Ask Pastor Steve

On what days are Christians to meet?

Danny,
Thank you for your question regarding days Christians meet.
Originally Christians were Jews who met on Saturdays in the synagogue. They also began to meet on the first day of the week, Sunday, in honor of Jesus' resurrection (Acts 20:7). A gradual division increased between Jews who accepted Jesus as the Christ and those who did not. Eventually, the Christians were forced out of the synagogue and began to meet primarily on Sundays. As Christians we know that we are to worship "in Spirit and in truth" (John 4) and are therefore not limited to any day or time - we are free to worship the Lord any time and any place. May the Lord bless you as you worship Him.

Is it the same to God if you get married in a church or in a court house? Thank you, Johnny

Johnny,
Thank you for your question regarding marriage in church or in a court house from God's perspective. In the Bible, God is concerned that we be married "in Christ", in other words, that we marry a fellow believer before the Lord. In II Corinthians 6:14, Paul calls us to not be "unequally yoked"(married to an unbeliever). Other passages that relate to marriage include Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5. Marriage, whether in the church or in a court house needs to include promises to be faithful according to God's design for marriage - till death do we part. God can be honored and obeyed in either case, as long as the vows are authentic and each person is a genuine believer. Marriage within the church enables the scriptural perspective to be given, God to be intentionally spoken of and honored, and an important witness regarding Christ and his relationship to the church made (marriage is an analogy of this - Eph 5).

Mark 3:29 implies a sin not forgiven, what’s the difference between sin and eternal sin? Can you explain? David

David,
Thank you for your question regarding Mark 3:29. There is a sin not forgiven, or an eternal sin and that is attributing the work of God to Satan. Some who had seen Jesus cast demons out and heal said this was from Satan, that Jesus did this by Beelzebub, the prince of devils (3:22). All sin is forgivable by Jesus (through his sacrificial atoning death), but if Jesus' work is said to be of the devil, then His work is rejected. If His work for us is rejected than the basis for forgiveness is taken away. Even the attributing of Jesus' work to the devil can be repented of (see Acts 3:19) and thus forgiven, because the repentance includes an acceptance of who Jesus really is and therefore accepts His work of forgiveness.

Is it possible to be a Christian and commit suicide and still go to heaven? James

James,
Thank you for your question regarding Christians and suicide. This is a difficult question that requires much prayer and seeking of God. There are many different reasons for suicide. We know that from the Word that murder is sin, and that would include the murder of self. We also know the character of God is one of mercy and that He seeks to forgive. It's important for us to be compassionate with people who are struggling personally with this issue. We can come alongside them, pray, and offer to them the "hope that lies within us" - knowing that Christ is our sufficiency in all circumstances (II Corinthians 3:5).

If Judaism does not believe in Christ, then shouldn't they still be doing animal sacrafices? Dan

Thank you for your question, Dan. Heb 9:22 states, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. " The writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that all animal sacrifices were insufficient and could not cleanse with any lasting effect. In contrast, Jesus was a perfect sacrifice who brought everlasting cleansing and eternal life. Those Jews who refuse to accept the perfect offering in the body and blood of Jesus Christ must find some other source of blood sacrifice since there is no hope of cleansing and remission because of it. Prior to A.D. 70 they took confidence in the fact that the temple was still standing. This is probably why God allowed it to be destroyed. He did not want them continually looking to that which was only a shadow of his perfect gift in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, its precisely this continual rejection of God's gift and preference for "tradition" that will set them up to be deceived by the antichrist. He'll probably make a covenant, allowing them to rebuild their temple and later betray them (Matt 24:15) by appearing in the temple and proclaiming himself as God. Even the Jews will eventually see and honor the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Phil 2:10-11). We all need to pray that as many as possible do so in loving relationship, not in dread.

