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The Problem And The Solution

”O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” | Psalm 136: 1

We won’t make much headway in finding a solution if we don’t understand the problem.

A cure is not likely to be found if we have no knowledge of the disease.

In the matter of salvation, the problem is man’s sin; the solution is God’s grace.

The disease is moral depravity and spiritual inability; the remedy is God’s mercy in Christ.

If a man is near-sighted, he only needs corrective glasses, but if he is blind, he needs the miracle of sight!

If a man is sick, he only needs medicinal aid, but if he is dead, he needs the miracle of life!

If man has only strayed from the way, he needs directions, but if he is completely lost, he needs to be found!

So here is the question that must be settled by preachers and people alike: “What happened in the garden?”

When one feels obliged to come to some conclusions on the subjects of election, irresistible grace, and particular redemption it would be wise for him to first determine the condition of the sinner who is to be saved.

If man was only wounded by the fall he needs only assistance; if he is dead in sins, he needs to be resurrected and that by the purpose and power of the God of life.

If fallen man still has his moral ability and power of choice, then let us wait for him to choose and seek God, but if fallen man loves darkness and will not come to Christ, then Christ must love and come to him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Study of the Fall” (44:33 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: 29 July, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Honouring The Lord With Our Substance

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” | Proverbs 3: 9-10

Modern false preachers promise great returns on your money if you will but send it to them; much like one would invest in the stock market for quick and easy gain.

But the believer’s motivation for giving is God’s grace and charity toward him or her.

Since everything we have has been freely given (loaned) to us, therefore we give back a portion of what belongs to the Lord anyway.

The believer gives out of heartfelt gratitude and a desire to see the work of the gospel prosper.

The believer gives because he wants to, needs to, and because he knows it is his reasonable service.

The Lord will bless those who give in this way.

Although we are not to give in order to be blessed, yet the Lord will bless those who give willingly, lovingly and cheerfully.

Didn’t He say, “It is more blessed to give than receive”?

David, the king, observed the people giving willingly and generously (as did he) and thanked the Lord that they did so. “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29: 10-17)

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

When God saves someone, He makes them willing in the day of His power; He makes them willing worshippers, subjects, servants, followers and supporters.

Someone said, when God saves a man he saves his wallet too; meaning, when a soul is liberated that person becomes liberal with their money.

Know something?

It is not our money, but a loan from our Lord.

The above scripture is a promise from God Who cannot lie.

He tells us to give the first fruits… not what is left over.

Why is it we do not have anything left over to give?

Along with our own covetousness and greed, perhaps it is because we do not first honour the Lord with our substance.

If this be true with us, we should not wonder at our financial difficulties.

God is not going to bless someone who first thinks of himself and lavishes himself with things, while reluctantly or grudgingly giving a little (if anything) back to the One Who gave it all.

How can this be? Consider what He gave… Himself.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” God honours His word and honours those who honour Him by doing what He says.

Listen to the following scripture, better yet, turn to it and read it for yourself.

Listen carefully… “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3: 8-10)

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “O’ Our God, We Don’t Know What To Do” (45:57 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: 24 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Tie The Scarlet Line

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. | Psalm 94: 12-14

In most circles it is unfashionable to believe in the old gospel of substitution and atonement.

“Modern culture” and intellectualism have altered the Bible and religion until there is no real sin-offering and sacrifice left. The blood of His cross and the obedience of His life are only examples now, and not a propitiation, payment, nor imputed righteousness.

As for me, I tie the scarlet line in my window; I put the blood on my door; I stand amazed as my great High Priest enters within the veil with His own blood to make atonement for my soul.

In the midst of a thousand “new gospels” that aren’t worth the breath it takes to preach them, I hold in my heart and soul to the gospel of God concerning His Son, who was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, and by whose stripes I am healed.

Like Rahab of old, tie the scarlet line in your window.

If no one else sees it, GOD WILL!

If no one else is pleased – GOD IS!

