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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

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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

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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

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TOTAL DEPRAVITY

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” | Ephesians 2: 1-3

All men, by nature, since the sin and fall of our first father Adam are guilty and helpless sinners before God.

By God’s own arrangement Adam was the representative of all mankind before God, so that when Adam sinned, we all sinned in him. When Adam suffered the penalty of sin, death, we all died.

This is clearly the doctrine of Holy Scripture. “By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5: 12)

The guilt of Adam’s sin was imputed to all men without exception. “By the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation” (Romans 5: 18)

All men were in Adam as our representative before God. All men sinned in Adam. All men were condemned in Adam. All men are born in spiritual death.

We do not become sinners when we reach a certain age and commit certain evil deads.

We were all born sinners.

Being sons and daughters of Adam, we inherited our father’s nature – sin.

We are all born with a decided bais and tendency toward evil. Every member of the human race is born with a corrupt, sinful heart, which is capable of every evil thing, were it not restrained by the hand of God in providence.

This is what the Son of God says about the natural human heart, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15: 19) Because our hearts are evil, everything we do is marred by the pride and selfishness and evil of our hearts. We do not have the ability, the will, or the potential to do a single thing that is truly and perfectly good and righteous. “There is none righteous… There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3: 10,12)

Because all men are spiritually dead in trespasses and in sins, all men are utterly helpless by nature. We do not have the ability to obey the law of God.

Salvation comes by believing on Christ, but dead sinners cannot believe.

The Bible doctrine of toal depravitly is just this: All men by nature are sinful, guilty, and helpless.

Unless God intervenes and does for man what man cannot do for himself, all men will perish. “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2: 9)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Died For The Ungodly”

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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

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THE FAMILY OF GOD

“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.” | Isaiah 43: 1

All those adopted into God’s family should cultivate a continual care and concern for each family member.

How can we do this?

Look at what the Scriptures say:
“Care one for another.” (I Corinthians 12: 25)
“Love one another.” (John 13: 34)
“Pray for one another.” (James 5: 16)
“Comfort one another.” (I Thessalonians 4: 18)
“Admonish one another.” (Romans 15: 14)
“Edify one another.” (I Thessalonians 5: 11)
“Be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 50)
“Forgive one another.” (Ephesians 4: 32)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Precious Promises Of The Gospel”

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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: 26 September, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Saints of God

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” | Romans 1: 7

Who are these saints to whom Paul is writing?

Every believer who is saved by the grace of God is a saint.

We are totally sanctified in the Lord Jesus Christ, by His effectual blood sacrifice for us. (Hebrews 10: 14; 1 Peter 1: 18-20)

The Lord Jesus Christ is made to the believer sanctification; He is our total sanctification before God the Father. (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

There is no such thing as progressive sanctification.

We grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3: 18) but our wicked flesh is never sanctified in our salvation. (Romans 7: 18-24) Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit making us new creatures in Christ, giving unto us a new holy nature in the new birth. (2 Corinthians 5: 17, 2 Peter 1: 4)

That which is of the flesh is just that flesh but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3: 6; Ephesians 4: 24)

Thank God salvation is all of grace! (1 Peter 5: 10)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “What Is 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 October, 2020 | Previous post date: 8 February, 2021

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Salvation Is Of The Lord

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” | Psalm 37: 39

What glorious and blessed truth that shines on every page of Holy Scripture.

We as needy, great and guilty sinners need a mighty and victorious Saviour, who is almighty to save. (Isaiah 63: 1; Hebrews 7: 25) The Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer and remedy for our sin. He is the Saviour that saves, (Matthew 1: 21) the Redeemer that delivers and justifies. (Galatians 1: 3-5; Romans 5: 6)

What a full and complete revelation God gives of His, so great salvation it is ALL of the Lord. (Hebrews 2: 3)

Notice each of these five words:

1). Salvation; is the total and complete deliverance from all our sin. From the penalty, guilt and power of sin to condemn us. (Romans 8: 1; Romans 8: 32-35)

2). Salvation IS; because our great God is the God of salvation. God is love. (1 John 4: 8-10) God is good. (Psalm 73: 1) God is merciful and delights to show it to sinners. (Micah 7: 18-19; 1 Timothy 1: 15)

3). Salvation is OF …Not of works, not of merit, not of the law but rather all of grace alone. (2 Corinthians 8: 9; Acts 15: 11; 2 Timothy 1: 9)

