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Nevertheless

”Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” | Psalm 106: 8

“Nevertheless”! What a glorious summary of the gospel in one word!

Every soul that God chose to save was completely ruined by sin!

“Nevertheless”!

They were ignorant of the True and Living God, ungrateful for all of His loving provisions, and rebellious toward His Word!

“Nevertheless”!

They were not owed and did not deserve His affection and favor!

“Nevertheless”!

They craved the things of this sinful world, and rejected the beauty and holiness of Christ!

“Nevertheless”!

In their flesh they added no glory TO Him, and could not glory IN Him!

“Nevertheless”!

For the rest of their days on this earth they will constantly be beggars, begging Him to supply all of their needs, both physical and spiritual; “Nevertheless HE… (The Lord Jesus Christ) saved THEM… (every soul that God chose to immerse in the Blood of Christ)!

Why would He do that?

“For His name’s sake.”

Call His name Jesus, because that’s WHO He is and WHAT He accomplished – He saved His people from their sins… “that He might make His mighty power to be known.”

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “For Christ’s Sake”

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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 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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God Be Merciful To Me

”Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” | Luke 18: 10-13

Men do all they can to divorce themselves from their own sinfulness.

Some do like the Pharisee in the story referenced above and define sin by mere actions.

Having defined sin by certain actions, they avoid those actions and thus divorce themselves from their sin.

Seeing sin as a matter of what a man does, they seek a salvation that is a matter of what a man does.

To them, sin is a “practical” matter, that is, a matter of what a man practices; therefore, to them, salvation is also a practical matter.

In reaction to such a weak view of what sin is, some take a more theological approach to it and speak of sin in terms of original sin in both its imputed and imparted aspects.

They declare that the sin of Adam is imputed to us so that we are held responsible for the rebellion that took place in Eden.

They also hold that because of that rebellion, Adam passed on to his posterity a nature bent to sin.

Their theology is accurate, yet some have no further knowledge of their sin than a theological understanding of the origin and nature of it.

Thus they divorce themselves from any real responsibility for their sin: it is only a matter of the rules of the game.

Since their sin is, to them, a matter of theology, so is their salvation.

Since their condemnation came to them by a theological construct, they believe that their salvation comes to them by the construction of a proper theology of salvation.

The remedy for a proper theology of sin is a proper theology of salvation.

A theological savior is sufficient for theological sinners.

But I see this tax collector near the temple.

I hear no recitation of evils done, no theological definitions of who and what he was.

I see no evidence that he considers the deeds of others: He does not look back to Adam to find the source of his sin nor look around at others to note that he does not compare favorably with them.

He does not feel that he is a sinner because he is not as good as yonder praying Pharisee.

He simply knows that he is a sinner in need of mercy, and thus he calls on God for it.

Only two sights occupy his heart’s vision: he sees himself as the worthless wretch that he is and he sees with his heart the mercy seat upon which the blood of the sacrifice was poured in behalf of sinners.

He does not care for theological definitions of sin nor would he be satisfied with a theology of salvation.

To him, sin is a very personal thing, and thus the only remedy for it is a personal interest in the blood poured out on the mercy seat.

Real sinners need a real Savior. And thank God, there is one: Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Hath Put Away My 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 17 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Christ Died For Us

”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” | Romans 5: 8

I cannot say if these words are for you, for I do not know whether Christ died for you.

I know that everyone should sincerely hope that he is among those of whom it is written, “Christ died for us.”

And why is this?

Because, if Christ has not died for a person, then that person shall have to die for himself.

The wages of sin is death, and someone must receive those wages: if not Christ, then the man who has actually done the sinning.

Now then, who may rightly say, “Christ has died for me”?

The very Scripture quoted makes it plain, for a fuller version of it is, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”.

So it is sinners that may claim the words, “Christ died of us”.

Maybe you think, “Then it must apply to me, for I confess that there are some sins in my past. I am not a perfect man, I suppose. I am a fairly decent individual, but, like all other men, I have sometimes failed in my attempts to be a good man.”

If that is your confession, then I fear that Christ has not died for you; for your confession of sin has much of a boast of righteousness in it.

You see, to you, your sins are only blots and blemishes on an otherwise good life.

But an even fuller reading of our text teaches us that Christ died for those who are neither righteous nor good, yet you think there is righteousness and good in you.

Maybe you have some hope in this, that even though your sins are many, they are not very big sins.

After all, you are neither a thief nor a murderer.

You have not bowed down to any stone or wooden idol.

If you boast in the smallness of your sins, then you have no warrant to claim that Christ has died for you.

