The week of 10/12, we started a two-part series on the dangers of Satan. At the beginning of the first message, I mentioned several misconceptions about Satan, and then at the end of the message I gave a you a list of things that you and I are NOT to do in regard to Satan. I want to offer two clarifications for each list.

On the first list, I mentioned that Satan cannot indwell or abide in believers, which is to say, take over their heart and mind and control them. A Christian cannot be Satan or demon possessed. Satan and his demons can tempt you, and do all kinds of nastiness to wreak havoc in your life, but they can’t control you, if you are a believer.

Since it was a quick mention and not one of the main points of that message, I didn’t give you Bible references to go with this truth, but rest assured it is based on Scripture. Though there’s not one explicit text, it is implied based on the following Biblical truths. Satan or his demons cannot indwell a Christian because:

1. Believers are children of God (Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 3:26; 1 Jn. 5:18).
2. Believers are God’s own possession, bought and paid for by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 2:9).
3. God protects believers (Jn. 10:11-15; 17:15; Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Jn. 5:18).
4. Believers abide in Christ (Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:13.).
5. Christ abides in believers (Rom. 8:10; Col. 1:27).
6. The Holy Spirit abides in believers (Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16).
7. Believers are victorious in Christ (Rom. 8:37-39; 2 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-6; 1 Jn. 2:13-14).

If a believer could be Satan or demon-possessed, then the previous Scriptural claims would be false.

There was something else I talked about at the end of the message under the heading “What Christians are NOT to do.” Scripture never tells a Christian to bind, command, rebuke or talk to Satan or try to cast or exorcise demons out of somebody. You could then ask, “What about the fact that Jesus did do such miracles and He gave His disciples the ability to do the same?”  While this is true, these miracles would have been considered sign miracles, which Jesus and the disciples did to authenticate the gospel message they were preaching and teaching.  Remember, the people did not have the completed canon of Scripture yet so everything Jesus and the apostles were teaching them was new, with only the Old Testament to verify anything. Therefore, the miracles validated the message they were heralding. It’s what John 20:30-31 tells us, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” That was the main point, so that people would believe in the gospel message they were preaching and teaching.

As we said, Jesus passed some sign gifts onto the 12 disciples. Luke 9:1-2 says, “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. ² And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.” And they do, which the gospels confirm.

But then what starts happening is that when we get to the book of Acts, the sign gifts become less and less prominent, until the end of the book when they are almost non-existent. If the main point of the miracles was to authenticate God’s word coming through Jesus and the apostles (including Paul and some others), now since we have the completed canon of Scripture, the sign gifts are no longer necessary or active. This is why Christians today don’t have the ability to perform miracles including healings and casting out demons. It’s not that these things don’t happen, but Christians are only called to pray for God’s intervention, not try and heal people on their own or perform exorcisms. 

I will also mention that if the archangel (chief angel) Michael refused to pronounce a railing judgment against Satan (a judgment of blasphemy), instead leaving any rebuke to the Lord (Jude 9), what makes us think we can?  Do we have more power than the most powerful angel? We do not. Rather, we should be like Michael and pray to the Lord, asking Him to drive out any demons or to heal or perform miracles. 

Lastly, let me give you a couple of reminders I wasn’t able to include in my two messages on the Dangers of Satan…

As powerful as he is, Satan is always accountable to God. He is still under God’s authority.  At the beginning of Job, Satan shows up with other angels to present himself before God. He is like any other subject who must be granted permission to even appear before God.  

He is also restricted by God. He could only do to Job that which the Lord allowed. Same with Simon Peter when Jesus allowed Satan to sift Peter and bring severe trial and temptation into his life (Luke 22:31-32). 

Satan and his demons can even be used by God. There are times in the Old Testament when the Lord would send an evil spirit to terrorize someone. In the New Testament, demons begged Jesus to cast them into pigs and Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him,” to keep him from exalting himself (2 Cor. 12:7). 

I hope this gives clarification! 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:10-11).”

Friends, I know we feel as if our country is evilly spiraling out of control, but is our day and age really that different from any other time in history?  I think not, for since the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, sin and evil have been in the world, from Cain brutally killing his brother Abel, to the assassin brutally killing Charlie Kirk and every sinful act of violence in between. What should we expect from a fallen world?  Kirk himself has acknowledged the need for spiritual revival and moral change to precede political transformation. In other words, what our nation needs more than anything is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached, taught, shared and believed!

"...what our nation needs more than anything is for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached, taught, shared and believed!"

Thankfully, Kirk was a devout Christian who is enjoying the pleasures of heaven with his Savior, Jesus (Lk. 23:43)!  He is standing “in the presence of His glory blameless and with great joy. (Jude 24).”  Daniel 12:2-3 says “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”  Charlie Kirk has been awakened unto everlasting life but even before that, his life as a Christian shined brightly and no doubt led many to Christ.

