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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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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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A Believer Wouldn’t Do That

”What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” | Psalm 8: 4-6

Let us never again be guilty of saying, “A believer wouldn’t do that.”

Oh yes they will!

When we say such a thing we are trying to take some credit for our righteousness.

A believer will commit any sin an unbeliever will commit with the exception of apostacy (and only because God keeps them from it).

David, the man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and murder and didn’t even feel guilty about it for a time.

“Just Lot” (2 Peter 2: 7) chose to separate from Abraham and live in the well watered plain of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Peter who confessed all of his hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, also denied he even knew the Lord Jesus and later, by his actions, denied salvation by grace without works when he quit eating and fellowshipping with the Gentiles when some Jews arrived at the dinner.

Yes, the strongest of believers will commit any kind of sin.

So rather than say, “A believer wouldn’t do that”, let’s say “I am nothing but sin but Christ is my righteousness and He will never fail me.”

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Why Would God Think On Man?”

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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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We Believe And Are Sure

”Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” | John 6: 68-69

From the standpoint of God’s eternal decree, it may be truly said that believing sinners will not turn away from Christ because they cannot.

But from the standpoint of the believer’s experience, it may just as truly be said that believers cannot turn away from Christ because they will not.

And this is not presumption.

It is the simple, saving, childlike faith and trust of a believing sinner, a true believer.

The desperate need of his soul can only be satisfied in Christ Jesus the Lord!

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “Jesus of Nazareth”

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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: 27 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Our Sins And Our Guilt

”Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” | Acts 20: 28

As the people of God, we don’t deny Adam’s sin and guilt before Him.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3: 23)

We also confess and own that in Adam all have sinned, all have spiritually died, that we are all guilty by imputed and actual sin and imputed and actual guilt.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

However, I have never read in the scriptures of anyone praying forgive me for Adam’s sin, or Adam’s guilt.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5: 12)

Rather, the people of God are always praying, Lord forgive me for my sin, like the publican prayed, “Lord have mercy on me the sinner” or like David prayed, “Against thee and thee only have I sinned.”

We must understand, (and that only by sovereign revelation) that we are the guilty party, that we are ruined and lost and guilty before God.

Until we do, we will never earnestly beg for pardon, mercy or say with Job, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42: 5-6)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Church Bought With His Blood”

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

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

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Lord I Believe, Help My Unbelief

”And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” | Mark 9: 21-24

Before this man believed, he was not aware of his unbelief.

It was not until he believed that he saw the power of his unbelief.

This is the continued cry of the believer, “Lord, I believe.”

The new man believes.

He cannot not believe and it is the new man that is painfully aware of the unbelief of the old man, “Help thou mine unbelief.” — ‘I cannot do anything about it, and I am asking you to help me!’

The new man always believes and the old man never does.

But there will be no unbelief in heaven because the old man will not be there!

The old man was condemned and put away on the cross, and in heaven the believer will never have to deal with him again.

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “I Believe: Help My Unbelief”

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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: 19 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Unbelief And Its Consequences

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” | Romans 1: 20-23

The carnal heart will always give itself the honor, glory, and praise… thinking that it is the source of accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as man’s personal Savior.

It will foolishly comfort itself in self-righteous pride believing that soon heaven shall be its final home.

But a regenerated sinner will say with a broken but thankful heart, “Salvation is of the Lord and therefore I am what I am by the grace of God.”

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “When God Gives a Man Up”

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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: 23 August, 2020 | Previous post date: 30 May, 2021

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Temporary Believers

”There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” | John 1: 6-7

Over the years you and I have seen many leave their profession of Christ and go back to following the course of this world.

Our Lord Jesus calls such persons temporary believers, “Which for a while believe,” yet finally “fall away,” (Luke 8: 13) John Bunyan gave the manner in which these temporary believers “draw back.” He gives nine:

They draw off their thoughts, all that they may, from the remembrance of God, death, and judgment to come.

Then they cast off by degrees private duties, as closet-prayer, curbing their lusts, watching, sorrow for sin, and the like.

Then they shun the company of lively warm Christians.

After that, they grow cold to public duty, as hearing, reading, godly conference, and the like.

Then they begin to pick holes, as we say, in the coats of some of the godly, and that devilishly; that they may have a seeming reason to throw religion (for the sake of some infirmity they have spied in them) behind their backs.

Then they begin to adhere to and associate themselves with, carnal, loose and wanton men.

Then they give way to carnal and wanton discourses in secret, and glad are they if they can see such things in any that are counted honest, that they may the more boldly do it through their example.

After this they begin to play with little sins, openly.

And then being hardened, they show themselves as they are. Thus being launched again into the gulf of misery, unless a miracle of grace prevent it, they everlastingly perish in their own deceiving.

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Lying to 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: 10 January, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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And You Believe Not

”Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” | Mark 9: 24

Before this man believed, he was not aware of his unbelief.

It was not until he believed that he saw the power of his unbelief.

This is the continued cry of the believer, “Lord, I believe.”

The new man believes.

He cannot not believe and it is the new man that is painfully aware of the unbelief of the old man, “Help thou mine unbelief. I cannot do anything about it, and I am asking you to help me!”

The new man always believes and the old man never does.

But there will be no unbelief in heaven because the old man will not be there.

He was condemned and put away on the cross, and in heaven the believer will never have to deal with him again.

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “And You Believe Not”

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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 March, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a