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The Pity Of God

”Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” | Psalm 103: 13

God pities His children, because they are pitiful. To pity someone, it has to come from the heart and from the affections.

God Almighty pities His children from His heart and from His affections.

Pity also means to have compassion, to be tenderhearted.

Our covenant God showed His affections, His compassions and His heart in sending His Blessed Son into this world to be our Savior, to redeem us by His own blood.

OH what love, what compassion was shown toward those for whom Christ died, to accomplish a perfect, complete salvation for His people!

Thank God for His pity, His affections and His compassion given us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “An Ordered Betrayal”

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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: 25 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Waiting On The Lord

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” | Micah 7: 7

Here are three reasons why God’s people are happy to wait on their Lord:

  1. Our example and reason for waiting – which is Christ! He waited on us that He might be gracious to us, and have mercy upon us. “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30: 18)
  2. The danger of NOT waiting! When we do not wait on the Lord for the direction of His will and purpose, we bring nothing but heartache to ourselves. Israel “…soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psalm 106: 13-15)
  3. The promises from God at the end of waiting! “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…” (Psalm 27: 14) “…those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm 37: 9) “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” (Isaiah 64: 4)

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “We Will Rejoice In Thy Salvation” (28:12 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 5 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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It Is Good For Me That I Am Afflicted

”It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy ways.” | Psalm 119: 71

God’s ways and God’s word are best learned by experience and in time of trouble.

When our Lord is pleased to lay his hand heavily upon us, we do not soon forget the lessons learned.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3: 19)

When the Lord singles out a believer or a church for special affliction and adversity, it is not for punishment nor lack of love for them; it is for eternal blessings and because He does love them.

“Whom the Lord loveth” he chastens, corrects, and teaches!

When Job sat before his friends, who was afflicted?

The one God loved!

When Paul stood before King Agrippa, who wore the chains?

The one God loved!

Humanly speaking, which path of life would you prefer to live on earth, that of Esau or Jacob?

Esau had the life of prosperity and ease; Jacob was full of trouble and conflict.

But God loved Jacob!

Thank God he has not left us alone!

Thank God he has loved us in Christ and is pleased to teach us his ways by dealing with us in such a way that we are weaned from the world and find our life, comfort, and hope only in him.

“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12: 8)

A person who measures his blessings and relationship with God by his prosperity, health, happiness, and worldly comforts makes a fatal mistake.

Paul wrote, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

He who sends the trial for his glory and my good will supply the grace sufficient.

Those who know the Redeemer also know that when we are weak, we are strong; when we are poor, we are rich; when we are empty, we are full; and when we die, we live!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Joy After Chastening” (44:48 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 3 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Seeking God’s Will

“Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” | Isaiah 40: 10-11

Every believer desires to do the Lord’s will.

He wants to do what the Lord’s Word says.

And I believe that for every situation we face and every decision we are to make there is a scriptural example or principle given.

If we seek diligently we will find the answer to every question regarding what the Lord would have us to do.

Like the faithful Father that He is, He never leaves His children without clear instruction.

His Word is a “lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path.”

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3: 6)

If we really want direction from the Lord, He will give it.

Most of the time we have not because we ask not, and sometimes we ask not because we may already know the answer and do not really want to do what we know should be done.

It is sad but that is the flesh.

May God deliver us from it and make us willing and obedient to do His will.

I submit three things that I believe can be applied to every decision we need to make; every situation which arises that we need an answer as to what to do. Examine everything using these criteria…

  1. IS IT FOR GOD’S GLORY? — Is what I am about to do or where I am about to go in the best interest of God’s glory? Will God receive more glory in this way or another? “Whether we eat or drink, do all for the glory of God.”
  2. IS THIS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH? — How is this decision going to affect the church of which I am a member and vitally joined to? No believer is independent, but is a member of the body. Everything we do affects the church. We need to guard against anything which may bring reproach upon our God and His church, and we need to seek ways to serve the body and not ourselves. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” “And all that believed were together, and had all things common.”
  3. HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT MY FAMILY’S SPIRITUAL GOOD? –- If I have a husband, wife, son or daughter; everything I do, every decision I make affects them in some way. I must lay aside my personal desires in favor of them. I must do what is best for their spiritual good. “…as Christ loved the church.”

The very last consideration (and perhaps no consideration at all), is my own personal desires or happiness.

“Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ.”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Arm Of The Lord” (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: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Forgiveness And Fear

”Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” | Psalm 133: 1

It will help us solely rely upon Christ if we think about what a weighty responsibility he gave us when he said with one spirit and one mind strive together for the faith of the gospel while at the same time we think about how powerless we are to do it without him.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Forgiveness & Fear” (32:55 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 29 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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When We See The Lord

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” | Hebrews 12: 15

A sight of Christ by faith brings peace to the conscience.

There is ever a war within, between the flesh and the Spirit, grace and nature, the old man and the new: the motions of sin in our members are ever warring against the law of holiness in our minds: wicked nature is like the troubled sea, which cannot rest; it is continually casting up mire and dirt: but the winds and seas of corrupt nature obey Christ.

