198: Our Personal Jesus Revolution
Jennie and I talk about our testimony in this episode. how we were impacted by the Jesus Movement in the 1990's. We caught the tail end of the revival - and were impacted by Jesus!
Chuck Smith, founder and pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, led with expositional verse-by-verse Bible studies. He taught that the gifts seen and described in The New Testament are at work today. He baptized members in the Pacific Ocean. Unlike many other Christian movements, there was no single leader or figurehead of the Jesus movement. "The timing of this [Jesus Revolution film] is incredible, and I believe God's hand has been on it from the beginning," said Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California
Our testimony is "The Holy Spirit of God; Working through the Word of God; Transforming the People of God!"
What wonderful testimonies you two. This was great to listen to. I was a teen and early 20s during the Jesus revolution and remember so well the move of God at that time, in my life, my husband’s life and so many others. What a wonderful God we have. I pray for revival today! Our world so needs it.
It’s always good to hear from Jennie, thank you so much for sharing your testimony. I recently shared a brief testimony to our highschool kids at the church and got all choked up, not expecting it to happen, but I cried as I shared Titus 3:3-8. The grace of God upon an ungodly sinner will always cause me tears.
I agree with Jeff, the Word of God is sufficient to save, and I have to remember that especially when trying to evangelize. I usually make up something of my own words instead of speaking the Scriptures true and clear as what God has said and will use to convict and transform.
We do praise God for His goodness in leading and directing everything that happened from the Chuck Smith time and how the effects of that are even impacting me! Via Jeff Christianson and the Calvery Chapel University. And how much more will it impact someone else as God uses me to counsel others according to His perfect Word.
Kayla, these particular word you wrote, “And how much more will it impact someone else as God uses me to counsel others according to His perfect Word” made me think of the man, Dr. Mordecai Ham, whom the Lord used to bring Billy Graham to faith in Jesus Christ. While no one, or rarely, ever talks about him, the whole world knows about Billy Graham! How wonderful to think about the rejoicing taking place in Heaven because of Dr. Mordecai Ham! May it also be said of you and I as well.
#198
Wow, what a privilege to hear both your testimonies – especially as seen through this movie. I haven’t yet seen Jesus Revolution but I can’t wait until I do!
I remember when the Lord turned my heart to Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith, circa 1992/1993. It was through a Calvary Chapel Pastor, Mark (Smith?) out of Arizona. I had a friend who had dozens and dozens and dozens of his tapes and I would fall asleep each night listening to Mark explain the Bible. Chuck Smith was often a part of those messages. I remember the story of how Chuck Smith removed all of the carpet from the church he was pastoring because many people were afraid the hippies were going to mess it up, therefore they wanted the hippies to no longer be welcomed. But Mark talked about how they came into church the following Sunday only to find Chuck Smith had removed all the carpet! His attitude was “if you are worried about the carpet, we’ll get rid of the carpet because “the hippies” will always be welcomed here!” Who could not love the Spirit of God living in a man like that!?
Such a great podcast, Jeff and Jenny!
That story reminds me a lot of William Booth, he got saved and had such a passion for the homeless and the drunkards that he would bring them into church and often would go out to them on the streets and share the gospel with them and give them something to eat. His church congregants were put off by the “smelly” homeless and drunkards, but Booth welcomed them and showed the love of Christ to them regardless.
How encouraging it is that God always puts before us role models! William Booth and Chuck Smith have been great examples to us in how to love our neighbors as ourself.