Contenders Or Pretenders?

”Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” | Jude 1: 3

Those who are not earnestly contending “for the faith” (the gospel of God’s sovereign and free grace in Christ) are only mere pretenders in a false refuge of lies. (Isaiah 28: 15; Matthew 7: 21-23)

Those who are earnestly and eagerly contending “for the faith” are those that are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (Romans 1: 16-17)

Those who fervently contend “for the faith” are those who publicly preach it, (Acts 5: 42; Philippians 1: 27) faithfully support it, (Corinithians 9: 7) zealously identify themselves where the gospel is preached, (Hebrews 10: 25) ardently pray for God’s blessing upon it, (2 Thessalonians 3: 1) dogmatically defend it against all opposition, (Galatians 5: 1-5; Philippians 1: 17; 1 Timothy 6: 3-5) and assertively insist that there is but one gospel. (Galatians 1: 6-10; Ephesians 4: 4-6)

Now the question for us is this, are we genuine and legitimate contenders or wretched and desolate pretenders?

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “We Love God’s 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.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 14 October, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

Rahab The Harlot

”By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” | Hebrews 11: 31

In our congregation (Bible Baptist Church, Madisonville, Kentucky) we have, Paul the engineer, Sharon the nurse, Jeff the contractor, Matthew the welder, LuAnn the secretary, and Noah the student.

Oftentimes we are identified with our occupation, or what we do in this life.

I don’t suppose that is a bad way to be remembered, unless, of course, you have an undesirable occupation.

Such was the case with Rahab. She was a harlot.

What a title to be stuck with some three thousand years after her death.

She wouldn’t deny it, that is what she was.

Yet, her name and title is recorded in “The believer’s hall of faith,” as one who had trusted in Christ and perished not.

In the end, it will not matter what my occupation was, or what I did. All that will matter is what Christ Jesus, the One who died to put my sin away, did for me.

With the believer, in heaven’s glory, the title, “Child of God,” will follow each of our names.

-Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Spiritual Cataracts”

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

An Election Of Grace

”Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” | Romans 9: 6-13

To me the end of all controversy is “Thus saith the Lord.”

Only let me know that the Lord hath said this or that, and though the revelation should seem impossible to believe, and though it should come into conflict with all my previous notions, I will bow before it without a question.

“The Lord hath said it,” stands to us instead of all reason, and argument, and evidence; yea, we believe God in the teeth of supposed evidence and reason, saying, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “An Election of Grace”

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

The Salvation Of A Malefactor

”And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” | Luke 23: 35-38

An old timer wrote: “My friend, you may think to live very well without Christ, but death will be unbearable without Him. You are confident and secure at present, but death will destroy your confidence. Your tree is fair and strong now; but when the wind comes, if your root is not in the Rock of Ages, down your tree must come forever. You may think these worldly pleasures and ways of flesh are so good; but when your years increase any you reach the bottom of this poisoned bowl, they will be as bitter as wormwood; and worse that gall shall be the daintiest of your drinks.”

When I read this, I gave thanks to our Lord for delivering us from “THIS BODY OF DEATH through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and old age and death are no longer to be feared but DESIRED; that death is no longer the LOSS of life and joy, but the GAIN of eternal life and glory.

While we mourn the temporary absence of our dear loved ones whom the Lord has been pleased to take to glory, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope; for we know, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His people,” (Psalm 116: 15) and leaving this world and going to be with Christ is the GREATEST BLESSING of all the blessings!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Salvation of a Malefactor”

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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: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

Salvation Is Of The Lord

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD.” | Psalm 37: 39

We have all heard of putting the cart before the horse.

That summarizes man’s religion.

It inverts the divine order.

It makes forgiveness the end rather than the beginning of salvation.

Man’s religion says you must believe before you can have life, rather than you believe because you live.

It says God will if you will, rather than God will and you shall.

It makes man the deciding factor rather than God. Anything that has man as the deciding factor is doomed for failure.

Thank God, “Salvation is of the Lord.”

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “What Does It Mean To Come To 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: 13 September, 2020 | Previous post date: 9 March, 2021

Is Anything Too Hard For The Lord?

”And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” | Genesis 18: 10-13

As Sarah laughed and Abraham doubted the promise of God to them and for them, this was His answer. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

This shows at least two things concerning our Great and Wonderful Redeemer and ourselves:

1) What a rebuke to our unbelieving and sinful flesh. When we doubt the promises and grace of God we surely need to be reminded; ‘is anything too hard for the (our) Lord?’

