Lewis Addison Drummond was the 4th president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Professor of the History and Theology of Evangelism. Introductory music is played (0:00-1:24). The service begins with prayer (1:24-2:44). Further music is played (2:44-5:23). A welcome is extended to the students in the 40th year of the seminary, and recognition is given to the presidential advisory council and the faculty (5:29-8:16). There is a reading of 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 and James 5:7-8 (8:25-10:10). The Citation of Faculty Excellence is presented to Professor Thomas Albert Bland (10:21-13:30). Using the concept of renewal from 2 Chronicles 7, Dr. Drummond tells the story of Yale University’s history and spiritual awakenings that took place as an illustration of what God can do at educational institutions (13:32-19:04). He asks what people really want and directs the question to the students as they begin their educational journeys. He suggests that what each person desires is an encounter and renewal from God (19:04-21:51). He then provides insight into what this renewal may look like. Spiritual renewal would be brought by the Spirit of God, bring awareness and sensitivity to sin, offer forgiveness, raise awareness of the necessity of complete commitment to God, and produce a life of genuine ministry with the gifts of the spirit (21:51-29:30). He emphasizes that all of these things are for God’s glory (29:30-30:30). In order to see this renewal Dr. Drummond says the audience must seek God’s movement and talk about God’s work in each other’s lives (30:30-32:56). He then gives a final challenge of spiritual renewal and prayer to the seminary (32:56-35:34). Dr. Drummond concludes with a story of Winston Churchill’s “Never Give in Speech” and calls the audience to hold onto God until renewal is seen (35:34-38:03). A final presentation of music is given (38:08-42:30). Convocation is closed with prayer (42:30-43:55).
R. Logan Carson was Professor of Theology. Carson opens his sermon with a word of thanks to the faculty, and he tells a story of the Lord’s provision (00:00-02:55). He gives a word of prayer (02:56-03:36). Before reading his passage, Carson says that the theme of his message is on the will of God being done in a believer’s life (03:37-05:40). He exegetes Luke 22:39-42, and he focuses on Jesus aligning his will to the Father’s will (05:41-12:26). He continues to verses 43 and 44 to allude to Jesus’ finished work on the cross (12:27-16:40). Carson reads from Matthew 1:18-25, and he charges his audience to be like Joseph and submit their wills to God’s will (16:41-21:34). He recounts a story of when his almost died and his conclusion to submit to God’s will if it was His decision to take her home (21:35-22:33). Carson concludes his sermon by speaking on God’s good will, and he affirms that we can trust in his will because of his grace and sacrifice for us (22:34-28:19). Carson ends the service with a word of prayer (28:20-30:32).
