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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 omniscience of God in his sermon on Jeremiah 29:23, reminding us that God knows the secrets of our hearts and our true motivations, even when we deceive ourselves. He highlights the importance of recognizing our own deceitful hearts and how God reveals our true selves through circumstances, His Word, and His Spirit. Smith encourages believers to reflect on their faith and trust in God, acknowledging that our declarations may not always align with our inner beliefs.
Scriptures
Jeremiah 29:23
THE LORD KNOWS Intro: Jeremiah writing to captives in Babylon - occasion and message. "I know and make known saith the LORD." I. "I KNOW..." - THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. A. These men were acting as God's spokesmen. 1. Their pretense was - "we walk close to God." 2. God declares them guilty of villainy, adultery, lies. B. God knows the secret of our hearts. 1. "Such knowledge is too great for me." 2. He knows our true motivations. 3. He knows if we really believe His Word. a. We sometimes deceive ourselves by our own testimonies. b. We say we believe the Bible is the Word of God. c. We say, "In God we trust." II. "AND MAKE KNOWN" - "THE HEART IS DECEITFUL". A. I don't know my own heart so how does God make known to me? 1. By bringing me into circumstances where what is inside is revealed. 40 years to prove thee to see what was in thine heart. a. If I say I believe the Bible - when deep within there is doubt. b. If I say I trust in God. 2. God makes known through His Word. a. "The Word of God is alive and powerful..." (Heb.4:12. "...and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 3. God makes known by His Spirit.
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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