Robert D. Dale was SEBTS Academic Coordinator and Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Church Ministries. Dr. Dale is announced as Chapel speaker (0:00-0:08). A hymn is played (0:09-3:27). The choir sings a song of worship (3:28-6:21). Another hymn is played (cut) (6:22-7:19). A word of prayer is followed by Scripture reading from John 2:1-11 (7:20-9:42). Dr. Dale focuses on the Scripture reading and asks the question: why did John decide to show the beginning of Jesus’ ministry at a marriage party in Cana? (9:43-11:46). He explains that Jesus was trying to teach His disciples that following Him meant a life of joy, just as one experiences joy at a party (11:47-12:59). Joy is the proof of faith: Christianity ultimately is a lifestyle of joy (13:00-23:21). Dr. Dale speaks about how life is a burden without Jesus and how joy, once we become followers of Jesus, can become our witness that draws others to Him (23:22-25:26). He then explains that these verses are relevant due to the American culture reducing joy to fun and the conflicts that were occurring in the Southern Baptist Convention at the time (25:27-27:31). He closes his sermon with telling the congregation to “claim the joy of Christ and share it” (27:32-27:41). A word of prayer is given (27:42-28:04).
