July 23, 2023
July 23 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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This week's catechism lesson may surprise you with its seeming harsh tone and leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. In fact, in 2006 one large historically Reformed denomination has excised a large portion of Q.80 so that it is no longer a part of their confessional standards. They were apparently embarrassed by the strong language it uses to argue in favor of the Reformed understanding of the Lord's Supper, and against the Roman Catholic understanding of it. In this age of watered down doctrine and peace at any cost, we might easily conclude that such passionate language has no place in our church.
But if the correct understanding of the works of Jesus Christ and his care for the Church are not worth our passion, then what is? If maintaining the glory of Christ can be relegated to the realm of mere semantics, then what is the point of believing anything? Every day we engage in passionate and heated discussions about sports, politics, arts, and all sorts of matters of ultimately less significance. The meaning of the gospel, Jesus' continued care for his flock, are of far more significance, and require nothing less than our most passionate attention.
What is true of the whole of Reformed theology is just as true in this one specific area. What the Heidelberg Catechism Questions 80–82 teach are nothing more or less than a faithful summary of the Scripture's teachings on the subject. In short, it teaches us to put our entire trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ to save us. And it teaches us to receive the signs and seals of such kindness with due reverence and thoughtfulness. It means welcoming to the Lord's Table those who understand and believe the gospel, and who daily present themselves to their Savior as his loyal people.
That said, the Lord's Supper is for the struggling believers who need God's grace and help. Our worthiness to receive the bread and the cup are not determined by how well we think of ourselves as Christians, but how deeply we need God's help. All who are spiritually weary and seek rest, who mourn and long for comfort, who struggle and desire hope, who sin and need a savior — Come! And taste and see that the Lord is good.
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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 144–149, Lord's Day 30, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 25 (pages 155–160), "What the Believer Can Attain to In This Life."
- "Life in the Kingdom: Sermon on the Mount with Sinclair Ferguson."
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
July 23 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. Ch. 12 "The Self-Existence of God." Also July 30.
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).