What do you feel about having an online friend of the opposite sex that one hasn't ever met? Olivia

Thank you for your question, Olivia. As long as the content and subject matter is not sinful, lustful, fantasy or otherwise inappropriate it should basically be ok within a few clear guidelines. Minors should do nothing without parental consent and full disclosure. Many people prey on minors and sometimes adults by initially establishing an online connection, gaining confidence and location/address information and then trying to use it to contact the minor for some sort of stalking or victimization. Likewise, no married person should maintain any chat connection with members of the opposite sex. Any online activity should basically be an extension of our overall commitment to do all things as unto the Lord, seeking to glorify Him in them.

Did the Bible teach us to celebrate Christmas? I heard many believers said NO. Eva

Thank you for your question, Eva. Although the Bible does not command us to observe the occasion of our Lord's birth, our love, gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness for both the initial gift and His saving sacrificial death compels us to joyously recognize it. The joyous and thankful response to the birth follows the biblical example we see in the shepherds, the magi and many others on the night of His birth. It is a response of love, not of legalism. And although this gratitude should be felt in our hearts throughout the year, we have set aside one specific day where the body and much of the world pays special attention to recognizing the blessing.

While we were at Calvary Chapel South Bay Sunday night, a man got up during the music worship portion of the service and just stood in place with his hands raised.  An usher came to ask him to sit but I guess the man had his eyes closed so he didn't see the usher. So the usher pulled him down.  My question is, why are people not allowed to stand during the music worship.

Thank you for your question. At Calvary Chapel South Bay we seek to provide a worship atmosphere where we are all on one accord and focused solely on God who is the recipient on our worship. We have found that standing and other excessive movement can often become a distraction, which draws attention to individual action and away from focus on the LORD. Therefore, in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page, focused, with no attention on one person standing here, another doing there own thing there and yet another distracting everyone on their pew by doing something else, we encourage each person to stand or sit together and be generally respectful of their fellow worshippers. This way God gets all the attention and glory and self is kept in its proper place. May you go on to focus all your worship, praise and glory upon God alone.

I’m a smoker, but I so Love the Lord. I’m trying to quit. Am I a disappointment to God & to our Church? Molly

Thank you for your question, Molly. You cannot be a disappointment. Jesus loves you so much he would have died for you even with your cigarettes. The important thing is whether you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10). As savior, you have acknowledged and accepted His shed blood as the only remedy foryour sins while as Lord, you have surrendered your life, repented of your sins and committed to follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14). Once we are saved we do have liberty concerning anything that is not a direct violation of the commandments, general sense and Spirit of the Word of God. However, we also have the responsibility to obey the convictions we sense in our own heart concerning these liberties. Part of what God requires is also that we not offend the faith and conscience of others in the body of Christ (1 Cor 8:12, Rom 14:14-21). So although cigarettes are not explicitly forbidden in the word of God, we can sin by offending or stumbling others with our smoking. This offense would be a sin. We want to focus on glorifying Jesus Christ with every aspect of our beings: body, soul and Spirit (1 Thess 5:23).

Is dating Bibical? Lust is sin and it seems silly to think that two people can date and not feel any lust? G

Thank you for your question, G. The typical dating or courtship usually involves social interactions or dates where two people go out alone to enjoy each others company and/or try to determine if the other person is right for them. The isolated nature makes it dangerous. In the Christian sense you want to make sure that both you and the person God has for you are walking in full pursuit of and submission to with His will for your individual lives. Only then can either of you be sure that His will for you specifically includes the other person. In order to glorify Him you want to at least avoid any sinful activity because it grieves Him. You also want to maintain guidelines and accountability that will help guard you against temptation. Lust is a reality of both the flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Giving in to the lust of the flesh is sin. Just about any physical interaction between two mutually attracted people can inherently awaken a fleshly desire for more. But fulfilling any physical desire reserved by God for married couples is fornication, a work of the flesh. You therefore need to ask yourself what it takes to keep you from being constantly bombarded and possibly overwhelmed by temptation to sin. In dating, as in general life, its not enough to simply say no to the flesh. You also have to yield to the Spirit, exercising yourself in prayer, worship, fellowship and Bible Study. Many have asked this question and wisely decided its best to not even start down that road with a kiss than to risk losing control.