Charlie Kirk is more alive than he’s ever been and that life now extends into eternity (Jn. 3:16).  Jesus said to Martha, who was grieving her dead brother Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this (Jn. 11:25-26)?”  Friends, do YOU believe this?  Will “you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead” so “you will be saved (Rom. 10:9)”?

Of course, here on earth there are only two paths to follow, one that leads to eternal life in heaven and one that leads to everlasting destruction in hell and the lake of fire.  In Mt. 7:13-14 Jesus spoke of these two paths as entering through a narrow or wide gate, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  In John 5:28-29, Jesus speaks of the two outcomes based on the path chosen, “for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” 

Friends, if Charlie Kirk could speak to us from heaven, he’d want everyone to know about the glorious riches awaiting all who put their faith in Jesus.  Jesus is the one who lived the perfect life for you, going to the cross in your place, taking all of God’s wrath against your sin, so you could be forgiven (Heb. 4:15; Rom. 6:23).  In fact, His perfect righteousness is given to you so you can have that perfect standing with God (Rom. 5:9), blameless and with great joy!  Furthermore, God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice by resurrecting Him from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  In Acts 17:30-31, the apostle Paul writes, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”  This all means you too can be resurrected from the dead and enjoy eternal life with Him.  You are simply called to repent of your sin (turn away) and believe in what Jesus has accomplished on your behalf.

"What we need to do is let our righteous anger be directed by the Holy Spirit to understand that EVERYONE in our country (and world) needs the gospel."

Let me return to the question of anger in our hearts. Maybe the answer is to remember that history has demonstrated that the atrocities of our time are really no different than any other. We should be outraged that Jesus Himself was brutally tortured and murdered for what He preached and taught.  No freedom of speech there. What we need to do is let our righteous anger be directed by the Holy Spirit to understand that EVERYONE in our country (and world) needs the gospel. We sometimes secretly think in our hearts that we are fine to share the gospel with people we love, like or enjoy, but the assassins, murderers and rapists should get their just desserts, not “pass go” and be sent straight to hell. No doubt many will end up there. We may even refrain from sharing the gospel with people who think differently than us, politically or socially.

But if Jesus could pray for His enemies while dying by their hands on the cross (Lk. 23:34), can’t you and I pray for gospel opportunities, even for those who are evil, wicked or whom we despise?  Remember too that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Eph. 6:12-13).”

And while we’re praying, let us pray for Charlie Kirk’s wife and children, family, friends and all those who are mourning his death.  Let us also pray for the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones to senseless violence.  Let us pray for the gospel to go forth and for God’s kingdom to come knowing that Christ won’t return until every person He has ordained to be saved has been brought into His kingdom. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16).”

Grace, peace and love to you in Christ,

Pastor Jay

Pastor Jay challenged us in this sermon to use that question about who someone believes Jesus to be as an opportunity to share the gospel. By understanding someone’s worldview, we can better know how to share the gospel. Our closest relationships can be impacted by examining how Jesus is viewed and taking the next steps to lovingly challenge any presuppositions on the way to sharing the gospel. If you haven’t yet listened to this sermon, we recommend taking a listen before continuing on. Listen to the Sermon

So, you’ve been thinking about all of these different people in your life that need to know Jesus and you’ve been trying to put them in categories as to what you think they might believe about Him.  You’ve been considering their worldview and presuppositions about Jesus, God and even the heavenly kingdom. Your aim by doing this is to discern how to best enter into a conversation or relationship with people of varying beliefs, so that you can eventually share the gospel.

Most often, it’s not going to be one simple conversation where you meet someone and immediately have the opportunity to share Jesus with them. You’ll need to form a relationship, and that might take some time to develop trust and openness.

Let’s consider some of the different religions of the world and how you might interact with them so as to make inroads for the gospel. For this, I commend to you the book “Cults, World Religions and the Occult” by Kenneth Boa. I am using excerpts from his book to help us understand how to engage with folks with the following beliefs:

Islam and the Muslim faith

• It’s important to address the problem of sin and what the God of the Bible has done about it versus what Allah has not done about it.
• Remember there are different Muslim sects with different views.  You have to know what views are held by the person with whom you are interacting.
• Because Islam is the state religion in some countries, it has a strong cultural and political base.  There are also no racial barriers so it spreads quickly.  Boa writes, “In the west, it is making appeals to the universal brotherhood of man, world peace, temperance and the uplifting of women.”[1]
• Islam is not about a personal relationship with God, in fact just the opposite, everything is external and codified.  There is no spontaneity or individuality.
• There is a huge difference between Mohammed and Jesus.  Mohammed sinned (public knowledge) and Jesus didn’t.
• While Islam condemns things like stealing, lying, gambling and drinking, these have also become huge problems in Moslem countries.  In addition, while western Islam promotes women, Moslem countries do not.

