January 12, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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I used to eagerly await the latest issue of the National Geographic magazine. The pictures of beautiful places mesmerized me. Indeed, it is easy to adore something beautiful, and love that which is outstanding. But the pictures of LA's Skid Row or run down Detroit make me recoil in horror. I make a mental note to stay away. And that is why Isaiah 43:1–7 is so utterly breathtaking.
43:1 "I have called you by name, you are mine" is totally unexpected. Here God answers the realities presented in the previous chapters. In chapter 42 alone Israel is spiritually blind and deaf (v.19), unwilling to learn (v.20), disobedient (v.24), and well-deserving of God's anger (v.25). So we expect the hammer to drop any moment now.
Except that is not what happens. "But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."" God the Creator has the right of ownership over us: v.7 "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." But we have all strayed from the Creator's purpose and we are guilty! Before the Creator we sinners are perpetually anxious for the hammer that is about to drop. But the Creator is also our Redeemer: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you". The LORD has made himself our Kinsman Redeemer. As Boaz was a kinsman redeemer to Naomi and Ruth, God has embraced the sinful Israel as his family and took it upon himself to meet all their needs as his own. Thus he says to Israel: "you are mine."
We naturally love what is beautiful and lovely, and recoil with horror when we see something grotesque. But the God of grace looked upon sinners and spoke to them with grace. "Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…" This is the love of God. This is the grace upon which stand. This is the reason we worship our Redeemer.
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Growth Resources
This year: Please see the full list of 2025 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
This month: We are reading “The Unfolding Mystery” by Edmund Clowney.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Q. & A. 3.
Everyday: Noted pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson posts a short reflection every day, each around 5 minutes long. "Things Unseen" cover various aspects of the Christian life, worship, and theological topics in a very accessible and edifying way. We encourage you to incorporate this into your daily life. Please see this page for more information. There you will find links to various podcast platforms as well as YouTube page.
Upcoming Events and Notices
January 12 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the monthly fellowship meal after the worship service.
January 19 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” Ch. 43 “The Holy Spirit as Sanctifier.”
January 29 (Wednesday 7 PM): The Zoom study of the Pentateuch will resume.
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).