October 22, 2023
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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There is a tendency in some circles to define the concept of "stewardship" very narrowly in terms of finances. Thus "stewardship" is often (only?) taught for the purpose of encouraging the church members to give financially. Yes, we must be good stewards of the financial resources God has entrusted to us. However, we must be learn to think wholistically about stewardship.
In Revelation 2:12–17 Jesus both praises and warns the church in Pergamum. First, Jesus praises the Pergamum church for her faithfulness against Satanic opposition. They have held fast to the name of Jesus and did not deny faith in him even against deadly opposition. For this Jesus commended and praised the Pergamum church.
However, Jesus also warned the Pergamum church for the their poor stewardship over sound doctrine: "you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught … So you also have some who hold the teaching of …" The Pergamum church tolerated dangerous teachings that had disastrous effect upon the Pergamum believers.
Jesus' letter to the Pergamum church is also his letter to Grace Fallbrook. Jesus calls us to be good stewards. We must faithfully guard the truth that he has entrusted us, and guard our lives from the corrupting influence of lies. Doctrine and practice are inseparable. The failure of stewardship in one area always leads to faithlessness in the other.
We ought, then, to pray in this way as we prepare our hearts for worship. May the Lord grant us the grace to be good stewards, for, "I am not my own, but belong — body and soul, in life and death — to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ … Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him."
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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: For October we are reading "Faith Alone" by R.C. Sproul.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 198–201, Lord's Day 42, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 37 (pages 218–221), "Conflict Exercises the Graces."
- "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah" YouTube / Apple Music / Spotify.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
October 22 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. 18 "The Justice of God." Also November 5.
October 25 (Wednesday 6:30 PM): Please join us as we study James 2:1–13. Zoom Meeting ID: 882 4255 0244 — Passcode: 618675
October 29 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Reformation Day celebration at the Suchoski home. Bring a German-themed dish to share and stay for a lesson about the Protestant Reformation.
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).