Buddhism

• Also has many sects with varying beliefs.  You need to understand the beliefs of the person with whom you are interacting.
• Sin is downplayed and dulled so a challenge is convincing the person they are a sinner in need of a Savior.
• Look for common ground and build on that as much as possible.
• Know that a difficulty will be with the exclusivity of Christ.
• Recognize that Buddhism is often more cultural than a practiced religion.

Hinduism

• While Hinduism believes all religions are the same, the unique claims of Christ do not fit into the Hindu system. In fact, neither Hinduism nor Christianity can tolerate one another.
• Christians should emphasize the unique claims of Christ and how it is really the only religion that deals with the problem of sin.  Hinduism covers up sin by calling it an illusion.
• Religious terms must be adequately explained because some Christian terms will have a different meaning to the Hindu.
• Ask your Hindu friend what group or teachings they rely on as many Hindu teachings contradict one another.  Demonstrate how the Bible is the only authority and completely harmonious in its teachings.

Mormonism

• Mormons have worked hard to make themselves appear like Christians.  “They present their doctrines in a subtle way, so as to preserve a veneer of orthodoxy.”[2]
• Mormonism offers many “benefits.”  It cares for the needs of it’s members; it seeks to build and strengthen the family; it provides many youth programs and encourages serving in the church by offering many platforms for this.
• Mormon teachings cannot be reconciled with the Bible (Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, teachings of the Prophet) so they should be encouraged to compare these extra-biblical teachings with the Bible. 
• It’s a works-based system which does not allow for certainty about eternal destiny.  They need to hear how a Christian’s salvation is certain based on the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

• Bold and aggressive in their evangelism as this tests their faithfulness and will hopefully secure their escape from judgment.
• They know their biblical proof-texts for defending their doctrines (often apart from proper context).  Christians need to know their Bibles and how to defend their doctrinal beliefs with proper context. 
• Their ultimate authority is the Watchtower Society, not the Bible.  JW’s need to be encouraged to accept the final authority of the Bible regardless of what the Society teaches.
• “The deity of Christ should be the central issue in any discussion with Jehovah’s Witnesses.  [Christians] should be able to present a clear biblical case for Christ’s deity because their whole system crumbles when Christ is seen as Jehovah (Yahweh) God.”[3]

Judaism

• Relationship is everything to a Jewish person.  Get to know them.  Cultivate a relationship with them.
• The central issue, of course, is who Jesus is.  He is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament who now shows up in the New.  Use OT texts to show this.  Focus on Isaiah 53.
• Christianity was not primarily a religion for the Gentiles!  Jesus was a Jew and the first Christians were Jews.  The gospel was for the Jew first and then also for the Greek (Rom. 1:16).  A Jew does not have to abandon their Jewish heritage to be a Christian.
• Focus on the meaning of Christ’s death and His resurrection.  The Jews understand blood atonement for sins. Show them how that came from Christ.
• Jews believe in two Messiahs, the son of Joseph and the Son of David.  The New Testament teaches the two Messiahs as one person who appears twice, Jesus in His first advent followed by His future return.

Catholicism

• Works oriented.  Relies on the different sacraments for salvation versus the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.
• They don’t just believe in the Bible, but also rely on the magisterium of the church (church’s teachings, including the apocrypha) and the pope as authorities.
• Belief that Mary and the saints should be worshipped and that Mary is in some sense a co-redemptress with Jesus.
• Should be encouraged to weigh extra-biblical teachings against Scripture to know what’s true or not.
• Some Catholics may actually be Christians, but if they are, it’s because they don’t strictly adhere to Catholic doctrine.

Seventh Day Adventists

• Recognize that some may be true Christians, but if they are, like Catholicism, it’s because they don’t strictly adhere to Seventh Day Adventist teachings.
• Has a strong emphasis on morality, family, health, missions, medical, welfare and educational programs.
• The Sabbath and obedience to the Sabbath laws is a huge deal.  Christians should be able to give a defense as to why we’re no longer under Sabbath law.
• We need to study up and know our Bibles in order to show where Adventists doctrinally differ from us.

Kabbalah (a form of Jewish mysticism popular with some inside Hollywood)

• Relies on Secret Doctrines only the initiated can know.
• Many of the teachings vary and contradict each other.
• Has metaphysical, magical and occult practices.  Many also subscribe to things like Tarot and astrology.
• New Age (also popular in the entertainment industry)
• Vastly different in beliefs that can include “I am my own god,” karma, no such thing as sin, a promotion of self-esteem and self-confidence.  Can include props such as crystals or elements of Wicca.  Sort of an ‘anything goes’ religion.
• “The majority are victims of desperate propaganda.  They have been disappointed in life.  Their church backgrounds are weak or nonexistent.  Their understanding of the Christian gospel is unclear or confused. Such are easy prey for cults, especially New Ageism… For the Christian, love never ceases to be the rule of operation.”[4]
• New Agers are most often asking questions like, “Is there real meaning in the world?”  “What’s my significance in it?”  “What hope do I have?”
• Parents should recognize how New Age thought can subtly come through things like public education including “psychological, political, sexual and religious interference.”[5]

Scientology (also popular in the entertainment industry)

• Founded by L. Ron Hubbard who wrote sci-fi books on which religion is mythologically based.
• Promotes Dianetics, the belief that mind can resolve all problems by humans becoming their own savior and freeing their inner spiritual being.
• Believes people have bad “impressions” in their minds and they need to be replaced with good.
• Has nothing to do with the Bible so the Bible needs to be presented as the authority.
• Also, consider all of the controversy that’s surrounded the religion including it’s high-profile celebrities such as Tom Cruise.

