Pastor Chuck SmithToday we’ll read Deuteronomy chapter 10, John 17 and Psalm 56, from the New Life Version.

READING

May God bless the reading of His Word.

Yesterday morning, Pastor Chuck Smith went to be with the Lord. Pastor Chuck is thought of by some as the father of the Jesus Movement of the late 60s and early 70s. He is best known as pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, out of which have come thousands of churches. An argument could be made that Contemporary Christian Music got its start under his ministry. Millions of people came to the Lord either through Pastor Chuck’s personal ministry, or through the ministries of the pastors and teachers that came from his ministry.

The first time I ever saw him was in the summer of 1977. I moved to an apartment in Santa Ana, California, just two miles from Calvary Chapel. This became my church for the time I lived there, and I grew to love Pastor Chuck, his teaching, and the music that grew from this place. I can honestly say that part of the reason I do the ministry I do is because of what I learned from this man of God.

On New Years Day, 2012, Chuck announced that he had lung cancer. On October 3, 2013, at the age of 86, Charles Ward Smith got to hear “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'”

I encourage you to go to the website that has been set up to honor his life. It’s PastorChuckSmith.com. There you can see and hear some wonderful memories of this kind and gentle servant of God.

Today, I’m going to leave you with the benediction that Pastor Chuck always left his congregation with each Sunday. It’s from Numbers 6:24-26. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

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