November 30, 2025

You can find the order of worship and songs here.

= = =

The doctor looks at the labs and goes over the results. He knows either how close or how far we are to being healthy because he knows what a healthy person looks like. That standard of perfect health also serves as the goal. What do we do to get there? Similarly, Isaiah shockingly described Jerusalem as "a whore" (1:21). But in Isaiah 2:1–5 he describes Jerusalem as nothing less than the most blessed city and the desire of every nation. Isaiah is telling us what healthy Jerusalem looks like. Only then can we truly understand how diseased Jerusalem is. And this picture of ideal Jerusalem is also the goal God has set for her.

Now see God's compassion. Judah will be judged. Yet she has a future because God never forsakes his people. God keeps alive hope for the mourning people: "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills". Zion is not a great mountain. There are far more impressive mountains both nearby and elsewhere. Indeed, the invading Gentiles will trample upon Zion as worthless nothing. But God will make Zion the most desired place: "all the nations shall flow/stream to it". Rivers do not stream uphill! Jerusalem has a future because God will do something marvelous and unheard of!

In this context we are introduced to a very important Old Testament phrase, "the latter days." In "the latter days", when Christ's kingdom comes, "all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." The nations will come seeking God's Word. And from Jerusalem "all the nations" and "many peoples" will discover the beauty of the LORD. Christ's kingdom puts all nationalism to an end. God gathers people from many nations, languages, and tribes and makes them one. How both marvelous and humbling! The Jews considered Gentiles as their foes. But in God's plan their greatest blessing will not come at the expense of the Gentiles. Their highest blessing will come with the salvation of the nations. This is the mindset that God's kingdom creates.

Both the design and the goal for Judah are beautiful. And they show exactly how sick Jerusalem is. "O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD." One day the nations will seek the God of Jacob, "that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." But Jacob, for now, is not a model for the nations. They have forsaken God's Word and the world will not come to them.

How about us? How healthy are we? Do we have the Word and the knowledge of God? Are we walking in his ways? What does the world see in us? What do they hear from us? Do we seek our blessings in the salvation of the unbelieving world? Or are we simply uninterested? God's kingdom has come in Jesus Christ. It declares forgiveness and grace. There is hope for the fallen and a future for the broken. Jesus has done this. May the Word of Christ dwell richly in us. May the nations see the beauty of our Savior here.

= = =

Growth Resources

This year: Please see the full list of 2025 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.

In December we are reading "The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent " by Sinclair Ferguson.

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).

11/30 (Lord’s Day): Sunday School: “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” Ch. 66, “Justification by Faith.” Also 12/7.

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