December 17, 2023
December 17 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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In the past two weeks we focused our Advent meditations on Hope and Peace. Jesus' birth was an event that answered Israel's longing for hope and peace. Jesus' birth is also the answer to our yearning for hope and peace. This week our Advent celebration focuses on Joy.
In Isaiah 12 we read what God's salvation produces in us. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." The people to whom Isaiah ministered desperately needed to hear these words. For they were often seeking their salvation not in the Lord, but in the things that cannot save them. So they trusted in the empty promises of the idols, and trusted them to save them from poverty. What, after all, was Baal? He was the god who promised crop and harvest. Then in times of judgment Israel trusted in the strength of human allies to deliver them from the attacking Assyrians and the Babylonians. But they did not turn to the LORD to be their salvation.
We often do the same thing. We put our trust and confidence in man-made things of the world. We dutifully bow down for hours before screens big and small, seeking our solace in the warm glow of their light. We put our trust in our politicians, and defend their honor from critics with a zeal and absolute loyalty that only God deserves. And what do we have to show for all this? Rancor and disappointment.
But Isaiah tells us what happens when God "has become my salvation." For he writes, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." So we are commanded: "Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion, for great is your midst is the Holy One of Israel." The Holy One of Israel is none other than Jesus Christ. Joy is the result when he is our salvation.
Christmas is the season when believers and unbelievers alike speak often of joy. But it is only the believers who understand and experience this joy. For we have not turned to idols that cannot save us. We have turned to Jesus. He is powerful to save us. He is able to fill our hearts with joy that will never be exhausted. Come, let us sing for joy. For the Holy One of Israel has come.
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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 December we are reading "In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life" by Sinclair Ferguson.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 230–233, Lord's Day 50, for personal or family devotions.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
December 17 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. 22 "The Will of God."
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).