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Sin And Forgiveness

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” | 1 Corinthians 12: 12

We love to hear the gospel that tells us of sin forgiven, of being washed from our sin in His precious blood.

Sin is too familiar with us. We have committed it, we are affected by it daily, and it is our daily trial.

Sin of our past, sin is our burden today, sin as it is, is our own affliction until we enter into our eternal rest.

It is a battle we have entered into that is a war without and within… but, thank God for Ephesians 1: 7 says; “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin;” how? “according to the riches of his grace!”

Forgiveness of sin, what a joy, what greater news can a sinner hear?

God’s free grace gave us His son to redeem us by His own blood.

God’s free grace came and effectually applied that blood to our souls!

It was free grace that forgave us all our sin, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Romans 5: 20)

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Encouraging the saints”

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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: 16 May, 2021 | Previous post date: 6 June, 2021

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A Letter To The Brethren

”James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” | James 1: 1-4

We Thank Him For Giving Good Times But Do We Thank Him For Sending Trials?

James is writing to spiritual brethren in the Lord. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8: 5-8)

This is important to note because unbelievers will not, nor can not, understand, believe, submit and heed the instruction God gives in this word. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2: 14)

Be Thankful for Trials

The word “temptations” means trials.

All God’s children encounter a variety of trials.

Trials are never pleasant to endure. Yet, for the believer, whatever the trial, the end result will be the same. “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

First, trials prove that the believer’s faith is true. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 6-9)

Trials prove to us, to our brethren and to the world that our faith is the fruit of our full, complete, sufficient, reigning and ruling Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.” (2 Corinthians 12: 19)

True faith’s approval before God is Christ, its object. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3: 19)

Trials bring those with true faith to Christ’s feet while those who are playing a part are openly made manifest. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3: 11-15)

Secondly, every trial results in the believer’s spiritual growth. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10: 3-6)

The believer becomes more steadfast, more willing to endure persecution because God teaches him by experience the vanity of turning from Christ. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

This fruit is the product of the Holy Spirit working God’s will and good pleasure within the believer. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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: 3-5)

Trials convince the believer that faith is given, kept, and made immovable from Christ by the sufficiency of God’s grace and by the power of Christ resting upon us and in us. “” (Philippians 2: 12-13)

Trials always leave the believer amazed at the Father’s wisdom. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)

Through trials the believer sees that this vital union with Christ can never be severed. “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” (Numbers 14: 9)

No matter how hard the devil and his servants attempt to divide and conquer the brethren, Christ’s blood guarantees us it will never happen. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4: 4)

What a reason to be thankful for trials! But the Spirit of God teaches us something else here. “And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.” (Jeremiah 1: 19)

Be Patient in Trails

When the believer is faced with a new trial God is repeating the lesson learned from the last trial all over again.

Did not God prove to me that my faith is of him and kept by him?

Did not Christ teach me it is better to wait on the Lord than to take matters into my own hands?

After all the confusion created by my impatient attempts to remove the last trial, did I not end up seeing the foolishness of being drawn away from Christ toward my own selfish understanding?

Where did the last trial end?

Was it not at the feet of Christ from where I know I should have never strayed?

In the last trial, did my Intercessor not teach me that his continual prayers for me were the reason that my faith did not fail?

Did the last trial not teach me that his throne of grace is where I am safe?

Yes, he taught me these lessons through the last trial so that I might be less apt to waver from him in this new trial.

Yes, he taught me that patient endurance is looking nowhere else, hearing no one else, depending upon no one else but the all-victorious, Captain of my salvation.

But remember why it is that we joy in trials. Because when, in the midst of my new trial, I react as if everything depended upon me, my faithful Counselor brings me back to his throne of grace, teaching me once again that everything about me depends upon him.

He teaches me the same lesson over and over, “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)

The Hebrew word for wait means “to expect”. “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” (Psalm 37: 34)

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.” (Proverbs 20: 22)

When faced with a trial, the believer whom God has grown in the spirit realizes there is much he could say, much he could do, but he expects his Lord will save him from the trial, just as the Lord saved him from sin and wrath.

So he patiently waits with great expectations.

And he is never disappointed.

May God teach us once again to be patient.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “God Will Keep his Children Persevering”

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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: 6 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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But The Lord Is Faithful

”But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” | 2 Thessalonians 3: 3

No physician ever weighed out medicine to his patients with half so much care and exactness as our God weighs out to His children every trial.

Not one grain too much does He ever permit to be put in the scale.

Click here to listen to the message “But The Lord Is 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: 22 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Straw Man

”Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” | 2 Thessalonians 2: 14

Election is not the cause of anybody going to hell, for election is unto salvation.

