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What Is Grace?

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” | Galatians 2: 21

Paul tells us repeatedly that we are saved and justified, called and sanctified, preserved and glorified by the grace of God, without our works; but what is grace?

Almost all professing christians say they believe that salvation is by grace.

The Word of God lays such heavy emphasis upon the fact that salvation is by grace that it is very difficult for anyone to claim to believe the Bible and yet openly deny that salvation is by grace.

Papists, pentecostals, and fundamentalists, all claim to believe in salvation by grace.

But most people think and speak about grace in such a way that they frustrate the grace of God.

That is the reason Paul declared, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain!”

The grace that most people talk about is not grace at all.

It is so mixed with human merit and human works that it is ‘no more grace’.

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11: 6)

Grace that looks to the worth of man, waits upon the will of man, or depends upon the work of man is frustrated grace; and frustrated grace is not the grace of God!

Grace is the unmerited favor of God.

Grace is free!

Grace is unconditional!

Anything earned, merited, or deserved by you is not grace.

The man who thinks he deserves God’s salvation does not believe in grace.

The person who imagines that his acceptance with God depends upon his will, his works, or his worth, does not believe in grace, as the Bible speaks of grace.

He has fallen from grace.

“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5: 2-4)

Such people may talk about grace, but grace does not mean to them what it does to poor, helpless, guilty, bankrupt, self-condemned sinners, whose only hope is Christ.

No one will ever honor and extol the grace of God until he has experienced it.

It was only after he had experienced it that Paul declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

Before that, though he was religious, he was a blasphemer who hoped for salvation by something he did.

Paul took no credit for his conversion.

He ascribed the whole of his salvation to God’s free grace alone.

He knew he did not make himself to differ from others.

A great change had taken place in his heart.

His opinions, affections, ambitions, desires, hopes, and motives had been radically changed; and he attributed the change to the grace of God alone.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The World Judged At The Cross” (27:14 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: 13 August, 2017 | Previous post date: 15 August, 2021 | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Grace Be With You. Amen

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” | Philippians 2: 12

I will not debate with the free-will works religionist who claims that this verse of scripture proves that salvation is accomplished by a “work of righteousness” that the sinner does.

Paul resolved that argument in the very next sentence of his letter to the church at Philippi.

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

No sinner can “work out,” what God has not “worked in.”

It is impossible for a dead man/woman to do anything without first being made alive, and only God can give a dead sinner life in Christ.

It is with fear and trembling that we beg God to make us alive, and if we do, then we can be assured that He already has.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Grace Be With You. Amen” (22:29 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 May, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Grace Is Not Offered But Given

”But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” |

Anytime a preacher presents the grace of God as an offer on God’s part to anybody who is willing to receive it, he has not preached grace as the Bible does.

The Bible does not say, “But God, who is rich in mercy for His great love where with He loved us, even when we were dead in sins has offered us His grace…”

“It says God hath “quickened us together with Christ, by grace are ye saved.”

”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2: 5)

Grace is not offered; grace is given!

And when grace is given, it always saves and is always received!

We do not have a choice as to whether or not we will accept God’s offer of grace.

Grace saves!

Grace is not something we use to aid in our salvation – Grace saves us!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “Grace” (32:10 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: 16 March, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

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Have We Learned Christ?

“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:” | Ephesians 4: 20-21

The believer is a person who has undergone and is undergoing a divine work of grace within.

This work began and continues by the hearing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In verse 21, of our text, plainly states, “if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.” This hearing is not the common hearing of men but the hearing of the gospel in power and in demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 2: 4, where this is stated, the word demonstration means an inward manifestation of the gospel. God, the Holy Spirit, demonstrates the mercy and grace of Christ within the hearing sinner and he is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1: 13) Those who truly hear know that both the messenger and his message is from the Lord. John said, “we are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby, know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4: 6)

All those who hear the gospel, in power, are born of God and given the ability, the right, and the privilege to become sons of God. (John 1: 12-13) They have, by the gracious gift of the Father, been “made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1: 12) Those who truly hear, keep on hearing, and never lose their appetite for the gospel.

In Hebrews 10: 39, Paul says, “we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

The believer is a person who has undergone a divine transformation; a divine work of grace within. He is not what he was and not yet what he hopes to be, but is what he is by the grace of God; a new creature in Christ Jesus. “For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that he should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10)

The believer is rather like a woman shopping who sees a garment and thinks to herself how good she would look with it on. So she finds a way to get it. Believers do not continue to walk in the vanity of their minds but have seen with spiritual eyes the beauty and majesty of Christ.

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make provision for the flesh.” (Romans 13: 14)


Apart from this inward work of grace all else is folly.

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

Click here to listen to the message “How Can You Believe?” (36:16 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: 18 July, 2021 | Ewing, New Jersey

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A Good Hope Through Grace

”Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” | 2 Thessalonians 2: 16

I have a hope of eternal life and eternal glory.

It is a “living hope” because my Lord Jesus lives!

As my surety and substitute “He lives, and was dead, and behold He is alive forevermore.”

“He EVER LIVETH to make intercession for us.”

My hope is a “good hope” because the Lord Jesus and the Father gave it to me through grace.

I did not earn it nor deserve it by my works.

It is the free gift of His love and mercy in Christ.

