January 29, 2023
January 29 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
It is hard to find a more neglected and detested topic as God's wrath. The society at large simply ignores and mocks it. Many professing believers keep quiet about it out of embarrassment and discomfort. The theologian H. Richard Niebuhr summarized it well: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross." That is to say, one cannot be true to the God of the Bible, to Christ and his good news, and even to man's condition, while the wrath of God is denied.
The Bible, indeed, makes clear that there is such a thing as God's wrath. And God's wrath is not just one of many things that the Bible mentions in passing. God's wrath is the canvas upon which God's nature and works are drawn. For God's wrath speaks directly to God's justice. Sin is an injustice committed against God. And God is not a crooked judge who winks at injustice. Nor can he be bribed to ignore it. God is just, and he must deal with injustice to its fullest extent. That is why sin must be punished and his righteousness vindicated.
But God did more than punish injustice. God made atonement for our sins. He provided a way for his wrath to be put aside in a just way. He sent his Son Jesus. As a man, Jesus paid the debt that man owes. As God, Jesus paid the price himself. Our Scripture readings for this week highlight that beautiful gift of grace. In Isaiah 53 we read of God's appointed Savior, who is afflicted for us and in our place. In Romans 1:18–32 we learn that all mankind, through various sins, stand under God's wrath. And Romans 5:9 declares the good news that Jesus' blood has dealt with God's wrath. Indeed, we would have no hope without God-man Jesus Christ. But when we are in Christ, God's wrath is no longer our inevitable destiny. Instead, in Christ we have eternal life and hope of glory.
Growth Resources
This Year: Please see the full list of 2023 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/12-for-23
This Month: We are reading "In the Year of Our Lord" by Sinclair Ferguson. Please join us January 29th for a time of reflections on this book.
Next Month: We will read "Loving the Old Testament" by Alec Motyer, and begin to read one letter each week from "Select Letters of John Newton."
This Week: We encourage you to make use of Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" 36–38, Lord's Day 5, for personal or family devotions.
Hymn of the Week: "I Asked the Lord" by John Newton / Indelible Grace. This is a beautiful hymn about the spiritual struggles we face as believers. May this hymn edify us and teach us wisdom through the struggles in our hearts: YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is availale on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
January 29 (Lord's Day): Please join us after worship service for a time of reflections on some of the lessons from “In the Year of Our Lord.”
February 5 (Lord's Day): A new Sunday School series will begin, and will be led by Rod Swab and Brian Suchoski. These lessons will meet every first and third Sundays of each month, and will follow the lessons from R.C. Sproul's "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith."
Thank you for your continued support of Grace Fallbrook (PCA). Your loving support makes the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the saints possible. Please visit gracefallbrook.church/give and click on "Give Online Now." You will be directed to the PCA Foundation where you can give towards Grace Fallbrook (PCA).