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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 that the Bible serves as God's revelation to humanity, designed to foster a loving relationship with Him. He explains that while nature reveals God's existence and wisdom, it falls short of conveying His love and the means to experience it. The sermon outlines God's role as the original cause of all creation, the establishment of His kingdom, and the subsequent rebellion that led to the fall of man. Smith highlights that despite humanity's disobedience, God has provided a path for redemption through free choice. Ultimately, he assures that a time will come when God's government will reign supreme once more.
Genesis 1:1
"IN THE BEGINNING GOD" I. THE BIBLE IS GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO MAN. A. The purpose of the revelation is to bring man into a loving relationship with God. B. The necessity of the revelation. 1. The revelation of nature not complete. a. It teaches me that God exists. 1. That He is awesome. 2. That He is wise. b. What nature does not teach me. 1. That God loves me. 2. How to experience that love. 2. To give us a unified knowledge of God. a. Each man could interpret nature his own way. 1. One man watching a bee creating honey and eating the honey may say "God is resourceful and wise creating sweetness." 2. Another man stung by the bee may say "God is mean creating pain. 3. And thus would begin man's theological arguments. 3. To bring man salvation. a. "For whosoever shall call upon...." II. WHAT THE BIBLE REVEALS ABOUT GOD. A. That He is the original cause behind all that exists "In the beginning." 1. All created beings were made by Him. a. The material world of man. b. The unseen world of angels. B. That originally there was just one government in the universe, the government of God light and life. 1. The whole universe in harmony with His order. 2. A kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. C. There came a rebellion within God's kingdom. Ezk. 28 1. One of God's highest created beings lifted by pride and ambition Isa. 14 established his own authority. 2. A second government was formed within the universe - death darkness. D. At one point in the eons of time God created a material universe, the heavens and the earth. 1. No matter is being created now. 2. That there is a gradual decay in all matter ereamacasus. E. That God created man in His image and placed Him on this earth. 1. God's chief emotional attribute, love. 2. God's chief moral attribute, righteousness. 3. God's governmental characteristic, self-determination. F. Man was created in harmony with God. In government of light and life, fellowship with God. G. That Satan deceived man into rebellion against God's Word. 1. Man by disobedience transferred himself from government of God to government of Satan. 2. This was done by exercise of free choice. H. God has made a way back for men. 1. Man had no way back by himself. 2. Man must exercise the same power of free choice. I. Some day one government again in universe.
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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