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

Rob Wynalda is the President of Wynalda Litho, Inc.  The text for his message is I Peter 2:9-10.

Rob Wynalda is the President of Wynalda Litho, Inc. The text for his message is I Peter 2:9-10.

Why Does the Gospel Matter at Work?

Mark Vroegop serves as Pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The text for his message is Psalm 77.

Mark Vroegop serves as Pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. The text for his message is Psalm 77.

Learning to Lament

Dr. Thomas White is the President of Cedarville University.  The text for his message is II Corinthians 5:18-21.

Dr. Thomas White is the President of Cedarville University. The text for his message is II Corinthians 5:18-21.

We Believe in Having Gospel Conversations

Matthew Martens is an attorney at the WilmerHale Law Firm in Washington, DC.  The text for his message is Matthew 18:21.

Matthew Martens is an attorney at the WilmerHale Law Firm in Washington, DC. The text for his message is Matthew 18:21.

Grace

Chris Broussard is a sports analyst for ESPN.

Impacting the Culture for Christ

Dr. Marty Jacumin is the Senior Pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The text for his message is I John 2:28-29.

Dr. Marty Jacumin is the Senior Pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. The text for his message is I John 2:28-29.

Abiding in Christ

Dr. Thomas White is the President of Cedarville University.  The text for his message is Matthew 16:18.

Dr. Thomas White is the President of Cedarville University. The text for his message is Matthew 16:18.

We Believe in the Local Church

Dr. Anthony Moore serves as Campus Pastor at The Village Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  The text for his message is John 10:1-11.

Dr. Anthony Moore serves as Campus Pastor at The Village Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The text for his message is John 10:1-11.

A Door You Didn't Open is a Door You Can't Close

John Stonestreet is President of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Connecting What We Believe and How We Should Live

Have We Lost the Culture?

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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