Legacy of Pastor Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith moved out of a old tent, into a beautiful new mansion... 

We are thankful for Pastor Chuck as he simply taught the Bible simply. 

We will miss him and will see him soon in Heaven with Jesus. 
May God continue to use us as we allow the Holy Spirit to have control!

(http://pastorchucksmith.com/)

Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7-8)

          "And one of these days, should the Lord tarry, you no doubt will pick up your paper and read, "Chuck Smith died last night. Pastor of Calvary Chapel, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera." Don't believe it. That's poor reporting. If they're going to tell the truth, they're going to have to say, "Chuck Smith moved last night out of a decrepit old holy tent, leaky tent, into a beautiful new mansion." Hey, you don't need to wait for me, because I moved out of the tent into the house, the building of God, not made with hands, you see. Death for the child of God." Chuck Smith, 2 Corinthians 5 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series), (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/2Cr/2Cr005.html)



          "When I die some fool will want to raise a memorial to Chuck Smith. We'll have a Chuck Smith gymnasium or something, you know. Oh God forbid. This should remain a memorial to Jesus Christ for what He has done never a memorial to any man. God keep us from that memorial state. Nobody needs to remember me; we need to remember the work that God has done. The monument wasn't built for Joshua, the monument was built so that the children would say, "Hey what's that pile of stones daddy?
          "Those stones were once on the bottom of the Jordan River, and when we walked through, we picked up these stones out of the river. That's because God stopped the river so that we could come through. That's the kind of a God we serve." It was to remind them of the work of God.



          Oh, that we will always keep that in the forefront of our minds, that the work that we see is not a work of man nor is it to the credit of any man. The work is to the glory of God. Let's keep our memorials unto the Lord for the work that He has wrought." Chuck Smith, Joshua 1-8 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series), (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/Jos/Jos001.html)

          "And when I get to heaven I can't say, "Well, Lord, you know who I am. I'm Chuck Smith. After all, I was pastor of Calvary Chapel and all." "There's a backseat over there, go sit down, son." Man respects a person; God doesn't." Chuck Smith, Acts 3-4 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series), (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/Act/Act003.html)



          "Now when I die, I leave the time dimensions. I enter into the eternal where everything is now. So, anything that will ever be, is already. So you can't say, "Well, in the future when the whole body is made up, then the Lord's going to bring me into the heavenly scene." Because I'm into the heavenly scene, I've passed into the eternal. I've passed out of time. And so I've left this time zone thing, I've entered into the eternal the moment my spirit leaves this body. It is my body that holds me within the time framework in the time dimension. 
          And so, those who are asleep in Christ have left the time dimension; they've entered into the eternal where the completion is already now. We'll catch up with them when we leave the time zone, for we, too, will enter into the eternal." Chuck Smith, 2 Corinthians 5 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series) , (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/2Cr/2Cr005.html)


Watch: A Venture In Faith
Documentary: Calvary Chapel Story
Run Time: 2 hours, 1 minute

Chuck Smith Autobiography          A Memoir of Grace - Paperback:

In times of trouble, trial, pain or loss, we often can’t see the value in what we’re experiencing. We don’t realize what God is doing, or why He has allowed us to struggle. But there comes a day when we look back over the road map of our lives and we understand, finally. We see the dots laid out along the path, and the events God permitted in order to move us to our destination.

I am pleased to invite you to pull up a chair and listen as Pastor Chuck tells the story of his life. This book is presented to you with the prayer that what you read will help you see how God’s grace is at work in your own life. Everything you have experienced in the past, everything you’re going through now, and everything that awaits you on the path ahead is all part of God’s plan. His will for you is perfect, and He knows just how to prepare you for your life’s purpose.. Everything is preparation for something else.