~ Pastor Henry T. Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Lord Is My Light And Salvation”

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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: 12 September, 2021 | Previous post date: 11 September, 2022 | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Mercy Rejoiceth Against Judgement

”So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” | James 2: 12-13

Carnal reasoning shows partiality to one while neglecting another based on outward adornments.

God chose those who were too poor in sin to provide righteousness for themselves.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?” (James 2: 5-6)

Evil judgments exalt those who appear to offer a return and reject those who have nothing.

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2: 1-4)

God rejects those who come in the goodly apparel of their own righteousness but freely gives the vilest wretch the riches of faith, making him an heir of his kingdom.

Unjustified religionists rejoice to draw men before the law.

“Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2: 7-9)

God satisfied his own justice in the person of his Son and therefore he delights to show mercy.

Carnal men blaspheme the name of God, setting themselves up as gods, rejecting those rich in grace because by outward appearance they seem vile.

We rejected the Just One for the same reason.

Yet, it is by that worthy name that sinners are called and made the very righteousness of God in him.

Brethren, one of the worst enemies we face is the old, legal, unjust judge that resides within each of us.

We may try to justify such legalism by saying that our partiality was an effort to fulfill the royal command.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2: 10-11)

Yet, when we begin to vainly imagine that we have kept ourselves unspotted from the world, the Holy Spirit reminds us that one evil thought is enough to convict us as transgressors before the whole law of God.

Is your rejoicing in that soon you will stand alone before the thrice holy God in unbending justice?

Or is your rejoicing that you are now complete by faith in Christ through God’s abounding mercy?

Therefore, as believers, having beheld the wrath due to us poured out on our Substitute at Calvary, let us speak and do as they that shall be judged in the Lord our Righteousness.

Brethren, having received mercy from God instead of what we deserved may he give us grace to rejoice in the same mercy toward one another!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Sanctification Illustrated” (51:15 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 25 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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Pure Religion And Undefiled

”Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” | James 1: 27

The Son of God who took upon him the form of a servant and became obedient even unto the death of the cross is truly the only pure and undefiled worshipper before God the Father.

He visited this worldly orphanage and adopted a multitude of sons and daughters who were afflicted with no knowledge of the Father who loved them.

Christ Jesus visited his church revealing that though she thought herself a widow, fact was, she had a Husband who loved her with an everlasting love and bought her with his own blood.

This One who visited us orphans and widows kept himself undefiled from this world.

While carnal religion splattered itself with stains of hypocrisy by making known all their works, by taking advantage of the helpless, by using only those who could offer them gain in return, Christ our Lord quietly went about providing for those who could add nothing to him.

That is pure religion and undefiled before God the Father.

When this same gracious Spirit of Christ enters a sinner, his religion is made pure and undefiled before God the Father in spirit.

Now the former orphan is a son adopted and taken into the loving arms of his Father.

Once full of wrath, he now bridles his tongue so he can listen to priceless instruction drop like honey from the lips of his Father.

Now the former widow is adorned in the wedding garment of righteousness provided by her Husband who loved her and gave himself for her.

Though their old nature wars against them, neither the son nor the bride would dare return to their former state, but rest under the care of their Father and Husband.

Thus they keep themselves unspotted from this sinful world.

Moreover, sinners saved by grace behold their former state in those who are orphans and widows, poor and needy.

In a spirit made of love and mercy they visit the afflicted.

But visiting is more than giving carnal gifts during the holidays.

True visiting is a God-given spirit which willingly, continually, takes the oversight, not just with temporal provisions, but also with the gospel which provides for the soul.

Doing it without being noticed by anyone, for those who can offer you absolutely nothing in return, while knowing such acts add nothing whatsoever to your standing before God, that is keeping yourself unspotted from this world.

That is the spirit God gives to those who know what it is to be orphans and widows saved by God’s abounding grace.

That is pure religion and undefiled before God the Father.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Brotherly Love” (30:10 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.

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Bulletin Article date: 22 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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A Sign Of Vain Religion (Or, A Warning Against Vain Religion)

”If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” | James 1: 26

A man may appear religious, yet, an unbridled tongue comes from the spirit of a self-righteous heart puffed up in the vanity of the carnal mind.

