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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 metaphor of God as the potter and believers as the clay, illustrating God's absolute power and interest in shaping our lives. He discusses how God molds us through trials and circumstances, urging us to remain pliable and receptive to His will. The sermon highlights the importance of yielding to God's design, as our potential is realized through His skilled hands. Smith reassures that even when we are marred, God can create us anew, transforming our worthlessness into vessels of beauty and value. Ultimately, he calls for submission to the potter's touch to understand His purpose for us.
Scriptures
Jeremiah 18:1
"THE POTTERS HOUSE" I. THE POTTER - GOD. A. The absolute power over the clay. 1. He can make any type vessel He pleases. 2. The destiny of the clay is in His hand. 3. What are the determining factors? a. Need. b. Pliability of clay. B. His intense interest in the clay. 1. As He works with the clay He breaks down the hard lumps. 2. He is seeking a certain pliability. 3. He wants that clay to become an expression of His mind. a. Eph.2 - "We are His workmanship (Poema.." C. His patience with the clay - "the clay was marred". 1. God desires to lift you to the highest level. a. If you refuse - "clay is marred"... "He will make again another vessel." He will do as good for you as you allow. II. THE WHEEL - "CIRCUMSTANCES OF MY LIFE." A. How does God mold and shape us? 1. By trials. 2. By chastenings. 3. By circumstances. B. Remember, the wheel is controlled by the potter. 1. It is necessary in shaping the vessel. 2. To complain against your circumstances, is to complain against God. a. The children of Israel murmuring. 3. To be disappointed is to have unbelief in His Word. a. "And we know that 'all things'..." III. THE CLAY - ISRAEL - ME. A. The worthlessness. 1. One of the most plentiful substances on earth. 2. In raw state practically of no value. B. The drabness - ugly shapeless mass. C. The potential. 1. With the potters touch - transformed into a beautiful vessel. 2. By potters skill - vessel of priceless value. "The touch of the masters hand." D. How can I know what is in the mind of the potter? 1. Yield - submit. One of the final mentions of the potter in the scriptures is when Judas returned the 30 pieces of sliver to the High Priest.
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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