December 10, John MacArthur. Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. Vol. 21 No. 50

Transcription

1 Vol. 21 No. 50 December 10, 2017 John MacArthur PASTOR-TEACHER Clayton Erb / Minister of Music Welcome to the Lord s day worship service at Grace Church. We are truly blessed to be here this morning as we open God s Word together, sing His praises, and enjoy a time of fellowship in His presence. Be sure to take advantage of the many fellowship and ministry opportunities available to our church family today and throughout the week.

2 TODAY 8:30 & 10:30* am BILL BRANDENSTEIN, DIRECTOR The First Noël Trad./Sturz Stephen Sturz, Organist Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn/Sturz Hymn 231 O Come, All Ye Faithful Congregation A Trilogy of Carols Trad./Maddux-Rice String Orchestra, Woodwinds Candlelight Carol Rutter Worship Choir Hymn 242 O Little Town of Bethlehem Congregation Fullness of Grace Getty-Townend/Redford John Martin MESSAGE: SANCTIFICATION: CHRIST FORMED IN YOU, PART 2 John MacArthur Galatians 4:12 20 Communion In Dulci Jubilo Bach Organ Postlude 6:00 pm Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn/Mott-Galbraith Instrumental Prelude Songs of Praise Congregation Baptism Mike Riccardi Hymn 253 He Is Born Offertory MESSAGE: WHY JESUS CAME, PART 2 Austin Duncan Hebrews 2:10 18 Postlude Anthem Candlelight Carol How do you capture the wind on the water? How do you count all the stars in the sky? How can you measure the love of a mother, Or how can you write down a baby s first cry? Refrain Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow Shine on His cradle till breaking of dawn. Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo! Angels are singing; the Christ Child is born. Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore Him, Seraphim round Him their vigil will keep; Nations proclaim Him their Lord and their Savior, But Mary will hold Him and sing Him to sleep. Find Him at Bethlehem laid in a manger: Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay. Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation: A Child with His mother that first Christmas Day by Oxford University Press. UBP. CCLI Lic Words and music by John Rutter To maintain a worshipful atmosphere in the services, please do not applaud after musical numbers. * Interpreting for the deaf is provided during the 10:30 a.m. service. Arabic and Korean translation for the 10:30 a.m. service is available at gracechurch.org/live. A limited number of headsets are available at the front desk for simultaneous translation.

3 Campus Ministries THE WELCOME CENTER hosts a reception for visitors following each Sunday-morning service. Enjoy refreshments and find helpful people with answers to any questions you have about our church. You ll also receive one of Pastor MacArthur s books as a thank you for being with us today. THE MEMBER CENTER has information about membership and baptism. It is located on the north side of the Heritage Building, across from the Welcome Center. Next Membership Class January :30 & 10:30 a.m. T375 THE PRAYER ROOM is staffed with counselors, ready to offer pastoral care. It is open after every service, and is adjacent to the Worship Center. Generations of Grace Children s Sunday School The following lesson was taught today in Sunday School (Preschool through Juniors) MESSAGE PASSAGE PRINCIPLE FEATURED HYMN ASK YOUR CHILD APPLY THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK On GraceWalk Fundamentals of the Faith Local Outreach On the Patio Juniors Winter Camp Missionary Calendar Spanish Ministry (by the Chapel) Review Sunday Matthew 11 12, Mark 4 5, Luke 8, John 6 Jesus is God and the promised Messiah. Fairest Lord Jesus (Hymns of Grace No. 107) Who is Jesus? By repenting from your sin and turning to Jesus in obedience, worship, and faith. Review Sunday John 1:1 5 Adapted from the Generations of Grace Family Devotional, available at the bookstore. Bookstore The Bookstore is open after each service and during the week. It is located on the south side of the Worship Center. CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BIBLICAL DOCTRINE A SYSTEMATIC SUMMARY OF BIBLICAL TRUTH John Macarthur & Richard Mayhue A rich presentation of Christianity s theological foundations, providing readers with an accessible but compelling systematization of biblical truth. As the last vestiges of Christian influence erode in the West Biblical Doctrine will edify and strengthen the church as it faces stiff opposition from the world. Dr. Albert Mohler Available today for 40% off retail price Grace to You RADIO gty.org/radio The Promise of Christmas KKLA 99.5 FM LOS ANGELES M F 6:30 am & 7:30 pm KDAR 98.3 FM OXNARD VENTURA M F 2:00 & 10:00 am; Sun 2:00 am TELEVISION gty.org/television Christmas Future, Part 1 NRBTV CHANNEL 378 ON DIRECTV Sunday 6:30 pm ONLINE gty.org John MacArthur s sermons: audio, video, and transcripts Resource library: blog, devotionals, articles, Q&As, and more Mobile apps: The Study Bible and Grace to You Sermons TODAY

