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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

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A High God For Low Sinners

”Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” | Psalm 138: 6-8

As a criminal condemned, convicted and sentenced, I walked steadily through the darkness, drawing ever nearer the time and place of execution. I knew well that I was guilty and that I justly deserved what lay ahead. My name was synonymous with lawlessness, rebellion and guilt. I didn’t have a single argument in my defense. There was not one thing I could do.

I had already abandoned all hope in myself.

But as I drew near the executioner, a man approached out of the shadows, took me by the shoulders and interrupted my trek toward death. “Just trust me and I will take your place, setting you free from all guilt.” ‘But I have so disrespected, dishonored and despised the law, were I to be freed, it would only be temporary, for my very name is Guilt. I would soon be apprehended and brought again to this place of approaching doom.’

“But I have honored and magnified the law,” he said, “you may take my name and I will take yours, thus you will be reckoned righteous and I guilty.” ‘But, Sir, that would necessitate your death. The law would pursue, arrest and execute you.’ “I’m willing,” he said, “to die in your place.”

‘But, Sir, why would you sacrifice yourself for me? You are innocent and I am guilty.’

“Though you haven’t known me, I have known and loved you for a long time, and came here for this purpose.”

Now I am free because he bore the penalty for my guilt.

Now I live because he died!

And though I am personally guilty, in the name of my friend, my substitute, the judge accepts me and favors me. Needless to say, I live under the influence of my substitute’s love and try to honor his name. To me, his name is above every name! Each new day of life, every joyful thought of the future and my present peace with the judge is all because of him. He is my life, my peace and my happiness!

My friends, this story illustrates the gospel of Christ, the gospel that is all of grace.

It is often suggested that such a gospel leaves men to live after the flesh, totally unchanged.

But I propose that any who profess commitment to this gospel, yet remain unchanged, have merely acknowledged the story, but never personally met the Redeemer!

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “A High God For Low Sinners”

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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: 1 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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The King Who Keeps His Sheep

”But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” | 1 Samuel 16: 7

The more we look at Christ crucified, the more we will mourn for sin.

Look at the cross until all that is on the cross is in your heart.

He who was pierced is your God, your maker, your benefactor, and best friend.

~ Jack Shanks

Click here to listen to the message “The King Who Keeps His Sheep”

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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: 1 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Only Reason For Salvation

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” | 1 John 2: 12

There is only one reason revealed in Holy Scripture that any sinner would be pardoned from all sin.

That one reason is Christ alone. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4: 32)

Christ Jesus was manifested to take away our sin and in Him is no sin. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3: 5)

The only reason for grace is Christ. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1: 16)

The only reason for mercy is Christ. “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)

The only reason for salvation is Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

The only reason for sanctification is Christ. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

His name’s sake includes all these things and much more. “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5: 20)

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43: 1-7)

Salvation is not because of our merit, nor our baptism, nor our works, nor our prayers, nor our repentance, nor our faith; but for the sake of Christ, his blood, sacrifice and satisfaction; and it reaches to all our sins, original and actual, secret and open, past, present, and future.

“Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” (Isaiah 44: 21-23)

The only reason for our salvation is not found in us, but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Called, Chosen and Faithful”

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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 May, 2020 | Previous post date: 11 April, 2021

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Repentance, The Missing Note

”Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” | Luke 24: 45-48

Preaching repentance is not something apart from the Gospel, the cry of repentance is in the gospel message.

It is that cry in the Gospel that makes the Gospel become good news.

The grace of repentance as it effectually works in the heart causes a man to take sides with God against himself and confess that he and his sin is an obnoxious thing to a thrice Holy God. He is made to see that in his nature and practice he is a heinous thing and must repent or perish, turn or burn.

I am sincerely afraid that great multitudes of professing Christians are no more than that, “Professing Christians”. I am fearful that they have done no more than accepted someone’s proposition and merely agreed with a “simple plan of salvation,” that at best can only produce a false hope. In such cases the heart hasn’t been smitten with conviction of sin, and neither has there been a development of “godly sorrow,” creating remorse and confession of the heinousness of sin before a Holy God.

The modern concept of “soul winning” has produced an easy-believe type of religion that has only populated the churches with a mass number of poor misguided souls that are “twofold more the child of Hell” than before.

The earnest prayer of this pastor is that God will be pleased to pour out upon this religious, but lost world the spirit of grace and supplication. And that those who parade themselves on the “Broadway to destruction,” blindly convinced that they are in the straight and narrow may be brought into the dust of repentance.

As an old minister of long ago said, “There is no going to the fair haven of glory without sailing through the narrow strait of repentance.”

~ Terry Worthan

Click here to listen to the message “Cleanse Your Hands And Purify Your Hearts”

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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: 13 March, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Only Way To Relieve Distress

”If any among you be afflicted, let them pray.” | James 5: 13

God doth afflict us not that we may swallow our griefs, but vent them in prayer.

We have no other way to relieve ourselves in any distress, but by serious addresses to God; this is the means appointed by God to procure comfort to the distressed mind, safety to those that are in danger, relief to them that are in want, strength to them that are in weakness; in short, the only means for obtaining good and removing evil, whether temptations, dangers, enemies, sin, sorrows, fears, cares, poverty, shame, sickness.

God is our only help against all these, and prayer is the means to obtain relief from Him; yea, all grace and strength, and the greatest mercies that we desire and stand in need of.

~ Thomas Manton

Click here to listen to the message “Oh How Great Is They Goodness”

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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 December, 2019 | Previous post date: n/a

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The Purpose Of The Church

”And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.” | 1 Kings 8: 20-21

This was Solomon’s declaration concerning the temple he built, which is the purpose of the church.

The church (people of God) is the temple of God, wherein the Name of the Lord is proclaimed, worshipped and honored.

And it is the place where you will hear the gospel of Christ… Whom the Ark of the covenant represents.

This is the sole purpose of the church, the pillar and ground of the truth; to honor God and preach Christ and Him crucified.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?”

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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: 15 June, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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Ye Are Saved!

”But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” | Ephesians 2:4-5

The happiest word in the Bible is the word “Saved.”

That man or woman who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10: 13)

But what does it mean to be saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ?

To be saved is to be Forgiven of all sin “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1: 7)

To be saved is to have Peace with God “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5: 1)

To be saved is to be Free from the curse of the law “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3: 13)

To be saved is to be Free from all possibility of condemnation “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 saved is to have Eternal life “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5: 11)

To be saved is to have the Spirit of Christ “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8: 9)

To be saved is to Own and acknowledge Christ as Lord “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10)

To be saved is to be In love with Jesus Christ “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1 Corinthians 16: 22)

~ Pastor Don Fortner

Click here to listen to the message “Tender Words Of Intimate Love Song”

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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 January, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a