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Beware Of Religious Leaven

“Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” | Matthew 16: 6

I readily admit I am no baker. However, I do know that for bread to rise, leaven (yeast) must be added to the dough.

When a baker prepares his bread, he doesn’t bake leaven alone, for none would eat it; his finished product would be without the delicious taste of grain.

Leaven, therefore, must be added to the flour in a skillful way, so as not to overshadow the flavor of the bread.

The only way that men will consume the leaven is if it is wisely mixed with grain.

When our Lord referred to “the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees,” He was speaking of their doctrine.

This is clearly stated in verses 11-12 of the same chapter. “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

What did the Pharisees and Sadducees do?

They mixed their religious lies with Biblical truths.

Certainly they did not proclaim all error, for then their doctrines would not have been well received by the multitudes.

Rather, they cleverly added a little leaven to the truth so that their unsuspecting hearers would swallow the entire deadly mixture.

Satan has many deceitful religious bakers today.

They are very skillful in blending their leaven with truth and so make their false gospel very palatable to the natural man.

They generally do not come forth blatantly denying the Word of God, else most people would refuse them and their teaching.

What they do is blend a small amount of man-made teaching with the holy Scriptures.

They talk about salvation by grace, but then mix in works so as to deceive the uninformed.

They declare that Christ died on the cross, then blend in their leaven by saying His death is only beneficial if sinners add their faith to what He did.

They preach the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s power and then make His work to be subject to and dependent upon the free-will of the sinner.

How much leaven does it take to modify truth and turn it into error?

“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5: 9)

Paul said to those who were swallowing the false doctrine of the legalists, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”.

~ Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “Even As Abraham Believed God” (40:03 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: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Gracious, Righteous And Merciful

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” | 1 Timothy 1: 15

If salvation depends upon our being or doing anything, we shall inevitably be lost.

Thank God, it does not; for the great fundamental principle of the gospel is that Christ is all: man is nothing.

It is not a mixture of Christ and man – it is all of Christ.

The peace of the gospel does not rest in part on Christ’s work and in part on man’s work; it rests wholly on Christ’s work, because that work is perfect, perfect forever; and it renders all who put their trust in Him as perfect as Himself!

Christ must either be a whole Savior or no Savior at all.

The moment a man says, “Except you be this or that, you cannot be saved,” he totally subverts the gospel; for in the gospel I find Christ coming down to me, just as I am – a lost, guilty, self-destroyed sinner; and coming, moreover, with a full remission of all my sins, and a full salvation from my lost estate, all perfectly wrought by Himself on the cross.

~ C. H. Mackintosh

Click here to listen to the message “Gracious, Righteous & Merciful” (25:58 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: 7 April, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Two Questions: Two Religions

“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: 3-4

Sooner could the ocean prove too little for a small fish or the sky be too small for a swallow than the grace of God prove insufficient for one of God’s people.

Not all their weaknesses, failures or sins can use it up.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “Behold My Glorious Servant” (33:45 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: 11 July, 2021 | Previous post date: 13 March, 2022

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A Worthless Piece Of Brass

”He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.” | 2 Kings 18: 5-6

Forgetting those things which are behind is difficult work.

It is like the runner who tries to shed every weight that does so easily beset him.

However, if God has forgotten our sins and will remember them no more, then we must let them go also.

We must not go back and try to repair our past; only Christ can make satisfaction for the sins of God’s elect: past, present, and future.

”Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13-14)

Therefore, let us do this: “Reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Let us spend our time reaching forth, looking to Him, learning of Him.

Christ is the mark; He is the prize.

The high calling of God is to be made like His Son.

May God help us to quit looking back and just look to Him. (We have enough to mourn over in a day without looking back for something else.)

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “A Worthless Piece of Brass” (27:00 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: 31 March, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Jesus Is The Christ

”But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” | John 20: 31

The scriptures tell us plainly that if all the miraculous, holy and righteous things that Christ our Lord did had been recorded in the Scriptures the world is too small to hold them.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21: 25)

However, that which has been recorded in the pages of divine inspiration are written for one purpose, “that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus Christ is salvation.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9: 35

All the scriptures are concerning Him!