The Masonic Lodge

• “Freemasonry preys on some of man’s nobler impulses, including the desire to do good, the urge to believe in something mysterious, the need for acceptance and friendship, and the craving to be part of something greater than himself.”[6]
• Masonry claims to be Christian and promote the Bible, while it actually promotes secrecy, oaths, salvation by works and other things that are contrary to the doctrines of Scripture.
• Help the Christian mason to restore his first love back to Christ.  Encourage them towards holiness and to come out from secret things and oaths and to be separate.

For those who don’t subscribe to a specific religion (atheists, naturalists, agnostics, skeptics), here are some things to consider about their worldview and presuppositions:

• “The theoretical atheist denies God; the practical atheist simply lives as if God does not exist.”^[1]
• They have a loss of standards and values.
• They are often relativists believing that the human mind is limited and therefore knowledge is as well; ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them.^[2]  Man relies on his own reason.
• They seek freedom and autonomy; “an escape from responsibility,”^[3] an ‘anything goes’ worldview, no such thing as absolute truth.
• Challenge these folks that their belief systems will produce inconsistencies.
• There is no “evidence, proof, science or sound reasoning” for an atheist.^[4]
• “Atheism has no answer for the question “Why is there something rather than nothing at all?”^[5]
• “Naturalism cannot adequately explain how mind, knowledge, reasoning, and morality arises from random, mindless, natural processes. Atheists must assume that the personal somehow arose from the impersonal.”^[6]
• “Naturalism generates pessimism and despair. Life is meaningless if we live in a cold, impersonal, indifferent universe. Good and evil can have no meaning for a naturalist. As one atheist stated, “Man is an empty bubble on the sea of nothingness.””^[7]
• Encourage them to examine the arguments for the existence of God by showing them the Scriptures.  It will often go something like this: 1. The universe manifests evidence of design.  2. All design demands a designer.  3. Therefore, the universe must have a designer.  4. This designer is the God of the Bible.^[8]
• Share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For Further Study

Cults, World Religions and the Occult by Kenneth Boa

The Facts on World Religions by John Ankerberg and John Weldon

Islam: What You Need to Know by Ron Rhodes

The Gospel for Muslims by Thabiti Anyabwile

The Facts on Islam by Ankerberg, Weldon and Dillon Burroughs

The God Makers by Ed Decker and Dave Hunt (Mormonism)

The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Mormon by Ron Rhodes

The Facts on the Mormon Church by Ankerberg and Weldon

Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses by Ron Rhodes

The Facts on Jehovah’s Witnesses by Ankerberg and Weldon

Fast Facts on the Catholic Church by Ankerberg and Weldon

Preparing Catholics for Eternity by Mike Gendron

Fast Facts on the Masonic Lodge by Ankerberg and Weldon 

The Masonic Lodge: What You Need to Know by Ed Decker

"Only Two Worldviews" by Brandon Clay at Answers in Genesis

Citations

[1] “Apologetics to the Glory of God” by John Frame, p. 194.

[2] Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11^th ed.

[3] “Apologetics to the Glory of God” by John Frame, p. 194.

[4] “Biblical Apologetics Lesson 11: Atheism and Agnosticism,” G-3 Ministries, https://g3min.org/biblical-apologetics-study/lesson-11-atheism-and-agnosticism/.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[1] Cults, World Religions and the Occult by Kenneth Boa, p. 75

[2] Ibid., p. 95.

[3] Iid., p. 105

[4] Ibid., p. 261.

[5] Ibid.. p. 262

[6] The Masonic Lodge: What You Need to Know” by Ed Decker

The Bible presents fasting as a practice believers should seriously consider, but what exactly is it and why should we do it?

Donald Whitney, in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, says simply, “Christian fasting is a believer’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes.” Fasting can help us draw nearer to God because our focus is not on us but on Him. While fasting, every pang of hunger can be used as an opportunity to focus one’s heart and mind on the Lord and to pray. In his workbook, Understanding the Discipline of Fasting, Paul Washer writes, “fasting is a result of a passion, desire, or need that drives out all others—including, at times, the necessity and delight of food and other temporal pleasures.” While fasting can be a discipline of omitting necessities or pleasures, our focus will specifically be on abstinence from food.

