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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 discusses the implications of Matthew 5:10, emphasizing that true persecution arises from being a peacemaker and living righteously, rather than from being objectionable or foolish. He clarifies that suffering for righteousness' sake is a mark of true faith, contrasting it with suffering due to personal folly or fanatical behavior. Smith highlights that the Christian's identity in Christ may lead to persecution, as exemplified by biblical figures like Abel and Jeremiah, and warns against seeking approval from the world, as true righteousness may not always be recognized or celebrated by others.
Scriptures
Matthew 5:10
Not so much description as what is likely to result because the Christian is what we have seen him to be. Follows peacemaker, it is because he is a peacemaker, he is persecuted. Same promise as first started and finished with kingdom of heaven. Jews false notion of kingdom. Searching: Misinterpreted and misapplied - "For righteousness sake," "Thank you Lord." Persecution in world today. Not blessed because persecuted for being: objectionable, difficult, lacking in wisdom and blundered. Some suffer entirely from own folly. Fanatical, over-zealous, can lead to persecution. The way they say their amen or hallelujah, not sign of spirituality. Suffer - busy bodies in other man's matters. I Pet. 4:15. Not persecuted for a cause. Martyr spirit. Religious, political views. Christian faith as such, not anti -Communism, Concerned for souls of communist as well as anyone else. Not being good, noble, self-sacrificing. What does righteousness mean? - Being like Christ. - "If the world hate you, know it hated me." - If ye were of the world. John 15:18-20. "Yea all that live godly shall suffer persecution." II Tim. 3:12. Are you suffering persecution? Abel - David - Elijah - Jeremiah - Daniel. By whom are they persecuted? Church herself - religious people. Why righteous and not noble? Noble we feel are like us at our best. "I am capable of that." Righteous different. If we are admired and applauded by unbelievers Woe unto you if all men speak well of you.
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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