Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2018

CHAPEL NOTES Join the University family in chapel each day via the livestream broadcast ( cedarville.edu/chapellive ) or Facebook Live ( cedarville.edu/facebook ) . Past messages are also archived at cedarville.edu/chapel . November 28 John Onwuchekwa Lead Pastor Cornerstone Church Atlanta, Georgia January 8–10 Missions Conference Kevin Ezell President North American Mission Board Alpharetta, Georgia In Romans 8, Paul asks four compelling questions about this love of God for you and me. First question, in verse 31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We see a lot against us: our past, the devil, the world. The Bible does not ask who is against us. The Bible asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God is not neutral about you. God is not eyeing you with negative scrutiny. God is not waiting to see how things are going to turn out with you. He knows you completely, and He is for you. Second question, in verse 32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” If God gave up His Son for us, there is no limit to the love of God for us. You may wonder, “How far will God go with me?” At what point might God say, “I knew you’d be a headache, but you just crossed the line.” It’s just unthinkable. Why? Because we’re not that bad? No. Because Jesus was abandoned in our place, so we would never be abandoned. God is as committed to us as He is to His own Son because He gave His Son for us. Third question, in verses 33 and 34, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” The Gospel says God does not condemn moral failures who come to Christ and have nothing but the empty hands of faith. God pronounces them righteous because it is God who justifies them. There is no Supreme Court above God who might reverse His verdict. Fourth and final question, in verse 35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” That really is life’s final question. Paul comes up with a list of sufferings and he’s saying, “Listen, that’s life in this world for the people God loves.” But in all these things — not in some, but in all — we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We conquer by believing in His love. Your sufferings are not robbing you. Your sufferings are taking you deeper into the love of God. Ray Ortlund, Jr., is Senior Pastor at Immanuel Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee; Council Member for The Gospel Coalition; and President of Renewal Ministries. The Endless Love of God The following is an excerpt from an August 28, 2018, chapel presentation by Ray Ortlund, Jr. Listen to his full remarks at cedarville.edu/chapel . If God gave up His Son for us, there is no limit to the love of God for us. 30 | Cedarville Magazine