4). Salvation is of THE Lord, there is just one way of salvation. Our Lord plainly said that He is The Way, The Truth, The Life, The Door, The Light, The Bread of life, The Good Shepherd, and The Resurrection. (John 14: 6; John 10: 9; John 8: 12; John 6: 35; John 11: 25)

5). Salvation is of the LORD; the Lord Jesus Christ. It is who He is that gives infinite power to what He accomplished for us upon the cross. (Acts 20: 28) Christ crucified is the only sacrifice for sin. (1 Corinthians 2: 2) The Lord did not die to make an effort to put away sin but rather to make complete atonement for sin of His people that God might be the just God and Saviour. (1 John 4: 10; John 19: 30)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Is Not This The 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: 10 October, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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I Commend You To God

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” | Acts 20: 32

As Paul departs from the elders from Ephesus he gives them this good and true word by inspiration of God. (2 Timothy 3: 16) It was not only good for those to hear in that day but also for us today. (Romans 10: 17)

What blessing to be given over to the total care and keeping of the Lord Jesus Christ; the good, great and chief Shepherd of the sheep. (Psalm 23: 1-4) We are truly and fully in His almighty hands, (John 10: 27-30) kept by His power, (1 Peter 1: 5) justified by His grace, (Romans 3: 24) redeemed by His blood (1 Peter 1: 18) and blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. (Ephesians 1: 3)

But the apostle Paul also adds to that recommendation, “To the word of His grace;” this is the same as the gospel of His grace that is the power of God unto salvation, (Acts 20: 24; Romans 1: 16) who is also the God of all grace and glory. (1 Peter 5: 10)

And then Paul tells us what the word of His grace will do for the believer in Christ, “Which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance;” not puff us up with religious pride but rather build us up in faith, grace and love in Christ. Our Lord said, “Upon this rock, (foundation) I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Isaiah 28: 16; Matthew 16: 18)

The Lord Jesus Christ is our total and complete inheritance. (Romans 8: 17; Ephesians 1: 11; 1 Peter 1: 3)

These blessings of the gospel are sovereignly and exclusively given only to those that are sanctified in Christ; (1 Corinthians 1: 30) “Among all them which are sanctified.”

How are sinners sanctified?

Not by anything we do!

But rather upon the sacrifice of Christ for us, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10: 14)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Jesus Christ Cannot Fail”

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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: 22 August, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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THE BODY OF CHRIST

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. | 1 Corinthians 12: 27

All of God’s elect make up the body of Christ, His church. (Matthew 16: 18; Ephesians 1: 3-6)

All who Christ Jesus redeemed with His precious blood, make up the body of Christ. (Acts 20: 28; 1 Peter 1: 18; Revelation 5: 9-12) All who are regenerated by God the Holy Spirit, make up the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12: 13; Ephesians 2: 1-4; 1 Peter 1: 23) All who are made to believe the true gospel, make up the body of Christ. (John 5: 24; Galatians 3: 26)

Therefore, any earthly organization or religious cult that sets itself as the “body of christ” proclaiming they have authority to put sinners into Christ or remove them at their own discretion and power to wash away sin, is truly an abomination to Almighty God, a discredit to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and totally contrary to the whole testimony of God.

Salvation, as it is taught from Genesis to Revelation is of the Lord; from election, to justification, to sanctification, to reconciliation, to regeneration and to glorification. (Romans 8: 28-30; 1 Corinthians 1: 30-31; 2 Timothy 1: 9: Titus 3: 5-7)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “What God Does Is Forever”

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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: 31 August, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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TRUE OR COUNTERFEIT FAITH

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” | Hebrews 3: 12)

Here, the Holy Spirit gives us the evidence of that God-given faith of God’s elect, and the evidence of counterfeit faith which the flesh produces.

True faith will take heed to the warnings of scripture, and search the heart for evidences of unbelief and cry out to God for aid. On the other hand, sham faith is full of presumption and looks to something other than Christ for assurance.

True faith will persevere to the end because it is fastened to a living person, Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2: 4) while imitation faith will end in failure because it is resting on some false grounds of hope. (Isaiah 28: 17)

True faith in time of trial will bring the believer closer to His Lord, knowing the trial is from His hand and for our good. (Romans 8: 28) On the other hand bogus faith in time of trouble will result in the person departing from the gospel and from those who believe. An evil heart of unbelief is always manifested by departing from the living God. John said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for had they been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (John 2: 19)

Let us not be afraid to examine ourselves to see whether we be in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13: 5)

True faith is willing to submit to the word of God because it is the foundation of faith. (John 6: 66-69)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Heirs According to the Promise”

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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: 31 August, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky