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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 significance of seeking God, asserting that those who earnestly seek Him will experience His good hand upon their lives. He highlights that true strength comes from relying on God, who provides for our needs and delivers us from our enemies. Smith encourages believers to reflect on what they are truly seeking and reassures them of God's faithfulness in their journeys, even through challenges. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing God's presence and provision in every aspect of life.
Ezra 8:22
"THE GOOD HAND OF OUR GOD" I. "THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THEM FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM." A. Seeking God is the only requirement. 1. Surprising how few people really seek God. 2. Seek security, pleasure, happiness. 3. Jesus said "seek and ye shall find." B. Jere. "In the day you seek Me with all of your heart in that day will I be found of you." C. Just who are what are you seeking first today? II. 7:28 "I WAS STRENGTHENED AS THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS UPON ME." A. Someone said, "Jesus is just a crutch." 1. Of course He is! I lean on Him every day. a. He holds me up. b. He has never let me down. 2. I have never yet met a man who didn't have a crutch. a. Some lean on the bottle b. Others lean on their family or friends. c. Drugs have become a popular method of coping B. What dimension you are adding when you look to God for strength. III. 8:18 "BY THE GOOD HAND OF OUR GOD UPON US THEY BROUGHT US A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING." A. Our needs are supplied by God's hand. 1. "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." B. What do you need today? IV. 8:31 DELIVERED US FROM THE ENEMY. A. How beautiful is the delivering hand of God. 1. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them out of them all. 2. Many are the afflictions of the wicked. B. How often David cried for deliverance. 1. From enemies. 2. From distress. V. 7:9 IN THE FIRST DAY OF THE FIFTH MONTH HE CAME TO JERUSALEM ACCORDING TO THE GOOD HAND OF HIS GOD UPON HIM. A. The journey was long 5 months. 1. Many hazards. B. They arrived safe at their destination.
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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