Do you ask why? It is simple.

God is just, and He always makes the punishment fit the crime.

Your boast in the fewness or smallness of your sins is a boast that it would not take much of a savior nor any great act of salvation to rescue you from them.

But Christ died for those whose condition is so bad that nothing less than His death would remedy it.

He died for sinners whose sins deserve what Christ endured.

Can you look on the scene of the dying Savior and confess that you sins are so wicked that they deserve such punishment and that nothing less than His death could put your sin away?

Are you so bad that Christ must die in order for you to be saved?

Then I have great hope for you that you are among that blessed few who can rightly say, “Christ died for us.”

But there is yet one more test.

Maybe you are among those who lay in a bondage of legal guilt and have an understanding of the greatness of their sin but are blind to the greatness of Christ’s death.

Even though they believe Christ’s death is necessary to put away their sin, they have no confidence that it is sufficient to put away their sin.

They feel something more than Christ is needed.

They look for certain frames of mind or emotions.

They try to add their own works to his great work: morality, Sabbath keeping, church attendance and such.

Is that how you feel?

Then I fear you are in a very sad state, for Christ did not die for those who have no confidence in the power of His sacrifice to take away their sin.

Christ did not die for those who do not need Him.

Nor did He die for those who feel they need something more.

The death of the Lord Jesus is both necessary and sufficient for the removal of guilt.

You absolutely need Christ, and you need nothing more.

Do you honestly believe this?

If so, then Christ died for you.

~ Pastor Joe Terrell

Click here to listen to the message “Strive to Enter by the Narrow Door”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 11 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Finally, Brethren, Farewell

”Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” | 2 Corinthians 13: 5

One man described False or Counterfeit faith in this way:

  1. It is never broken over its own sin.
  2. It never hungers and thirsts for the blood and righteousness of Christ.
  3. It never sees itself to be nothing.
  4. It never bows to the absolute sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ.

True faith says:

  1. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7: 24)
  2. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51: 7)
  3. “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 4: 4)
  4. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Finally, Brethren, Farewell”

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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 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Burial or Cremation?

”And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you” | Exodus 13: 19

Here the Spirit of God tells us that Moses did something that must have been very conspicuous to the nation of Israel as they made haste and left the land of Egypt. They left the land in haste, but not as slaves secretly escaping from their captors in the night. They left Egypt as slaves who had completely conquered, spoiled and dispossessed their captors in an open display of triumph and victory. As they left the land of captivity, Moses took the bones of Joseph with them.

Why do you suppose he did that?

I know this: God the Holy Spirit tells us in Hebrews 11 that Joseph made his brethren swear to carry his bones out of Egypt by faith, Moses carried his bones out of Egypt by faith, and Joshua buried his bones in Canaan by faith. And I think he did this as an indication of how believers ought to honor the dead bodies of those the Lord has taken to glory.

I am often asked, and several of you have asked me about this. — “Should a believer be cremated or buried?”

While the Scriptures do not give any commandment, they do, in my opinion, clearly indicate that the burial of our bodies is most consistent with the faith of the gospel. Our Lord was buried in the earth; and we confess our Savior and our faith in him by a burial in believer’s baptism. Clearly, there is a connection between burial and our faith in Christ.

Jacob Embalmed

Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah in the land of Canaan; and when he died, Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the same tomb (Genesis 23 and 25). And in Genesis 50 Joseph had his father Jacob embalmed, spent forty days mourning him, and obtained special permission from Pharaoh to carry his body up to Canaan. There he buried Jacob with Abraham and Isaac.

No doubt many, as they watched this procession, must have thought, “Why all this bother? Why all this expense? The man is dead.

“And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.” (2 Chronicles 16: 14)

Don’t they know that his body is going to rot and decay and return to the dust? Doesn’t Joseph know that the body is just a shell, not the man?” Yes, Joseph knew all that, and more. He did what he did to honor the father he dearly loved.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 5: 1-5)

And Joseph embalmed his father because embalming was an indication that the one whose body was dead was really very much alive.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11: 25-26)

The Scriptures do not tell us that; but that was the reason the Egyptians embalmed their dead and built great pyramids for their kings.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116: 15)

And our Lord Jesus tells us plainly that the death of the body is not, for God’s elect, death at all, but the beginning of a better life.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.” (Acts 9: 36-37)

Joseph embalmed his father in hope of the resurrection.

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15: 29)

When Paul speaks of the baptism of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29, the word baptism is used there as it is when the Scriptures speak of washing cups and pots and tables.

“And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” (Mark 7: 4-8)

The Apostle asserts that the reason for the practice of washing (embalming the dead) is the hope of the resurrection.