4 A Proper View of Man Membership Ministry FEATURE Humanism isn t a modern philosophy mankind s desire to proclaim its own greatness can be traced all the way back to the book of Genesis. Since the Tower of Babel, people have consistently devised and seized opportunities to praise the human spirit, looking for hope in the inherent goodness of man. But is that what God s Word teaches about who we truly are? In a word, no. Contrary to the opinions of modern sociologists and psychologists, the Bible teaches that mankind is fundamentally and fatally flawed apart from Christ; it teaches that mankind is both totally depraved and continually sinful. Notice how Scripture describes who we are We are incapable of doing good (Romans 3:10 18) We are unable to understand or accept the things of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:14) Our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9 10) Our goals in life are selfish and evil (Genesis 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:3) This is who we are apart from the saving and regenerating work of Jesus Christ. To say that mankind is depraved doesn t mean that we always act as wickedly as possible; what it does mean is that wickedness so permeates our entire beings that we are enslaved to it, and so we are unable to respond to the gospel in faith and repentance. Not only are we totally depraved, but the Bible also teaches that we sin continually (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Sin is any disobedience or rebellion against God, and it manifests itself in how we refuse to think, feel, act, and speak according to God s commands. It s a constant reality in every person s life, regardless of how good they seem on the surface. Jesus taught that sin lives in the heart. Even though we might perform righteousness on the outside, we are guilty of breaking God s law at the core (James 2:10). Apart from Christ, our hearts are totally depraved and continually sinful. At Grace Church, this biblical view of mankind influences every facet of our ministry, and forms the foundation for what we believe and teach. Because of our depravity and sinfulness, we turn desperately to Christ and His power to save at the cross. This is what drives our commitment to boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation from sin, and to reject the world s belief in the inherent goodness of man. If you are interested in joining a church with a proper view of man, please visit the Member Center after any Sunday service.

5 New Members The following new members received the Right Hand of Fellowship in DECEMBER. Antonio & Carole Maryse Acosta Priscilla Aviles Federico & Claudia Bautista Daniel Björndahl Seth Bowling William Brandenstein Alethia Brewer Francisco Arturo Burga Calderón Ever Camacho Jenny Chang Nathan Chau Nico Colón Hannah Cullen Caleb & Hayley Cunningham Wesley Deaver Marc Diaz Julio & Lacey Estrada Stan & Jodi Evans Brendan & Anne Flannagan Dylan Flannery Mia Fleming Alec Franco Samuel & Hilda Gallegos Harald & Verónica Gantenbein Bethany Garcia Catalina Garcia Gladis Garcia Mariann Geiser Dina Rebeca Genovez Oved Gomez Chacon Alessandro & Chenpei Gonzalez Joseph & Hannah Grewe Wilson & Eluvia Guox Vicente Britney Gutierrez Eduardo & Lidia Gutierrez Alan Hagh Juliet Harris Justin Harris Ryan Hellar Hipólito Hernandez Margarita Hernandez-Miranda Nicole Higa Bethany Hom Jeff Johnson Chris Jones Mingoo & Hyejin Kang Jason Karkenny Sarah Karkenny Justine Ku Robert & Susan Kwong Scott La Rue Andrew Lam Amy Lee Angela Lin John & Martha Maddalo Ismael & Felicitas Magaña Joshua McCarthy Breezell Miller Eliza Nesheim Natalie Newton Ty Nickelberry Charles Ordonia Jeff & Shellie Owens Michael & Emily Park Terry & Patricia Polley Joe Ritter Ana Margarita Rivera Sara Rodriguez Felix & Triana Sanchez Nelly Sandoval Erika Seibert Joe Seitz Pilar Sinay Matthew Smith Kaitlyn Taylor Keith Tsui Elisa Velasquez Lindsay Verbil Jaime & Ana Vital Enid Walton Jonathon Williams Austin Yu Jessica Zhou Shihong Zu NEW MEMBERS

