They Filled Jerusalem With Their Doctrine

”Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” | Acts 5: 28

The Apostles did not back down at the threats of the religious leaders of their day.

They preached Christ every time they were given an open door.

Any one who lived in Jerusalem could tell you who and what the Apostles preached.

They preached that Name that is above every name.

They preached Jesus Christ; the one whom they slew and hanged on a tree, that He is risen and exalted at God’s right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

They never failed to preach His Person, His Work and His Exaltation.

Christ Himself was always their message.

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” (Acts 5: 30-32)

O that this charge would be leveled against us.

That we have filled Ashland and the Tri State area with our Doctrine; which is none other than the preaching of Christ Crucified.

Every one should know Who we believe, love and worship in this assembly.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “I Stand Amazed” (39:45 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 18 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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

A God Ready To Pardon

“Thou art a God ready to pardon” | Nehemiah 9: 17

God, as He has revealed Himself to us in the scriptures, delights to shew mercy and to pardon guilty sinners. He has not left us to guess about His character.

David said of Him, “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86: 5) His readiness to pardon is seen in His long-suffering to Israel. God’s dealings with national Israel are very typical of His dealings with spiritual Israel. Though we are no more deserving of mercy than they were, yet God in Christ Jesus has been pleased to choose, justify and pardon His elect. (Romans 3: 24-26)

God’s readiness to pardon His people is seen in the following points:

1) In His Eternal Purpose! We must never think that Christ Jesus died to make God merciful. The death of the Lord Jesus is the result of the eternal purpose and love of God. (Revelation 13: 8) Before Adam’s rebellion ever took place, the remedy and redemption of the sheep of Christ was absolute and certain. (1 Corinthians 15: 22) Before Adam ever fell, Jesus Christ stood as the Surety and Mediator of the covenant of grace. (Hebrews 13: 20)

“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: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3: 8-12)

2) In His Gracious Provision! God, at great cost to Himself, from His own bosom gave His only begotten, well-beloved Son. (John 3: 16) God, in His holiness and strict justice, cannot simply give the sinner pardon without honoring His justice. (Ezekiel 8: 20) Therefore, God took to Himself sinless humanity. Living as our representative, He perfectly obeyed the law for us in all its precepts & penalties. (Romans 8: 1-4)

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4: 4-7)

3) In His Satisfying Propitiation! How can God be just and yet justify the ungodly; be a just God and Saviour? That is the vital question of the hour, that nobody is asking. The only way is for God Himself to satisfy His own justice. (Isaiah 53: 10) This is what happened at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ died in the place of His people, as the sinner’s Substitute. Bearing the sin of His people being laid upon Him, (Isaiah 53: 6) He suffered for them to satisfy God’s justice. (2 Corinthians 5: 21; 1 Peter 3: 18) The atonement doesn’t change the character of God, it honors and glorifies His justice and His mercy. (Psalm 85: 10)

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2: 16-18)

4) In Preaching The Gospel! God, in His infinite wisdom, has devised very simple means to call out His elect. (Romans 10: 13-17) God effectually calls out His sheep through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 10: 27) Wherever His people are, whoever they are, God will cross their path with the truth of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8: 26-40; 1 Peter 1: 23-25; James 1: 18)

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 17-21)

God is ready to pardon His people.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Conversion Of A Sinner”

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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: 6 June, 2021 | Previous post date: 21 July 2021

Grace Alone

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” | Acts 10: 43

I can understand how men and women, who have never read or heard the Word of God preached, can look to and depend on their works and self-righteousness to make them acceptable before God; for such things seem logical to the natural mind which knows nothing of God, sin, righteousness, and divine holiness.

But I cannot understand how any person who has read the Scriptures can fail to see that salvation is by grace alone through the merits and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Some Words of Assurance”

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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: 15 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

The Old Story Is Forever New

”Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” | Philippians 3: 1

We never grow weary of preaching the word of our Lord, the gospel of His grace; and we never tire of gathering together in His name to worship, pray, and fellowship with His people.

The old story is forever new; the familiar scriptures are fresher and sweeter with every taste.

