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

Erik Spohr serves as Lead Pastor at Centerville Christian Fellowship.  The text for his message is Psalm 4.

Erik Spohr serves as Lead Pastor at Centerville Christian Fellowship. The text for his message is Psalm 4.

The DNA of Lasting Joy

Dr. Chad Keck serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Kettering, Ohio.  The text for his message is Acts 12:1-5.

Dr. Chad Keck serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Kettering, Ohio. The text for his message is Acts 12:1-5.

When the Church Prays

Lt. General (Ret.) Loren Reno serves as Vice President for Academics at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Psalm 37:23-27.

Lt. General (Ret.) Loren Reno serves as Vice President for Academics at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Psalm 37:23-27.

The Good Man

Donna VanLiere is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing.  The text for her message is Matthew 5:13.

Donna VanLiere is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing. The text for her message is Matthew 5:13.

Salt of the Earth

Matt Mason serves as Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.  The text for his message is Acts 2:42-47.  This chapel is part of the 9Marks Conference held at Cedarville University.

Matt Mason serves as Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. The text for his message is Acts 2:42-47. This chapel is part of the 9Marks Conference held at Cedarville University.

Church Membership as a Display of the Gospel

Garrett Kell serves as Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  Pastor Kell's message was from the Book of Hebrews.  This chapel is part of the 9Marks Conference held at Cedarville University.

Garrett Kell serves as Lead Pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Pastor Kell's message was from the Book of Hebrews. This chapel is part of the 9Marks Conference held at Cedarville University.

How the Church Helps You Persevere in Faith

Dr. Jon Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Jeremiah 30-33.

Dr. Jon Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Jeremiah 30-33.

Hope Arising From Sorrow

Dr. Thomas White serves as President of Cedarville University.  The text for his message is James 2:1-13.

Dr. Thomas White serves as President of Cedarville University. The text for his message is James 2:1-13.

Genuine Faith Shows No Favoritism

Rev. Tim Armstrong serves as Senior Pastor of The Chapel in Akron, Ohio.  The text for his message is Joshua 1:1-9.

Rev. Tim Armstrong serves as Senior Pastor of The Chapel in Akron, Ohio. The text for his message is Joshua 1:1-9.

Don't Let Fear Win

Dr. Jason Lee serves as Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Romans 1:17.

Dr. Jason Lee serves as Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University. The text for his message is Romans 1:17.

The Reformation Today

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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