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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 every person has a god, which is the master passion of their life, whether it be intellect, pleasure, or power. He discusses how those who worship false gods ultimately become like them, lacking true understanding and fulfillment. Smith illustrates the futility of idol worship, showing that these gods are mere projections of ourselves and incapable of true action. He contrasts this with the transformative power of God, who seeks to make us like Himself through the Holy Spirit. The sermon calls for reflection on who or what we truly worship and the impact it has on our lives.
Scriptures
Psalms 115
I. EVERY MAN HAS A GOD. "THEIR (THE HEATHEN) IDOLS." A. Your god is the master passion of your life. 1. The driving force. 2. The ideals that control your actions. 3. The philosophy that governs your decisions. B. David's time - three basic heathen gods: Baal, Molech, Mammon. 1. Worship of Baal was to deify the intellect. 2. Worship of Molech was to deify pleasure. 3. Worship of mammon was to deify power. C. Interesting paradox how one ends who worships false gods. 1. The man who worships his intellect. a. Talk to him of ultimate knowledge, the knowledge of God. b. He often declares, "I am an agnostic." c. The Greek word means "not to know." d. Translated into Latin is Ignoramus. e. Ends with confession of ignorance. 2. The man who worships pleasure. a. He chases the world for excitement, a new sensation. b. He becomes jaded. c. He still goes through the motions, but the emotion is gone. d. How quickly fades the thrill of a new car. e. Ends with lust, unfulfilled desire. 3. The man who worships power, money. a. They get where they can't spend it. b. Some of the tightest people I know are the wealthiest. c. They become a slave to their money. II. MEN MAKE THEIR GODS LIKE THEMSELVES; THEY HAVE MOUTHS, EYES, EARS. A. A man's god is often the projection of himself. 1. If I were God, I would control the eruptions of Kiluaua, and as I went around, whenever I was mistreated, I would erupt and fry my enemies. 2. If I were God, I would live on Mt Olympus. 3. Why did God allow this to happen? B. They make their gods less than themselves. 1. The mouth can't speak. 2. The eyes can't see. 3. The ears can't hear. III. A MAN BECOMES LIKE HIS GOD. "THEY THAT MAKE THEM ARE LIKE UNTO THEM." A. You are becoming like your god. 1. If your god is false. 2. If your god is insensate. a. You smile with sympathetic pity at the man who said, "God spoke to his heart." B. Who your god is is vitally important. IV. WHILE MAN MAKES HIS GOD LIKE HIMSELF, GOD IS SEEKING TO MAKE US LIKE HIMSELF. A. The purpose of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. 1. And we with open face beholding the glory of the Lord... 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God.
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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