The God Of Peace Shall Be With You

”And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” | Acts 16: 14

All the glory in salvation belongs to Christ Jesus the Lord.

Even the believers willingness and obedience is by Christ the Power and Wisdom of God.

”For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1: 16)

We all know that the power is exercised in these last days through preaching.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

Throughout the generations the LORD God has proven that you and I can never know God by our own wisdom.

”For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1: 21)

Therefore the preaching of the gospel is God’s ordained means of saving his people in these last days.

”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)

But the power in the gospel is the person of Christ who reveals himself in the sinner

”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)

The Power which makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation is not the power of a preacher, or of a discourse, or of persuasion – Christ worked all things to bring the sinner and the gospel together, Christ sent the truth, Christ opened the heart and revealed himself, and the revelation is Christ himself, the Power of God.

The revelation of the mystery is Christ.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

This is the true God, and eternal life.

”But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 23, 24)

The hope of glory is Christ in you, the Power and Wisdom that Christ IS when he makes himself known in the heart which makes a sinner willing.

”That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1: 17)

Only when you see Christ — the beauties of holiness in him – will you be persuaded that he is All.

”And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 20)

All your complete acceptance with God with nothing needed by you.

As we endeavor to bear witness of Christ in this place let’s remember when we are forbidden to go forward as we plan that the Lord always opens the door in his time and not ours.

Let us actively wait on the Lord.

We will know as assuredly as Paul knew when it is time.

Seeing the great detail with which our Lord governs the hearts of those he uses and those whom he calls out, let it not cause us to use his sovereignty as an excuse for laziness.

But may it give us assurance that we can give ourselves to this work: Immediately, Making a straight course, Today and the next day and the next day, Assuredly gathering that the Lord has called us to promote the gospel of Christ in this place.

And finally, may we do so giving all glory to Christ Jesus the Lord in whom dwells all fullness.

”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4: 8)

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church later he comforted them by reminding them to always think on “things” – those things are the blessings of the person and work of Christ which you have learned and received (been given.)

The God of peace shall be with you.

~ Pastor Clay Curtis

Click here to listen to the message “Christ Teaches Lydia the Gospel” (42:14 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: 26 March, 2009 | Previous post date: n/a | Ewing, New Jersey

I Will Never Leave Thee Nor Forsake Thee

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” | Hebrews 13: 5

Children of God often find themselves in distress and sorrow in this world and in uncertainty about the happenings of this world.

So we need to be reminded often that our comfort and confidence comes from the certainty of salvation in Christ and His constant presence with His people.

His precious promise to never leave nor forsake His people comforts our heart in the worst sorrow and the greatest uncertainty about the things of this world.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Rejoice With Me” (25:19 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: Special | Previous post date: 29 January, 2021

Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” | Psalm 122: 1

What defines a true house of the Lord?

It is a house where the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared – God, Man, Mediator, Savior!

”Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Psalm 62: 1)

It is a house where the Word of Christ is declared – every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God.

”He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62: 2)

It is a house where the Spirit of Christ dwells – in truth.

”How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.” (Psalm 62: 3)

It is a house where the glory of Christ dwells – in power.

”They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” (Psalm 62: 4)

It is a house where the people of Christ dwell – in love.

”My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” (Psalm 62: 5)

It is a house where Christ is ALL and in all.

”He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62: 6)

That is a house that all of God’s people are glad to go to.

May that be THIS house today!

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Truly My Soul Waiteth Upon God” (29:41 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: 5 June, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

Today Is The Day Of Salvation

”(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” | 2 Corinthians 6: 2

It is one thing to “wait on the Lord” in matters of providence, trial, and decisions regarding our plans and purposes.

”Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27: 14)

But the command to repent and believe on Christ is in the imperative!

It is “NOW is the accepted time, TODAY is the day of salvation.”

Someone may say, “But I want to be sure.”

You can be sure that you are a guilty sinner, that you have no ability to justify yourself before God, that God sent His Son to save, that He is a sufficient Savior, and that not to believe this gospel is to make God a liar and presume on His patience!

Walk in THE LIGHT YOU HAVE, look to Christ now and confess what faith you have depending on Him to give you more faith.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Trust In The Lord” (30:38 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: 19 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Waiting On The Lord

“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” | Micah 7: 7

Here are three reasons why God’s people are happy to wait on their Lord:

  1. Our example and reason for waiting – which is Christ! He waited on us that He might be gracious to us, and have mercy upon us. “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30: 18)
  2. The danger of NOT waiting! When we do not wait on the Lord for the direction of His will and purpose, we bring nothing but heartache to ourselves. Israel “…soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psalm 106: 13-15)
  3. The promises from God at the end of waiting! “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart…” (Psalm 27: 14) “…those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm 37: 9) “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” (Isaiah 64: 4)

~ Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “We Will Rejoice In Thy Salvation” (28:12 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: 5 August, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

A Fallen Saint

“Peter went out and wept bitterly.” | Luke 22: 62

Peter had sat in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

He had walked on the water to go to Him.

He had lived in the full assurance that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.

“We believe and are sure,” he said, “That thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” the words of blood redemption had gone to Peter’s heart from the very lips of Jesus Christ Himself.

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6: 68)

Peter had seen the power of the Lord when he spoke to the raging waves of the sea and stilled them – the Lord Jesus saved Peter’s life that day, and Peter knew it too.

Now this same Peter has denied the Lord he loved and believed – even cursed and swore he never knew him. Look at him now as he goes off in the darkness sobbing as he goes.

