December 10, 2023
December 10 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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We began our Advent celebrations last week with a focus on the gift of Hope. The promise of the Messiah was given to Israel to keep her hopes alive amidst toils of life, struggles against sin, and later, amidst God's judgment against them for their sin. Israel hoped in God, and hoped that God's mercy will triumph over their sin and guilt. They hoped for light to dawn in darkness.
We continue our Advent celebration this week with a focus on the gift of Peace. For the promise of the Messiah was a promise of peace between the holy God and sinful man. Ever since the Fall and the entrance of sin in to the world, mankind has been wandering, longing for a home, yet deeply afraid of the Lord whose home they had left behind. In fact, the whole world stands now in trenchant rebellion against God. The consequence, of course, is predictable. When man raises a battle cry against God, what peace can we know? So the fallen man lives his whole life in fear and steps into eternity filled with dread.
But God has given us a gift of Peace. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus was born to bring God's peace to us. For in Jesus' incarnate body the warfare between the holy God and the rebellious sinners come to an utter end. There is now no more fear of enmity. We have peace with God because Jesus was born.
Paul warns us in Romans 2:6–11 that the end of a self-seeking life will be "tribulation and distress." But "glory and honor and peace" are promised to those who seek God. Our lives are often filled with turmoil because we do not seek God. As we celebrate Christ's advent, we have an opportunity to assess the shape of our hearts and the direction of our lives. Do you presently enjoy God's peace? Will the end of your life bring you "glory and honor and peace" or will it be "tribulation and distress"? Be wise and turn to Jesus. For apart from the Prince of Peace you will not have peace in life here and afterwards. But if we are in Christ, our peace will endure.
So believe, confess, and be comforted by the Lord who has said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
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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 226–229, Lord's Day 49, for personal or family devotions.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
December 10 (Lord's Day): Please join us as we celebrate our Lord’s birth with food, music, and fellowship!
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).