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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 death of a Christian is viewed as precious in the eyes of the Lord, highlighting that it is ordained and planned by God. He explains that while death is often feared, it signifies a release from the struggles of the physical body and an entrance into God's presence. Smith notes that God's love for His saints is evident in their trust during death, which contrasts with the divided love often experienced in life. Ultimately, the death of saints is a fulfillment of hope, ushering them into eternal life with God.
Psalms 116:15
"PRECIOUS IN THE EYES OF THE LORD, IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS" I. GOD'S ESTIMATE OF THE CHRISTIANS DEATH, PRECIOUS. A. By many a strange epithet for death. 1. Death some fearful monster that snatches our loved ones from our midst. B. This signifies that a Christian's death is - 1. Ordained & planned by God. 2. It is considered by Him, as precious. II. GOD'S REASON FOR THIS ESTIMATE. A. God loves the love and trust of His saints. 1. It may not always be constant in life. a. Led astray into material realms. b. Divided love. 2. How we do trust in death. B. Present bodies hold our spirit captive. 1. For a while this is good. a. Bodies are strong and healthy. b. Mind is keen and alert. 1. enjoy world about us. 2. building up love and appreciation unto God. 2. After the passing of many years... a. Bodies begin to afford more pain than pleasure. b. Becomes harder to get around to enjoy life. c. Minds sometimes lose keeness. 1. No longer storing up new knowledge. 2. Beginning just to live in past, no challenge of new horizons. C. Death gives release from this body of sin. 1. Not only release, but to saint the promise of a new body direct from God eternal in the heavens. D. Death of saints precious in God's eyes for it is the usher for the saints to bring them into His presence. "for to be absent in the body. . ." 1. Fullfillment of the hope of Saints.
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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