http://pastorchucksmith.com/ 
http://calvarychapelassociation.com/pastor-chuck-smith-i-1927-2013/
http://blog.greglaurie.com/?p=9144 
http://www.calvaryftl.org/calvary-blog/pastor-bob-the-passing-of-pastor-chuck-smith/
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13100011.htm
http://www.kwve.com/podcasts/Pastor%27s%20Perspective%2010_03_13.m4a 

New Acts Commentary from Pastor Chuck Smith

Acts Commentary - Paperback:

Through the years, we have had the privilege of seeing the phenomenal, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in the growth of the Calvary Chapels. This growth started first with our own local fellowship, then spread to a national, then international level. It is our desire to pass along the spiritual principles we have learned along the way. Many of these have been learned the hard way, which are fundamental principles that God has blessed. They express God’s intention for the church and are to be found in this commentary study of the book of Acts. - Pastor Chuck

In reality, Acts is an open-ended book. Chapters are still being written today all over the world, as Jesus continues touching and changing lives. Presently, the Holy Spirit is indwelling, empowering, guiding, and teaching those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we study the church in Acts, one thing becomes quite obvious—it was a church that was governed, directed, and led by the Holy Spirit. So let’s continue on in the Spirit.

Pastor Chuck has a uniquely beautiful way of “taking the hay out of the loft and putting it on the barn floor where the cows can eat it! And it caused me to be oh-so-deeply impressed ... with Jesus. Thus, it is with a heart of expectancy and anticipation I wholeheartedly commend this Acts commentary to you.” - Jon Courson

Click here to view a sample

Click Here To Purchase the Book Today!

"But Did You Go?" by Pastor David Guzik

BUT DID YOU GO? -  by Pastor David Guzik

So Moses went. (Exodus 4:18)

They are three simple words, but there's a lot of power behind them. "So Moses went."

Moses had a dramatic experience with God out in the desert. God met him in a miracle - a bush aflame, yet not being burnt up. Moses heard the voice of God speaking directly to him. God gave him three miraculous signs.

But when the fire fades from the burning bush, when the voice of God is silent across the desert; then it is upon us to obey, and to do what God has told us to do. More than one person has had a spectacular burning bush type experience and then went on to live as if it had never happened.

Moses was different. "So Moses went." God has poured a lot into you and given you a call and a promise. But did you go? God has put people and needs on your heart. But did you go? Perhaps God has told you to stay awhile and wait. Did you do that?

Sometimes we won't do what God tells us because we don't see how it will all work out. But Moses had little or no idea what would happen when he agreed to take the Lord's call.

- Could he see the Egyptian army closing in, and God parting the Red Sea through Moses' hand?
- Could he see the song of victory, the water from the rock, the manna from heaven, the battles won through prayer?
- Could he see vision of God on Mount Sinai, the voice of God from heaven, the tablets of stone, the golden calf?
- Could he see the tabernacle built, the priests consecrated?
- Could he see the spies sent forth into Canaan, the response of unbelief, and a thirty-eight year sentence to wander the wilderness?
- Could he see a lonely climb to the top of Mount Pisgah, where he would die looking out over the land of promise?
- Could he see the honor of sitting beside the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration?

Moses didn't see any of that, but he trusted God enough to take the next step without demanding that God tell him the whole plan.

Nevertheless by faith "Moses went." So we should obey without knowing all the answers.


By David Guzik

David is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara: www.calvarychapelsb.com and teaches at Generation Bible College: www.generationbiblecollege.com

For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to: www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm

For David Guzik podcast or rss audio feed, find the link at www.enduringword.com.

"Willing and Able" by Pastor David Guzik

WILLING AND ABLE -  by Pastor David Guzik

"Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. (Exodus 4:12-14)

God had a job for Moses to do. Forty years earlier Moses would have jumped at the chance, but after spending forty years herding sheep in the desert he was hesitant.

Because God wanted Moses to do the job, He gave Moses assurance after assurance. He gave Moses the sign of the burning bush. He allowed Moses to hear the divine voice. He gave Moses the divine name. He gave Moses three miraculous signs. It still wasn't enough. Finally, God gave Moses a command: "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."

