May 21, 2023
May 21 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Can you love Jesus, but not love his bride, his body, his inheritance, his treasure, his kingdom, his brothers and sisters, his servants, his flock, and his friends? We need to see how inconsistent it is to profess love for Jesus, and not love his Church. Some people, however, say they love the Church. But in their search for the perfect church, they have no patience, or love, for the actual church full of imperfect people. How about you? Do you love the Church? I do not mean some ideal, perfect, flawless church that exists no where on earth. Rather, do you love the church as it exists today, around you, made up with imperfect people?
We are all too prone to miss the point. God gives each believer Spiritual gifts. Note the capital S in "Spiritual" gifts. It means they are gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives his gifts so that we may use them to love one another. Are you loving and serving your brothers and sisters with the gifts God has given you? But here we may miss the point yet again. For as soon as the conversation turns to the topic of Spiritual gifts, the focus almost immediately shifts to "What gifts do I have?" But if the Spirit gives his gifts so that we may love and serve, the most important question to ask is not "What gifts do I have?" Rather, the most important question is "How can I love my fellow believers?" When our focus shifts away from ourselves to others, you will soon find that you are using your gifts to love and serve.
Love is the reason. It begins with Jesus' love for his bride. And we — his bride, body, flock, and friends — follow in the footsteps of our Savior. We serve, because we love. We love, because we are loved.
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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 May we are reading "Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution" by Carl R. Truman.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 106–109, Lord's Day 21, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 16 (pages 102–110), "Temptation."
Hymn of the Week: "Love Constraining to Obedience" by William Cowper. This is a lovely hymn put to a new tune. Cowper writes, "To see the Law by Christ fulfilled, To hear His pardoning voice, Changes a slave into a child and duty into choice." Cowper continues, "Then all my servile works were done, a righteousness to raise. Now, freely chosen in the Son, I freely choose His ways." This hymn expresses exactly right the believer's attitude towards obedience wrought by the gospel. YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
May 21 (Lord's Day): Please join us for May fellowship potluck lunch at the home of Rick and Linda Marcus. 3741 Pala Mesa Dr. Fallbrook CA 92028.
May 24 (Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM): Please join us for a Zoom Study on Hugh Martin's "The Shadow of Calvary" chapter 10, "Given You in that Same Hour." Reading the book is not required. Also meeting: May 31, and June 7, 14, 21. Zoom Meeting ID: 826 5163 2741. Passcode: 156751.
May 28 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch.8 "Interpreting the Bible." Also June 4.
July 31–August 3: The Southwest Reformed Youth Camp will take place at Palomar Christian Conference Center in Palomar Mountain. This Reformed Christian Youth Camp is for junior high and high school students.This year's focus will be on Christ - the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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).