All God’s saints say things on occasion that we wish we could take back.

But this text speaks of a man whose tongue continually reveals the hidden thoughts of his heart.

Here are some ways the tongue runs wild:

If a man insists on ascribing any part of salvation to “self” rather than every part of salvation to the triune God then the Holy Spirit says this man’s tongue reveals he has deceived his own heart.

When he speaks of how he made Christ “lord of his life” instead of confessing Christ is the Lord and the Life who graciously gives spiritual life to dead sinners then his unbridled tongue reveals his true god.

As he continually speaks of “his faith” instead of Christ who God says is the only Faithful One then he proves himself a wild ass unaccustomed to the bit.

When he brags of his “fleshly moral reform after conversion” instead of speaking of the holy, complete and perfect life that the saints have in spirit in Christ at God’s right hand, his run-away tongue brays into the wind like a stiff-necked mule bucks at the bridle.

And a favorite of all, the untamed tongue justifies his own unfaithfulness by kicking Christ’s redeemed into the mud by exposing their fleshly faults.

In short, an unbridled tongue is one which constantly exalts self while belittling the Lord Jesus Christ and those who are complete in him.

The Holy Spirit says this man’s religion — his attending worship services, his support, his reading scripture, his prayers, his singing, his witnessing unto others, his faith, his hope, his assurance, and every other part of his religion – is vain.

He loves self and hates God.

Oh, may God reveal the greatness of his glory in the face of Christ Jesus.

“That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinithians 1: 29-31)

When sinners behold Christ our Holiness they become submissive nobodies in reverence to him who alone is holy, just and good!

Only God bridles the tongue of the old corrupt nature when he creates the inward spiritual man.

The believer’s boasting ceases to be of his accomplishments but of the Excellencies of his Lord and his Savior, Jesus Christ the Son of God!

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “The Word Of This Salvation” (58:28 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: 21 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

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One Man

”In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” | Daniel 10: 1-6

“Faith”, if it be the faith of God’s elect, will embrace and rest only in Jesus Christ and His perfect work of redemption. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philipians 3: 3)

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-31)

All false religionists, even though they might profess Jesus Christ to be their Savior, put their trust in something they have done which they foolishly and sinfully think enables God to accept them.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 6-7)

Brethren, God has made us accepted in the Beloved (in Christ), In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4: 10)

When God gives His gift of faith to a hell-deserving sinner, we not only enter into His rest, we also cease from our own works, as God did from His, giving our Great Triune God all the glory for His unspeakable gift.

~ Pastor Gene Harmon

Click here to listen to the message “One Man” (27:09 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 24 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Faith In Christ Alone

”What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” | Song of Solomon 5: 9-16

Saving faith is in Christ alone, based upon the Word of God alone.

“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 15: 1)

To add any other requirement such as what a person does or does not do, what a person wears or does not wear, or where a person goes or does not go is as damning to the soul as preaching “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

“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: 3-4)

Anyone who adds man-made requirements to faith in Christ alone, based on the Word of God alone, has made themselves “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.”

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3: 3)

May God be pleased to make us trust in Christ alone and “worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Who Is Your Beloved?” (53:46 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.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 29 November, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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The Remission Of Sins

”And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” | Matthew 26: 26-29

We need an experience of Christ in which we think everything about Christ and not about the experience.

We need preachers who shall not keep demanding either a faith or love that we cannot rise to, but shall preach a Christ that produces and compels both.

~ P. T. Forsyth

Click here to listen to the message “The Remission Of Sins” (28:59 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: 24 June, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Doing The Will Of The Father

”Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” | Matthew 7: 21-23

We hold that a man is never so near grace as when he feels that he can do nothing at all but cry for mercy.

But, when he says, “I can pray, I can believe, I can do this or that,” the marks of self-sufficiency are still on his brow.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Doing The Will of The Father” (40:09 minutes)

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

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 29 August, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a