Yesterday was a bittersweet day for many of us in Calvary Chapel. You see, yesterday we honored the life of a brother and fellow servant in the Lord who many of us have come to know and respect, but whom the Lord has now chosen to call home to Himself. That brother is Pastor Bob Chappell of Calvary Chappell of Greece, NY.
You didn’t have to know Bob long in order to realzie what a great man of God he was. I met Bob a number of years ago at a Pastors’ retreat, and then over the years I had the opportunity to hear him teach at various conferences and events. There were few men that I have heard teach the Bible with the grace and authority with which Bob taught it. I think the effective way he taught it was the result of the way he lived it in his own life. You see, Bob was “the real deal.” He didn’t teach things that he wasn’t personally living himself, albeit imperfectly (as he himself would be quick to admit), but living it none-the-less. Bob loved the Lord, and out his love for Him he determined to live in a way that honored Jesus - and it was evident to everyone who knew him.
As I’ve thought about Bob’s life over the past several days, and as I listened on-line to the testimonials at his Memorial Service yesterday, one thing has been on my mind: ”Can the same be said of me?” When people look at my life, do they see a man who is so completely and so fully in love with Jesus that his life evidences that love? I don’t know, I fear sometimes this is not the case. Like many of you, I get so distracted with life in general and with my own worldly affairs that I fear that far too often I am more a reflection of myself than I am of Jesus.
There is a scripture that speaks of the transforming effect Christ should be having in the lives of those who have genuinely given their lives to Him. It says: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Co 3:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson). I can say without question that this scripture was absolutely true of Bob Chappell’s life, but is it true of my life? I don’t know - I think it would spiritual arrogance and hypocrisy on my part to say that it is. So, with this in mind, I am seeking the Lord daily and asking Him to make me a man like this. A man who, when all is said and done, it can be said that he truly honored Jesus, not just with his words, but with every aspect of his life.
Thanks Bob for challenging me like this (for challenging all of us like this). We will miss you, but the Lord is using your example to impact all of our lives, even in your death. You have been the example for all of us as to what it means to truly follow Jesus.
We all long for that day when we will see you again, and together we we will worship our Lord Jesus. Until then, may you enjoy the wonderful embrace of our Lord as you live in His presence. Blessings to you my brother!
