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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 explores the wisdom found in four small creatures as described in Proverbs 30:24, emphasizing their unique strengths and lessons for humanity. He highlights the ant's diligence in preparing for the future, the conie's reliance on the rock for safety, the locust's power in unity without a visible leader, and the spider's ability to thrive in unexpected places. Each creature serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, urging believers to prepare for eternity, find strength in Christ, work together as a community, and hold onto God's promises. The sermon encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the importance of wisdom in daily living.
Scriptures
Proverbs 30:24
"FOUR LITTLE WISE CREATURES" I. THE ANT. A. A people not strong. 1. Called people because they live in colonies. 2. Each ant fulfilling his own responsibility within the community. 3. Not strong. a. For their size they are very strong. b. Because of their size, you can crush hundreds under your shoe. B. They prepare their meat in the summer. 1. Ants do not swim, so they must store food for the rainy season. a. Some grow mushrooms. b. Others keep and milk aphids. c. Store honey. C. Somehow they know they must prepare for the future. 1. We all know the day is coming when our works will cease. 2. Prophet cried, "Prepare to meet thy God." 3. "Lay up for thyself treasures in Heaven." 4. So many foolishly never prepare for eternity. II. THE CONIE OR HYRAX. A. A feeble folk. 1. About size of rabbit, sort of hops like rabbit. 2. Looks like overgrown guinea pig. 3. Feeble folk, very defenseless against coyote, fox, bobcat, any of its natural enemies. B. They make their houses in the rocks. 1. Deep in the crevices and fractures. 2. There they become as strong as the rocks that house them. C. We need to recognize how feeble we are. 1. No match for Satan, our natural enemy. 2. If we are wise, we will make our home in the rock, Christ Jesus. a. "When my heart is overwhelmed..." b. When your hiding place is in Jesus, you are as strong as the rock that shelters. III. THE LOCUST. A. Have no king, visible leadership. B. They go forth by bands. 1. Find their strength in cooperative effort. a. One locust is easily killed. b. They fly in by the millions. c. The can stop trains and cars. C. The church needs to learn the power or cooperative effort. a. Led by our invisible king, Jesus Christ, what an influence we could become in our community and world. b. The Holy Spirit seeks to coordinate the activities of the body. IV. THE SPIDER - GECKO - LIZARD FAMILY. A. Takes hold with her hands. 1. Retractable claws like a cat. 2. On each paw, thousands of small hooks. 3. Can crawl up a pane of glass or run upside-down on smooth plastered ceiling. 4. Desirable house pets because they catch insects, especially cockroaches. B. Dwells in king palaces. 1. They can be kept out. C. We are told to take hold of the promises of God. 1. Heb. 11:13, "Embraced them." 2. II. Peter 1, "Exceeding rich and precious..." 3. We shall one day dwell in the kings palace.
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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