If my merit or works enter in at any point, it would not be a good hope.

Therefore, if I am asked a reason for my hope, I would ground my reply in the three foundations of the Great Reformation.

1.) THE SCRIPTURES ALONE. I believe the Word of God! I cannot trust my feelings, my thoughts, nor my experiences; but, I can rest my soul on His Word.

2.) GRACE ALONE. Salvation is by God’s free and sovereign grace from its origination to its consummation. All that I am, have, know, or shall ever be is the gift of God to me. “A beggar poor, at mercy’s door, lies such a wretch as I.”

3.) CHRIST ALONE. “I know WHOM I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to HIM against that day.” If I have believed and trusted Christ alone, then I am sure that the Father will put forth all His power to preserve me, that His Son be not dishonored.

This is indeed A GOOD HOPE THROUGH GRACE.

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “How Is Salvation Received?” (14:47 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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Oh! Sweet Grace! Blessed Grace!

“For by grace are you saved.” | Ephesians 2: 8

We are saved by grace—free grace, rich grace, sovereign grace, distinguishing grace—without one atom of works, without one grain of creature merit, without anything of the flesh.

Oh! Sweet grace, blessed grace!

Oh! what a help — what a strength — what a rest for a poor toiling, striving, laboring soul—to find that grace has done all the work—to feel that grace has triumphed in the cross of Christ—to find that nothing is required, nothing is needed, nothing is to be done!

~ J. C. Philpot

Click here to listen to the message “Cast Your ALL on Him” (32:12 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: 2 October, 2021

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Grace Given To Unworthy Sinners

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” | Ephesians 3: 8-9

The first link between my soul and Christ is not my goodness, but my badness; not my merit, but my misery; not my standing, but my falling; not my riches, but my need.

He comes to visit His people, yet not to admire their beauties, but to remove their deformities; not to reward their virtues, but to forgive their sins.

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “Grace Given To Unworthy Sinners” (35:15 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: 12 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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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

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Grace, Grace, And More Grace

“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: 3-35

Absolutely no one will cry out for God’s mercy until the Holy Spirit makes them see that they are spiritually bankrupt!

Then, and only then, are they ready to receive Jesus Christ as their only hope; as their Savior; as their Sovereign Lord; AS THEIR ALL IN ALL!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not ‘God has done His part, now the rest is up to you.’ The Gospel is not what the sinner can do for God, but what Jesus Christ has done for the sinner. “Christ… hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3: 18)

When Jesus Christ died, He, by Himself, purged our sins; “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)

He reconciled us to God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5: 10)

Our Savior was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.”

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4: 25)

Christ suffered and died for our sins THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD!

The risen, exalted Christ of God is not trying to find His lost sheep.

In the Person of God, the Holy Spirit, our sovereign Lord will seek and save all those He suffered and bled and died for.

He MUST bring them to Himself.

They MUST hear His voice.

He said so. “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”> (John 10: 16)

God the Father has put all things under the feet of His glorified Son and has given Him power over all flesh.

By the quickening power of our risen Savior, He gives eternal life to as many as His Father gave Him. “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17: 2)

He gives us a new heart to come to Him by faith, a heart that rejoices in His glorious Gospel.

Sinners have not come to God if they have not bowed down to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

They have not come to God if they’re trusting in something they have done to try and merit God’s grace, including their socalled free will.

We come to God when we come to the Christ of Holy Scripture; when we believe that He suffered for our sins that He might bring us to God; when we believe that being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Sinners come to God when we, by His gift of true saving faith, bow down to the risen, glorified Son of God, confessing Him as our Sovereign Lord and Saviour.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But absolutely no one will call upon the name of Jesus Christ until they hear and believe the true Gospel of God‘s sovereign, amazing grace.

Brethren, God the Holy Spirit is the one who sends His preachers to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in those areas where His lost sheep are. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”> (Romans 10: 13-15)

Under the preaching of the Christ of Holy Scripture, the sovereign power of the risen, glorified Son of God is manifested for the glory of God the Father when He delivers His chosen, redeemed children from the prison-house of unbelief, bringing them into a living union with Himself.

~ Pastor Gene Harmon

Click here to listen to the message “Grace, Grace, and More Grace”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 30 May, 2021 | Previous post date: 21 July, 2021

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Reserved

”But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” | Romans 11: 4

What is most amazing about this verse is not how many!

Although seven thousand men is no number to shake a stick at, that is not the important message our Lord is pleased to reveal here.

“I have reserved’ is the message to take away from this!

God’s sovereignty is declared above all things, he is the one who reserved those men, by keeping them from bowing their knees, or even praising the idol of Ba-al. “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19: 18)

If you changed that number to two, would it make a difference?

NO!

It has become a praise of men, to declare the number of souls they have won for the lord.

They say their numbers are the result of their preaching or witnessing, their so-called truth!

They declare they must be teaching the truth, look at the numbers.

But what saith the scriptures?

The word remnant means “a portion of” or “what’s left over of,” or in other words, the seven thousand men were but a small portion, compared to all that had bent their knee to Ba-al. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11: 5)

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” By GOD’S GRACE, there is a remnant he has reserved unto himself. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11: 6)

Numbers are not the issue!

GOD’S GRACE IS!

~ Pastor John Reeves

Click here to listen to the message “Five Things I Could Not See”

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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