Do you think it wise to pray for an opportunity and plan as if God might say yes? Craig

Thank you for your question, Craig. With every plan or opportunity, the first order of prayer is to seek God's will. We ask according to our needs and present each potential answer back to God to get His perspective. He will then let us know that either it is in His will, it isn't or that we have to wait for further direction. When opportunities present themselves, we follow James 4:15, "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" and .Proverbs 3:5,6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." As we daily surrender our lives to His will and plan in prayer, "...thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10) Once He reveals that something is in His will, we move forward. Otherwise we yield and either seek His will concerning another avenue or wait for further direction.

Should a person participate in communion without being baptized? Dina

Thank you for your question, Dina. As we partake of communion we are identifying with the sufferings, broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of the spiritual reality of the New Covenant whereby we become members of the Body of Christ. Since an unbeliever is not part of the body, has no covenant relationship and has not personally identified with the work of Christ, they should not partake of communion. Paul cautioned the Carnal Corinthians that many of them became sick or died because of a generally irreverent attitude towards communion. The same admonition applies to unbelievers.

My co-worker said it sounded cult-ish when I said I know I'm going to heaven. How should I respond? Neil

Thank you for your question, Neil. Unfortunately we are living in an age of relativism where everyone believes their own ideas or lack thereof are just as valid as the next guys. They further believe that because this is so, no one person's reality can come to the point of certainty because this invalidates the reality of others. They therefore view anyone who holds to absolutes and their resultant certainty as unusual, weird or cultish in the sense of forcing their ideas upon others. The best way to deal with this is to continue expressing your confidence and certainty as the only real answer to the uncertainty and insufficiency of anything other than the gospel. Deep within each person longs for true answers and meaning that can only be fulfilled in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Though the enemy seeks to blind their hearts to this fact, the Holy Spirit can use our confidence and testimony to penetrate their deception and show them the truth.

When trying to figure out a career path, how do I know what career is my calling? James

Thank you for your question, James. With every plan or opportunity, the first order of prayer is to seek God's will. We ask according to our needs and present each potential answer back to God to get His perspective. He will then let us know that either it is in His will, it isn't or that we have to wait for further direction. When opportunities present themselves, we follow James 4:15, "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" and Proverbs 3:5,6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." As we daily surrender our lives to His will and plan in prayer, "...thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10) Once He reveals that something is in His will, we move forward. Otherwise we yield and either seek His will concerning another avenue or wait for further direction.

What does it mean by I am fearfully and wonderfully made? I don't understand the fearfully part. Dan

Thank you for your question, Dan. In Psalms 139:14 the word fearfully simply means to revere or be put in awe. Charles Spurgeon said, "Who can gaze even upon a model of our anatomy without wonder and awe? " The basic idea is that as we consider the complexity and intricacy of our created bodies we are inspired to absolute amazement at God's handiwork.

Pastor Steve, what do you think about the "Purpose Driven" approach to growing churches? Sherry

Thank you for your question, Sherry. The main purpose of the leadership in the body is to mature the body so that its members can faithfully fulfill ministry. As these happen according to the biblical model, the body is edified (Ephesians 4:11,12). The main means of discipleship or bringing the members of the body to maturity is the clear and balanced teaching of the whole counsel of God's word. True worship and fellowship are a natural outgrowth of this leadership focus. As this is faithfully done, the body will naturally reproduce healthy sheep. The main goal is therefore personal growth and discipleship. This goal can be achieved by simply following the word. To the extent that any approach, or any portion thereof, conforms to the biblical model, emphasis and focus it can be used by God to bless the body. To the extent that it does not, it will not bear fruit.