Biblical Survey of Fasting

To discover the different purposes of fasting, we need to turn to both the Old and New Testaments.  One purpose of fasting in the Bible is to seek God’s protection or deliverance. For example, Esther calls for a corporate fast to deliver the Jews from Haman’s plot to exterminate them in Esther 4:16. She says to Mordecai, “‘Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go into the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.’” 

Another reason to fast is to avert God’s judgment. In Jonah 3:9-10, the king of Nineveh orders the Ninevites to partake in an absolute fast to turn away from wickedness and not perish: “‘But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.’” This is another example of a corporate fast similar to what Esther called for, but with a focus on averting God’s anger. 

There is also fasting for the confession and repentance of sin. Samuel gathers Israel, a nation who had been worshipping idols instead of God for twenty years, to corporately fast and pray in 1 Samuel 7:5-6. This fast of confession and repentance requires humility. Even wicked King Ahab was commended by God for humbling himself and fasting before the Lord (1 Kings 21:27-29). However, it must be said that fasting does not bring humility, rather it is an expression of it. We can understand this when we look at the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee prays in the temple, boasting publicly how he is not like the tax collector, bragging about his twice-a-week fasts and generous tithing. Meanwhile, the tax collector hangs his head and beats his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” To this, Jesus responds, “‘I tell you, this man (tax collector) went to his house justified rather than the other (Pharisee); for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted,’” (Luke 18:13-14). In Fasting: A Neglected Discipline, David Smith writes, “We must not conclude that the act of fasting has some virtuous power, and that we have made ourselves more humble; there is no virtue in fallen man by which he can make himself more godly; there is, however, virtue in the divinely appointed means of grace. If we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body (through fasting), we shall grow in grace, but the glory of such change will be God’s alone.”

Another purpose for fasting is that of expressing grief or mourning. As David and his men mourn the death of Saul and his sons in battle, 2 Samuel 1:11-12 says “Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did the men who were with him. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” 

One of the most common purposes for fasting is to seek God’s will, guidance, answers or help. We see many examples of this in Scripture. In Judges 20:26, the Israelites fast and inquire of the Lord if they should go up against the tribe of Benjamin again. In verse 28, God says, “‘Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.’” God directly answers the Israelites when they seek His will as they fast for His answers. Even our Savior fasted while seeking help from His Father. In Matthew 4:1-2, Jesus fasts while being tempted by Satan for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. In Acts 14:2, Paul and Barnabas fast and pray when appointing elders in the churches. As a church, we can fast for the advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth. 

Lastly, fasting can express worship and devotion to the Lord. Anna the prophetess’ life centers on worshiping and serving the Lord as she fasts and prays every day in the temple (Luke 2:36-37). King David also weeps and fasts over his zeal for the Lord’s house in Psalm 69:9-10. As Whitney states, “Fasting can be an expression of finding your greatest pleasure and enjoyment in life from God.”5 By fasting, we are showing God that He is more important than food and the pleasures that come from eating. 

As was said in the beginning, fasting is not something that God requires of you; you are not commanded to fast. However, it seems from Scripture that we are expected to fast as Jesus says, “When you fast…” While fasting is not one of the commanded ordinances like the Lord’s Supper or Baptism, it is something many of us should consider because it is well demonstrated throughout the whole of Scripture.

Paul Washer questions, “Are we so satisfied with this world and its temporal pleasures that we never long for God or ache for a greater measure of His presence? Are we so satisfied with our spiritual status quo that we have no zeal for greater conformity to the will of God and the image of Christ? Are we so apathetic to the needs and sufferings of others that we are never driven to passionate intercession for them?...[A]re we not in danger when our passion for God's glory, our desire for greater sanctification, and our concern for the needs of others rarely overpower our desires for food and temporal entertainments?” 

An Opportunity to Fast as We Prepare for the Resurrection

As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, consider fasting for the purposes of meditating on the truths of the Resurrection, seeking the Lord, growing close to Him, or discovering His will. Perhaps you will focus on confession and repentance, or for help in avoiding temptation. Maybe you will seek guidance and direction from the Lord. You might choose to fast simply as an act of worship.

If you do choose to fast, know that this commitment is between you and the Lord. No one else needs to know about it. You will not be asked by the leadership if you are fasting, and we don’t recommend asking others if they are fasting. No one should be made to feel guilty if, for whatever reason, the person chooses not to fast. Some of you cannot fast for medical reasons. If you have any concern about this, please consult your doctor to see if fasting is okay for you.

Festival of the Resurrection Events

Along with fasting, this year’s Festival of the Resurrection also includes special Thursday prayer nights and Friday lunches. We’ve organized our weekly events to help you in the fast. If you choose, you can spend time with us in corporate prayer and then break the fast with us at Friday’s lunch. We’ve provided more information about the Festival of the Resurrection here.

Cited Works

1 Whitney, D. S. (2014). Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Revised and Updated, p. 192). NavPress; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., p. 160.