He says, Peace, be still, and there is a great calm in the soul; for Christ is our Peace, he hath made our peace with God by his blood; he makes and keeps peace in our souls by his presence; our stubborn lusts will fight and reign if Christ be absent from our hearts; therefore, we cannot but be glad when we see the Lord.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “Keep Looking To Jesus” (35:00 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 22 March, 2020 | Previous post date: 18 September, 2021

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Blood Before The Lord

”Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.” | Exodus 12: 5-7

Note in the scriptures how many times the blood is said to be “before the Lord.”

Whether any man saw it or not was of small account, for it was offered for sin “before the Lord.”

“And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.” (Leviticus 16: 18)

When the passover lamb was slain in Egypt, where was the blood placed?

It was on the OUTSIDE of the door “before the Lord.”

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12-13)

He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2: 9)

The suffering and death of Christ on behalf of His people was “BEFORE the Lord,” UNTO the Lord, to declare the Lord’s righteousness, to satisfy the Lord’s justice, to fulfill the Lord’s purpose, to glorify the Lord’s character, to enable the Lord to be both just and justifier.

The atonement does not change the NATURE and CHARACTER of God, but rather the atonement HONORS and MAGNIFIES the character of God.

“Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38: 23)

The death of Christ is NOT the cause of God’s love, but the result of it.

God is not merciful because Christ died; Christ died because God is merciful.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (2 Chronicles 20: 21)

In order that every attribute might be expressed, glorified, and honored, God gave His Son to be the Saviour of the chosen people!

Thank God we have an atonement “before the Lord.”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Christ’s Blood Speaks” (34:48 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 3 March, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Constrained By Love

”For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” | 2 Corinthians 5: 14

Why do you folks read the Bible, pray for one another, attend worship services and support the preaching of the gospel so faithfully and generously?

Why do you help one another, comfort one another, and encourage one another?

Why do you share your blessings, work at the church, seek the well-being and happiness of others, and invite others to your homes and tables?

I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU!

All believers in the Lord Jesus are under the SWEETEST and STRONGEST constraint to do what they do; they are motivated by the LOVE OF CHRIST; His love for them and their love for Him! “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4: 19)

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 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: 11-12)

It is not fear of hell, desire for reward, nor concern for acceptance that excites us to duty, devotion, and works of faith, but Christ’s eternal love which led Him to redeem us by His life and death.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Humility of Preaching” (28:48 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Problem And The Solution

”O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” | Psalm 136: 1

We won’t make much headway in finding a solution if we don’t understand the problem.

A cure is not likely to be found if we have no knowledge of the disease.

In the matter of salvation, the problem is man’s sin; the solution is God’s grace.

The disease is moral depravity and spiritual inability; the remedy is God’s mercy in Christ.

If a man is near-sighted, he only needs corrective glasses, but if he is blind, he needs the miracle of sight!

If a man is sick, he only needs medicinal aid, but if he is dead, he needs the miracle of life!

If man has only strayed from the way, he needs directions, but if he is completely lost, he needs to be found!

So here is the question that must be settled by preachers and people alike: “What happened in the garden?”

When one feels obliged to come to some conclusions on the subjects of election, irresistible grace, and particular redemption it would be wise for him to first determine the condition of the sinner who is to be saved.

If man was only wounded by the fall he needs only assistance; if he is dead in sins, he needs to be resurrected and that by the purpose and power of the God of life.

If fallen man still has his moral ability and power of choice, then let us wait for him to choose and seek God, but if fallen man loves darkness and will not come to Christ, then Christ must love and come to him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Study of the Fall” (44:33 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 29 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Honouring The Lord With Our Substance

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” | Proverbs 3: 9-10

Modern false preachers promise great returns on your money if you will but send it to them; much like one would invest in the stock market for quick and easy gain.

But the believer’s motivation for giving is God’s grace and charity toward him or her.

Since everything we have has been freely given (loaned) to us, therefore we give back a portion of what belongs to the Lord anyway.

The believer gives out of heartfelt gratitude and a desire to see the work of the gospel prosper.

The believer gives because he wants to, needs to, and because he knows it is his reasonable service.

The Lord will bless those who give in this way.

Although we are not to give in order to be blessed, yet the Lord will bless those who give willingly, lovingly and cheerfully.

Didn’t He say, “It is more blessed to give than receive”?

David, the king, observed the people giving willingly and generously (as did he) and thanked the Lord that they did so. “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29: 10-17)

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

When God saves someone, He makes them willing in the day of His power; He makes them willing worshippers, subjects, servants, followers and supporters.

Someone said, when God saves a man he saves his wallet too; meaning, when a soul is liberated that person becomes liberal with their money.

Know something?

It is not our money, but a loan from our Lord.

The above scripture is a promise from God Who cannot lie.

He tells us to give the first fruits… not what is left over.

Why is it we do not have anything left over to give?

Along with our own covetousness and greed, perhaps it is because we do not first honour the Lord with our substance.

If this be true with us, we should not wonder at our financial difficulties.

God is not going to bless someone who first thinks of himself and lavishes himself with things, while reluctantly or grudgingly giving a little (if anything) back to the One Who gave it all.

How can this be? Consider what He gave… Himself.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” God honours His word and honours those who honour Him by doing what He says.

Listen to the following scripture, better yet, turn to it and read it for yourself.

Listen carefully… “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3: 8-10)

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “O’ Our God, We Don’t Know What To Do” (45:57 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: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia