the reason even though in bondage he was rejoicing in the Lord. He writes to the Philippians from prison in Rome and says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4: 4)

That is the exact case of every believer.

Even though we live in this body of sin and in the bondage of death and are plagued by many trials, heartaches and much grief, we should always consider our case to be the same as Paul: “I think myself happy.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

“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. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Consider what David says in the Psalms about those who are blessed of God:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” (Psalm 32: 1-2)

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34: 8)

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee.” (Psalm 65: 4)

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” (Psalm 84: 5)

Believers are abundantly blessed in Christ above all people of the earth and have every reason to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and be of good cheer.

-Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Necessary Substitute”

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 November, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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To Him That Overcometh

”Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” | 2 Peter 1: 4

In the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 the Lord gives us some exceeding great and precious promises for us to enjoy right now and to enjoy for eternity.

Revelation 2: 7; “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2: 11; “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2: 17; “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2: 26-28; “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 3: 5; “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3: 12; “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3: 21; “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

How do we overcome the power of the devil and the evil of our sin against God; only by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? Revelation 12: 11; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

How do we overcome the evil of our sinfulness and unbelief in this life?

By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 1 John 5: 4-5; “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Thanks be unto God for the victory we have in Christ! (Romans 8: 37-39; 1 Corinthians 15: 57)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Our Sin and God’s Solution For Our Sin”

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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: 19 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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God’s People Are Blessed Above All People

”Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” | Psalm 89: 15

This Psalm declares in such a plain and powerful way all the covenant promises made with the Lord Jesus Christ that are eternal and certain.

Many commentators of scripture have called this Psalm, “The glorious covenant Psalm” and truly it is. We read about covenant mercies, covenant faithfulness of the Surety, the covenant God Who rules overall and the promise to the covenant seed being established forever in Christ Jesus. (Psalm 89: 4, 29, 36) He is a covenant God, therefore His covenant people must be blessed. (Ephesians 1: 3) God gives us this glorious description of His people in verses 15, 16, 17, 18 of this Psalm.

1). They know “the joyful sound of the gospel.” (Psalm 89: 15) The sheep of Christ know the effectual voice of the Great Shepherd and they delight to follow Him. (John 10: 27-30) It is the sound of victory over sin through His blood. It is the sound of love, peace and pardon in and through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1: 6)

2). “They shall walk in the light of His countenance.” (Psalm 89: 15) Their darkened heart has been illuminated through the preaching of the gospel and the quickening of the Holy Spirit to see the beauty, glory and necessity of their great Redeemer and King. (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

3). “They shall rejoice in His name all the day.” (Psalm 89: 16) Believers have every reason to rejoice in Christ alone and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philipians 3: 3) They have been redeemed, justified and exalted in His name. (Acts 4: 12)

4). They shall be exalted in His righteousness. (Psalm 89: 16) The perfect righteousness that Jesus Christ worked out for His elect has been freely, eternally and fully imputed to them that believe. (Romans 4: 6) Christ Jesus is the Lord our Righteousness. (Jerimiah 23: 5; Philipians 3: 7-9)

5). The Lord Jesus Christ is “our glory and strength.” (Psalm 89: 17) Without Him we can do nothing and know nothing. (John 15: 5) Any spiritual strength or spiritual knowledge that we enjoy and experience must be because of His grace worked within us. (Philipians 1: 6; Philipians 4:13; Colossians 1: 27)

6). “The Lord is our defense.” (Psalm 89: 18) We are unable to defend ourselves against our spiritual enemies, there are too many of them and they are too powerful for us even to begin to fight. However, our Lord stood face to face with all our enemies and won the glorious victory for us. (Psalm 98: 1) He defeated sin by making atonement for it. (Hebrews 9: 26) He honored the law for us. (Galatians 3: 13; Colossians 2: 14-15) He defeated Satan by crushing his dominion and power. (Hebrews 2: 14) He defeated death by raising Himself from the dead. (Revelation 1: 18)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Are You A Thirsty Sinner?”

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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: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Being Justified Freely

“But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.” | Psalm 63: 11

What does it mean to be justified?

I am sure that there have been many definitions given and I by no means can fully expound all that is involved in sinners being justified before God. However, I am sure that it means to be eternally pardoned from all sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1: 18) It means to be acquitted and vindicated of all charges before the holy justice of God. (Jude 24) It means to be made and regarded righteous in God’s sight. (Colossians 1: 21-22)

How are sinners justified?

By God as the source, “It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8: 33)

By grace as the spring and fountain, “Justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24)

By Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and blood atonement as the ground, “Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5: 9)

By His resurrection as the proof and evidence, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

By faith as the means to receive this salvation in Christ, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” (Romans 5: 1)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Psalm of a Thirsty Soul”

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 September, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a