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Asking In Christ’s Name

”If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it.” | John 14: 14

Many have not taken the time to study to understand what is true in this promise of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They then complain that they have asked in His name and did not receive that which they asked.

What does it mean to “ask in His name?”

It means more than concluding a prayer with the words “in Jesus name.”

Some see that like a formula that guarantees being heard.

What does it really mean?

I’m convinced that it means these two things:

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” (Hebrews 10: 19)

(1.) To be fully aware as I am praying that it is only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that I am granted a hearing.

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26: 39)

(2.) That I must pray as He prayed.

It means to ask as He asked: that God’s will be done.

Would we really want the Lord to answer us in any other way than according to His will?

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “An Apostle’s Prayer”

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

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Faith, Hope And Love

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” | 1 Corinthians 13: 13

What great blessings the Lord has freely and eternally given unto His church!

“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?” (Romans 8: 32)

Indeed, Christ has blessed us with all spiritual blessings.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1: 3)

The apostle Paul makes mention of these three great and spiritual blessings that abide in every believer; faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Why would Paul say that?

Because it is true!

Every believer lives by faith. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1: 17)

Every believer walks by faith. “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

Every believer will die in faith, always looking to and trusting in Christ. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13: 5)

“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)

But one day faith will end in perfect and complete sight, when we behold the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3: 2)

Likewise, every believer lives with a fervent hope, a living hope and a blessed hope; because it is a good hope through grace. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2: 13)

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2: 16)

Hope springs from faith in Christ, for He is our hope. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11: 1)

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1: 27)

But the good hope we have in Christ, that too will one day come to an end in the certain expectation of the reality of that hope being predestinated to be just like the Lord Jesus Christ. “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)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” (1 Timothy 1: 1)

But the greatest of these gifts is love; the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit will never end. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5: 5)

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” (Romans 8: 38)

Our love for the Lord Jesus Christ had a beginning but it will never have an end. We only love Him because He first loved us. “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4: 19)

When did the Lord start loving His own?

From eternity in the covenant of grace! “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)

The Lord’s love for His church is a sacrificial love. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (Ephesians 5: 25)

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4: 10)

He laid down His life for His church. “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13: 1)

Oh how precious is that love for us!

May God grant us to be always thankful for this gift of His love unto us and may He cause it to grow in such a way as to glorify Him now and forever.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1: 5-6)

One day soon every believer will sing forever: “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.”

“Amen.”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Knowledge Too Wonderful for Me” (29:32 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: 8 August, 2021 | Previous post date: 2 September, 2021

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I Must Preach The Gospel

”For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” | 1 Corinthians 9: 16

The most humbling and challenging thing I face, the great concern of my heart is that my generation experience a return to the preaching of the gospel of God’s glory.

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10: 2)

We are plagued today with a gospel of works, a religion of form and ceremony, a zeal for God but not according to knowledge.

I pray for a return to the message God was pleased to use in other days to awaken sinners to their need for mercy; that message that reveals the redemptive glory of God in Christ; that message that humbles the proud Pharisee and gives hope to the chief of sinners.

If God is pleased to restore that message men will once again sense the awesome Holy presence of the Living God.

Gone will be the voice of the proud sinner who inwardly debates whether he will accept Jesus or reject Him.

Gone will be the haughty spirit that refuses to bow to the Lordship of Christ.

Gone will be the bragging of the religionist who boasts of his righteousness and what he has done for God.

Once again we may hear men cry, “Depth of mercy, can there be mercy still reserved for me, can my God His wrath forbear and me the chief of sinners spare?”

It may be that we will hear someone ask, “And can it be that I should gain and interest in the Savior’s blood?”

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9: 16)

I know not what course others may take, but I am determined to put forth every effort to preach that gospel every time I step into the pulpit.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Preaching for a Verdict”

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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: 10 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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How Is The Believer Dead To The World?

”And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” | 1 Timothy 3: 16

A young student asked his Bible teacher ‘How is the believer dead to the world when he lives in the world, works a regular job, raises a family, and owns property in the world?’

The teacher sent him out to the gravesite of a friend with instructions to criticize the dead friend, harass him, and find fault, and then praise him with glowing terms and brag on him to excess.

Upon his return, the teacher asked, ‘What did your friend say when you criticized him?’

‘Nothing.’

‘How did he react when you praised him?’

‘It made no difference to him; he is dead!’

‘That is what it means to be dead to this world,’ said the teacher.

Its applause means nothing and its hatred means nothing.

We neither admire the people of this world nor do we fear them.

The riches of this world are but the fancy of fools, and the honors of this world mean little or nothing; for to be a child of God is the highest calling.

The religious traditions and ceremonies of the world have no attraction nor meaning when Christ is all!

That which was once important to us we now consider loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, our Lord.