Moses finally finished with all the excuses and he reluctantly spoke the truth: he would much rather that God send someone else. Despite all his excuses, Moses' problem wasn't really a lack of  ability; it was a lack of willingness.

God reacted: "So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses."

- God was not angry when Moses asked, "Who am I?" (Exodus 3:11)
- God was not angry when Moses asked, "Who should I say sent me?" (Exodus 3:13)
- God was not angry when Moses refused to believe God's Word and said, "suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (Exodus 4:1)
- God was not even angry when Moses (falsely) claimed that he was not and had never been eloquent (Exodus 4:10)

But God was angry when Moses was just plain unwilling.

There might have been a hundred reasons why Moses was unwilling, and perhaps some of those reasons made some sense. Yet at the end of it all, Moses was unwilling, not unable.

More than anything, God wants us to be willing. Willing to do what He tells us to do. Willing to serve Him. Willing to listen. God regards your willingness as a serious matter. Do you?


By David Guzik

David is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara:
www.calvarychapelsb.com and teaches at Generation Bible
College:
www.generationbiblecollege.com

For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm

For David Guzik podcast or rss audio feed, find the link at
www.enduringword.com.

What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus Christ? by Pastor Greg Laurie

"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. . ." — Luke 14:27-28

 What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus Christ? by Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship

When Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover, John's Gospel tells us that many believed in His name after they saw the signs He did. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because "He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man" (John 2:24–25).

To put it simply, many believed in Him, but He did not believe in them. Many believed in Him in a shallow, superficial sort of way, without any real commitment attached. They were interested in Him, curious about Him, drawn by Him, and perhaps even felt affection for Him. But the loyalty of these crowds was a mile wide and an inch deep. Jesus knew that when push came to shove, the multitudes would simply drift away. For that reason, Christ did not commit Himself to them.

There are many people who say they want to follow Jesus. And that's good. But that commitment will be challenged. We must decide to follow Jesus—not because our best friend is, not because our boyfriend or girlfriend is, not because our parents are, but because we have chosen in our own heart of hearts to follow Christ.

Many of us can get caught up in the moment. It's like watching an Olympic medal ceremony. We see someone representing their nation standing up on that pedestal. As the gold medal is placed around the athlete's neck and the flag of his or her country is raised while the national anthem plays, we say, "I want to be an Olympic athlete. That's what I want to do." But do we realize the hours, days, months, and years these athletes dedicate to one competition?

We get excited about the medal ceremonies. But are we willing to go through the training? Are we willing to count the cost? Is our commitment to Him and Him alone? Are we willing to be real followers of Jesus?


Source: http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2012-10-06.html Copyright © 2012 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000

A Follower by Pastor Bob Coy

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 
-Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)

A FOLLOWER
by Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

The disciples were a diverse cast of characters. There was Peter, boisterous and blunt. There was John, sensitive and sublime. There was Simon, the zealot, who was committed to the cause of rebelling against the Romans. Then there was Matthew, the tax collector, who was committed to collaborating with Rome.

Yet there was something they all had in common. They were all called at some point or another to follow. Jesus didn't leave them where they were when He encountered them. Instead, He invited them to drop what they were doing and follow Him.

For Matthew, it was his collection table. For Peter, it was his fishing business. Each one had to leave a lifestyle and an identity, all for the purpose of pursuing Christ's presence. And they did, as evidenced by the fact that we primarily know them as "disciples" (which literally means "learner-follower"), not as tax collectors and fishermen.

Just as Jesus called his disciples to follow after Him, He does the same with us. In the process, He calls us to lay down those things from which we derive our sense of identity so that our identity is found in Him. It's probably not a tax collector's table or a fishing net, but it might be a prestigious title, a car, or an image that says, "Check me out. This is who I am."

More than anything else, God wants us to be His followers. But for this to happen, we must be willing to set aside certain things so we can be in His presence. Then, and only then, will others identify us as disciples.

