August 20, 2023
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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There are 2 kinds of errors to avoid when we think about God's Law. The first error is the error of disregarding it. For many people the Law is bad and the Gospel is good. But Paul says "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully…" (1 Timothy 1:8). God's Law exposes that which is twisted in our heart. But the Law is not itself bad or encourages what is bad. It is therefore a serious error to disregard God's Law as bad, when it is the very revelation of God's holy character.
The second error concerning the Law is to insufficiently to take into account its relationship to the Gospel. As Christians we acknowledge both the beauty and the necessity of God's Law as it has been adorned by the good news of Jesus Christ. We best honor God's Law when we honor Jesus Christ who is the very embodiment of righteousness according to the Law. Everything that the Law demands and man owes, we find in Jesus. All the blessings the Law promises to those who obey are found in Jesus to the uttermost, and out of his bounty we receive, measure for measure. In Jesus we exchange the curse of the Law upon the disobedient for the blessings of the Law for the obedient.
This week the Heidelberg Catechism begins its reflection on the Ten Commandments. Let me encourage you to see all the ways Jesus has honored God's Law, and make it your aim and aspiration to think and live like the Lord whom you love and trust.
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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 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 162–165, Lord's Day 34, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 29 (pages 177–186), "The Character of a Christian."
- "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 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).