This spiritual life in Christ cannot be explained; it must be experienced.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Summary of True Religion”

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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: 10 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Where God’s People Will Be Found

”And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.” | Joshua 10: 6

I’ve heard it said, “If you wish to be disappointed, look at others; if you wish to be disheartened, look at yourself; if you wish to be encouraged, look to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We’re all frail creatures of the dust and in need to be reminded of these things.

”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)

As we, “run with patience the race that is set before us,” may the Lord direct our hearts to be, “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.”

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Where God’s People Will Be Found”

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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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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What Is The Gospel?

”Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” | Matthew 1: 21

When we feel oppressed and overcome by our sin and our sins, what a precious promise “He shall save His people from their sins.”

He shall save.

Notice the certainty of the language.

His people are the objects of this great salvation from their sins.

Here is what I need saved from… my sins!

He shall save His people from the punishment of sin.

He shall save His people from the power of sin.

We can now do what we previously could not do when we were under the power of sin.

We can now believe, repent, and love because sin no longer has dominion.

And one day, blessed thought, we will be saved from the presence of sin.

We will commit sin no longer.

We will no longer remember what it was to be a sinner.

Then we will understand.

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.”

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “What Is 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: 10 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Christ Receives Sinners

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him.

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

His words are words of life. “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)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

His words are words of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“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)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

This Man receives sinners! What a miracle of amazing and sovereign grace. “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)

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“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)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Believers Love God’s Salvation In 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 October, 2020 | Previous post date: 21 July, 2021

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No Preaching Is Better Than Bad Preaching

”Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” | Hebrews 6: 1-2

Some people are under the impression that when they are out of town on the Lord’s Day, they ought to go to some sort of church regardless of what kind of preaching they might have to endure.

I have been asked what I do when I find myself in a locality where the gospel is not set forth?

On those rare occasions when I am not preaching on a Sunday and in an area where there is no one nearby who proclaims the message of sovereign grace, this is what I will not do.

I will not go and hear a man preach “another gospel” which robs God of the glory of His free grace in the salvation of sinners.

I refuse to listen to any preacher who insists that God loves everybody, Jesus Christ died for everybody and the Holy Spirit is trying to save everybody.

I reject the idea that I ought to “go to church” even if it means I must sit under the ministry of a false prophet who instructs his hearers that their eternal destiny is dependent upon and controlled by their free-will.

As long as I have somewhat of a sound mind, you will not find me listening to a man who believes that there are sinners in hell for whom Jesus has already endured God’s wrath and paid their price of redemption.

I will, instead, remain wherever it is that I am staying to read the Word, pray and rejoice privately in the gracious Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ, “Who of God is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.”

Permit me to draw a parallel using a far-fetched illustration. I would always choose to remain at home and eat whatever is set before me with the full confidence that, though it might be a simple meal, it will be beneficial for me, rather than go out to a beautiful restaurant where I would be warmly greeted, led to my seat at a gorgeous, flower-adored table and then have to dine upon, at worst, food poisoned by the chef with arsenic or, at best, a plate full of sand and gravel.

~ Pastor Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “Things That Accompany The Salvation 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: 9 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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The Desert Years

”And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.” | Exodus 2: 23

It is striking how the holy truth of election was woven into the common speech of the early church.

When Paul greets the Thessalonians, he writes,” Knowing brethren beloved your ELECTION of God”. (1 Thessalonians 1: 4)

Peter begins his epistle with, “ELECT according to the foreknowledge of God;” and when he closes the same letter he says,” The church that is at Babylon, ELECTED together with you, saluteth you.”

John writes, “The elder unto the ELECT lady,” and closes the letter with, “The children of my ELECT sister greet thee.”

It was not at all awkward for election to come out even in these greetings and good-byes.

Why?

Because election was not merely a doctrine which they believed the Bible taught, but they worshipped the God of election.

Election tells us God is God!

and election tells us that salvation is all of grace.

This was doctrine that not only a few of the more mature believers believed, but it was woven into the ways and woof of the thinking of the early church.

It was the first thing Annanias told Paul about: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee”. (Acts 22: 14)

Remember this; you cannot separate election and God Himself.

He is the God of election.

The early church knew this, and the church of the 20th century knows it also!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “The Desert Years” (40:54 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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It Is Well With My Soul

”Yet it pleased the LORD 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

I love to hear a congregation sing the song “It Is Well With My Soul” with all of the parts joining in together.

I love the message of the song even more.

The one and only way it can be well with the soul of a sinful wretch like me is if Christ made His soul an offering for my sin.

Since I know from the Word of God that the Lord Jesus Christ did make His soul an offering for sin, my heart can rest in this truth: it really is well with my soul.

It may not be well with my decaying body of flesh.

I may be filled with sickness and pain, but it is well with my soul.

It may not be well with my mind.

My mind may be troubled and perplexed, but it is well with my soul.

It may not be well with the world around me.

The world may be filled with turmoil and hatred, but it is well with my soul.

Like the songwriter said, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Whom Shall I Fear?”

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