The Active Word Daily Devotion (RSS Feed) (Also Mailed for Free)

Source: http://www.activeword.org/dailydevotion.cfm?keyword=02-Feb-08  ©2011 Active Word

Equipped With Answers by Pastor Bob Coy

Always be ready to give a defense to 
everyone who asks you a reason for 
the hope that is in you... 
-1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

EQUIPPED WITH ANSWERS
by Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

What makes Christianity different from every other religion in the world? Is there any proof that Jesus really lived? How can a person be sure the Bible is true?

How would you handle these questions? Would you have a good answer for them?

You should, because being a believer means being equipped with answers-answers to questions that pertain to our faith. Jesus told us that we're supposed to love God with all of our minds (Matthew 22:37). That means our minds are to be engaged and educated about Christianity. It means reading a few books, taking a few classes, and investing in some information so we're ready when the questions start coming our way. In short, it means being an answering machine for Jesus.

Imagine if every Christian was able to give a good answer to the three questions that we've already looked at. What if they were able to share that Christianity is the only belief system where God is the one reaching out to man instead of man reaching out to God? What if they knew how secular history corroborates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth? What if they could explain how there is an inexhaustible amount of prophetic, archeological, and scientific evidence to prove that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God?

Here's the point: We have some solid answers to the questions that the world is asking. But are we as equipped as we should be? If not, why not? Being a Christian isn't an excuse to become mindless. Quite the contrary. It's our identity "in Christ" that sharpens our understanding and elevates our intellect...because now we have a real cause worth dedicating our hearts (and minds) to.

The Active Word Daily Devotion (RSS Feed) (Also Mailed for Free)

Source: http://www.activeword.org/dailydevotion.cfm?keyword=21-Sep-12&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+awdevo+%28Activeword+Devotional%29&utm_content=FeedBurner   ©2011 Active Word

Did you miss the largest concert ever?

Did you miss the largest concert ever? You can still watch the archived video from Harvest America.

The concert featured live music from top Christian music artists and a message from Pastor Greg Laurie on "Is It Possible to Change Our Lives?".

Sunday, August 26
Jeremy Camp ^★ MercyMe

Pastor Greg addresses the big questions of life, such as, Why am I here? Is God real? and Where will I go when I die? Everyone thinks about those things, but in our hectic society, we rarely have the time to consider them carefully.

To watch the archived webcast click here

You are invited to attend Harvest America!

Harvest America is a free one-night event featuring top Christian music artists and a message from Pastor Greg Laurie that addresses the big questions of life: Why am I here? Is God real? Where will I go when I die? Everyone thinks about those things, but in our hectic society, we rarely have the time to consider them carefully.

Harvest America will happen simultaneously in hundreds of locations around the country beginning at 4:00 P.M. Pacific time (7:00 P.M. Eastern) on August 26.

Find the location nearest you for this free live event.

Nothing in your neighborhood? You can still be part of this national event by watching online.

So mark your calendar for August 26 and be sure to invite a friend! Find out more about Harvest America by visiting the official event site at harvestamerica.com.

A Faithful and True Witness by Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

A Faithful and True Witness by Pastor Chuck Smith

In the Book of Revelation, it speaks of Jesus as the faithful and true witness. He was a faithful and true witness of the Father. So that if you want to know what God is all about, and if you want to know what God is like, you can look at Jesus and discover exactly how God thinks—how God feels and what God is like. He was a faithful and true witness of God. So much so that when Philip said to Him,

"Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Show us the Father?’" (John 14:8-9)

Jesus could declare that because He was a faithful and true witness. You can know what God is like by looking at Jesus.

The name Christian was coined in Antioch by the world. As they observed the lives of the believers in Jesus Christ, they called them Christians, which meant Christ-like. It is wonderful when the world gives you that title. It is not something that you have to go out and declare. Well, I am a Christian, are you? Are you Christ-like? It is glorious when that title is given to you by others after having observed your life. They say, “Oh, he is a real Christian. He is really like Christ.”

If a person would say to you, “Oh, but I would love to see Jesus Christ,” You should be able to say, “Well, if you have seen me…” You see, that would be a faithful and true witness. Jesus was able to say that of the Father. “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” He was a faithful and true witness of the Father.
Now He wants you to be a witness of Him. He wants your life to be so like His, that it is a witness of Him.

And people will know what He is like as they observe you. And if you want to take a test of self-examination, just read 1 Corinthians 13, removing the word charity and inserting your own name, and you will find out how true a witness you are. You see, you can take out the word charity and insert the name Jesus and you do no violence to the text at all. It flows. It fits. But unfortunately, when we insert our name it does a lot of violence to the text. But that is an indictment against us. It means that we have not yet yielded fully to the work of the Holy Spirit, who God has sent to help us, to give us the power to be witnesses.

Taken from "The Person and Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Chuck Smith", "The Holy Spirit in the Believer, Part 2", tape number SHS309.

A More Powerful Witness by Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

A More Powerful Witness by Pastor Chuck Smith

So, many people associate witnessing with just the verbalizing of your faith, or your testimony, to someone else—talking to them about the Bible, about Jesus Christ, about salvation, about God’s gift of eternal life.

And we think of witnessing only as verbalizing to others concerning their need of Jesus Christ. But witnessing is far more than just giving a person an invitation or telling someone about Jesus Christ. A more powerful witness than simply telling someone about Jesus Christ is a believer living the life of Jesus Christ before them.

When we talk about being a witness for Jesus Christ, we are talking about the life that bears witness for Jesus Christ. Often times, what we say is thoroughly discredited by what we are and by what we do. You see, you can be witnessing to someone verbally and you can be telling them how wonderful the work of Jesus Christ is in your life. “He gives you such glorious peace and you need to know this peace of Jesus Christ.”

But that witness can be discredited if, while you are working beside them, any time any little irritant comes along and you blow up, and you get mad, and yell at everything and everybody, and then you say, “but Jesus gives you such glorious peace.” Or if you are talking about the joy of the Lord and you are always going around grouchy and grumpy and snapping at everybody—what you say will be meaningless to them because of what you are.

So, it is extremely important that our life bear witness of the peace of Jesus Christ and the love of Jesus Christ. And then they will see, as it is worked out in our lives.


Taken from "The Person and Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Chuck Smith", "The Holy Spirit in the Believer, Part 2", tape number SHS309.

Not Ability, but Availability by Greg Laurie (Calvary Chapel Pastor)

"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols." — Isaiah 42:8

Not Ability, but Availability by Greg Laurie

What kind of person does God seek to use? What qualifications is He looking for in someone? Is it a towering intellect? Is it natural leadership ability? Could God ever use someone who is a bit shy by nature? Does this person have to be very talented or handsome or beautiful?

The answer to all of these questions is clearly no. It seems as though God goes out of His way sometimes to choose the most unexpected people to use.

If I had to choose one passage of Scripture that I think best summarizes my life as a Christian, it would be 1 Corinthians 1:26–29, where the apostle Paul wrote,

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

There is not a person who had less promise to achieve anything with his life than me. I was literally the last person picked for the team for whatever sport it was. I never was academically strong. I always underwhelmed in most areas of my life. So when the Lord chose me to serve Him, it was very clear that it was His doing—not mine. This is because God will not give His glory to another.

As I have said before, God is not looking for ability as much as availability. Are you available to Him?

Copyright © 2012 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2012-06-01.html

For His Glory by Greg Laurie (Calvary Chapel Pastor)

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. — Ephesians 4:1

For His Glory by Greg Laurie

Are you living your life well? That is an important question, because you never know when your life will end.

In a broad sense, life for the Christian will never end. There is an afterlife. There is a heaven. And ultimately, there will be a new earth where we will rule and reign. But according to Scripture, what we will do then is connected to how we live now. So we want to think about our lives and how we are living them today.

We all assume we will live a long life. Maybe you are a young person just getting started. Maybe you have lived many, many years. Maybe you are middle-aged. Whatever age you may be, you don't really know where you are in life's journey. And that is the thing we all have to think about.

We live our life as a story that is being told, and, for some of us, we may be further along in that story than we realize. So we have to ask ourselves questions like, "What purpose does God have in mind for me now that I have committed my life to Jesus Christ?" And, "What will the legacy of my life be? How will I be remembered?"

We are here to bring glory to God—nothing more, nothing less. So the objective is not to be the most successful or to have the biggest this or that. It is to be faithful to what God has set before each of us.

It is not for us to look at another person's success and say, "Why not me?" Nor is it for us to look at our own suffering and say, "Why me?" Instead, it is for us to simply say, "Lord, how can I best glorify You with my life?"

Copyright © 2012 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2012-05-30.html

Harvest America: Proclaiming the Gospel LIVE Across the Nation

Harvest America is about hundreds of host locations joining together with Pastor Greg Laurie to share the gospel via a nationwide webcast event on August 26, 2012.

Utilizing HD-quality live Internet or satellite video feeds, you can bring performances by top-grade Christian musicians and, more importantly, the powerful message of the gospel as presented by Pastor Greg Laurie into your location . . . for free.

Visit HarvestAmerica.com today!

Come Aside and Rest by Skip Heitzig

Come Aside and Rest by Skip Heitzig

I'm impressed with the many times Scripture shows us the compassion of Jesus Christ. He had compassion on the widow whose son had died, and He raised him to life (Luke 7:11-13). Many times when He healed people from sickness and disease, He felt compassion on those who were afflicted (see Matthew 14:14, 20:34; Mark 1:41, 5:19).

… And so in Mark 6, when the people came to Him from the Galilee region, He had compassion on them. He taught them, because He knew their greatest need was to understand the truth about God. He was concerned for their lives and their eternal destiny. He was concerned for their comfort, and so He had them sit. He was concerned for their bodily needs, and so He fed them. But that simple, quiet moment in Mark 6:31 shows the same compassion in perhaps a more poignant way. He was concerned for His disciples, that the demands on them were too great, and so He called upon them to come aside and rest.

I believe Christ still deals with us in that same way. He calls us to come aside and rest. You might say, "But there's so much work to be done for Christ!" After all, Jesus says in Matthew 9:37 that "the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Yes, that is true, and those who labor for the Lord are to be commended. But your all-powerful, all-knowing, untiring Master is aware of your situation, and He knows that you sometimes need a break. So come aside and rest.

Find out how to rest in Christ

Prayer Lord, we are grateful that You are a Master who cares about Your servants. Give us the strength to do Your will each day, and the wisdom to take time to rest in Your presence. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Scripture quotation is taken by permission from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers, Nashville, Tenn. From Skip Heitzig: "Decision" magazine, February 2012, ©2012 Skip Heitzig.  Source: http://links.mkt1529.com/servlet/MailView?ms=Mzg4MzIzODkS1&r=MTc2OTg1NjA2NzUS1&j=MTMwMzI3NDM2S0&mt=1&rt=0

A Blast from the Past of Calvay Chapel

Chuck Smith was one of the few pastors who welcomed in the hippies who after coming to faith, eventually became known as Jesus people, and thus allowed for the dramatic future growth of Calvary Chapel.

The Jesus Movement

In 1965 Pastor Chuck Smith started his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Beginning with a mere 25 people, he saw God bless his simple, yet consistent style of teaching straight through the Bible.

Today Calvary Chapel has grown to over 1,500 churches worldwide. With a genuine heart for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his ministry for a generation of hippies, surfers, and drug addicts. This generated a stirring of the Holy Spirit, which spread from the California coast to the Atlantic and beyond. This movement was instrumental in bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ during the 60s and 70s in what was known as the Jesus People Movement.

As God expanded his ministry, Pastor Chuck's visionary leadership saw the birth of other ministries such as The Word for Today, a publishing/radio broadcasting ministry which is heard worldwide. A noted speaker and the author of over 25 books, Pastor Chuck can be heard daily on television, radio, and webcasts throughout the world.

TV Concert 1973

Classic with Greg Laurie
Run Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
MUSIC

The Next Generation ‘Another Wave is our Only Hope’

First Generation

In the midst of the counterculture revolution of the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States, the “Jesus People Movement” changed the course of lives and history. It was a time when everything was questioned, but through this exciting period, the impact of God’s Word gave a generation solid truth to rely on.

Ad for exciting celebration in Anaheim

The father of that movement was Chuck Smith, a Southern California pastor. This extraordinary revival stands as a watershed of evangelical history when, under Chuck Smith’s guidance, a generation of hippies were brought to Christ. Thousands would gather nightly in “The Big Tent” erected on the corner of Fairview and Sunflower where the cities of Santa Ana and Costa Mesa overlap to hear the Gospel preached by this gentle man.

But besides the many hippie converts, it also saw the birth of modern-day worship and praise music.

A baptism at Pirate's Cove

Another unique part of the revival was the huge mass baptisms that took place at Pirate’s Cove in nearby Corona del Mar where hundreds of the newly-converted hippies would gather to be baptized by Pastor Chuck and his ministry team.

Love Song in those early days

There is an exciting new documentary “Riptide” which reviews what transpired through the “Jesus Movement” and then surveys its worldwide impact. “Riptide” also looks forward to the challenges and opportunities facing the Church to remain relevant without any compromise to mission or doctrine. 

‘Another Wave is our Only Hope’

With the current challenges and opportunities facing the Church in general to remain relevant Calvary Chapel now more than ever needs to remain Biblical without any compromise to mission or doctrine. Many Christians and churches will never reproduce themselves because they take their faith and legacy with them to the grave. The church was intended to reproduce disciples and fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples.

Next Generation

          "Those that have been privileged to see that work of God usually remain true. It's the next generation, somehow there is a failure to adequately communicate to the next generation the marvelous things of God." Chuck Smith, Joshua 17-24 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series) , (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/Jos/Jos017.html)

          "I think that discipleship is a very important part of the ministry when God has blessed and used a person in the ministry. I think that if they are wise, will always be looking towards the next generation.

          I have a very keen interest in young people, in young people who have those God-given abilities, anointings upon their lives. I like to invest time with them, because they are going to be carrying on when we're carried off. And I'm concerned that the work of God go on." Chuck Smith, Acts 16 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series), (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/Act/Act016.html)

          "And it is glorious to see how that God has worked here in a very fabulous way. Through the teaching of the Word and all, God has blessed us abundantly. But the byproduct is that over two hundred churches across the United States have sprung out of this church. And now many of the churches that have sprung out of this church have become strong and churches are springing out of them. 

          So, we not only have son and daughter type of churches, but we have grandson/granddaughter type of churches; churches that have spun off from churches that have spun off. And as time goes on and the Lord continues to work, we will probably even go into the next generation of spin-offs as the Word of God works mightily in the hearts of the people around the country." Chuck Smith, Acts 18-19 — Through the Bible (C2000 Series), (http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith_c2000/Act/Act018.html)

Caution / Warnings

          "There are those who say that Emergent movement has some good points, but so does a porcupine. You are better off if you don't get too close!" - Pastor Chuck Smith, 2006

Listen to this message titled "Holiness" by Steve Mays given at the 1996 Pastor's Conference "Laying a Firm Foundation". He does a great job talking about looking unto God and not to Pastor Chuck Smith.

