Christ Is Precious To Those Who Believe

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Act 10: 33)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44) and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him.

His words are words of life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

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

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him. “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

This Man receives sinners!

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

What a miracle of amazing and sovereign grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Is The Rose Of Sharon”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 18 April, 2021 | Previous post date: 6 June, 2021

One Of You Shall Betray Me – Master Is It I?

”Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” | John 11: 3

When the Lord told His disciples, “One of you shall betray me,” they all replied, “Lord, is it I?”

We should have such distrust of ourselves that we would have the same reply.

But one of His disciples answered differently, “Master (Rabbi) is it I?”

This is the same disciple who betrayed Christ with a kiss saying, “Hail, Master.”

Not one time do we read where Judas Iscariot ever called Christ “Lord.”

Master is a term of respect for a teacher.

But the fact that Judas never called Him Lord reveals what he was in His wicked heart.

To the believer, Christ is Lord.

We recognize His Lordship over all things, and we recognize and love His Lordship over us.

Rolfe Barnard used to say, “Don’t tell me who your savior is, tell me who your Lord is. Then I will know who your savior is.”

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “He Whom Thou Lovest is Sick”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 22 January, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

No Condemnation And No Separation

“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

Consider this dreadful truth for a moment.

Our sin in fallen Adam charged to us has separated us from God, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59: 2) In Adam we are, “Estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psalm 58: 3) In Adam death and sin entered into us, “By one-man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” (Romans 5: 12)

But now consider this glorious truth for a moment.

Our sin has been separated from us forever.

Our Blessed Saviour came in the flesh apart from sin (Romans 8: 3) and in our nature to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9: 26; Galatians 4: 4-6; 1 John 3: 5) Now because of His glorious, full and eternal atonement for sin the believer has no sin. (Hebrews 10: 14-17) Our Lord said, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12) He has also assured us that He remembers our sin no more, “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10: 17) This is the good news of the gospel no condemnation and no separation but rather eternal reconciliation. (Romans 8: 1; Romans 8: 32-39; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21)

REPENTANCE | “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!” (2 Corinthians 7: 11)

Now Paul gives us seven evidences of true, sincere and genuine-godly repentance that is the gift of God.

1). What carefulness (eagerness, diligence and haste) it wrought in you; to correct our behavior before God and to avoid future offences, diligence and carefulness; as opposed to our past negligence in the gospel and in spiritual matters. (1 Thessalonians 1: 4-9)

2). What clearing of yourself; not by denying our sin, (what we are before God) and our guilt (because of our transgressions against God), but rather by confessing and owning them and seeking forgiveness for them only thru Christ) (1 John 1: 7-9; Hebrews 9: 12-14)

3). What indignation, (righteous anger), not against God’s holy law, nor against God’s servant for declaring the truth, but rather against our own selves, because of our own sin and foolishness. For true repentance is taking God’s side against ourselves because of our own folly and sin. (Job 42: 5-6; Isaiah 6: 5; Romans 7: 24-25)

4). What fear; (alarm) not of eternal condemnation; (Romans 8: 1) no condemnation to them that are in Christ, but rather of the Father’s disapproval and chastisement, and the fear of bringing reproach on the gospel of Christ. “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16: 6) What fear and reverence the Lord does give us when He grants unto us repentance! (Psalm 111: 9)

5). What a vehement desire; (longing for) to honor God and to live for His glory in the present evil world. When God gives repentance He changes our desires, of self-glory, self-centeredness, self-righteousness to seeking His glory; (Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3: 7-14)

6). What zeal; to promote God’s gospel. (1 Peter 2: 9) To stand for the true gospel of grace in Christ, having nothing to do with those who promote salvation by deeds of the law. (Galatians 1: 7-10; Galatians 2: 16)

7). What revenge; not against any person in a private way, for vengeance belongs unto God, but rather against anything contrary to the gospel of Christ. (Psalm 119: 104) These sweet and gracious effects wrought in us spring from the first great cause, God’s sovereign grace in Christ. They come from God and always lead to Him. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2: 4)

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Redemption Only In Christ”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 29 January, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

A Believer Is A Mystery

“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

The believer is a mystery to others and to himself also.

He is sanctified yet feels himself to be the chief of sinners.

He loves God’s law and will, yet he wrestles with an inward desire to have his own way.

He has great sorrow and heaviness of heart for many reasons, yet he rejoices in the Lord always.

His spirit longs to depart and be with Christ, yet his flesh clings to this earth.

He knows that he is secure in Christ, yet he examines his faith continually.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Mystery of Godliness”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 11 April, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” | John 14: 1

The Master had just finished telling His disciples that some very troubling things were soon coming to pass.

  • He told them that one of them would betray Him.
  • He told them that He was going away and they could not come with Him.
  • He told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times that very night.
  • I would imagine the disciples were shocked and dismayed.
  • They probably felt defeated just like we often do.

