Into His Marvelous Light 12/21/2013

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)

The team brought the light of the Gospel into a strangely darkened mall on this shortest and darkest day of the year, the Winter Solstice. Team members included: Mark, Dr. Jack, Jeremy, Steve M., Forest, Dean & Sai, and Steven V.

Curiously, the Christmas Tree itself was dark, as well as the lighting fixture which usually illuminates our (lately) regular corner spot.

Steve M. was blessed with a heckler whose questions were mostly based on the YouTube movie "Zeitgeist." As the linked articles show, this movie is constructed of falsehoods, logical fallacies, and straw-man arguments. Steve did a great job of redirecting the conversation back to the real issue, personal salvation: God's righteousness, our sin, and the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Often, the tone of such questions can be openly hostile and disrespectful. The epistle of James (1:19-20) instructs us to "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."  One simple step we can take in that direction is to quickly introduce oneself and get the heckler's first name so that the discussion is less acrimonious and more cordial. Of course, this is not always possible, but even making the gesture can help defuse the tension.

Confession Department

Another consideration that is often overlooked in the heat of "battle" is that when the heckler is a young person, i.e. late teens to early twenties, we have a greater responsibility, as adults who are seasoned in our faith, to model a measure of grace and Christ-likeness that is greater than the worldly attitude of our adversary. The Lord's commandment to "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) is the most difficult one to follow, is it not? Yet, we need to be prayerfully prepared NOT to defend ourselves, but rather to defend the Gospel. It is so very tempting, when confronted for the umpteenth time with a leading and insincere question, one based on false pre-suppositions, to strike back rhetorically with an attitude of impatient condescension. I am frequently guilty of this. Yet, I believe, if we can step back, take a breath and refrain from responding in kind, we can bear the shame, and allow the spirit to do His work.

Here is a brief video in which Steve effectively redirects the discussion:

From World Magazine:

Jeremy reports that his Father's business has been well supported by the community, after the recent court decision. Please keep the Phillips family in your prayers as they continue to walk by faith.

JOIN US! Saturday, Dec. 28, 6:00 P.M., @ Burbank Police Department parking lot.

A Christmas Greeting To Share

Here is a clever Christmas message animation that you may want to share a link to in your email correspondence this holiday season.

Merry Christmas from the CBC Evangelism Team!

Hark! The Heralds! 12/7/2013

Merry Christmas! That was the message brought by Choir Director Tim Adams and the hardy CBC Choir members who joined the Evangelism Team on this chilly and festive night. Singers included: Tim and Cindy, Ruth, Robert, Rebekah, Chelsea, Elder Bob, and Nestor. Here is a video of the choir singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing":

Proclaiming the Gospel

Tonight's team members included:  Mark, Jack & Barbara, Jeremy, Sharon, Dean, Sai, and Steve.

We were joined by Pastor Alvin, seen here with two of his biggest fans. Pastor Alvin, Sharon, Jeremy, and the rest of the team, spent the evening engaging many persons in one-to-one witnessing.

Thanks to all the Choir members who braved the chilly air to bless the mall-goers with carols that proclaim the true meaning of Christmas: Our Lord Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, to die on a cross as a sacrifice for sinful men so that we may be reconciled to God. This is the Gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ!

Colorado Bakery Update

Our own CBC brother Jeremy informs us that a Colorado Judge has ruled against his Father's bakery in the matter of his refusal to make a cake for a "same-sex" wedding ceremony. You can read the entire decision here. It includes a bold and clear statement of faith by Jeremy's Dad, including a quote from the Gospel of Matthew. Here is a reasonably fair article about it. We will post further updates as (end time) events unfold.

Come All Ye Faithful!

Join us at the FREE CBC Christmas Celebration Concert on December 13, 14 & 15! See the CBC website for details.

Next Evangelism Outreach:

JOIN US! Saturday, December 21st, 6:00 pm, at the Burbank Police Department parking lot.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Calvary Bible Church Evangelism Team!!

The A.M. Shift 12/4/2013

This morning's team included Dean, Aldo, Tony and Steve. It was a chilly one, for North Hollywood (47°F, which is a balmy day in Chicago!), but the gospel was proclaimed and many tracts went out. Tony delivered another great Gospel proclamation:



It's an interesting dynamic at the Station in the morning. Busloads and trainloads of commuters stream by, hurrying to work. Many display faces of steely determination as they embark on another busy weekday. And yet, it seems, they can't help noticing and thinking about the brief snippet of the message being shared. Usually the stoplights conspire to slow their progress across the street and so they hear a bit more of the message. Even the mere presence of a believer on a box surely jostles their attention. Our prayer is that they will hear enough, whether all at once or cumulatively, for the Holy Spirit to plant a seed.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to travel plans, there will be NO CBC OUTREACH AT NOHO STATION on Wednesday, 12/11, and 12/18.
The A.M. Shift will continue, however, on TUESDAY, DEC. 24, and TUESDAY, DEC. 31.
After that, the A.M. Shift will resume it's usual Wednesday A.M. slot on January 8th, 2014.
As always, please check this website for any further changes or updates.

Merry Christmas from Calvary Bible Church Evangelism Team!

Gospel Hanukkah 11/30/2013

For one evening the Mall became a marketplace of faith, as a large crowd gathered for the Menorah lighting ceremony. Our task, this evening, was to present the truth. The fulfilled prophecies of Isaiah 52-53 were referenced and explained in several of the gospel presentations from the box.

The hardy team included: Mark, Jeremy, Jack, Dean C., Steve M., Dean S., and Steven V.

Menorah Lighting

 The orthodox Jewish organization, Chabad, was present at the mall to light a menorah for the fourth night of Hanukkah. We briefly met with the Rabbi, who remembered us from last year, and we respectfully agreed to his cordial request to quiet our amp during their ceremony from 8:00 to 8:30.

The exact beliefs of the Chabad organization are a little hard to pin down. But, based on their website, and the personal experience we have had with them in the past, they are a "movement" of Jews who seek to bring Judaism back to faith in the Torah, the traditions of orthodox observance, and into a social program of good works and service to the greater community. Interestingly, they proclaim a messianic hope that has been placed in a line of men who were descendants of the originator of the movement in Russia over two hundred years ago.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:1-4)

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He forknew. (Romans 11:1-2)

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25 NKJV)

Almost 50 bibles and hundreds of the "Santa" Million Dollar Bill tracts were given out. Although it is impossible to know how many of the faithful Jews took tracts or Bibles, it is our prayer that the eyes of the Jewish believers in God the Father, would be opened to God the Son, Yeshua, Jesus. And that, rather than trusting in their own righteousness before God, they would repent of their sin and put their trust and faith in the perfect righteousness of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many of our team are blessed to know several born again, Jewish believers in the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Several in our own congregation are of Jewish heritage. Often, those Jews whom the Holy Spirit calls to faith in Yeshua become shining lights of wisdom and knowledge, and zealous for evangelism.

Something To Look Forward To

"I was honored today with having a few stones, dirt, rotten eggs, and pieces of dead animals thrown at me."  George Whitefield

2013 Holiday Cheer - Downtown Burbank will kick off a month-long celebration with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Downtown Wonderland on December 7. Festivities will continue right up through New Year’s Day with dozens of events throughout the district.

JOIN US!! This Saturday, 6:00 pm at the Burbank Police Department parking lot, on Palm Ave., at Glenoaks.