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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 significance of Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4:1, emphasizing that even after significant spiritual milestones like baptism and the infilling of the Spirit, one is not immune to Satan's attacks. He outlines the nature of temptation, which includes the lust of the flesh, misinterpretation of God's word, and the allure of power and pride. Smith highlights that Jesus responded to temptation with Scripture, demonstrating the importance of knowing and rightly handling God's word. The sermon concludes with the idea that overcoming personal temptation equips believers to help others in their struggles.
Scriptures
Matthew 4:1
I. TIME OF TEMPTATION. A. After baptism in water. B. After infiIIing of spirit. C. After 40 days fasting. 1. Never immune to Satan's attacks. II. NATURE OF TEMPTATION. A. Lust of flesh. 1. Command stone to be made bread. a. Hungry after 40 days fast. 2. What is wrong with that? a. Acting out of will of God. b. Abusing power of God. 3. "No temptation taken you but what is common to all man or God with the temptation." 4. Our escape is by rightly handling word of God. B. Misinterpreting God's word. 1. Christ answered with word. a. Satan comes right back with scripture. 1. Misquotes. 2. Satan loves to misuse scripture. a. Portions of scripture. 1. Just because they quote scripture. 3. Drinking poison, etc. 4. Christ again answers with written word. a. Did not seek special revelation. C. Lust of eye and pride of life. 1. All kingdoms of earth. 2. Entices with power. 3. His to give. a. "What should it profit a man." 4. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God." Ill. RESULT OF TEMPTATION. A. Commanded Satan to leave. 1. Satan did. B. He won victory over enemy in own life first then able to give to others. 1. Too many have not personally won the victory. C. Bound strong man of house. 1. Started about to spoil it.
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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