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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 Jesus is the ultimate Rock, a refuge and defense for all who seek Him. He contrasts the various 'rocks' people rely on, such as substances or philosophies, and highlights the importance of building one's life on the solid foundation of Christ. Smith warns against underestimating the true Rock of salvation, urging listeners to trust in Jesus rather than fleeting securities. He illustrates this with the story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, where the Rock symbolizes God's eternal kingdom that will ultimately prevail over human efforts.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 32:3
"HE IS THE ROCK" Intro: The Rock was considered as a place of refuge, a shelter, a place of defense. The conie. I. EVERY MAN HAS A ROCK (vs. 31.. A. That place of refuge or defense. 1. One of the most stupid put-downs of the Jesus Movement was "I fear that they are just putting down one dependency factor for another." a. They're depending on Jesus now instead of drugs. So what is there to fear or worry about that? b. The psychiatrist or professor or minister who expressed such fear had his rock in which he sought shelter. 1. His liquor or drugs or philosophy. 2. We're all trusting in something. No man is an island, no man stands alone. a. They tell me that Jesus is my crutch. 1. Of course He is, can you think of better? 2. I lean on Him constantly. 3. Without Him I would fall. 4. He has never let me down. 5. He will never let me down. 6. In that crisis hour when I am beyond the reach of friends, beyond the help of man, when my life is slowly fading my heart refusing to function, my Rock will be there to hold me & see me through. b. When the pressures become greater than you can take, where do you turn? 1. I put on a stack of records (rock & roll.. 2. I take a tranquilizer. 3. I go to a bar (scotch on the rocks). 4. I get into a book. 5. Where are you going to turn in your hour of supreme crisis? 3. We are all building our lives on some foundation. 1. Jesus talked of the wise & foolish builders. 2. You can build a beautiful house, elaborate in every detail but the foundation. a. It will not endure the coming storm. b. We have seen so many houses shattered. II. HOW SAD WHEN ONE LIGHTLY ESTEEMS THE TRUE ROCK OF HIS SALVATION vs. 15. A. Seeks security in a house of straw. 1. Trust in my good works. 2. Trust in my dogged stubbornness "my head is bloody but unbowed." 3. One day your house will be blown over vs. 35. B. Why not trust in Jesus Christ, He is the Rock. 1. Paul said: "That Rock was Jesus." 2. You are as secure as the rock in which you hide. C. Coronet sad story of a Psychiatrist wife dying of leukemia. They read fairy tales to each other. D. Others are unmindful or they forget the Rock that formed them vs. 18 Ill. THE DREAM OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR. A. The great image representing the forms & stages of human governments. 1. Man's attempts to solve his problems. B. The final ten nation confederation. C. He watched the idol till a Rock came out of the mountain not hewn with hands. The Rock is Jesus, He is our strength, our peace, our righteousness our hope, our coming King.
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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