2 Washer, Paul David. Understanding the Discipline of Fasting (2021). HeartCry Missionary Society., p. 12.

3 David R. Smith, Fasting: A Neglected Discipline (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1954; American ed., 1969), 46–47.  Quoted in Whitney’s SDCL, p. 210.

4 Washer, Paul David. Understanding the Discipline of Fasting, p. 14.

Additional Calvary Bible Church Resources

The Blessing of Fasting Sermon by Pastor Jay Underwood on March 3, 2024

A Season of Prayer & Fasting Short Article Preparing our Hearts for Fasting, March 6, 2024

Periodically, a portion of the Sunday worship service at Calvary Bible Church is devoted to baptisms. If you have attended CBC for at least several months you have likely seen people standing up in the elevated baptistry with one of the elders describing their relationship with Jesus Christ followed by the elder lowering them under the surface of the water and raising them back upright to the cheers of those in the congregation. It is a wonderful occasion for those who understand what is taking place.

But if you are unfamiliar with this practice, baptism may seem strange or even scary. Let’s put any mystery about baptism to rest by answering a few questions: 1) What is baptism? 2) Who should be baptized? and 3) How can I be baptized?

What is baptism?

There is much symbolism in the act of baptism. In our CBC Doctrinal Statement we explain that “Baptism symbolizes the inward reality of being united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-6).”

The word that is translated “baptize” means to dip or immerse. This word was used to describe how people would immerse a cloth into a dye to change the color. So, to baptize a person is to immerse them into the water so that they will then be identified with the name of the one in whom they were baptized. Just as a white cloth that is baptized into a blue dye is then identified as a blue cloth, those who are baptized into Jesus are then identified as His people.

When a person is baptized the symbolism of a person’s new identity with Jesus is both heard and seen. The fact that a person is related to Jesus is heard through their verbal testimony and seen when they are placed into the water and immerge wet. It is a public expression of a personal reality.

It says in Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Only the Lord can see what happens in the heart, but the world can hear what is confessed by the mouth, and so baptism gives the opportunity for a public witness of the spiritual reality that a person is united with Jesus in faith.

Who should be baptized?

Jesus commanded His disciples saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit …” (Matthew 28:19). Those who are disciples or followers of Jesus should be baptized. Those who follow Jesus are those that have repented of their sin and trusted in His gospel. For example, we see Philip preaching to the Ethiopian from the Scriptures about Jesus and then the Ethiopian believed saying, “What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:35-38). Also, when Peter preached about Jesus and the people were convicted of their sin and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter instructed them to “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:37-38).

If a person is trusting the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are instructed in the Scriptures to make that confession before the church and be baptized in water to publicly testify their identity as a follower of Jesus Christ.

How can I be baptized?

That question may be asked from a variety of motivations. Maybe you’re asking from a place of fear––not able to conceive how you might ever stand in front of others to speak publicly. First, know that you are not alone! Many before you have experienced such anxiety and have been helped by the Lord to do what He calls us to. Second, the Lord does have sufficient grace to help us in every kind of weakness, including this fear (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Maybe you are asking “How?” because you don’t have any idea how to prepare what to say when you share your confession of faith in Jesus. A baptism class, taught by one of our elders, is provided for every person considering being baptized at CBC in which we not only explain baptism but help each person prepare to be baptized. The elder or teacher of that class works with every person who is baptized at CBC to provide instruction and direction to write out beforehand their clear testimony of faith. 

Or maybe you are asking “How?” because you are eager to be baptized and want to move forward with this desire. You can sign up for the next baptism class below and get started.

Register for the Next Baptism Class

If you'd like to speak with a pastor or elder, please email the church office or call 818-556-4840.

There is still an urgent need for volunteers to serve with Samaritan’s Purse as they assist homeowners affected by the LA fires. Many families are facing devastating losses, and volunteers are needed to help recover personal items and share the hope of the gospel with those affected. Right now, there aren’t enough volunteers to meet the need. If you are able, please consider serving, whether for a day or longer. You can connect directly with Samaritan’s Purse here. 

See Original Message Posted on January 13th, 2025 Below

Dear Calvary Bible Church Family,

No doubt the recent fires have been devastating to Los Angeles. There are those of you who know people who have lost everything and some who have been injured, maybe even killed in this tragedy. Some of our own people were evacuated or without power for a time.  Some of you have asked how we as a church can help. Indeed, whenever possible, we want to be the hands, feet and mouthpiece of Jesus, here on this earth, in our community and surrounding communities (especially the Eaton fire victims of Altadena and Pasadena). We want to share the love of Christ in word and deed.

Here’s what we recommend so far: if you’d like to contribute financially, we see no better ministry than that of Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. When Hurricane Helene hit, we gave you their website so you could contribute. They are a solid, Christian-based disaster relief ministry. In coming days and weeks, there may be other opportunities for volunteer service through them, as they plan to mobilize here in Los Angeles as soon as possible.