Neither is non-election responsible for the damnation of sinners.

Sin is the thing that sends men to hell, and all men are sinners by nature and practice; sinners altogether apart from election or non-election.

It does not follow that because election is unto salvation that non-election is unto damnation.

Sin is the damning element in human life; election harms nobody.

~ C.D. Cole

Click here to listen to the message “Christ our Righteousness”

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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 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Sheep Of Thy Pasture

“How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.” | Psalm 79: 5-8

Like the Israelites who were bitten by the fiery serpents, because of the judgment of God, were perishing, so all of us were perishing under the sentence of death because of sin.

But God graciously provided the remedy.

The serpent of brass, having the form of a serpent, but having no poison, was lifted up on a pole for all to see.

Everyone who looked upon it was healed.

Even so, Jesus Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh, but had no sin.

He was lifted up by God upon the cross in the place of sinners.

And, behold, every sinner who looks upon Christ with a believing heart is healed!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Gospel In One Verse”

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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: 11 June, 2021

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The Blood Of Jesus Christ

”The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” | 1 John 1: 7

Oh, what good news the gospel of Jesus Christ declares to sinners!

We are by birth and nature children of darkness, loving darkness rather than the Light of the truth. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3: 19)

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” (Ephesians 2: 12)

However, by the marvelous power of God through the gospel of Christ, “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) God has delivered us from the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Colossians 1: 13)

That we should show forth the praises of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2: 9)

Furthermore, the gospel declares unto all that believe, that the precious blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9: 26)

Not the blood of bulls and goats, not the ceremony and traditions of men, but the glorious blood offering of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, nothing less and nothing more, cleanses from all sin.

“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)

Original sin, actual sin, spiritual and natural sin, ALL sin forever!!

Oh, the glory of this perfect, full and finished salvation we are blessed to possess and enjoy through our victorious Lord.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57)

“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Freewill or 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Behold, What Manner of Love

”Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” | 1 John 3: 1

There is no greater misery than sin exposed.

“But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41: 8-10)

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41: 13-14)

There is no greater joy than forgiveness revealed.

Click here to listen to the message “Behold, What Manner of Love”

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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 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Who Does Your Work?

”The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” | Acts 8: 32-35

Nothing more clearly reveals to us that salvation, sanctification, and redemption is the work of our God than to observe the efforts and failure of those who TRY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK FOR THEMSELVES!

The disciples asked, “Lord, who then can be saved?”

He said unto them, “WITH MEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE; but with God all things are possible.”

It is impossible in the flesh for a man to please God.

Yet millions, ignorant of the righteousness of Christ, still go about to establish their own righteousness and WILL NOT SUBMIT to the righteousness of God, which is Christ Jesus, our Lord.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Many keep up this masquerade to the judgment and then plead their works before God; but most finally lose interest, keep their names on church rolls, and play church on special days.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1: 3)

When they die, their preachers try to find some cause on which to give their families hope; but that, too, is impossible; for IF CHRIST IS NOT IN YOU, there is no hope of glory.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “An Encounter With 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 7 January, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Christ Is All

”Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” | Colossians 3: 11

“I AM”

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3: 14)

To His elect people God is everything all the time.

He has always been God and He will always be God.

Yet, there is nothing more comforting and assuring to the saved sinner than to know that God is the ever-present “I AM.” He declares Himself to be “I AM” leaving what follows to be unwritten since He is the believer’s everything.

Jesus Christ is God and concerning His elect God says:

They are weak, “I AM” their strength.

They are poor, “I AM” their riches.

They are in trouble, “I AM” their help and comfort.

They are sick, “I AM” their healing and their health.

They are in darkness, “I AM” the Light of the world.

They are lost sheep, “I AM” the Door and the Good Shepherd.

They are unrighteous, “I AM” their righteousness.

They are unholy, “I AM” their holiness.

They are ungodly, “I AM” their God.

They are nothing, “I AM” their everything.

They are hungry, “I AM” the Bread of Life.

They are in darkness, “I AM” the Light of the world.

They are unprofitable branches, “I AM” the True Vine.

They are dead, “I AM” the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

As a preacher of the Gospel, the message I am to preach is clear and plain. “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I AM the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 18: 2)

Dear sinner, if you are in Christ, God is all these things to you.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Is All”

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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: 10 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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A Confident God And A Comforted People

”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.” | Isaiah 43: 1

Salvation is of God’s grace, not of your merit; it is of God’s goodness, not of your holiness; you have nothing to do but to rest on what Christ has done.

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “A Confident God And A Comforted People”

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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: 3 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a