November 2, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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The gospel is the good news of what God has done for sinners. Yes! And it is also more. The gospel is also the message of what the Father is doing for his Son. The good news for sinners is rooted in the Father’s absolute faithfulness to his Son.
Ephesians 1:11 "In him we have obtained an inheritance…" is in the passive voice in Greek. Active voice verbs are actions we perform ourselves as doers of actions. Passive voice verbs are the things done to us as the recipients of somebody else’s actions. That means the Greek is better rendered as "we have been appointed to be lot/inheritance" rather than we have done something to obtain inheritance ourselves.
Why is this important? Psalm 2:8 "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession." Ps 2 speaks of sinner’s prideful rebellion against God and his "Anointed". But God’s purpose is to exalt his Anointed to have preeminence over all peoples and things. This happens in 2 ways. First, the Son will one day "break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel." Second, God will give to his Son the nations as his "heritage" that they may be his treasured possession, and he will be their treasured Lord. Ephesians 1:11 "we have been appointed to be lot/inheritance" is the Father’s promise to the Son coming to fruition, and the Father’s faithfulness to his Son shown for all to see.
That is, first, sinners though we are, in Christ we have a new identity as Jesus’ treasured possession / inheritance from the Father. Second, whereas only Israel was considered God’s inheritance in the Old Testament, now even the Gentiles by faith in Christ are also made God’s inheritance and Jesus’ treasured possession (see 1:13–14). This is truly the glory and the mystery of the gospel. We are dust. But, actually, worse than dust, for no speck of dust ever sinned against the Lord the way we have. And, yet, in Christ we are the Lord's priceless treasure!
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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.
In November we are reading "Philippians (Reformed Expository Commentary)" by Dennis Johnson.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Qs. 53–56.
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
November 2 (Lord's Day): Please note that Daylight Saving Time ends. We fall back one hour.
November 2 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" Ch. 63 "Free Will."
November 5 (Wednesday 7 PM): Please join us on Zoom as we study the book of Esther. Meeting ID: 884 9003 6844. Passcode: 5sUpUi.
November 9 (Lord's Day): Please join us for fellowship meal after church.
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).