November 23, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Sometimes life feels like one struggle after another. We are hard pressed from within and without. We struggle against sin and feel wretched. We face hardship and are exhausted. Some days we just want to give up. It is hard to smile when expectation and experience do not line up. "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." But if Jesus loves us, why is life so hard? Why must we suffer so much?
When Paul wrote Colossians, he also felt this tension. If Jesus loved Paul, why was Paul in prison? How is suffering even possible if God loved him? Mean while, the Colossian believers were on the verge of leaving the true faith. They were told that Jesus was not sufficient for their needs, and developed an unhealthy fascination with angels and demons. That is, Paul's burden was to demonstrate, for himself and for the Colossians, that Jesus is sufficient when life experiences did not match the expectations of faith.
In Colossians 1:15–23 Paul shows us the glory of Christ — "all things were created through him and for him." Jesus is both the author of creation and the one for whose pleasure the creation exists. Jesus is the Lord of the creation. But Jesus has become the Lord of some people in a special way. Jesus has bound himself to those who trust him. He has gathered under him all those the Father has delivered from the domain of darkness and has transferred into his kingdom. So Jesus has committed himself in grace to those loved and chosen for him by his Father.
Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation. Everything visible and invisible exist for his glory. Then nothing in this world can harm us. All things exist for his pleasure and all things submit to his will. In addition, Jesus who is preeminent over all creation is preeminent over the new creation, the believers who love and trust him. For his own glory sake he will defend us. For his own glory sake he will be our help. For his own glory sake he will be all that we need him to be and more.
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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. 63–66.
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.
Announcements
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).
11/23 (Lord's Day): Sunday School: “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” Ch. 65, “Saving Faith.” Also 11/30.
12/3 (Wednesday 7 PM): Esther chapter 4. Zoom ID: 884 9003 6844. Passcode: 5sUpUi.
12/14 (Lord’s Day): Advent Carols and Celebration.
This Week's Prayers
Please email your prayer request by Thursday to include it in the list for the upcoming week — info@gracefallbrook.church