2) What a testimony to the longsuffering and goodness of the Father to the likes of us, for He gives us what we do not deserve which is His mercy. But with tenderness and compassion He reminds His covenant people; ‘is anything too hard for me?’

Let this simple but straight forward phrase of infinite and caring grace cause us to seek Him, love Him and worship Him evermore: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

~ Pastor Drew Dietz

Click here to listen to the message “Is Anything Too Hard For The Lord?”

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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: 14 October, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

True Healing For The Sick

“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” | Matthew 9: 20-22

It is grace at the beginning, grace at the end.

So that when you and I come to die upon our deathbeds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us is the thing that helped us at the beginning!

Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the GRACE of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, and it ends with grace!

~ Martin Lloyd Jones

Click here to listen to the message “True Healing For The Sick”

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

Happy & Content In Christ

”God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged” | Romans 3: 4

Are there any evidences that a person can have of being physically alive?

Yes there are… Breathing lungs, a beating heart, and a thinking mind will all be present and active.

If any of those three are absent; if the lungs no longer breathe, the heart no longer beats, or the mind no longer thinks, then it cannot be said that the person shows the evidence of life.

The same can be said concerning Spiritual life.

When Spiritual life is present, The quickening breath of God’s Holy Ghost will be in the soul; faith IN and ON Christ will be in the heart; and a right view of God, man, and salvation will be in the mind.

When a continual, fervent, immediate need for Christ is within a person – the breath of God’s Spirit is in the soul.

When Christ becomes a sinner’s only hope, and only desire; when a sinner stops looking to his own works for salvation, and starts looking to Christ’s work on the cross alone – true, saving faith is in the heart. And when a sinner throws out every word but God’s word, and says: “let God be true, and every man a liar” – repentance has come to the mind.

When these things are present, God given life has come!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Happy & Content 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 9 February, 2020 | Previous post date: n/a

Sick of Love

”Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” | 2 Timothy 3: 1-4

Love is a word that is one of the most abused words in the world no matter what language it is spoken in.

I for one am sick to death of the love of this world and its abuse. What kind of love is it that causes men and women to live together without marriage? God calls it fornication.

Then there is the love that causes a couple to stand before a preacher, enter into a covenant before God and men, promising to love, and cherish, till death do us part. In a few months or a few years the love dies or even turns to hate. I am sick of this kind of love.

What about mothers and fathers who have children and tell them how much they love them, then start using drugs and would rather give up their children than their drugs or alcohol. I am sick of this sad excuse for love aren’t you? A couple gets married, one of them meets someone else and brings their new lover in over their children, who abuses them, verbally or physically, and they allow it for fear of losing their lover. Oh how sick am I of this love.

The world now rejoices in men loving men and women loving women, when on its face it is perverted and unscriptural, it is against nature itself. Are you as sick of this kind of love as I am?

One thing all these “loves” I have mentioned have in common is a love of self… a love of pleasure.

But there is LOVE that makes my heart full and thankful. The love of God for His elect that was manifested in the Son of His love. I rejoice that He loved us with an everlasting love, and that He commended His love to us while we were yet sinners.

It was His love that made Him go willing to the cross and shed His blood to cleanse us from our sins. Bless His name His love never changes, it is as God Himself, immutable. Having loved us when we were unlovable He will love us and keep us from eternity to eternity.

~ Pastor Don Bell

Click here to listen to the message “Teach no other doctrine”

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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: 7 September, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

True Conversion

”Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” | Psalm 143: 7-8

When the Word of GOD converts a man, it takes away from him his despair, but it does not take away from him his repentance and sorrow for sin.

True conversion gives a man full pardon from all sin, but does not make him presumptuous. He continually is “coming to Christ.”

True conversion gives a man perfect rest, but does not stop his growth in grace, works of faith and labor of love.

True conversion gives a man security and assurance in Christ, but does not allow him to leave off being watchful. “Keep thine heart, for out of it are the issues of life.”

True conversion gives a man strength and righteousness, but it never lets him boast nor have any confidence in the flesh.

True conversion makes Christian duties, service, worship, and study to be a joy and a pleasure, never burden- some nor grievous, and certainly never considered as a way to find favor with GOD.

True conversion brings a man to live FOR GOD. He does what he does for the glory of GOD. True conversion brings a man to live WITH GOD. He seeks and desires blessed communion with the Redeemer.

The most treasured times are those hours of sweet fellowship with Him and His people.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Hear My Prayer, O Lord”

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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: 26 December, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia