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

Today's chapel is led by Cedarville University's Junior Class.  Class Chaplain Trey Storr brings a message from Lamentations 3:19-24, reminding us of God's steadfast love.

Today's chapel is led by Cedarville University's Junior Class. Class Chaplain Trey Storr brings a message from Lamentations 3:19-24, reminding us of God's steadfast love.

Junior Class Chapel - 10/12/2023

Today's speaker is Dr. Greg Couser, Senior Professor of Bible and Greek at Cedarville University.  Speaking from 1 Samuel 7:3 - 10:27, Dr. Couser warns us about the dangers of pride and the rejection of God.

Today's speaker is Dr. Greg Couser, Senior Professor of Bible and Greek at Cedarville University. Speaking from 1 Samuel 7:3 - 10:27, Dr. Couser warns us about the dangers of pride and the rejection of God.

The Coming King - 1 Samuel 7:3 - 10:27

Today's Homecoming State of the University speaker is Dr. Thomas White, President of Cedarville University.

State of the University Address

Today's Homecoming Week speaker is NY Times & USA Today Best-Selling Author, Donna VanLiere.  Mrs. VanLiere, a 1989 graduate of Cedarville University, shares her testimony.

Today's Homecoming Week speaker is NY Times & USA Today Best-Selling Author, Donna VanLiere. Mrs. VanLiere, a 1989 graduate of Cedarville University, shares her testimony.

Today's Homecoming Week speaker is NY Times &amp; USA Today Best-Selling Author, Donna VanLiere.  Mrs. VanLiere, a 1989 graduate of Cedarville University, shares her testimony.

God's Desires and Your Purpose

Today's speaker is Charles Petersen, former Cedarville University trustee and President of Petersen Engineering.

I Am Blessed

Today's Homecoming speaker is Mrs. Meredith Wood Docena '14, Founding Director of Obed's House in the Philippines.  Mrs. Docena shares her testimony of surrendering to the Lord and answering His call to serve the less-fortunate.

Today's Homecoming speaker is Mrs. Meredith Wood Docena '14, Founding Director of Obed's House in the Philippines. Mrs. Docena shares her testimony of surrendering to the Lord and answering His call to serve the less-fortunate.

My Testimony

Today's speaker is Dr. Matt Bennett, Associate Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University.  Speaking from 1 Samuel 4-7, Dr. Bennett warns against trifling with God's holiness.

Today's speaker is Dr. Matt Bennett, Associate Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University. Speaking from 1 Samuel 4-7, Dr. Bennett warns against trifling with God's holiness.

The Coming King - 1 Samuel 4-7

Today's chapel is led by Cedarville University's Student Government Association.  Speaking from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Chaplain Quin Machado describes the transformation that happens in our hearts when we behold the glory of God.

Today's chapel is led by Cedarville University's Student Government Association. Speaking from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Chaplain Quin Machado describes the transformation that happens in our hearts when we behold the glory of God.

SGA Chapel - 9/29/2023

Today's speaker is Dr. Jason Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.  Dr. Allen shows from Luke 19:1-10 how Jesus Christ changes lives when sins are confessed.

Today's speaker is Dr. Jason Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Allen shows from Luke 19:1-10 how Jesus Christ changes lives when sins are confessed.

The Difference a Savior Makes

Today's Stand for Life Conference speaker is Nick Vujicic, evangelist and motivational speaker.  Mr. Vujicic defends the sanctity of all human life, and encourages us to lean on God's truth as we engage our broken culture.

Today's Stand for Life Conference speaker is Nick Vujicic, evangelist and motivational speaker. Mr. Vujicic defends the sanctity of all human life, and encourages us to lean on God's truth as we engage our broken culture.

Created with Dignity:  A Theological Framework of the Image of God

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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