September 14, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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How people think about God's anger is very revealing. Some are positively offended by the very notion of God's anger. They are offended (i.e. angry) that God is angry. Such persons live in a moral universe where they alone have the right to anger. "How dare God intrude on my sovereign prerogative to pass moral judgment! I alone am the arbiter of what is right and wrong, and I judge God's wrath to be sinful." This is the mindset of Satan that craves to usurp God's throne. Thus the sinful heart always strives for autonomy from God, and, if possible, to rise above God.
Sometimes the moral repulsion to God's anger comes from not seeing the difference between man's anger, which is very often intemperate and unjust, and God's anger, which is always just, reasonable, and holy. God does not celebrate what is wrong, and he cannot make peace with evil. He who is utterly faithful utterly and passionately rejects all forms of faithlessness. And he who is unfailingly true cannot be allied with deception. God's anger is never sinful, but just, fitting, and uncompromising of all that is good and true.
We are now able to process God's anger in Exodus 32:7–14. There the people of Israel repay God's grace and kindness by crafting and worshiping a golden calf. It was an act of treachery, disobedience, ingratitude, and corrupting of what is true. Thus God's just and holy wrath burned against the evil of Israel. "And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.""
But Moses pleaded with the LORD. "And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people." Do not think what is happening here as what sometimes happen to us. We sometimes respond rashly in the heat of the moment and do and say things we come to regret when the temper has cooled. Then with a measure of embarrassment and regret we take back our hasty words and apologize for our disproportionate response. But not so with God. God's anger was just and fitting. But it was also God himself who called and appointed Moses to interceede and be Israel's mediator. God was teaching Israel, and us, that our sin deserves his just wrath, and that we desperately need a mediator. And, in time, God did provide that mediator, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is our faithful intercessor and mediator. If God listened to Moses' intercession and granted grace to Israel, then how much more will God listen to his Son's intercession and give us peace? Moses' intercession spared Israel death. Jesus' intercession gives us eternal life.
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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 September we are reading "You Will Be My Witnesses" by Brian DeVries.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Q. 37.
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
September 14 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the monthly fellowship meal after the worship service.
September 17 (Wednesday 7 PM): The Survey of the Pentateuch will resume with highlights from the book of Leviticus over Zoom. Meeting ID: 884 9003 6844.
September 21 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" Ch. 59 "Effectual Calling."
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).