“And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.” (2 Chronicles 21: 19)

The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed our bodies as well as our souls.

It is altogether proper for us to treat the bodies of the dead with the utmost respect and honor, burying them in hope of the resurrection.

Joseph in a Coffin

That is what Joseph did for his father.

“And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50: 22-26)

He embalmed him and buried him in the land of Canaan, believing the Word and promise of God, — that he would live again in resurrection glory. Joseph’s last act, as he was leaving this world, was an act of faith. He required his brothers to swear to him that they not leave his bones in Egypt.

The Book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, closes with Joseph in a coffin.

All God’s dealings with Israel recorded in these 50 chapters, all the promises made to the patriarchs, and the glories of God’s servant Joseph end with “a coffin in Egypt.” For 300 years Israel was left with nothing but a mummy and a word of promise. The elaborately embalmed body of Joseph lay in a coffin, probably on public display somewhere in Goshen for 300 years! For three centuries, that silent “coffin in Egypt” preached its mighty message.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7: 2-4)

What did it say?

First, it was a silent reminder of mortality.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90: 12)

The shriveled, colorless lips that lay in that coffin, wrapped with linen, had left as their last utterance, “I die, but God will surely visit you.” No man is necessary. No mere mortal is indispensable. God’s Israel will survive the loss of the strongest and wisest. God lives, though a hundred Josephs die.

“And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.” (Exodus 1: 7)

Joseph died; “And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them”. So life springs side by side with death. There are cradles as well as graves; but the fact remains, you and I must soon die.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15: 51-58)

Second, that “coffin in Egypt” was a herald of hope. Joseph’s bones, lying in “a coffin in Egypt,” perpetually declared, God will bring you out of this place.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)

That is precisely what the Scriptures teach us about the burial of God’s saints in the earth.

Third, that “coffin in Egypt” was a preacher of patience. No doubt, hope deferred for 300 years had made many hearts sick and caused many fainting Israelites to ask in unbelief, “Where is the promise of his coming?”

But, for all those years, the silent coffin laid before the children of Israel proclaiming, “Though the vision tarry, wait for it.” Surely we need the same lesson.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8: 16-24)

Fourth, that “coffin in Egypt” was a pledge of possession. It proclaimed, “Canaan is yours and you shall possess it”.

Moses and Joseph’s Bones

Why does the Spirit of God tell us that Moses carried Joseph’s bones out of Egypt?

It is certain that Moses did not personally, physically carry that coffin containing Joseph’s bones out of Egypt. Yet, our text declares that the carrying of Joseph’s bones out of Egypt was specifically the work of Moses.

Why?

Moses represented the law of God.

Joseph was typical of our Lord Jesus Christ who was raised from the dead, because the law being satisfied, death had no more claim upon him.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” (1 Peter 4: 1-2)

Joseph also represented God’s elect who have been brought out of the bondage of sin and death, because God’s holy law has no claim upon us, since Christ has put away our sin.

Joshua and Joseph’s Bones

But Moses, the law, could never give Joseph and Israel the possession of the land of Canaan. That was a work that had to be done by Joshua. Joseph’s bones were buried in Canaan with Joshua’s, after the Lord God fulfilled every promise he had made to Abraham and the nation of Israel concerning that land

“And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.” (Joshua 24: 29-32)

So it shall be with you and me. As Joshua brought Joseph’s bones into Canaan and laid him to rest with himself in the land of promise, so the Lord Jesus Christ, our great Joshua, shall give us rest in the land of God’s promise

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” (Hebrews 4: 1)

When I leave this body, please, bury my body in the earth with my Redeemer to await the resurrection.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Burial or Cremation?”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 10 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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How Is The Believer Dead To The World?

”And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” | 1 Timothy 3: 16

A young student asked his Bible teacher ‘How is the believer dead to the world when he lives in the world, works a regular job, raises a family, and owns property in the world?’

The teacher sent him out to the gravesite of a friend with instructions to criticize the dead friend, harass him, and find fault, and then praise him with glowing terms and brag on him to excess.

Upon his return, the teacher asked, ‘What did your friend say when you criticized him?’

‘Nothing.’

‘How did he react when you praised him?’

‘It made no difference to him; he is dead!’

‘That is what it means to be dead to this world,’ said the teacher.

Its applause means nothing and its hatred means nothing.

We neither admire the people of this world nor do we fear them.

The riches of this world are but the fancy of fools, and the honors of this world mean little or nothing; for to be a child of God is the highest calling.

