Chapel This Week: Feb 11-14

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John Maxwell coming to CIU

Dean's Devos: Series: All Things New (part 2) Ephesians 1:15-23 – Eyes to See

by Dr. John Harvey

Our new identity comes with special privileges, and Paul says that we need spiritual eyes to see those privileges.

The first privilege is the new hope that comes from God calling us (1:18b).

In the Bible, hope is being so certain of something that you wait eagerly for it to appear. You can’t see it now, but you are confident that you will see it when God determines the time is right. The source of our new hope is God’s act of calling us to himself, and that calling is part of the process that will lead to our being glorified with Jesus. (Rom 8:28-30)

What’s the nature of your hope this morning? Is it wishful thinking, or is it confident expectation? What’s the focus of your hope this morning? Is it your own efforts, or is it the certainty that God will complete what he has begun?

Peter says that we are “born again to a living hope” (1 Pet 1:3). The living hope that comes from God calling us is the first privilege that accompanies our new identity. Do you have eyes to see the new hope that is yours because of what God has done in Christ?

The second privilege is the new glory that comes from God inheriting us (1:18c).

Do you realize that, not only are you God’s possession, you are also God’s inheritance? When we think about an inheritance, we usually think about what we get. That’s all well and good, but it’s not Paul’s idea here. His focus is not on what we get; it’s on what God gets—it’s his inheritance.

You might think, “Well, if God gets us, that’s not a very good deal for him!” But look a little closer. What does it say? Paul calls it “rich glory.” How can that be? How can we be rich glory to God? It’s rich glory because when God fully and finally glorifies us, it demonstrates the riches of the glory of his grace that he lavished on us in Christ (1:8).

Do you understand that you are a glorious trophy of God’s grace? Do you have eyes to see the new glory that shines in you because of what God has done in Christ?

The third privilege is the new power that comes from God working in us (1:19a).

Paul’s point is that the power he’s describing is truly “great power.” It goes along with “living hope” and “rich glory.”

God has demonstrated the greatness of that power through what he has done for Christ. That’s what he’s telling us in verses 20-22. When he raised Christ (1:20a), he demonstrated his power over death. When he enthroned Christ (1:20b-21), he demonstrated his power over enemies and opposition. When he subjected all things to Christ (1:22), he demonstrated his power over all things.

We now have access to the power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at God’s right hand—power over death, power over enemies, and power over all things.

Do you understand the power that is available to you? Do you have eyes to see the new power that’s yours because God is at work in you? Will you embrace your new power this morning?

Jesus issues us a new identity that comes with three special privileges: new hope, new glory, and new power.
Our new identity is that we are now God’s special possession. So, here’s the question: Will we continue to live as who we were, or will we begin to live as who we are? Will we live in light of our new identity? Will we take God at his word and embrace who he says we are?

President Mark Smith attends important economic development luncheon

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith (right) with Steve Forbes of Forbes Media.

As Columbia International University increases its community involvement, CIU President Dr. Mark Smith dialogues with key members of the state and other influencers.

In January, Smith joined over a dozen state and nationally known leaders for an economic partnership luncheon. Others at the table included University of South Carolina President Robert Caslen, South Carolina businessman Hayne Hipp and Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. Also in attendance was South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette who has spoken at CIU on two occasions.

From the time Smith became president of CIU and a resident of the Palmetto State, he has shared his desire to volunteer his time and serve state leaders in any way possible, noting that CIU students, faculty and staff are willing to do their part to serve the great state of South Carolina.

Smith serves on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education representing independent colleges and universities.

Chapel This Week: Black History Week!

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Alumni Spotlight: Trae Capers

Travien L. Capers earned his Master of Arts in 2007. He keeps busy by leading the flock at Zion Benevolent Baptist Church and raising a family of 4 children with his wife. 

Trae works on the CIU campus as an Academic Advisor and Adjunct Instructor. "Also in the interim," writes Trae, "I’ve had the privilege to consult in the area of Faith Based Initiatives, I’ve managed academic programs on various campuses and I’ve built learning management systems for a religious television network."

Trae shares that, "while a student in the SSM, I was blessed to have a true international experience. I studied with people the world over and those relationships have lasted faithfully in the decade since. I really enjoyed the instruction and the personal relationships the faculty forged with the students."

Listen to Trae's chapel January 21, 2020 message, "Say It Loud' 

CIU continues explosive growth: enrollment up in spring semester

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith chats with students at the spring semester welcome event in the Student Center.

Columbia International University is celebrating another great semester of enrollment. Total enrollment in the spring semester now stands at 1,718 students; that’s up 42% compared to a year ago. More specifically the increase includes:

• 744 total undergraduate students (includes online), up 30% compared to a year ago.
• 974 total graduate students (includes online), up 55% compared to a year ago.

In online students alone, enrollment is up 89% compared to a year ago.

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith contributes the increase to “a lot of hard work” among a number of university departments and their staff members, but adds that “most of all, this is the result of God working in hearts and lives. He gets all the glory!”

Columbia International University consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. As enrollment grows, so does the number of new academic programs such as the Master of Arts in Global Migration. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Dean's Devos: Series: All Things New (part 1) Ephesians 1:3-14 – Blessed from Beginning to End

by Dr. John Harvey

Paul says that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We’re going to focus on four of those special new blessings.

Before there was time, God chose us in Christ (1:4-6).

What’s important here are the two modifiers: (1) before the foundation of the world” and (2) “according to the good pleasure of his will.” You see, before history existed, God chose us in Christ. Further, he did it because it made him happy to do so. He also did it for a specific purpose: “that we should be holy and blameless”—so that we could have fellowship with him.

Perhaps you feel as though no one loves you or cares about you. If that’s how you feel, I have good news for you. God cared about you enough to send his son to make it possible for you to be holy and blameless before him. Surely, that’s a reason to celebrate.

In the fullness of time, God redeemed us in Christ (1:7-10).

The biblical concept of redemption is “to secure release by paying a price.” That’s what Jesus did: he paid the price for our sins so that we are released to serve God. Why did God do it? It made him happy (v.9). What did it cost him? Jesus’ death on the cross (v.7; cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19). What was the result? Forgiveness of our sins (v.7; cf. Rom 8:1).

Perhaps you feel as though God could never be interested in you—your past is nasty and your present is messy. If that’s how you feel, I have good news for you. You are worth enough to God that he sent his son to pay a price you could never pay. Surely, that’s a reason to celebrate.

At just the right time, God claimed us in Christ (1:11-12).

English versions translate verse 11 in different ways, But the idea of the verb is “to claim as a possession.” So, a good translation would be “We were claimed as God’s possession” (cf. 1 Pet 2:10-11). Paul goes on to tell us that God had it all planned in advance. That means his timing is perfect.

Perhaps you feel as though you have no purpose or life has no point. If that’s how you feel, I have good news for you. God does love you, and he does have a wonderful plan for your life. There’s a reason he claimed you, and he will make it clear in his timing. Surely, that’s a reason to celebrate.

For all time, God sealed us in Christ (1:13-14).

It wasn’t enough for God to choose us, redeem us, and claim us. He also sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise. The verb “to seal” carries the idea of “to mark with a sign of legal guarantee and possession.” For us, that seal is the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul calls him “the Holy Spirit of promise.” Why? Because the Holy Spirit is the “down payment” on our future glorification.

Perhaps you feel uncertain about the future, or are troubled by doubts. Here’s my advice: Don’t call a psychic hotline or read the Wall Street Journal. Read Paul! He tells you that your future is guaranteed for all time. Surely, that’s a reason to celebrate.

Jesus gives us new blessings to celebrate.

The big picture is that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Specifically, he chose us, he redeemed us, he claimed us, and he sealed us. Surely, that’s a reason to celebrate!

Chapel This Week: January 28-30

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Alumni Spotlight: Marlo D. Brayboy

Marlo graduated with his Master of Arts in Ministry Studies in 2019.

"I was led to CIU because of God's guidance. I was praying one morning, asking God for direction in my life. I conducted a Google search of Bible schools in Columbia, and I found CIU. Later that same day, the pastor from the church I grew up in called my mom. He gave her a message that she passed on to me, saying, "tell Marlo to go to the school on Monticello." Mind you, he and my mother did not know I was searching for a college earlier that morning. I told my mom to call him back because I did not know school was on Monticello. I Google searched colleges on Monticello, and CIU came up. Seconds later, my phone rang, and my mom said CIU.

CIU has been a great experience. I gained a ton of insight from the professors. I had and currently have the opportunity to sit under professors who love Jesus with all of their hearts. I was able to establish friendships with them and have maintained contact. The chapels were an excellent opportunity to worship with fellow followers of Christ. Many dynamic speakers spoke in chapel and encouraged me to a higher calling. CIU has genuinely been a blessing to me, and I am grateful that God directed me to this remarkable University."