February 18, 2024
February 18 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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In Genesis 9:8–17 we read of God's covenant with Noah after the judgment flood. There God gave the rainbow as the sign of his covenant with Noah. The Hebrew language actually does not have a specific word for rainbow. The word in Genesis 9:13 "I have set my bow in the cloud" is actually the bow and arrow variety. This is a scene with rich symbolism which the Bible gradually unpacks. The Flood was God's judgment upon sin. Yet God showed covenant faithfulness to Noah. And the battle bow, the instrument of death, was pointed heavenward. Eventually we see the meaning of the bow unpacked in the death of our savior, Jesus Christ. For we who have found God's grace are carried safely through judgment all because the blow of death was aimed at Jesus. Come, then, and worship the Lord who took upon himself the judgment that we deserved. May we give him honor and praise!
1 Peter 3:18–22 describes the sufferings of Christ in terms of the flood in the days of Noah. And Peter says "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…" (1 Peter 3:21). Many people today take baptism as a symbol of their faith. The New Testament actually tells us that baptism reminds us of Jesus being overwhelmed by God's judgment, through which we have "a good conscience" before God. And just as Jesus rose from the dead to his resurrected life, we who have taken refuge in Jesus' baptism (the judgment death he underwent) also rise to live a new life. Baptism, then, is not so much a symbol of deeds accomplished (i.e. "I have believed") but rather a means of grace that calls us to walk after Jesus in grateful surrender. Every baptized believer, then, receives a divine calling to live in holiness. Is this what is happening in your life? I pray that it is.
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Growth Resources
12 for 24: Please see the full list of 2024 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
February 2024: We are reading "The Whole Christ" by Sinclair Ferguson.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- We encourage you to learn about The Feasts of Israel: Discovering Deuteronomy with W. Robert Godfrey from Dr. Godfrey.
- We encourage you to make use of 12 for 24 and read 12 books that will help us grow.
- Past sermons are available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
February 18 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" Ch. 26 "The Subordination of Christ." Also February 25.
February 21 (Wednesday 6:30 PM): Please join us as we study James 5:12–16. Zoom Meeting ID: 882 4255 0244.
March 24 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the annual congregational meeting for the purpose of adopting a new budget for the fiscal year 2024–25. All communicant members are requested to attend.
March 29 (Friday 6 PM): Please join us for Good Friday meditations at the Suchoski home.
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).