February 19, 2023
February 19 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
Christians have always confessed One God in Three Persons. There is only One Creator and Judge of all universe. And this One divine essence is also Three individual Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are not three gods. Nor does the One God manifest himself in three different ways. There is One divine essence, and Three Persons. Christians have always confessed this doctrine because that is how God reveals himself to us in Scripture.
One God in Three Persons, however, is a challenging doctrine. Many people have tried to use various metaphors or earthly relationships to represent the Trinity. They have (and they must) all failed to convey the doctrine accurately, for the simple reason there is nothing in this created universe that can represent God's essence without misleading us. Nothing, that is, until God himself entered into creation as a man.
Some people have questioned the truthfulness of this doctrine because, they say, it is not found in the Old Testament, but only in the New Testament. But is that really a problem? And if it is a problem, what kind of a problem is it? Actually, this is not a problem of Bible's inconsistency as critics allege. The problem, as it often is when it comes to doctrinal matters, is the critics' failure to understand the glory of Christ. It is true that the Old Testament hints at Trinity in a veiled manner. It is in the New Testament the veil is removed and God is revealed as One God in Three Persons. This must be so. For it is the unique office and the prerogative of the Lord Jesus to reveal God in the brightness of his glory. Thus it is with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ that God is revealed in unrivaled clarity.
Consider these passages. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 tell us there is One God who deserves Israel's love and service as her Lord and Redeemer. Titus 3:3–8 tell us our Lord and Redeemer are God in Three Persons: "the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared…by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." Our Redeemer is One God in Three Persons. And we adore the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as our only God, and to the Triune God offer our loving service.
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 "Loving the Old Testament" by Alec Motyer. Join us after worship on February 26 for a time of reflection.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 48–51, Lord's Day 8, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 3 (pages 14–21), "C; or, The Full Corn in the Ear. Mark 4:28."
Hymn of the Week: Trinity Hymnal #125 "Let All Things Now Living" by Katherine K. Davis / Ash Grove. This beautiful hymn exhorts all creation and people to praise God: YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
February 19 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for Sunday School after the worship service. This week's topic is "Paradox, Mystery, and Contradiction." Also March 5 & 19.
February 21 (Tuesday 2 PM): You are invited to Celebration of Life for Bruce Summers at SonRise Christian Fellowship, 463 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.
March 1 (Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM): Please join us for a Zoom Bible Study. This study will be based on the book we are reading in March and April, Hugh Martin's "The Shadow of Calvary." This study follows our Lord’s passion in Gethsemane, his arrest, and his trial. Everyone is welcome to participate in the study. The reading of the book "The Shadow of Calvary" is not required. Also meeting: March 8, 15, 22, April 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7.
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).