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Abandon Your Own Thoughts and Ways

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.” | 1 Kings 17: 1-3

Faith is not believing that God will do what I want Him to do, or what I think I need Him to do.

Faith is believing that God will do what He said He would do.

Faith in Christ is an abandonment of our own thoughts and ways, and a complete, unreserved trusting of Him as our Righteousness, Sin-offering and Sovereign.

~ Pastor Chris Cunningham

Click here to listen to the message “I Have Commanded the Ravens”

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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.

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Children Of Light Walking In A Dark World

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” | Ephesians 5: 15-17

There is hope for thee.

God has prepared a salvation for His elect, chosen by Him not because of any goodness in them, but because He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and will have compassion on whom He will have compassion.

Is this not a salvation that will suit thee, O poor sinner?

If God had chosen them out of any merit, or if that choice depended on anything which men did or could do, thou wert a damned soul, for thou hast no goodness, and thou canst do nothing.

If God’s election comes to those who are without merit, without hope, without strength, there is hope for thee

~ C.H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Children of Light Walking in a Dark World”

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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.

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“He Is All Our Righteousness”

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” | Psalm 95: 6

There is a song that we love to sing that says: “We have come into this house, and gathered in His Name to worship Him”!

That is the ONE and ONLY reason we are here!

We have gathered together in this place to Worship, and Honor, and Praise, and Glorify One Man!…

The God-Man!

The High King of heaven!

Our maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend: The Lord Jesus Christ!

“He is all our righteousness“!

The only thing that makes us acceptable to God, and worthy to stand in His presence, is the Blood that Christ shed to put away our sin. It is NOT by any works that we have done. All of our works are “filthy rags” in God’s sight! All of our hope is in the fact that He “By Himself purged our sins“! Because of that, “we stand in Him complete“!

“So, let’s lift up holy faith, and magnify His Name, and worship Him“!

If the Lord God has given us the gift of faith to see that Christ Is All!

If He has shown us our need for mercy, and given us a heart to cry out to Him for it… Then “Let’s Magnify His Name“!

That faith is the evidence of His work of grace! So even with a thankful and reverent heart, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Why Do Things Happen?”

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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.

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Look To Christ

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” | John 1: 32-34

The cry of every gospel preacher is look to Christ.

John the Baptist cried, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1: 36)

My friend, my cry to you is look to Christ for everything.

Don’t look for salvation in your obedience to the law.

Look to Christ who kept the law for His people.

Don’t look for salvation in your religious ceremonies.

Look to Christ who is “the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 4)

Look for atonement in Christ our Passover.

Look for rest from all of your works in Christ our Sabbath.

Don’t look for salvation in your doctrine.

Believer, look to Christ for your comfort, peace, and assurance.

LOOK AND LIVE and never take your focus and attention off of Christ who is our all and in all.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Stand Fast“

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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.

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We Will Be Glad And Rejoice In Thee

”Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” | Song of Solomon 1: 4

Another year is dawning.

We who are the children of the living God will not open the gates of the New Year in sorrow and mourning. We will sing unto our God. With joy in our hearts and gladness in our souls, we will make known his lovingkindness, his faithfulness, and his grace. “We will be glad and rejoice in thee!” The eternal God is our Father. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. The blessed Son is our Savior. Why should we not rejoice? We will rejoice. We are determined. Our God must have the crown of our hearts’ praise. We will be glad because of all that he has done. And we will rejoice because he is who he is.

We will rejoice because our God is God. “Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psalm 115: 3) God our Father rules this world. He is the inexpressibly majestic sovereign of the universe. He rules absolutely, and he rules absolutely well. All that he does, or allows to be done, is positively good for his people. He does all things for the salvation, the spiritual good, and the eternal felicity of his own elect. And he does all things for his own eternal praise and glory. We want no more than this. “We will be glad and rejoice in thee!”

We will be glad because of all that God has done for us in Christ. “Count your many blessings, name them one by one; and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!” He chose us as the peculiar objects of his grace in eternal, electing love. He redeemed us by the blood of his own dear Son. He has forgiven us of all our sin and justified us by his grace. He preserved us, even in our rebellion, unto the day of his grace. He regenerated us, called us, and gave us faith in Christ.

God has saved us by his matchless grace.

Oh yes, “We will be glad and rejoice in thee!”

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Master Teaches About Marriage”

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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: 2 January, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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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)

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)

“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)

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.

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)

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)

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

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. “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)

This Man receives sinners!