“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 119: 25-27)

In believing this, you have eternal life through His name.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Do You Believe On Christ” (48:23 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 1 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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A Believer’s Attitude Toward Sin

”For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” | Romans 7: 19-21

  1. He knows and rejoices that all of his sin and sins are pardoned, paid for, and put away by the sacrifice of Christ the Lord.
  2. He condemns sin in himself!

While sin does not reign it does remain in the believer, but he does not excuse or justify it.

He grieves over it and daily confesses his sins before God.

He hates a bad attitude as much as evil actions.

He judges his motives as well as his manner by the holiness of Christ; and, when he finds iniquity in himself, he despises it and judges himself. “O wretched man that I am!”

  1. He forgives sin in others!

He does not forgive himself — only God can do that — but he is quick to pity, have mercy upon, and forgive others.

Not to be able to forgive is to forfeit the right to ask forgiveness.

  1. He longs to be free from all sin and to be perfectly conformed to the image of Christ.

While he rejoices in Christ, is content with his lot, and finds joy in the fellowship of Christ’s Church, he will only be satisfied when he awakes in the likeness of Christ!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Sinner’s Plea” (55:09 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: 11 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Atonement Of Christ

”Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” | Psalm 119: 36-40

There are three views of the atonement of Christ.

One is that He died for all men and all men will ultimately be saved.

The next is that He died for all men; some of them will be saved and some will not.

The other is that He died for the elect and all of them will be saved.

The first view cannot be supported from Scripture.

There is a place called hell.

This view denies that.

The second view denies that the blood of Christ is sufficient to save.

He can pay for your sins and you can still be in hell.

It makes salvation depend on human works.

The third view is not a view, but the Truth!

The other two are a denial of the Truth!

There is no Gospel in the first two views.

The third is a declaration of the Truth of the Gospel!

“Who is he that condemneth, it is Christ who died, yea rather, who is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God: who also maketh intercession for us.”

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “The Common Faith” (38:54 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 8 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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It’s Simple

“If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” | 2 Corinthians 11: 30

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 (i.e, man) 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 “We Will Be Known By Our Fruit” (34:34 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: 22 August, 2021 | Previous post date: 30 September, 2021

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Christ’s Atonement

”These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” | John 17: 1-3

Some people love the doctrine of universal atonement because, they say, “It is so beautiful. It is a lovely idea that Christ should die for all people on the earth.”

They say, “Universal atonement commends itself to the instincts of human nature; there is something in it that is beautiful.”

I admit there are some times when beauty may be associated with error; but while natural men admire the doctrine of universal atonement, I will show you what such a supposition involves.

  1. If Christ on the cross intended to save every person by His death, then He intended to save people who were already dead and in eternal condemnation; for there were myriads already cast away because of their sins for which (you say) He died.
  2. If it were our Lord’s intention to save all people, how deplorably has He been disappointed; for we have His own testimony, “Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THERE AT.”
  3. To imagine for a moment that our Lord was the substitute for the sins of all men and that God, the Father, having poured out His wrath on their substitute, afterwards will punish the sinners themselves for the same sins for which Christ died, seems to conflict with ideas of divine justice. In fact, to hold that Christ offered an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that some of those people will be condemned for those same sins, appears to be monstrous inequity! God forbid that we should attribute such conduct to our just and wise God!

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Christ’s Prayer and Work” (15:30 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.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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But By Me And Except The Father

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” | Psalm 85: 10-11

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

Many in religion today preach often from the passage found in John chapter fourteen, verse six, where our Lord Jesus proclaimed that He alone is salvation. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” however many who preach stop there without finishing the rest of the verse.

I certainly understand why they do that, and I believe that they feel as though they have a good reason as to why. Those who believe that sinners are saved by man’s will, man’s work, and man’s worth, know and understand that our Lord’s words, “But by me,” destroy their theology and belief of “Salvation by works.”

Dear reader, Christ said, “No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” That means that sinners are saved only by the work of righteousness that Christ provides for God’s elect. That is why our Lord also said in John chapter six, verse forty-four that, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”

That means the same thing. I love those little words like “but” and “except,” don’t you?

There is no salvation for me, “But,” by Christ.

There is no hope of me ever coming to Christ, “Except,” God the Father which sent God the Son draw me to Him by the cords of love, mercy and grace.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “For The Scripture Saith” (39:48 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: 13 December, 2024 | Previous post date: 28 September, 2021