July 16, 2023
July 16 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Psalm 67 is a very New Testament psalm. Note the psalmist's global longings: v.2 "that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations" and v.4 "Let the nations be glad and sing for joy" and v.5 "Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" This is a very New Testament psalm in that the psalmist longs for God's salvation and blessing to come not only upon the Jewish nation, but to all nations of the earth. It was God's design and will all along to bring his covenant blessings to people of every nation, and not limit his favor to the Jewish nation. But in time the aspirations of the Jewish nation became inwardly curved, and founded her national identity and pride not as the instrument of salvation for all nations, but as the privileged VIPs who stand over and against the worthless Gentiles, as the Jewish people considered them.
Where do we stand? Are we content in mere assurance of our personal relationship with God, or do we long for the nations to know God and be saved? Do we look upon the unbelieving souls with either prideful condescension, or do we not even give a moment's thought because we are utterly uninterested? Of course, as people who have truly come to know God's grace, our hearts yearn for lost souls. Would you spend some time before you come to church Sunday and pray for God's grace upon unbelievers near and far? Would you pray for those who labor in mission fields, for gospel proclamation to be fruitful, and that we may give ourselves unreservedly for the salvation of the lost? Indeed, the desire for missions is nothing less than the desire to see God worshiped: v.3 (and v.5) "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" Mission is for worship. And we rightly prepare our hearts for worship as we pray for the nations to praise God.
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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 June we are reading "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 140–142, Lord's Day 29, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 24 (pages 150–154), "Advantages from Remaining Sin."
Hymn of the Week: "We Will Feast in the House of Zion" by Sandra McCracken is a beautiful hymn of hope. "We will feast in the house of Zion. We will sing with our hearts restored. "He has done great things," we will say together. We will feast and weep no more." YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
July 16 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. 10 "The Incomprehensibility of God." Also July 23.
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).