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

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Deadly Sin Of Self-rigtheousness”

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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 January, 2020 | Previous post date: 30 April, 2021

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All Scripture

”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

Imagine forty persons of different nationalities, possessing various degrees of musical culture, visiting the organ of some great cathedral and at long intervals of time, and without any collusion whatever, striking sixty-six different notes, which when combined yielded the theme of the grandest oratorio ever heard; would it not show that behind these forty different men there was one presiding mind, one great Tone-Master?

As we listen to some great orchestra, with its immense variety of instruments playing their different parts, but producing melody and harmony, we realize that at the back of these many musicians there is the personality and genius of the composer.

And when we enter the halls of the Divine Academy and listen to the heavenly choirs singing the Song of Redemption, all in perfect accord and unison, we know that it is God himself who has written the music and put this song into their mouths.

~ A. W. Pink

Click here to listen to the message “Person and Work of the Holy Spirit”

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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: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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“He Hath Done All Things Well”

”And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” | Mark 7: 37

Who can express fully the blessings of these words: “In Christ?”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

To be “in Christ” means to be chosen “in Him before the foundation of the world.”

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

To be “in Christ” means that there is now “no condemnation,” accepted “in the Beloved,” and “complete in Him.”

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 10)

It means that “as He is, so are we in this world.”

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4: 17)

It means everything to be “in Christ.”

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “He Hath Done All Things Well”

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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: 27 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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I Have All

”But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” | Philippians 4: 18

This is the testimony of a man who spent years bound by the Romans, hated and hounded by the Jewish leaders.

A man whose temporal possessions were probably no more than a few clothes, some books… yet he says: “I have all, I am full.”

Here is a man who is happy, content, and full of joy and peace.

There sits a King with wealth untold, with power, living in the lap of luxury, people waiting on him, to fulfill his every desire and command, yet he is not happy, he has no joy, he is not full, he does not have all.

What is the difference in these two men?

Paul has Christ; he knows Christ and is a joint heir with Christ. When the apostle surveys his wealth, he says, I possess the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” He knows the riches that he possesses in Christ are eternal. When he says, “I have all, I am full,” it is neither a wish nor a want; even then he was in full enjoyment of his wealth, for “Christ is all and in all.”

The worldling is never full, he never has enough, he never possesses all he wants, he never knows contentment, never knows what it is to be full.

The Lord Jesus asked, “how long will you labor for the meat that perishes?” How long will you make silver and gold your idol? Till you drop off into a Christless eternity? O, child of this world, you will never have ALL you aim for, you will always want more.

This man Paul has more than you have; HE HAS ALL! HE IS FULL! He says he can contain no more.

Christ is his PORTION, the riches of His grace, the riches of His glory.

Christ, who has ALL and does ALL, was his… “I AM FULL.” He desired no more than Christ, for in Christ he possessed ALL. “And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3: 23)

Beloved, let the world say “I want, I want,” but let us as Christ’s beloved say, “I AM FULL, I HAVE ALL.” We shall soon hear, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” (Matthew 25: 34)

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Mans purpose and privilege”

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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: 13 January, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Perfect Priest With The Perfect Sacrifice

”The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” | Psalm 19: 7-14

In Leviticus 21 and Leviticus 22 the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron with the most vital and fundamental information on how to approach and worship Him.

The high priest could not have any defect, deformity or blemish. (Leviticus 21: 16-21)

Likewise, the sacrifice could not have any blemish at all. (Leviticus 22: 17-24)

If the priest had no defect, yet brought a sacrifice with blemishes it would not be accepted, for it “must be perfect to be accepted.” Likewise, if the sacrifice had no blemish, but the priest that offered it had any blemish, the sacrifice would not be accepted at all, for it “must be perfect to be accepted.” (Leviticus 21: 16-21)

All of this declares the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the perfect and great High Priest without blemish, spot, defect, deformity or sin

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 14-15)

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7: 26)

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” (Hebrews 8: 1)

Not only is that true, but He is also the perfect sacrifice.

He is the Lamb without blemish or spot

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29)

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1 Peter 1: 18-20)

It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious sacrifice, that we can be justified from all sin

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9: 12)

In the Lord Jesus Christ every believer is a priest with no blemish, no sin

“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)

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (Revelation 5: 9-10)

Likewise, in Christ’s precious blood atonement we can approach the throne of grace with boldness, because we have a perfect sacrifice that fully, eternally satisfies the holy justice of God .

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 24-26)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1: 19-22)

“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)

Through Christ, we meet God’s standard, “It must be perfect to be accepted,” all of this, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1: 6)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Word Of The Lord Is Perfect”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky