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Saving Faith

”That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil” | Hebrews 6: 18-19

Saving faith is not based upon one’s feelings but upon God’s faithfulness.

It embraces and rejoices in the promises of God.

It needs no evidence or proof, only a word from the living God of the Bible; being ”And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4: 21); and realizing that the only difference between God’s faithful promise and its perfect fulfillment is just a little time…

His appointed time!

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 25 March, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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Works, Dead or Good

”And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” | Ruth 1: 16-17

Dead works are those things men do and look to for the hope of their salvation.

Good works are those things believers do when they are looking to Christ alone for all the hope of their salvation.

Dead works are things men glory in.

Good works are never acknowledged by those who do them.

Dead works are performed out of obligation and for reward.

Good works are willing acts of service done out of love for Christ.

Lord, purge our conscience of dead works to serve Thee, the true and living God. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9: 14)

Make us a peculiar people unto Thyself, zealous of Good works. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2: 14)

Which Thou hast ordained that we should walk in. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 10)

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Every Believers Testimony”

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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: 20 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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A Message For The Empty & Weak

”And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.” | Matthew 15: 36-37

An old man testified that it took him forty years to learn three things:

That he couldn’t do anything to save himself.

That God didn’t expect him to.

That Christ had done it all.

Click here to listen to the message “A Message For the Empty & Weak”

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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

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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”

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

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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”

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

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If It Weren’t For Grace, I’d Be A Goner

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.” | Romans 4: 16

A friend of mine was fond of saying, “If it weren’t for grace I’d be a goner.”

Then aren’t we thankful that salvation is all of grace!

If any part of salvation depends upon the creature doing anything we are all goners because man is dead in sin and unable to decide to do anything much less actually do anything righteous.

So salvation must be by grace, and every sinner is glad that it is so.

Grace gives a helpless dead sinner a sure expectation of eternal life.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “There is None Righteous, No Not One”

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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 February, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

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A Plan Or A Purpose?

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” | Ephesians 1: 11

I hear many people talk about God having a plan for our lives.

I hear others speak of God having a plan of salvation.

The nature of the word “plan” subtly destroys the sovereignty of God and the helplessness of man.

God does not “plan” anything.

The sovereign God PURPOSES everything.

A plan (like a blueprint) is something that someone else can carry out and put into being.

Salvation is not God’s plan that man must make effectual by his obedience.

“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isaiah 14: 24)

Salvation is what God purposed to do for His people by the obedience and sacrifice of His Son and what Christ the Savior has fully accomplished for His people.

“Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” (Romans 1: 13)

A plan also may or may not come to pass. I have planned to do many things that I did not do.

Salvation is not God’s plan.

Salvation is the purpose of God for His people.

“For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isaiah 14: 27)

A purpose which God SHALL bring to pass.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “The Pillar and Ground of Truth”

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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: 17 May, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Purpose Of God

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” | Romans 8: 28-30

We believe, according to the scriptures, that the Lord our God is a God of purpose, absolute and unalterable purpose. (Romans 9: 11-26)

Before the world began, Almighty God sovereignly purposed all that ever comes to pass in time.

Nothing in this world is left to chance.

Everything is moving toward the predetermined end of God’s eternal purpose with absolute, precise accuracy.

Even a casual reader of Holy Scripture has to face this fact: The God of the Bible is a God of purpose.

The Triune Jehovah is a God of purpose, and clearly teaches us several things about the purpose of God:

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11: 33-36)

The purpose of God is eternal. (Ephesians 1: 3-14)

The purpose of God includes all things. “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” (Ephesians 3: 11)

The purpose of God has for its peculiar design the everlasting benefit of God’s elect. Everything that God has purposed is for the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal benefit of his covenant people. “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)

The purpose of God is immutable and sure. The Lord himself says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46: 10)

And in its ultimate end, God’s purpose will accomplish the eternal salvation of his chosen people and the glory of his own great name.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Simplicity That Is In Christ”

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

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God Performs The Salvation Of Sinners

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” | Luke 13: 24

God’s grace is not an offer, but an operation.

It is not a passion in God desiring the salvation of sinners, but the operation of God performing the salvation of sinners.

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “The Strait Gate”

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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.

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“He Hath Done All Things Well”

”And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” | Mark 7: 37

Who can express fully the blessings of these words: “In Christ?”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)

To be “in Christ” means to be chosen “in Him before the foundation of the world.”

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1: 6)

To be “in Christ” means that there is now “no condemnation,” accepted “in the Beloved,” and “complete in Him.”

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 10)

It means that “as He is, so are we in this world.”

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4: 17)

It means everything to be “in Christ.”

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “He Hath Done All Things Well”

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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 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a