Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Strait Gate And Narrow Way

“And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed.” | Genesis 27: 27

There is, without a doubt, no clearer picture or type of the blessing of God Almighty to an unworthy rebel than the blessing of Jacob by his father Isaac.

Jacob had exhibited the true nature of a wretched sinner.

In Jacob’s mind, the only way he could get his father’s blessing was to impersonate his brother Esau.

Lying with every breath, Jacob attempted to convince his father that he was someone else.

Not until Isaac smelled the coat of Esau did he bestow the blessing.

The smell of his first born satisfied the aging Isaac.

And just as the smell of Esau’s coat that covered Jacob ushered in the blessing to the younger son… Christ’s royal robe of righteousness, imputed to everyone that believeth in Christ, is the smell of satisfaction, obedience, and truthfulness to God the Father.

In ourselves, we are but “Jacobs,” deceivers, liars and supplanters.

But robed in the glorious robe of Christ’s imputed righteousness… we are accepted and blessed in the Beloved… Apart from Him, there is no hope, no life, and no blessing from the just and Holy God.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “The Strait Gate And Narrow Way” (19:19 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 3 June, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

I Am A Worm

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” | Psalm 22: 6

This verse is a miracle in language.

How could the Lord of glory be brought to such abasement as to be not only lower than the angels, but even lower than men?

What a contrast between “I AM” and “I am a worm”!

Yet such a double nature was found in the person of our Lord Jesus when bleeding on the tree.

He felt himself to be comparable to a helpless, powerless, downtrodden worm, passive while crushed, and unnoticed and despised by those who trod upon him.

He selects the weakest of creatures, which is all flesh; and becomes, when trodden upon, writhing & quivering flesh, utterly devoid of any might except strength to suffer.

This was a true likeness of himself when his body and soul had become a mass of misery-the very essence of agony-in the dying pangs of crucifixion.

Man by nature is but a worm; but our Lord puts himself even beneath man, on account of the scorn which was heaped upon him and the weakness which he felt, and therefore he adds, “and no man.”

The privileges and blessings which belonged to the fathers he could not obtain while deserted by God, and common acts of humanity were not allowed him, for he was rejected of men; he was outlawed from the society of earth, and shut out from the smile of heaven.

How utterly did the Saviour empty himself of all glory, and become of no reputation for our sakes!

“A reproach of men” their common butt and jest; a byword and a proverb unto them: the sport of the rabble, and the scorn of the rulers.

Oh the caustic power of reproach, to those who endure it with patience, yet smart under it most painfully!

“And despised: of thee people.”

The very people who would once have crowned him then contemned him, and they who were benefited by his cures sneered at him in his woes.

Sin is worthy of all reproach and contempt, and for this reason Jesus, the Sin bearer, was given up to be thus unworthily and shamefully entreated.

~ Charles Spurgeon

Click here to listen to the message “I Am A Worm” (45:42 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 31 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Man Of Sorrows

“It pleased the Lord to bruise Him.” | Isaiah 53: 10

The death of Christ pleased every attribute of the Father.

The death of Christ pleased God’s wisdom.

The death of Christ enables God to be both just and justifier.

The death of Christ pleased God’s justice.

Christ suffered for the sin of His people until the debt was paid in full.

The death of Christ pleased God’s mercy and grace.

The death of Christ enables God to be merciful to His people in justice because their sin has been put away.

Since Christ died God can justify the ungodly, God can forgive sin, and God can accept His people into His presence because He is pleased with them in Christ.

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Confessing Christ” (63:29 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 29 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Humiliation And Sufferings Of Christ

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” | Isaiah 53: 1-3

I saw where someone wrote recently, “there’s a lot more in the word of God, than Christ.” That is a sad and horrible statement.

If I tell you that I grew up in Deer Park Texas, my first car was a Plymouth Duster and I worked at Houston Independent School District, this is not a treatise on cities, cars or companies.

It is all about me.

The scriptures have some things to say about Heaven, Hell, Bethlehem and even heresy, but we need to understand that the word of God concerns His Son Jesus Christ, all Him, only Him, always Him.

Every other person, place, thing and subject are included, only as they relate to, reveal and glorify Him.

When it comes right down to it, He is all there is.

Anyone who does not, by God’s grace, know this, has no business saying or writing anything about God or His word.

If God will ever reveal anything to you, it will begin right there; Christ is all.

If God is ever going to use you for His glory, in His ministry, in any capacity, He will cause you to determine to know nothing, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

~ Pastor Chris Cunningham

Click here to listen to the message “Why Christ is Despised and Rejected” (36:13 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 27 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Lamb Is Sufficient

“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.” | Exodus 12: 3-4

Salvation is the most beautiful word that a lost condemned sinner could ever hear.

