Rest In Christ

”After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” | John 19: 28-30

“It Is Finished”

Every time I consider this passage, my mind focuses first on the word “IT.”

All that God required concerning the redemption of God’s sheep… all that the law demanded for justice and judgment against His people… every type and shadow of Christ in the Old Testament is included in “IT.”

And though this frail creature fails to grasp the fullness of “IT”, all was completed!

Everything God eternally willed, purposed, decreed, and ordained was FINISHED by Christ’s one sacrifice for sin. And the marvel of this blessed truth is summed up with the word “IS.”

That which He has done, He has done forever!

What a declaration of peace for a needy sinner from the mouth of the glorious Lamb of God.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Rest 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: 8 December, 2019 | Previous post date: n/a

The Only Reason For Salvation

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” | 1 John 2: 12

There is only one reason revealed in Holy Scripture that any sinner would be pardoned from all sin.

That one reason is Christ alone. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4: 32)

Christ Jesus was manifested to take away our sin and in Him is no sin. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3: 5)

The only reason for grace is Christ. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

The only reason for mercy is Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3: 5)

The only reason for salvation is Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

The only reason for sanctification is Christ. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

His name’s sake includes all these things and much more. “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5: 20)

“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. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43: 1-7)

Salvation is not because of our merit, nor our baptism, nor our works, nor our prayers, nor our repentance, nor our faith; but for the sake of Christ, his blood, sacrifice and satisfaction; and it reaches to all our sins, original and actual, secret and open, past, present, and future.

“Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” (Isaiah 44: 21-23)

The only reason for our salvation is not found in us, but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Called, Chosen and Faithful”

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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: 24 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 11 April, 2021

To Die Is Gain

”For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” | Philippians 1: 21

Believers are not at risk of losing anything in death.

What they lose is this cursed flesh that has been nothing to them but a plague from the day they were born.

What they lose is an old nature that has warred against their spiritual minds from the day they were born of God.

What they lose is all the soap bubble dreams of a cursed world that promises everything and gives nothing but heartache and disappointment.

In death they lose corruption and put on incorruption.

In death they lose mortality and gain immortality.

For the believer death is gain because death is swallowed up in victory.

Death to the believer is gain because he will leave this sinful world and immediately be ushered into the presence of his beloved Savior.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “Passing From Death Unto Life”

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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: 14 November, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

I Think Myself Happy

”I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews” | Acts 26: 2

When the apostle Paul stood before king Agrippa he had been in prison for two years. (Acts 24: 27)

The Lord now opens the door for Paul to declare the gospel unto both Festus the governor and Agrippa the king and he does so by first declaring that he was a happy man. Paul was saying that he was abundantly blessed of God. That is the reason even though in bondage he was rejoicing in the Lord. He writes to the Philippians from prison in Rome and says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4: 4)

That is the exact case of every believer.

Even though we live in this body of sin and in the bondage of death and are plagued by many trials, heartaches and much grief, we should always consider our case to be the same as Paul: “I think myself happy.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)

“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. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 3-7)

Consider what David says in the Psalms about those who are blessed of God:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” (Psalm 32: 1-2)

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34: 8)

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee.” (Psalm 65: 4)

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” (Psalm 84: 5)

Believers are abundantly blessed in Christ above all people of the earth and have every reason to rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and be of good cheer.

-Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Our Necessary Substitute”

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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: 7 November, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

He Will Finish His Work

”Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” | Philippians 1: 6

What servant chooses his own task?

His own place of labor?

His own time of service?

Does not the faithful servant ask, “Lord, what would you have me to do?”

Everybody wants to take the floor, few care to sweep it.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “He Will Finish His Work”

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

The Believer’s Position

“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” | Romans 10: 11-12

The believer is perfect in Christ; but in himself he is a poor, feeble creature, ever liable to fall.

Oh, the unspeakable blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens; One who upholds him always by His right hand; One who will never let him go; One who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever;” One who will bear him through all the difficulties and dangers which surround him and finally present him faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

Blessed forever be the grace that has made such provision for all our need in the blood of a spotless victim and the intercession of a Divine High Priest!

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Whosoever Believeth On Him”

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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: 17 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 2 April, 2021

In Christ

“They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” | John 8: 4-5

Often someone asks what “position” you hold on a particular doctrine, such as particular redemption, or the depravity of man.

But the word of God never tells us to come to a position, but to a person, to Christ Jesus the Lord.

He himself said, “Come unto me.” Again, “All that the Father gives me shall come unto me, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” The scriptures speak of believers being “in Christ” in several places. This is the place I want to be found – In Christ. This is the only place where a sinner can have a secure position from sin, death, hell, and the judgment and wrath of God.

When a sinner comes to Christ, trusts Christ and learns that he was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, then he has the most blessed position a poor sinner can have.

Justified!

Accepted!

Righteous!

Where?

Before God, who is holy and inhabits eternity.

Before Him who knows our thoughts afar off.

Before Him who knows the heart.

“Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”

How?

“It is Christ that died, yea rather is risen again, who sitteth at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8: 33-34)

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Law or 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 17 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 31 April, 2021

He Saved Us

”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” | Titus 3: 5

This is a three word summary of the gospel we preach: He saved us.

He: God. God did all of the saving. God the Father elected a people unto salvation. God the Son redeemed those people by the blood of His sacrifice for them. God the Holy Spirit calls those people to Christ and gives them life and faith to come. God keeps and preserves those people and brings them to glory by the power of His grace and love for them.

Saved. God saved His elect from all of their sin. He redeemed His people by paying their sin debt with His precious blood. Christ saved His people from the curse of the law by being made a curse for them and dying the death that they deserve. “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)

Us. Christ didn’t come to try to save as many people as might would decide to accept Him.

Christ came to save a specific people: the people the Father gave Him to save “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” (John 17: 9)

Christ came to save those people who belong to Him because the Father gave them to Him “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 21)

Christ came to save His sheep and only His sheep “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10: 15)

All of the “us” who are chosen, called, and believe on Christ are fully and eternally saved because He saved us.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “The Story Saved By 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: 6 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

Ye Are Saved!

”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

The happiest word in the Bible is the word “Saved.”

That man or woman who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10: 13)

But what does it mean to be saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ?

To be saved is to be Forgiven of all sin “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 7)

To be saved is to have Peace with God “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5: 1)

To be saved is to be Free from the curse of the law “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)

To be saved is to be Free from all possibility of condemnation “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 saved is to have Eternal life “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5: 11)

To be saved is to have the Spirit of Christ “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8: 9)

To be saved is to Own and acknowledge Christ as Lord “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10)

To be saved is to be In love with Jesus Christ “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1 Corinthians 16: 22)

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Tender Words Of Intimate Love Song”

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

To Him That Overcometh

”Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” | 2 Peter 1: 4

In the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 the Lord gives us some exceeding great and precious promises for us to enjoy right now and to enjoy for eternity.

Revelation 2: 7; “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2: 11; “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2: 17; “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2: 26-28; “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 3: 5; “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3: 12; “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3: 21; “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

How do we overcome the power of the devil and the evil of our sin against God; only by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ? Revelation 12: 11; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

How do we overcome the evil of our sinfulness and unbelief in this life?

By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 1 John 5: 4-5; “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Thanks be unto God for the victory we have in Christ! (Romans 8: 37-39; 1 Corinthians 15: 57)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Our Sin and God’s Solution For Our Sin”

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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: 19 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky