Cedarville Magazine Spring 2020

CHAPEL NOTES LIVING AN ENCOURAGING REPORT The following is an excerpt from an August 27, 2020, chapel presentation by Kevin Jones. Listen to his full message at cedarville.edu/chapel . In 1 Thessalonians, chapter three, Paul writes to the church because he cared about them and he understood some of the things they were going through. He wrote to encourage them. We need to hear that today, because Satan is after our affections. Are you living the report you want to read about your life? Because somebody is reading it right now and, in the future, others will read of the things you have said and have done. He says, “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us” (v. 6). Timothy made it back with the good report. What will your parents and pastors hear of your behavior here at Cedarville? Will it bring them great joy or bring them distress? Will your actions bring grief or excitement to this campus? So what made Paul so joyous? First, they were exercising their faith. He heard they were working hard yet relying on God and focusing on the cross. Secondly, they exercised love one to another. Are you exercising love? Thirdly, they remember Paul kindly. Look back and remember kindly the people that sent you here. Do you say, “I thank God for the people who sent me?” That brought Paul excitement. Number four, they longed to see Paul. We may impart some mutual gift to encourage one another. That is the same thing. They're increasing our faith. Do you long for godly interactions? Numb e r f i v e , b r a c e yourself for distress and affliction. The more you have your thumb on the pulse of things that are going on, you need to brace yourself as the Lord readies your heart to send you around the world. Then Paul says to stand fast. Firmly remain in the same position and keep the same opinion about Jesus Christ. It's easy to join the crowd moving in a wrong direction. It is difficult to stand firm. “For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God” (v. 9). Praise God for the way that He's working through you, and those who have sent you here who will be praising God as well. In verses nine to 11, Paul's prayers are clear. “I want to be with my people.” I'm asking that God would give you a desire to want to be around godly people. We should also abound in love. He says love one another and love all people. Abound in love within the Church and outside the Church. Jesus is coming back. Is your heart blameless and holy before the Lord? Because He's coming to judge in truth and righteousness. I'm counting on the power of the Holy Spirit to equip me and to keep me. And it is the same power that lives in you. So ask Him, “Lord, live through me. Let me love through You. Let me exercise my faith through You, and let me live the report I want to read about my life.” Kevin Jones is Dean of the Cedarville University School of Education. He earned his Ed.D. in leadership education from Spalding University. I'm counting on the power of the Holy Spirit to equip me and to keep me. And it is the same power that lives in you. Watch Chapel on Your Smartphone or Tablet With CUChapel+ Livestream chapel and access other Cedarville videos on demand with the CU Chapel+ app. Learn more at cedarville.edu/cuChapelPlus . 28 | Cedarville Magazine