The religious traditions and ceremonies of the world have no attraction nor meaning when Christ is all!

That which was once important to us we now consider loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, our Lord.

This spiritual life in Christ cannot be explained; it must be experienced.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Summary of True Religion”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 10 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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No Preaching Is Better Than Bad Preaching

”Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” | Hebrews 6: 1-2

Some people are under the impression that when they are out of town on the Lord’s Day, they ought to go to some sort of church regardless of what kind of preaching they might have to endure.

I have been asked what I do when I find myself in a locality where the gospel is not set forth?

On those rare occasions when I am not preaching on a Sunday and in an area where there is no one nearby who proclaims the message of sovereign grace, this is what I will not do.

I will not go and hear a man preach “another gospel” which robs God of the glory of His free grace in the salvation of sinners.

I refuse to listen to any preacher who insists that God loves everybody, Jesus Christ died for everybody and the Holy Spirit is trying to save everybody.

I reject the idea that I ought to “go to church” even if it means I must sit under the ministry of a false prophet who instructs his hearers that their eternal destiny is dependent upon and controlled by their free-will.

As long as I have somewhat of a sound mind, you will not find me listening to a man who believes that there are sinners in hell for whom Jesus has already endured God’s wrath and paid their price of redemption.

I will, instead, remain wherever it is that I am staying to read the Word, pray and rejoice privately in the gracious Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ, “Who of God is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.”

Permit me to draw a parallel using a far-fetched illustration. I would always choose to remain at home and eat whatever is set before me with the full confidence that, though it might be a simple meal, it will be beneficial for me, rather than go out to a beautiful restaurant where I would be warmly greeted, led to my seat at a gorgeous, flower-adored table and then have to dine upon, at worst, food poisoned by the chef with arsenic or, at best, a plate full of sand and gravel.

~ Pastor Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “Things That Accompany The Salvation of God”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 9 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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A Good Example

”Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” | 1 Timothy 4: 12

God has revealed unto the true believer the true nature of sin and his wound grows deeper with the passing of time, as God gives him more light.

Consequently, his need, his hungering and thirsting for Christ also increases with time. The deeper his wound, the deeper his repentance, and the more he loves to hear of the all-sufficient Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who profess faith in Christ and do not, with the passing of time, have a deeper sense of their sinfulness, and thus live in a deeper state of repentance, have never likely experienced anything but a superficial religious scratch, not Holy Spirit conviction and repentance.

This condition is nearly always manifest in their lack of an increasing hunger and thirst for Christ, and the indifferent manner in which they hear that precious gospel of God’s glory and grace. They would just as soon, or would rather hear other things than the things of Christ.

”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)

Contrariwise, the true believer can never hear too much of that glorious message of “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The true believer is described in this Scripture. May we, you and I, be found in that blessed number.

Mr. Spurgeon once said, “After some years of experience, the Christian comes to know, better than he did at first, how much the gospel suits him. He finds that its simplicity suits his bewilderment; its grace suits his sinfulness; its power is suitable to his weakness; its comfort is suitable to his despondence; and the more he grows, the more he loves the gospel of the grace of God.”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “A Good Example”

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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: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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The Way They Call Heresy

”But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” | Acts 24: 14

“I commend you to God.”

What better instruction could any minister give to his congregation.

Don’t look to the Law; it will only serve to condemn you.

Don’t look to religious ceremony; it will only serve to befuddle you.

Don’t look to yourself; it will only serve to make you self righteous.

Don’t even look to the preacher; he is a sinner and needs grace just like you.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45: 22)

Look to the Lord Jesus Christ to provide all things in salvation.

“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)

He is made to the believer wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Keep looking always to Him.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Way They Call Heresy”

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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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 4 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Where Does Grace Lead?

”And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,” | 2 Thessalonians 1: 7

Some people would have us believe that if we preach pure grace it will lead people to licentious living.

They say if we remove the law as a guide or motivation for Christian living, people will have nothing to keep them faithful.

They say to tell a person to just follow Christ doesn’t provide enough structure and will lead people to careless living.

Is that where the gospel of God’s free grace in Christ Jesus leads?

Grace preachers have always been, and always will be, falsely accused of this devilish lie.

The apostle Paul spent much of his time defending the gospel of grace against this lawmongers view of self- righteousness. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6: 15)

Grace does not lead to sin.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” (2 Corinthians 5: 14)

Grace leads to Christ.

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15: 56)

Truth is ‘the strength of sin is the law.’

Show me a man preaching the law, and I’ll show you a people with no hope for their sin; its penalty, power, and ultimately its presence.

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Rest For The Troubled”

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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: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky