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

Aaron Cook serves as Director of Discipleship Ministries at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Psalm 84.

Aaron Cook serves as Director of Discipleship Ministries at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Psalm 84.

Happy Is the One Who Finds His Home Near God

Kathy Freese serves as Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Cedarville University.  She shared her testimony of following God's leading throughout 46 years of teaching and coaching.

Kathy Freese serves as Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Cedarville University. She shared her testimony of following God's leading throughout 46 years of teaching and coaching.

God's Faithfulness and Orchestration in Our Lives

Dr. Tom Mach serves as Professor of History and Associate Vice President for Academics at Cedarville University.

Liberal Arts in the Christian Context

Dr. Bruce Ashford serves as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  The text for his message is Matthew 28:16-20.

Dr. Bruce Ashford serves as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The text for his message is Matthew 28:16-20.

How to Be an Ambassador of the King

Dr. Bruce Ashford serves as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  The text for his message is Daniel 3.

Dr. Bruce Ashford serves as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The text for his message is Daniel 3.

Political Witness in Our American Babylon

Eric Bancroft serves as Senior Pastor of Castleview Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The text for his message is Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

Eric Bancroft serves as Senior Pastor of Castleview Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. The text for his message is Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

Writing Your Eulogy

Dr. Thomas White serves as President of Cedarville University.  The text for his message is James 4:1-6.

Dr. Thomas White serves as President of Cedarville University. The text for his message is James 4:1-6.

Warring Against Worldliness

Dr. Greg Couser serves as Senior Professor of Bible and Greek at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Matthew 19:3-9.

Dr. Greg Couser serves as Senior Professor of Bible and Greek at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Matthew 19:3-9.

Creation, Sex, Gender, and Jesus

Dr. Jon Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life & Christian Ministries at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Isaiah 40.

Dr. Jon Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life & Christian Ministries at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Isaiah 40.

Dr. Jon Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life &amp; Christian Ministries at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Isaiah 40.

Fearless

The speaker for this Charter Day Chapel was Dr. Murray Murdoch, Senior Professor of History at Cedarville University.

Christian Education in the 21st Century

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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