The Strait Gate And The Narrow Way

“And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed.” | Genesis 27: 27

There is, without a doubt, no clearer picture or type of the blessing of God Almighty to an unworthy rebel than the blessing of Jacob by his father Isaac.

Jacob had exhibited the true nature of a wretched sinner. In Jacob’s mind, the only way he could get his father’s blessing was to impersonate his brother Esau. Lying with every breath, Jacob attempted to convince his father that he was someone else. Not until Isaac smelled the coat of Esau did he bestow the blessing. The smell of his first born satisfied the aging Isaac.

And just as the smell of Esau’s coat that covered Jacob ushered in the blessing to the younger son… Christ’s royal robe of righteousness, imputed to everyone that believeth in Christ, is the smell of satisfaction, obedience, and truthfulness to God the Father.

In ourselves, we are but “Jacobs,” deceivers, liars and supplanters.

But robed in the glorious robe of Christ’s imputed righteousness… we are accepted and blessed in the Beloved.

Apart from Him, there is no hope, no life, and no blessing from the just and Holy God.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Strait Gate And Narrow Way”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 14 May, 2021

But God!

”And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” | Ruth 3: 9

You could have been passed by. Multitudes were.

But God loved you, and chose you to be an heir of eternal glory.

You could have been left under the curse of the law to bear the penalty of your sin. Multitudes were.

But God made his Son to be sin for you and redeemed you.

You could have been left in your lost, ruined condition. Multitudes were.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

But God!

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Kinsman Redeemer”

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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 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

The End Is Greater Than The Means

”Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” | Philippians 2: 6-11

The ultimate end or goal of redemption is not the happiness, well-being, or even conversion of sinners, BUT THE GLORY OF GOD. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

Man’s comfort and safety is not the supreme goal of God’s glorious gospel. The supreme goal of our gospel is the glory of God, the establishment of His rule and reign over a kingdom of peace and righteousness, the exaltation and manifestation of His character, and the preeminence of His beloved Son. Our salvation will serve that purpose. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1: 12)

Everything in covenant mercies, in salvation, and in God’s purpose for the sons of men (past, present, and future) turns upon the will of God in Christ. This makes CHRIST THE PRINCIPAL FIGURE in our gospel, our goals, and our glory. But, if you have salvation and God’s purpose waiting upon the freewill of the creature, then MAN is the principal figure in your landscape and will lead you to compromise divine truth in order to win man’s approval. “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1: 14)

The attitude that we must get men converted at any cost and compromise usually winds up costing the very character and truth of God, which is a price too high to pay.

Conversions are never more important than truth.

Truth is always more important than results.

“Let God be true and every man a liar!”

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Why Men Hate Free Grace”

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

Eternal Life Is A Promise Received

”And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” | 1 John 2: 25

Eternal life is a promise of God for His people.

This promise, like every promise of God, is in Christ.

Eternal life is a blessing that the Father promised His people in grace, Christ earned for His people in grace, and the Holy Spirit applies to God’s people in grace.

Eternal life, like every blessing of God, is never earned by our works.

It is always a free gift of God’s grace to His people through Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Cast Your Works Out”

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

Just Preach Christ To Me

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1: 23, “We preach Christ crucified”.

The same man told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4: 2, “Preach the Word”!

We cannot preach Christ apart from The Word.

We cannot know who a man is, what he believes or what he desires, apart from his word.

We cannot know what a man thinks, how he feels or what he has purposed in his heart to do, apart from his word.

Therefore, we cannot know who Christ is, what He has done, who He has done it for or why He has done it, apart from His Word!

To preach Christ, is to preach His Word.

And to truly preach His Word, is to preach Christ in every word of it!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Who Is Jesus 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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 9 May, 2021

Wait On The Lord

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” | Psalm 27: 14

Waiting on the Lord is an attitude that is completely foreign to the natural man.

That’s why the new man struggles while he truly desires to wait on the One who loves him and gave Himself for him.

He knows that the Lord is working all things after the counsel of His own will and that whatsoever comes to pass has been eternally purposed by the Lord for His glory and the eternal good of His elect and shall not fail to be brought about.

But though these truths are known and loved by the people of God… still they experience the battle within to take matters into their own hands.

O may the Lord help us to wait upon Him.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Coals Of Fire That Melt The Heart”

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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 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

No Reason To Fear

”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

There is no fear of condemnation for the believer’s sin since Christ was made sin for us.

The Lord Jesus Christ took all of the sin of His people away from them and put that sin away by the blood of His sacrifice.

Christ has died for the sin of His people so justice is satisfied.

God’s holy justice can never condemn anyone for whom Christ died.

What blessed peace there is for everyone who trusts Christ the Savior!

What blessed peace to live life never having to fear punishment from God.

What peace of heart to not only not dread, but actually look forward to, the death of the body and going to see God without any fear of condemnation because of the sacrifice of Christ!

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “What Kind of Grace Saves a Sinner?”

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

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

The Revelation Of God

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” | Genesis 2: 16-17

God’s first revelation to man was as his sovereign, telling him what he could and could not do.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3: 15)

God’s second revelation to man was, as his Savior and Reconciler doing for him what he could not and would not do for himself and showing this to him in the light of a promised Redeemer.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “The Religion Of Man”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 7 May, 2021

Things Above

”Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” | Colossians 3: 2

One of the old writers once said: “Do not look for that in the law which can only be found in the gospel; do not look for that in ourselves which is only to be found in Christ; do not look for that in the creature (world) which can only be found in the Creator; and do not look for that on earth which can only be found in Heaven.”

~ William Jay

Click here to listen to the message “Why Do We Preach 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: 13 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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