November 5, 2023
November 5 — 11 AM Worship
Please note that Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. We fall back one hour.
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Jesus sent a letter to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1–6). The church in Sardis had a great institutional reputation. But it had left behind what Jesus had entrusted to her, and her great reputation was a mere facade. Thus Jesus warned the church "Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you." If Jesus is against a church, then her reputation, however glossy, is simply irrelevant. In fact, it is worse that that. No church is truly a church if Jesus, the Lord of the church, is against her.
However, Jesus also recognized a faithful few "who have not spoiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy." In view of Jesus' rebuke to the institutional church, it seems clear that these faithful few were good stewards of the truths that Jesus had entrusted to them. But in a severely compromised church they were not likely counted as "worthy." But Jesus counted them "worthy."
Every church faces the same question. Do we strive to look good in man's eyes, or so that we may be worthy in Jesus' eyes? Are we looking to impress people or please Jesus? The answer to these questions will determine how/if we preach the Law and the Gospel. Our answer to these questions also direct what stance we take with respect to a thousand different questions, both big and small.
Do you know Jesus well-enough to know what would actually please him? Do you know what truths he has entrusted to us? These questions certainly take a new urgency after we read Jesus' letter to Sardis. For what a terrible tragedy will it be to hear Jesus, who came to be on our side, say to us, "I am against you!" May we all live for his approval.
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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 "Deeper: Real Changes for Real Sinners" by Dane Ortlund.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 206–209, Lord's Day 44, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 39 (pages 225–226), "The Vanity of the World."
- "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah" YouTube / Apple Music / Spotify.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
November 5 (Lord’s Day): Please note that the Daylight Saving Time ends. We fall back one hour.
November 5 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. 19 "Creation." Also November 19.
November 8 (Wednesday 6:30 PM): Please join us as we study James 2:8–13. Zoom Meeting ID: 882 4255 0244.
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).