  1. To often hear His word preached is to keep our hearts and minds on Christ, the fountain of life.
  2. To often hear His word preached is a safeguard against false doctrine and false teachers. An untaught child is more easily led astray than one “taught of God.”
  3. To often hear His word preached guards against self-righteousness. No danger of a person who is often in the presence of His holiness seeing any merit in himself.
  4. To often hear His word preached refreshes our spirits, brings peace to our hearts, and beauty to our countenances. One can look at flowers and readily see which flowers are most often watered!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Something Better”

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 February, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

Just Preach Christ To Me

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1: 23, “We preach Christ crucified”.

The same man told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4: 2, “Preach the Word”!

We cannot preach Christ apart from The Word.

We cannot know who a man is, what he believes or what he desires, apart from his word.

We cannot know what a man thinks, how he feels or what he has purposed in his heart to do, apart from his word.

Therefore, we cannot know who Christ is, what He has done, who He has done it for or why He has done it, apart from His Word!

To preach Christ, is to preach His Word.

And to truly preach His Word, is to preach Christ in every word of it!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Who Is Jesus Christ”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: 9 May, 2021

It Pleased The Lord Through Preaching

”Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” | Acts 13: 1-3

In this text, we have the account of how the Lord faithfully sent forth Barnabas and Saul to the Gentile world.

God has an elect people whom he has determined to save OUT OF all corners and people of this world in Christ Jesus.

This was the Lord’s word to Abraham: “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed” (Christ the Seed) ‘shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22: 17-18)

The gospel of Christ the Seed was preached to Abraham: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3: 16)

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Galatians 3: 8, 9)

This same gospel shall be preached to all God’s elect scattered throughout the entire world.

God uses his church to do so.

The very wisdom of God which chose his people in Christ, the very wisdom which accomplished the work whereby mercy and peace have met in harmony in Christ our Substitute, is the same wisdom of God which chose that the instrument he would use to proclaim his gospel would be his church in this world. The believer — who is perfectly complete in Christ to enter glory right now – remains in this world because God choose to use saved sinners to carry his gospel to his elect and save them through the gospel of our glorified Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 21)

Just as the work of election, of redemption, and of regeneration is the work of our triune God even so the work of raising up and equipping his vessels of mercy is the work of our Lord. God’s ambassadors’ are called of God; God gives his saints a heart to recognize his messengers and to support them in God’s work; God separates them to the work he would have them to do; God’s messengers are filled and led by the Spirit of God.

Thus they go forth preaching the gospel of Christ and him crucified.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Consider Him”

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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: 26 October, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

In Everything Give Thanks

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” | 1 Thessalonians 5: 18

Lord, teach us what the word “everything” means.

It would be very easy for us, in our sinful and doubtful flesh, to insert the words “some things” into that verse. In some things, we do give thanks. In most things, however, we don’t. Usually, we murmur over things, we complain over things, we question things, and we try our hardest to change things.

We do this because our sinfully blind eyes do not see the hand of the Lord in it. We do this because, sinfully, we are not trusting that He is doing right in it. We do this because, sinfully, we are doubtful that good will come from it.

Lord, we believe, help our unbelief! Teach us to have a single eye on You, and Your perfect purpose, and Your all knowing, all controlling, sovereign will. Teach us that everything is being done by You, through You, to You.

Therefore, EVERYTHING is for Your glory and our good. If we could truly see that… in everything, we would give thanks!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Christ The Only Foundation”

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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 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

JUST PREACH CHRIST TO ME

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:23, “We preach Christ crucified”. The same man told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Word”!

We cannot preach Christ apart from The Word. We cannot know who a man is, what he believes or what he desires, apart from his word. We cannot know what a man thinks, how he feels or what he has purposed in his heart to do, apart from his word. Therefore, we cannot know who Christ is, what He has done, who He has done it for or why He has done it, apart from His Word!

To preach Christ, is to preach His Word. And to truly preach His Word, is to preach Christ in every word of it!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Whose Heart The Lord Opened”

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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: 2 February, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a