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Unworthy Of Mercy; No Hope In The Law

“For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?” | Ecclesiastes 2: 21-22

You say you are unworthy of the least of God’s mercies.

Aren’t you glad Christ is worthy and that the redemption He accomplished was for the unworthy?

You say you have no goodness or merits to claim.

Aren’t you thankful God accepts sinners based upon the goodness and merits of His Son?

You say the law affords you no hope.

Right you are, but the gospel declares that the mercy and grace of God is freely given to sinners because of the doing and the dying of His dear Son! This is the only salvation worth having and the only one worthy to be proclaimed.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

~ Pastor Jack Shanks

Click here to listen to the message “Is It Wrong For A Man To Enjoy This Life?” (45:59 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: Special | Previous post date: 8 March, 2022

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We Shall See Him As He Is

“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: 2-4

No trial or suffering is easy.

If trials were without pain and discomfort, they would not accomplish the purpose for which they are sent.

But, when we look at all of earth’s sorrows, sufferings, and trials in the light of His eternal glory; when we shall be like Him, enjoy His presence, and partake in His perfect kingdom, then we will look on these present inconveniences as nothing.

“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. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3: 1-3)

They are not worthy to be compared to that glory.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “We Shall See Him as He Is” (42:42 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: Special | Previous post date: 4 March, 2021

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Accepted In The Beloved

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” | 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14

All false religionists, even though they might profess Jesus Christ to be their Savior, put their trust in something they have done; something they believe enables God to accept them.

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4: 10)

In doing so, they are saying that what Jesus Christ did was not enough.

They openly and publicly declare that they saved themselves, blatantly denying that Jesus Christ is their Savior.

“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: 6-7)

Brethren, “God has made us accepted in the Beloved” (in Christ) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Unmerited favor.)

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-29)

When God gives His gift of faith to a hell-deserving sinner, we not only enter into His rest, we also cease from our own works as God did from His; giving our Great Triune God all the glory for His unspeakable gift.

~ Pastor Gene Harmon

Click here to listen to the message “Accepted in the Beloved” (35:54 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: Special | Previous post date: 25 February, 2021

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His Good Pleasure

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” | Philippians 2: 13

Everything concerning a sinner’s salvation is of God.

Nothing is of us.

“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)

We don’t begin the work of salvation, He does.

We don’t perform the work of salvation, He does.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19: 30)

We don’t finish the work of salvation, He does.

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1: 3)

We don’t call on Him, He calls us.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19: 10)

We don’t seek Him, He seeks us.

“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15: 3-6)

We don’t find Him, He finds us.

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

We don’t accept Him, He accepts us.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2: 8)

We don’t produce our own faith to believe on Him, He puts His own faith in us and causes us to believe on Him.

“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)

We don’t earn any perfection of our own, He earned it for us.

“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)

It’s not that we loved Him, but that He loved us.

“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, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1: 3-5)

We don’t keep ourselves in His love, He keeps us there.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2: 9)

Salvation is totally of the Lord.

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Lord, Don’t Leave Me To Myself!” (36:17 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: Special | Previous post date: 21 February, 2021

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Grow In Grace

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To HIM be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” | 2 Peter 3:18

The apostle’s exhortation to us as God’s people who have been called by faith to believe on Christ is, “grow in grace.”

When God‘s people “grow in grace,” they grow in the doctrine of grace.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

They grow in the object of grace – which is Christ Himself!

“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)

And when God‘s people “grow in grace,” they grow in the practice of grace.

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2: 1)

Psalm 111: 4 says, “…the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”

And all who “grow in grace” say, “As He is, I desire to be.”

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To HIM be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3: 17,18)

True growth in grace says with David, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with THY likeness.” (Psalm 17: 15)

The doctrine!

The object!

The practice!

“As He is, I desire to be.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Hear And Your Soul Shall Live” (26:53 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: Special | Previous post date: 13 February, 2021

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Christ Is Precious

“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” | 1 Peter 2: 7

It is impossible for those who believe in Christ to fully express the preciousness of Him to them.

1). He is precious to every believer because He is their life.

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5: 12)

2). He is precious to every believer because He is their clothing. The best robe that the Father gives or imputes to every son that He receives is the righteousness of Christ. It is the robe of His spinning by His perfect obedience and sacrifice.

3). He is precious to every believer because He is their food. Just as the Israel of old feasted on the Paschal Lamb so God’s spiritual Israel feasts on the Lamb of God. We continually feast upon his flesh and drink His blood; we continually look to His one sacrifice that atones for all the sins of His elect.

4). He is precious to every believer for He is our hiding place. In the storms of life we say with the psalmist: “Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over past.” (Psalm 57: 2)

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe” (35:51 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: Special | Previous post date: 4 February, 2022

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Better Than Life

”And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” | Matthew 6: 13

As to the rule of life or conduct, the Bible does not say for me to live is the law, but for me to live is Christ.

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

~ Pastor Scott Richardson

Click here to listen to the message “Better Than Life” (26:57 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: 29 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else

”God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” | Hebrews 1: 1-3

When I look to Christ alone, I have assurance.

When I look for faith, or evidence of faith, I have no assurance.

Faith is only in operation as it looks to Christ alone.

If I look to a past experience or a time when I first believed, I am looking to an event rather than Christ alone.

If I am assuring myself that tomorrow I will believe that is nothing more than an act of presumption.

Look to Christ alone now!

Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “The Question That Answers All Others”

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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

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If It Weren’t For Grace, I’d Be A Goner

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.” | Romans 4: 16

A friend of mine was fond of saying, “If it weren’t for grace I’d be a goner.”

Then aren’t we thankful that salvation is all of grace!

If any part of salvation depends upon the creature doing anything we are all goners because man is dead in sin and unable to decide to do anything much less actually do anything righteous.

So salvation must be by grace, and every sinner is glad that it is so.

Grace gives a helpless dead sinner a sure expectation of eternal life.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “There is None Righteous, No Not One”

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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 February, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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In Christ

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8: 33-34

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.”

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Freely gives us all things”

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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: n/a