6 Grace Around the World Gianluca & Sonia Pollutri Serving in Italy since 2017 Prayer / Praise Praise God for the great privilege we have to preach the gospel in a country that is so hostile to Christ. Pray for endurance, health, and faithfulness as we serve the Lord in our ministry. HIGHLIGHTS Faith Promise Last week you generously gave $19,569. Thank you for your ongoing support of our missionaries and their ministries around the world. Local Outreach Spotlight Russian Outreach Bible Study Today 12:30 2:30 p.m. H If you speak or understand Russian, know someone who does, or have a heart to see Russian-speaking people saved, please visit one of our Sunday afternoon meetings. Join us as we pray about how to reach the Russian community in Los Angeles with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

7 Juniors Winter Camp January 5 7 Forest Home Cost: $185 ($225 after December 11; a discount is available for families with multiple children attending) To register, stop by the tables on the patio this morning, or visit gracechurch.org/children. Junior High Winter Camp January 5 7 Thousand Pines Christian Camp For details or to register, visit gracechurch.org/xchange. High School Winter Camp January Forest Home For details or to register, visit gracechurch.org/oneighty. Logos Institute Discipleship Counseling 2 January 3 March 21 (Wednesdays) 6:30 8:30 p.m. Instructors: Bill Shannon, George Sanders, Johnathan Tucker Cost: $75 For more information or to register, visit gracechurch.org/logos. Short-Term Ministries A brochure with detailed information about next year s teams is available at the Welcome Center this morning. Joyful Givers 2017 Tax Information Christmas Concert December Thursday & Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:00 & 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Worship Choir Symphonic Orchestra Vocal Solos & Ensembles Handbell Choir Children s Choir Call or go to gracechurch.org/concert for more information. Child care is available for children five years old and younger. All contributions for calendar year 2017 must be received by the church no later than our December 31 offering or postmarked no later than December 31, The church campus will be closed for the holidays December 25 30, 2017, and January 1, Contributions received or postmarked after Sunday, December 31, 2017, will be recorded in The elders, pastors, and church staff thank each of you for faithfully and sacrificially giving to the Lord. Unequally Yoked Tuesday, December 12 Bible study primarily for women married to unbelieving husbands. For information, call ANNOUNCEMENTS

8 SUNDAY FELLOWSHIPS 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. Children s Sunday School Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Ace Davis Cornerstone (All ages) T371 Pastors: Nathan Busenitz, Mark Tatlock, Harry Walls Doulos (Singles & young families) T361 Pastor: Carl Hargrove FaithBuilders (All ages) T261 Pastor: Bill Shannon GraceLife (All ages) Family Center Pastors: Phil Johnson, Mike Riccardi Junior High (Grades 7 8) T73 (Basement) Pastor: Jay Lennington Developmentally Disabled CC130E Pastor: Rick McLean Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Josiah Grauman, José Soria Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney Children s Sunday School Special needs class available Visit the Welcome Center for room locations. Pastor: Ace Davis Crossroads (College & young adults) Family Center Pastor: Austin Duncan High School (Grades 9 12) T73 (Basement) Pastor: Josh Petras Joint Heirs (All ages) T261 Pastors: Tom Patton, John Street Mainstream (All ages) T361 Pastors: Rich Gregory, Carlos Chung Developmentally Disabled CC130E Pastor: Rick McLean Sojourners (All ages) T371 Pastor: William Varner Spanish Adult Sunday School H Teachers: Rubén Pidal, David González Spanish Worship Service Chapel Pastors: Henry Tolopilo, Michael Mahoney 5:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Neighborhood Outreach H :00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Prayer Group T385 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Adventure Club Family Center (Grades 4 6) Chapel (Grades 1 3) T270s (Ages 3 5) Visit our website at Administration Children Logos Institute Membership The Guild (Single adults) T361 Pastor: Don Carr MINISTRY DIRECTORY Men Outreach Pastoral Care & Counseling Prayer Fridays 7:30 p.m. Mondays 9:00 a.m. Monday Morning Prayer Group Welcome Center Building Abbreviation Key T = Tower H = Heritage CC = Children s Center Spanish Special Ministries Student Women Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA Our mission is to glorify God and extend His kingdom by living and proclaiming His truth in the world. Grace Today is published weekly by Grace Community Church by Grace Community Church. Scripture, unless otherwise noted, is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, Used by permission.