Imagine the guilt and fear that weighed upon his afflicted conscience?

Imagine the suggestions from Satan, the prince of darkness, saying to him, “There is no hope for you now.”

Only those who have experienced such a thing know how Satan can work with a guilty conscience to drive it to despair.

I am sure Peter thought, as many have since, “There is no way out of this dilemma I find myself in.”

A poor soul like this can despair of ever being recovered. He sank in deep mire where there was no standing.

I will tell you this, if Jesus Christ does not make intercession for such a person and strengthen his faith, and send some light into his darkness, Satan will sift him. Those who dream they are a match for Satan’s accusations are ignorant of his devices.

Does our Lord Jesus know all this?

Of course he knows.

His intercession had already secured Peter, not from falling but from falling away.

Not from bitter weeping but from final despair.

Peter had a sad and fearful fall, but he had a fearless and faithful Advocate with the Father.

Peter fell, but just about the time the enemy began to rejoice over him, he rose up again – forgiven and restored.

Dear fallen saint, don’t despair.

Maybe you see no way in your present darkness to be restored, but Jesus Christ can see for you, He is the way.

Look out of your wet eyes to him.

Your heart is aching but the Lord Jesus feels it.

Trust him.

Wait upon Him.

Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning.

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Our eyes are upon thee” (59:37 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: 8 August, 2021 | Previous post date: 31 August, 2021

To Whom Coming

”To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” | 1 Peter 2: 4-5

To those of you who truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ from the heart and are looking to Him for your salvation, hear the good news of the gospel again!

Don’t despair over your salvation because you constantly feel sinful (or fall into sin).

It is the work of the Holy Spirit of God to convict of sin.

It is not a one-time thing but an on-going work in all God’s children.

The Spirit’s first work in salvation is to convict of sin and point to Christ, and it is the continual work of this kind Comforter.

Like a faithful parent, He will never leave us to ourselves but is constantly reproving, rebuking, correcting, instructing, comforting, consoling, and encouraging.

It is true that we can “grieve” the Holy Spirit and “quench” Him.

This is much like when a child does not listen to nor abide by the teachings of its parent.

Every believer is a responsible child unto his heavenly Father and must heed the instructions of his Father.

But don’t ever despair of being His child when you fail or find yourself disobedient and sinful.

That is the Holy Spirit convicting you and calling the prodigal back to the Father.

Despair of yourselves (of ever having any good thing in your flesh) but keep looking to and coming to Christ.

Never despair of His Mercy, for it “endureth forever.”

No matter how sinful you are, come right back to Christ, and you will find that His mercy is “new every morning.”

That is what it means when it says, “Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you… and that He might have mercy upon you”

“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30: 18)

Spoken like a true and loving Father to His children, there is never a time when they will come to Him for mercy and forgiveness only to have Him “cast them out.”

We are always ready to receive our wayward children, so “how much more” the infinitely and eternally loving heavenly Father.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “And There Sat A Certain Man” (44:36 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.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 18 February, 2007 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

Wait On The Lord

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” | Psalm 27: 14

Waiting on the Lord is an attitude that is completely foreign to the natural man.

That’s why the new man struggles while he truly desires to wait on the One who loves him and gave Himself for him.

He knows that the Lord is working all things after the counsel of His own will and that whatsoever comes to pass has been eternally purposed by the Lord for His glory and the eternal good of His elect and shall not fail to be brought about.

But though these truths are known and loved by the people of God… still they experience the battle within to take matters into their own hands.

O may the Lord help us to wait upon Him.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Wait On 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.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 April, 2021 | Previous post date: 19 June, 2021

Waiting On The Lord

”I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” | Psalm 130: 5-6

Waiting on the Lord does not imply idleness on the part of the believer.

His people are active in the kingdom of God:

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)

Diligent about their Father’s business. “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2: 49)

Vigorous in spreading the gospel by whatever means the Lord supplies. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5: 41- 42)

Our God highly disapproves of idleness. “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!” (Amos 6: 1)

However, we do wait on Him for direction, open doors, liberty, wisdom, and for results.

Here is the source, strength and the sweetness of our waiting, “In His WORD I do hope.”

His WORD is always successful. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55: 11)

His WORD is always true. “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” (Psalm 33: 4)

His WORD is living. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)

His WORD is powerful. “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)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

The apostle Paul declared that he labored much in preaching the WORD, but also he waited on the Lord for the results. Listen to what he said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3: 6)

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;” (2 Timothy 4: 1)

Let us be diligent laborers in the kingdom of God, always striving to preach the WORD; (Jesus Christ) knowing our labors in the Lord are never fruitless. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15: 58)

However, let us be just as diligent to wait on the Lord for the results.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27: 14)

His blessings are worth waiting for.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Repent, The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand”

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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 April, 2018 | Previous post date: n/a

Wait On The Lord

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” | Psalm 27: 14

Waiting on the Lord is an attitude that is completely foreign to the natural man.

That’s why the new man struggles while he truly desires to wait on the One who loves him and gave Himself for him.

He knows that the Lord is working all things after the counsel of His own will and that whatsoever comes to pass has been eternally purposed by the Lord for His glory and the eternal good of His elect and shall not fail to be brought about.

But though these truths are known and loved by the people of God… still they experience the battle within to take matters into their own hands.

O may the Lord help us to wait upon Him.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “Coals Of Fire That Melt The Heart”

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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