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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 spiritual battle we face, reminding us that our true enemy is not flesh and blood but spiritual forces that seek to draw us away from God. He explains the enemy's purpose to rob, steal, and destroy, and how they appeal to our baser nature, leading to destruction. In times of overwhelming pressure, when it feels like the enemy comes in like a flood, we can find strength in the Spirit of the Lord, who lifts a standard against our adversaries. Smith encourages believers to resist the devil, call upon the Lord, and immerse themselves in the Word of God as their defense against these attacks.
Isaiah 59:19
"OUR DEFENSE" I. THE ENEMY. "WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD." A. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the..." 1. Sometime before creation of man, He created angels of various ranks and orders. 2. One of the angels of the highest order rebelled against Him. a. This angel was described as, "perfect in beauty..." b. He drew a third part of the angels with him. 3. Originally, only one government in the universe. Light of life. 4. Now a second government. a. Opposed to the first. b. Government of death and darkness. B. The purpose of the enemy. 1. To draw you away from God. 2. "The enemy has come to rob, steal and destroy." C. The method of the enemy. 1. To appeal to the baser nature of man, to make him a slave to his own fleshly lusts. a. The effect is always destructive. b. More obvious forms alcoholism, drug addiction. c. More subtle form is sex. 2. Thus, to follow the enemy is to follow the path to destruction. 3. To pervert the good, natural, God given drives by seeking unnatural fulfillment. II. "WHEN THE ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD." A. There are times when we seem to be singled out for special attacks. 1. The pressure is like a flood. 2. We are almost overwhelmed. 3. We recognize that those forces against us are more powerful than we. a. I don't have the strength to resist the flood. b. Am I doomed? III. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM. A. Though the forces that are against us are strong, that power that God has given to us is stronger. 1. "Greater is He that is in you that he that..." 2. "You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit." B. The standard that the Spirit lifts is the Word of God. 1. When the enemy came as a flood against Jesus. a. He seems to know when to attack. 1. Jesus had been fasting 40 days and was hungry. 2. Use God's power to feed your own flesh. b. Jesus used the Word, "It is written..." 2. "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart..." a. The Word of God in my heart is one of my best defenses against the enemy. IV. WHAT TO DO WHEN ENEMY COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD. A. "Resist the devil..." James. 1. Peter tells us the devil is going about like a roaring lion...whom resist steadfastly. 2. In Hebrews you have not resisted unto blood. B. Call upon the Lord. C. Get into the Word.
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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