Then the Lord gave us these comforting words. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

O what comfort faith in Christ gives to the hearts of His elect.

When you are shocked at the pain and suffering you endure, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain, because you believe in Christ who has sacrificed Himself for your soul.

Your body will suffer but your soul will never suffer if Christ died for you.

When you are disappointed in your failure, let not your heart be troubled, because you believe in Christ the Savior.

Thankfully, your salvation and acceptance with God depends on who Christ is and what Christ has accomplished, not who you are or what you have done or what you have failed to do.

When you don’t understand what is happening, let not your heart be troubled or uncertain.

Our God rules every event so that every event works together to bring to pass the salvation of His people.

Our God is working even this together to accomplish His eternal will.

Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ never have reason for real despair because everything that God is doing is best for me, best for His people and best for His Kingdom.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Knowing God”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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: 7 February, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

The Race That Is Set

”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,” | Hebrews 12: 1

Everything about the believer’s race is set by God.

Our Lord determined before the foundation of the world those whom he would put in this race when he chose his people in Christ. The love of God for his people is as eternal as God is. It existed before time; it shall exist when time is no more. The everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus gives the believer great cause for patiently running this race.

Our God set the precise moment he would cross our path with the gospel. He determined the pastor he would raise up, gave him the heart to trust Christ, and the unction to preach his word in truth and in spirit. In that hour of love he made Christ our Wisdom.

We beheld something of the righteous skill with which Christ Jesus honored and magnified God’s law on our behalf.

We beheld his faithfulness and graciousness in satisfying justice on our behalf. In the light of Christ we heard the law condemn our sins and our sins were more than we could bear. But the Spirit revealed in our hearts that all our sins have been forever put away by Christ’s one offering.

In love and power Christ was made our Perfection, our Completion, our Righteousness, our All. When we behold God’s all-powerful hand in all providence which brought us to Christ in spite of us, the believer finds great comfort in knowing that the God who provided and is our Righteousness will continue to be our Strength to run this race.

Our God set every hurdle on this course which we must run and declares plainly to us that we must suffer much tribulation in this race. Yet, the God who set the course also reveals in us that he is the God who supplies the grace. That is what he teaches us as he carries us through every dark vale.

Our God set the length of our course. He has appointed the hour our race will end. By his grace we will find the finish line to be the most glorious hour of all the hours of our lives for then we shall enter into the presence of Christ our Redeemer.

What a joy to know that our race ends where it began, in Christ our Lord.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “According to Promise”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

I Trust Him!

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” | 1 Thessalonians 1: 4-5

It is not my hold of Christ that saves, but His hold of me.

It is not my promise to Him which keeps me, but His promise to me.

It is not my works which make me righteous before God, but His perfect life and obedience.

My best is but filthy rags. I trust Him on the strength and authority of His Word.

He died for those who believe; Lord, I believe!

He promised to save all who trust Him!

He said, “All that my Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

I came to Him, I am coming to Him, and by God’s grace, I shall continue to come.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Beloved Doctrine of Election”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

His Glory, Work, and Honor

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” | Genesis 1: 3-5

Every sermon sent by God Almighty will always find its focus in the Person of the Lord Jesus.

He is the Alpha and Omega of life.

He is the answer to all eternal questions and the purpose of all things.

Comfort in all trials is found by hearing the message of Christ which proclaims His glory, work, and honor.

We will never be found to honor Him more than to hear and believe His Gospel which, beginning with Moses and throughout all the prophets and in all the scriptures, declare those things that are concerning Him.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Let There Be Light”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

He Never Changes

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” | Hebrews 13: 8

I am so thankful that as I grow older and things change, inside and out, that there is One who never changes.

  1. His love never changes with time, for He loved me with an everlasting love that knows no change.
  2. His power never changes. He is just as able to keep me from falling today as when I first began.
  3. His Word never changes: “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23: 19) Has He not magnified His Word above His Name?
  4. His election of me shall never change. He will never cast off those whom He has chosen, for they will never do anything that He did not know about and has not already taken care of.
  5. The power of His blood shall never change. It still cleanses from all sin. No matter how deep the stain has gone, His blood washes it away.
  6. His Sacrifice will never change, it will never lose its effectiveness because it is always fresh in the midst of the Throne of God: “And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain…” (Revelation 5: 6)

We have a living sacrifice standing in the midst of the Throne of God.

When we rise out of our beds in the morning and go through our changes, just remember that there is One who
remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Rock Christ Jesus.

~ Pastor John Chapman

Click here to listen to the message “What Is Your Heart Set On?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

God Rules Everywhere

“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

Where God rules there are no accidents, preventable diseases, untimely deaths, stray bullets, or arrows that miss their mark; and God rules everywhere.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “IT Is Finished!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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