This morning in chapel, Dr. J. R. Gilhooly, Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Cedarville University, preached through 1 John 2.Family RulesIn this passage, John addresses his readers as “my little children” because they are new in the family of God, and he’s about to give them rules. Every family has specific rules they follow. By watching the way someone acts, you can often tell what family they come from. When John tells us how to act, he’s telling us what it is to be a member of God’s family.John is clear that he’s not saying this so you can sin. God loves you so much that He doesn’t accept you for exactly how you are. Instead, He takes you and puts you into a family with distinct rules. If someone says they follow God but doesn’t follow the family rules, it’s understandable to question if they actually belong.Jesus Christ, Our AdvocateHowever, if you break the rules, it doesn’t mean you are cut off from the family. When a son is told by his father, “That’s not the way we behave in this family,” he never thinks he is no longer a part of the family. He’s just a member who is misrepresenting the family. We obey not so that we belong to the family but because we belong. When we sin, we have an Advocate — Jesus Christ — and He is the propitiation for our sins.Growing in Maturity In order to become part of the family, you don’t have to do a lot of difficult, complicated things. God has given a simple command: to believe and obey the Gospel. When you follow that command, you are made into a new person. You then are expected to grow.Christian maturity is like growing from a child into an adult. You don’t find the same jokes funny anymore. You don’t spend your time the same way. And you grow in your ability to follow Christ.Don’t think there’s an expectation that you’ll mess up a lot because you’re young. If you’re a Christian, you are to act by your Father’s name, no matter how long you’ve been saved. There’s a pattern already laid out for you to follow, and it’s not burdensome. The command He gives is simple, and the yoke He gives is light. Walk as He walked! This doesn’t mean that every decision you make will feel easy. That’s why God has given you a lot of older brothers and sisters in Christ to help you and counsel you.So, as you follow the Father who chose you, lean into the other family members He has given you and rest in the knowledge that you belong.

This morning in chapel, Dr. J. R. Gilhooly, Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Cedarville University, preached through 1 John 2. Family Rules In this passage, John addresses his readers as “my little children” because they are new in the family of God, and he’s about to give them rules. Every family has specific rules they follow. By watching the way someone acts, you can often tell what family they come from. When John tells us how to act, he’s telling us what it is to be a member of God’s family. John is clear that he’s not saying this so you can sin. God loves you so much that He doesn’t accept you for exactly how you are. Instead, He takes you and puts you into a family with distinct rules. If someone says they follow God but doesn’t follow the family rules, it’s understandable to question if they actually belong. Jesus Christ, Our Advocate However, if you break the rules, it doesn’t mean you are cut off from the family. When a son is told by his father, “That’s not the way we behave in this family,” he never thinks he is no longer a part of the family. He’s just a member who is misrepresenting the family. We obey not so that we belong to the family but because we belong. When we sin, we have an Advocate — Jesus Christ — and He is the propitiation for our sins. Growing in Maturity In order to become part of the family, you don’t have to do a lot of difficult, complicated things. God has given a simple command: to believe and obey the Gospel. When you follow that command, you are made into a new person. You then are expected to grow. Christian maturity is like growing from a child into an adult. You don’t find the same jokes funny anymore. You don’t spend your time the same way. And you grow in your ability to follow Christ. Don’t think there’s an expectation that you’ll mess up a lot because you’re young. If you’re a Christian, you are to act by your Father’s name, no matter how long you’ve been saved. There’s a pattern already laid out for you to follow, and it’s not burdensome. The command He gives is simple, and the yoke He gives is light. Walk as He walked! This doesn’t mean that every decision you make will feel easy. That’s why God has given you a lot of older brothers and sisters in Christ to help you and counsel you. So, as you follow the Father who chose you, lean into the other family members He has given you and rest in the knowledge that you belong.

Walking in the Light: Obedience and Love - 1 John 2:1-6

Mike Yoder serves as Lead Pastor at Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio.  The text for his message is 1 Peter 3:15.

Mike Yoder serves as Lead Pastor at Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio. The text for his message is 1 Peter 3:15.

Strangely Attractive Christian Living

Troy Dobbs serves as Senior Pastor at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  The text for his message is Matthew 5:27-30.

Troy Dobbs serves as Senior Pastor at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The text for his message is Matthew 5:27-30.

The "Eyes" Have It

Today's chapel speaker is Brian Brenberg, Chair of the Program in Business and Finance at The King's College in New York.

Faith and Failure

Will Graham serves as Vice President and Associate Evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  The text for his message is 1 Samuel 24.

Will Graham serves as Vice President and Associate Evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The text for his message is 1 Samuel 24.

Not All Open Doors Are Meant to Go Through

Today's Homecoming State of the University address was given by Dr. Thomas White, President of Cedarville University.

State of the University Address

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is William Bolthouse, founder and CEO of the Bolthouse Foundation.

Multiply:  Our Unique Journey

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is Dr. Walter Strickland, Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity & Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is Dr. Walter Strickland, Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity &amp; Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Boaz’s One-Another Mindset

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is Dr. Peter Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania.   The text for his message is Deuteronomy 8.

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is Dr. Peter Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The text for his message is Deuteronomy 8.

Do Not Forget the Unforgettable

Today's Alumni Week chapel speaker is John McGillivray, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Cedarville University.

God's Grace and Mercy in My Life

Jeremy Lobdell serves as Preaching Pastor at Midland Evangelical Free Church in Midland, Michigan.  The text for his message is Romans 6:3-4.

Jeremy Lobdell serves as Preaching Pastor at Midland Evangelical Free Church in Midland, Michigan. The text for his message is Romans 6:3-4.

Identity:  Who Are You?

Chapel is the heartbeat of Cedarville University. Each weekday during the academic year, students, faculty, and staff gather for worship and Christ-centered preaching from God's Word. Listen to biblical messages from Cedarville faculty and staff, pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian thinkers who challenge the Cedarville community to know Christ more deeply and live faithfully for Him.

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