August 13, 2023
August 13 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
= = =
The Heidelberg Catechism very helpfully divides how we know and relate to God under the three headings of Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude. Last week we began to reflect upon the life of a believer lived in gratitude. God has delivered us from the misery of guilt with undeserved and unearned grace. That grace of God now turns our duty into glad choice, and we offer up ourselves to God.
It is the hallmark of biblical and true doctrine to understand that our Christian life is rooted in the gospel. A serious Christian life is quite challenging. So challenging, in fact, that a mere sense of duty and obligation cannot sustain our resolve to live for God for long. The gospel is the only fountain from which we can continually draw the energy and the motivation to press on after Jesus.
And the gospel renews and comforts us when our best intentions fall flat and the wounded heart recalls to our mind the condemnation of the Law. The wounded heart is ever prone to feel the sting of the Law from which Christ has set us free. It is then the gospel renews and comforts. We often stumble. But Jesus is faithful. We are disappointed with ourselves. Our Father says to us, because we are in his son, "This is my beloved son (daughter), with whom I am well pleased." Thus Paul instructs the Colossians with a vision of the Christian life (3:1–14). But note what Paul says in verse 15. "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." We are weak. But there is grace. We struggle. But Jesus says to us, "Peace!"
= = =
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 August and September we are reading "Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?" By Timothy Keller.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 158–161, Lord's Day 33, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 28 (pages 171–176), "The Blessedness of the Believer."
- "Pain and Suffering: The Book of Job with Derek Thomas."
- The Gospel Coalition has compiled 18 ways we can pray for our church.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
August 13 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for fellowship meal after the worship service.
August 20 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch. Ch. 13 "The Omnipotence of God." Also August 27.
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).