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Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013). American pastor and founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, born in Ventura, California. After graduating from LIFE Bible College, he was ordained by the Foursquare Church and pastored several small congregations. In 1965, he took over a struggling church in Costa Mesa, California, renaming it Calvary Chapel, which grew from 25 members to a network of over 1,700 churches worldwide. Known for his accessible, verse-by-verse Bible teaching, Smith embraced the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s, ministering to hippies and fostering contemporary Christian music and informal worship. He authored numerous books, hosted the radio program "The Word for Today," and influenced modern evangelicalism with his emphasis on grace and simplicity. Married to Kay since 1947, they had four children. Smith died of lung cancer, leaving a lasting legacy through Calvary Chapel’s global reach and emphasis on biblical teaching
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Sermon Summary
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of genuine prayer over rote memorization, illustrating that true communication with God should come from the heart rather than mere repetition. He points out that there are moments when prayer is appropriate, but also times when action is required, as exemplified by Moses at the Red Sea. Smith encourages believers to seek communion with God in times of trouble and to pray for strength, rather than relying on traditional forms of prayer that may lack sincerity.
Scriptures
Exodus 14:15
I. SOMETIMES ANSWER VERY WRONG. A. I was taught to as a child. 1. "Lord bless that which we are about..." 2. Memorized prayers have no value. 3. Repetition of phrase has no value. a. Boy in Cairo; ILL. B. It is part of my religion. 1. Life Fakir holding arm aloft. 2. Dancing through fire. C. I felt better afterwards. 1. Ought you to feel better? II. MANY TIMES PRAYER OUT OF PLACE. A. Moses had come to time for action. 1. Man on thawing ice flow. B. People pray for open doors. C. There is a time to quit praying and start marching. D. Praying for Lord's will in certain things. 1. Marriage to unbeliever. III. SOMETIMES ANSWER CORRECT. A. I feel a desire for communion. B. I am in trouble; I must pray. C. I need help and strengthening. Pray from necessity not memorized forms but straight from the heart.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013). American pastor and founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, born in Ventura, California. After graduating from LIFE Bible College, he was ordained by the Foursquare Church and pastored several small congregations. In 1965, he took over a struggling church in Costa Mesa, California, renaming it Calvary Chapel, which grew from 25 members to a network of over 1,700 churches worldwide. Known for his accessible, verse-by-verse Bible teaching, Smith embraced the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s, ministering to hippies and fostering contemporary Christian music and informal worship. He authored numerous books, hosted the radio program "The Word for Today," and influenced modern evangelicalism with his emphasis on grace and simplicity. Married to Kay since 1947, they had four children. Smith died of lung cancer, leaving a lasting legacy through Calvary Chapel’s global reach and emphasis on biblical teaching