Donate to Samaritan's Purse here. We'll keep you posted about upcoming opportunities to serve. 

Until volunteer opportunities through a Christian or faith-based group like Samaritan’s Purse materialize, please feel free to find other avenues to volunteer. The following websites have extensive lists of organizations to volunteer through, including The Red Cross. You can click on the following links for this information: LA Times Volunteers or LA2050 Volunteers. Please know that we are not endorsing these websites except for their lists of LA fire-help opportunities. Though the organizations seeking volunteers are mostly secular, this is a great opportunity to put on your CBC t-shirt, round up a few other CBC folks and go represent Christ and Calvary Bible Church to our surrounding communities. Again, we hope to have some more concrete service opportunities to share with you soon. 

And of course pray, pray, pray. Pray for the comfort and care of those who have lost loved ones, been injured or seen their homes or businesses destroyed. Pray for the firefighters, emergency personnel, and volunteers that are working tirelessly to end these fires and give people the help they need. Pray for our government officials who need to make many decisions. Pray the Lord would keep the winds still and give favorable conditions for fighting these fires. Pray that God would provide gospel opportunities for His church to offer the hope of Jesus.

In Matthew 9:35-36, we read, "Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."

The Elders of CBC

Contact the Church Office

Is it wrong to ask God to bless us, individually, corporately, or as a nation? I don’t believe so. There are many Old Testament prayers seeking God’s blessing.  In the Lord’s Prayer (aka Disciple’s Prayer), Jesus has us seeking our daily bread from God which is, in some sense, seeking His blessing, His blessing of provision (Mt. 6:11).  It is also blessed to be forgiven of our sin and not be led into temptation but delivered from evil (12-13). 

However, I can’t help but wonder if we should be a little more concerned about blessing God?  In Sunday’s text we heard Peter’s words, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:3).” Peter is pronouncing a blessing on God because He deserves to be blessed. Why does He deserve this? In the subsequent verses, Peter continues with the facts of Him being the author of salvation and the believer’s future inheritance. In 2 Cor. 1:3, Paul blesses “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,” while Ephesians 1:3 has Paul again blessing God the Father who has given those He has chosen “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Job, in the midst of much affliction and suffering, is known for worshiping God and declaring, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

There is a popular contemporary Christian song “Blessed Be Your Name” by Beth and Matt Redman, written shortly after 9/11.  The song is all about blessing God, not just in the good, plentiful and abundant times, but during times of trial, suffering and pain as well.  The bridge borrows from Job saying, “You give and take away, you give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.”

So how is it we can bless God? Certainly, by praising Him for all things and being thankful for who He is and all that He does.  I once heard about a bumper sticker that read, “America, bless God by obeying Him.” Can our obedience bless God? Certainly so! Again, I think Christians and non-Christians alike are so desiring of God’s blessing but how often do we seek to bless God? Even more so, how often do we bless Him with our obedience? Friends, this is my challenge to you, to seek to bless God through your obedience to Him. In the Old Testament, the Lord spoke to Joshua, telling him that if the people were careful to do all of God’s commands, they could expect to prosper and have success (Josh. 1:7-8). In the New Testament we see our obedience flowing out of a heart that loves God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15).” I encourage you in the days and weeks to come, look for ways to bless God through your obedience to Him. Maybe this means coming up with a list of ways that you typically don’t obey Him—which is to say how you sin against Him—and seek to do right as a way to bless Him. I can guarantee you’ll be blessed in the process! 

Purpose and Goals

• Cultivate corporate and personal prayer within our body.
• Fasting as a way for you to grow in your relationship with the Lord and help you to focus your hearts and minds on the passion of Jesus leading up to Resurrection Sunday (Easter).
• Give the congregation an opportunity to put both prayer and fasting into practice.
• Help make prayer and fasting something that you will participate in on your own and at different times throughout the year.

Elder-led Prayer Meetings

Join one meeting a week. These in-person meetings will focus on a different passage each week as we follow Jesus's journey to the cross and His resurrection. Meeting in Room 2.

• Scripture Focus: Upper Room (John 13:1-5, John 13:36-14:6) Monday, 3/11 from 6:45-7:45am or Wednesday, 3/13 from 7-8pm
• Scripture Focus: The Garden (Matthew 26:36-46) Monday, 3/18 from 6:45-7:45am or Wednesday, 3/20 from 7-8pm
• Scripture Focus: The Cross (Luke 23:33-49) Monday, 3/25 from 6:45-7:45am or Wednesday, 3/27 from 7-8pm

Can't make it to the above meetings? Take the time to read and pray on your own, with friends, or family in a way that accommodates your schedule.