A Venture In Faith

Documentary: Calvary Chapel Story

Run Time: 2 hours, 1 minute 

GO! "As you are going?" (Sent, Witness, Preach, Disciple)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

Stay? No. “Go therefore”: Because Jesus in charge and is all powerful, we are therefore commanded to go. It is His authority that sends us, His authority that guides us, and His authority that empowers us.

I’m no Greek scholar but Go is a command and it’s present tense which can be implied saying ‘as you go’ “Make disciples of all the nations”. "As you are going". It’s a lifestyle of living for Jesus, and more than being just a Sunday Christian. This is as we are going, so not just crusades, events, our outreaches but daily leading people to Jesus.

The command is to make disciples, not merely converts or supporters of a cause. The idea behind the word disciple is of a scholar, a learner, a student, a follower. “Of all the nations” (ethnos=ethnic, people groups, languages): There is no place on earth where the gospel of Jesus should not be preached, and were disciples should not be made.

“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”: Disciples are made through teaching. This teaching is not with words only, but by the power of the God changing hearts and transforming lives. The content of the teaching must be all things that I have commanded you. The followers of Jesus are responsible to present the whole counsel of God, the whole Bible to make sound disciples.

“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”: Do you see that Jesus sent His disciples with a mission to fulfill, but He did not send them alone? The promise of His constant presence was more than enough to strengthen and guide the disciples as they obeyed Jesus in making disciples of all the nations.

Our response: Either you become saved or not. You must be ‘born-again’ in order to even be a disciple of Jesus. When we become born again our old life is dead and buried, our new life is raised in Jesus. Then we follow Him.

Our role: We are to make a disciples. Not of ourselves but of Jesus. To teach, and instruct the people in the ways of God. We need the Word of God to be the people of God - by simply teaching the Bible simply.

GO! Who Is Called To Evangelize?

GO! Popping The Question

GO! Share Your Story

GO! Disciple Others

4 Great Co-missions for Believer's:

1) Sending Role

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”

This is the continuity of Christ and His church, and we should support missionaries and be one.

2) Witnessing Role

Luke 24:46-49 & Acts 1:7-8 “Be my witnesses... in Jerusalem and Judea and to the ends of the earth”

This is progression and strategy, and we should testify what God has done in our life. Start at home work your way out from there.

3) Preaching Role

Mark 16:15-16 “Preach the gospel to all creation”

This is a universal scope to share the good news (1 Corth 15) with everyone. We should invite people to church and to have a relationship with Jesus.

4) Discipling Role

Matthew 28:18-20 “Go and make disciples of all nations”

Remember that this is of every ethnic group. We should invest time in others and teach them the Bible. I would encourage you to start a family Bible study and also to spend time with new believers.

Well, what has Jesus called you to do? Make disciples of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor”. Your mission field is in-front of you at all times.

"Go!"

Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter, bondservant of Jesus

GO! A "word from God?" (God's Will for You)

"Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15

What are you doing for the Kingdom of God? Have you taken the Great Commission to heart? Have you gone into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature? Or are you waiting for a "word from God?" Then here it is - "Go."

That's the first word of the Great Commission given to the Church (Mark 16:15). So, what are you waiting for? There's your word from God. Go somewhere; do something; say something to somebody somewhere, somehow.

Someday you will be dead, and then it will be too late. While you can ... think, speak, move your hands and feet, do something for God. Are you content to sit in the barracks while the battle rages? You are in a battle for the lost.

Form a platoon. Give out ice breakers (gospel tracts are for people not places) everywhere, leave them with someone, speak for your God. Don't be afraid of failure. Be afraid of silence.

GO! We Must Care About Lost People If We Are To Share The Gospel With Them


GO! Witnessing Is A Conversation Not A Presentation


GO! Tact Is Speaking The Truth In Love

"Go."

Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter, bondservant of Jesus

What We Need...

This is a powerful message the Church needs to hear. We as believers need to warn people that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus as their Lord and Savior, to repent with asking for forgiveness and trust in Jesus or the will be eternally separated from God.