June 30, 2024
June 30 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
= = =
Psalm 130 and 2 Corinthians 6:14–18 give us a good framework for approaching both life and worship. Psalm 130 is a prayer of a believer who is well-aware of his many faults. He knows, should God decide to treat him as his sins deserve, he would have no excuse, no plea, and no hope. But the psalmist remembers God's mercy and finds hope. "But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared." God does not treat us as our sins deserve, but according to his loving-kindness all who come to him with a broken and contrite spirit. And God's mercy teaches us to fear him. Here "fear" is used in the rich sense of the Old Testament, which combines the sense of love, worship, fidelity, honor, obedience, etc. In short, the grace that we desperately need, that grace which God gives gladly, gives us a new life-orientation. God loves us deeply and gladly. So we love him back, deeply and gladly.
This grace-orientation is put in practical terms in 2 Corinthians 6:14–18. Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" is often narrowly construed as prohibition against a believer marrying an unbeliever. There are, of course, good reasons why a believer should marry only in the Lord. How can anyone live to "glorify God and enjoy him forever" when one spouse is committed in their heart to worship idols and has no fear (love, honor, etc.) of God? That said, Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians 6:14–18 has a wider scope. If we live with the fear of the Lord, if we love God because he has first loved us, then our lives will necessarily show the signs of separation from the world. After all, what heart-partnership, really, can the believer have with the unbeliever?
Christians today in general talk far less about holiness and separation than our spiritual forefathers did. And, no, just because there were some unhelpful excesses in the pursuit of holiness in the past does not mean we are their spiritual betters with our lackadaisical attitude about separating ourselves from the world. Have you been set apart to the Lord? Does it show in your life? God loves us. Let us love him back. "If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared."
= = =
Growth Resources
12 for 24: Please see the full list of 2024 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
July 2024: We are reading “Reformed Theology” by Jonathan Master.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- 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
June 30 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” Ch. 32 “The Glory of Christ.”
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).