Regarding Fasting and Prayer

• Fasting will be defined as abstaining from food but not water. The elders recommend fasting for one 24-hour period each week for the 3 weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday.
• Not everyone should fast. There may be those of you who for medical reasons need to eat regular meals or because you need to take medications with food. Also, pregnant or nursing moms should not fast. If you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.
• If you are not able to participate in a food fast for any reason, consider fasting from some other need or pleasure. These may include (but are not limited to) social media, computer, phone, electronic/computer games, hobbies, sports, entertainment, a favorite beverage such as coffee or tea, etc.
• Fasting is not commanded in the Scriptures, though it is expected (Mt. 6:16).
• Fasting should be done privately (Matt. 6:16-18). No one will be asked by the CBC leadership if they are fasting. We recommend that you don’t offer up that you’re fasting or ask others if they are. No one should be made to feel like they must fast. 
• When coming out of a food fast, be careful not to eat too much too soon. Consider eating lighter, well-balanced meals when coming out of a fast.
• When fasting and you feel the pangs of hunger, use that time to read Scripture or prayer (or both), even if it’s only for a few moments or silently while at work.
• Keep the focus on seeking the Lord, drawing nearer to Him and growing closer in your relationship with Him.
• Read passages leading up to the resurrection such as Matt 21-28; Mark 11-16; Luke 19:28-24; John 12:12-21.

Biblical Reasons for Fasting

You may find that while fasting and praying, you will focus on some of the purposes below:

• To Seek God’s Protection or Deliverance (Es. 4:16; Ezra 8:21)
• To Avert God’s Judgment (Jonah 3:4-10)
• For Confession & Repentance (1 Sam. 7:5-6; Joel 2:15-17; Lk. 18:13-14)
• To Express Grief or Mourning (1 Sam. 31:11-13)
• As Service & Ministry to God (Lk. 2:36-37; Acts 13:1-2; 14:23)
• To Overcome Temptation (Mt. 4:1-2)
• To Seek God’s Will, Guidance or Answers to Prayer (See many of the above passages. Also Judges 20:26.)
• As Worship and Devotion (Ps. 69:1-10)

Be blessed in this season of praying and fasting!

"Ruach is the power of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles"

Providence is not a word used in Scripture but like the word “Trinity,” it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. In comparing it to God’s sovereignty (this word does exist in Scripture), John Piper defines sovereignty this way, “ [It is God’s] right and power to do all that He decides to do (see Job 42:2; Is. 46:10).” [1] He then defines “providence” as God’s “wise and purposeful sovereignty.” [2] In other words, it is God providing (hence the name) for His sovereign will, which is to say, it is the application or outworking of God’s sovereignty. It is God exercising His power to bring His sovereign will and plans to fruition. 

The Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 offers this definition of providence: “The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.” [3]

And where have we learned His power comes from? His Holy Spirit. This is to say, God’s holy ruach is what hardened Pharaoh’s heart to not let the people go, directed Joseph’s life so that he could “preserve many people alive (Gen. 50:20),” crowned a Jewish Esther queen over Persia and Media “for such a time as this (Esther 4:14),” thus keeping the Jewish nation from being annihilated, and governed the events of Naomi and Ruth’s narrative so that Ruth would marry Boaz giving birth to Obed, “the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:22),” thus preserving the Messianic line.

There’s a New Testament passage that helps us to understand how the Holy Spirit executes God’s providence. At the beginning of Acts 16, Paul and company are on their second missionary journey travelling through Derbe to Lystra where he picked up Timothy, and then headed to Asia when in Acts 16:6 the Scripture says, “They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.”  This is because God wanted them to go to Macedonia instead. Though we’ve acknowledged there are some differences in the way the Holy Spirit worked in the Old Testament from the New Testament (or more accurately from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant), I don’t believe this is one of them. Just like the Holy Spirit accomplished God’s providence in the New Testament, He did so in the Old.

"Just like the Holy Spirit accomplished God’s providence in the New Testament, He did so in the Old."

I would also add that visions and dreams from God are also by means of the Holy Spirt. We read in Ezekiel 11:24 “And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God to the exiles in Chaldea. So the vision that I had seen left me.” There's also an example of this in Revelation 1:10 when the apostle John records, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet.”

As theologian Sinclair Ferguson summarizes the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, “...the divine ruach is precisely that of extending God’s presence into creation in such a way as to order and complete what has been planned in the mind of God…the Spirit of God is the executive of the powerful presence of God in the governing of the created order.” [4]

Books for further study

• The Holy Spirit by Charles Ryrie
• The Holy Spirit by Sinclair B. Ferguson
• The Holy Spirit by John Owen
• The Gospel According to John by D.A. Carson
• Understanding Spiritual Gifts by Robert Thomas
• The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit by Larry D. Pettegrew
• Strange Fire by John MacArthur
• The Charismatic Challenge by John Napier

Citations

[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/are-gods-providence-and-gods-sovereignty-the-same - accessed 11/8/23

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ferguson, Sinclair B., The Holy Spirit. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1996. P. 21.

Watch Sunday's message, The Battle Cries of the Reformation for a greater understanding of this topic. Go