It includes all the blessings of grace, and all the blessings of glory.

It is the washing of our consciences from guilt, the redemption of our souls from the curse of the Law, the renewing of our heart by the Spirit of God, and the freedom of our spirits from the power and dominion of sin.

It is to be loved and chosen by God, justified in Christ, born again by the Holy Spirit, pardoned of all wrong doing, received into the family of God, accepted in the beloved.

It is to be an heir of God, joint heir with Christ.

If I am saved, I have all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption in Christ.

~ Pastor Milton Howard

Click here to listen to the message “The Lamb is Sufficient” (32:08 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 24 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

The Promises Of God

“For I am the Lord, I change not.” | Malachi 3: 6

God is unchangeable in His essence, nature, and perfections.

Isn’t it wonderful that in our experience in a life that is nothing but change, to know that the Lord changes not?

His purpose has never altered and never will.

This gives assurance and peace to all who have fled to Christ for refuge.

~ Pastor David Pledger

Click here to listen to the message “The Promises of God” (38:46 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 22 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Christ Receives Sinners

“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.

“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)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from 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.” (Acts 10: 33)

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.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 4)

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.

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

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.

“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!

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Excellent Is Thy Name” (32:38 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 20 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Symptoms Of A Fatal Disease

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” | Psalm 39: 4

MOST fatal diseases do not show up immediately, nor do they kill someone overnight.

They generally begin little unsuspicious symptoms, such as a sniffle, a sore, a small lump or a brief pain.

Most times the person ignores these little symptoms until they become much worse and even others notice something wrong with them.

So it is most times with the fatal disease called Apostasy.

Apostasy is a fancy word for missing Christ, departing from the faith, leaving the gospel and leaving the church.

It most times begins with little symptoms, such as… no real desire to attend the worship services (but only do so to maintain appearances), no real fellowship with believers (quick to get in and out of services), avoidable absences from the worship service, little distractions at home, little temptations to work late, ‘little sins’ indulged (even enjoyed), the pull and call of the world, which, at one time was resisted, now quickly and easily answered.

The symptoms are many and varied, and if ignored, they eventually break out into glaring problems.

The person begins to be unsociable with God’s people, unreachable, not easily entreated.

They begin to resent and avoid the calls and concerns of their (supposed) brethren.

They begin to find fault with their ‘brethren’ and especially the preacher.

Until finally they see no need to gather with ‘those people’ anymore, or listen to ‘that fellow’ anymore.

Little do apostates realize, but THEY HAVE MISSED CHRIST, then they leave; “they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be manifest (revealed, exposed to all) that they are not all of us.

Fact is, one who leaves never had life to begin with, never was born from above, never was quickened but was and is dead in trespasses and sins.

It is not too late if these words convict one’s conscience and prick one’s heart.

If the symptoms are recognized early it does not have to be fatal …hurtful and injurious, yes, but not fatal!

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself and are concerned, perhaps the Great Physician is dealing with you.

The Lord will heal the backslidden in heart and readily receives every prodigal.

If left to our sinful selves we all would fall away.

It can happen to anyone.

Many have left and many more will do so, according to scripture.

But, by the grace of God, all who call on Him, come to Him, no matter how sinful, how fallen (or how many times), how wandering, how downcast and dirty, He mercifully receives and quickly and freely forgives.

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Lord I’m so frail” (34:39 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 17 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

This Man Recieveth Sinners, And Eateth With Them

“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.” (Acts 10: 33)

“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)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him.

“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 life.

“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)

His words are words of salvation.

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.

“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)

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.

“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)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation.

“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)

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.

“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)

This Man receives sinners! What a miracle of amazing and sovereign grace.

-Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “Some Believed and Some Believed Not” (37:01 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 15 May, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Christ The Lamb

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” | Genesis 22: 7

When the Gospel is preached, there is one thing that one will always hear… Christ the Lamb.

This is the acid test of a true God centered message.

Without a doubt, there are many things that may be preached which in themselves are good.

I don’t know many folks that are not against drugs, immorality, abortions, or any other such thing, but these things are not the issue.

The issue is the glory of Christ — His work, His holiness, and His satisfaction of the law.

When any man stands up to preach, let this test be set upon the words that you hear: “Where’s the Lamb?”

If I don’t hear Him, I haven’t heard the only message that the Holy Ghost will bless to the salvation of a sinner.

~ Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

Click here to listen to the message “How does a sinner approach God?” (30:50 minutes)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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: Special | Previous post date: 13 May, 2021