You're Not Alone in the Struggle, 1 November 2026
01 11 26 Filed in: Sermons | He Promises
You’re Not Alone in the Struggle
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 1, 2026
Matthew 28:18-20
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God promises to be with us…always.
When is the last time you felt lonely?
For some, it may be today, even surrounded by others. Being alone and feeling lonely are quite different. While I can’t guarantee you will never feel lonely, I can say with complete confidence you are never alone. God is with us…always.
My name is Kirk, and today we continue our series He Promises. In week one, we said God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Last Sunday, we said God is present even when you don’t hear His voice. I want to encourage you today that you’re not alone in the struggle. And the struggle is real.
If you’ve been reading through the New Testament with us, you recently encountered a great story about Jesus and his disciples in a great storm on the Sea of Galilee. To set the stage, the Sea of Galilee is known for violent thunderstorms with gale-force winds that can appear with little warning, waves reaching as high as 20 feet. In Jewish culture, the sea was associated with danger, chaos, and natural forces. I imagine many people had drowned during ferocious storms that seemed to be created by monsters.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)
This sounds fine, but on the other side were…Gentiles! Pagans. “Those people.” It’s like someone telling a bunch of Buckeyes to drive up to Ann Arbor to hang out with Wolverines!
Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (Mark 4:36)
I’m sure it was difficult leaving the crowds. Jesus had done a lot of teaching and was probably exhausted. He had taught about faith, and now trust would be tested.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. (Mark 4:37)
This was not a military-grade ship they were in! It was probably a wooden boat, obviously made by hand since they had no shipbuilding factories.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
I love the detail…on a cushion. I can’t imagine how anyone could sleep through this storm, though Jesus was very tired from the crowds. Notice the accusation in the disciples. “Don’t you care?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)
Jesus said these words to an unclean spirit at Capernaum in the first chapter of Mark. He has authority over spiritual and natural forces. Beyond a miracle, the disciples may have thought of the sea in Psalm 107:
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:28-30)
Jesus is doing what God did in this scripture. This is no party trick! This is God at work.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Fear or faith? There were experienced fishermen in the boat with Jesus, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. For them to be terrified is significant.
The storm was over, yet they were still afraid. Instead of fearing the danger, they feared God. It wasn’t a spooky fear, but awe and reverence in the presence of the mysterious miracle worker. They’ve seen Jesus do miracles. They’ve heard the amazing teaching. They were still coming to grips with the fact that the long-awaited Messiah was in their midst.
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)
The question reveals a lot about the disciples. Who is this? We know it is Jesus, the God-man, fully God and fully human, able to relate to our struggles, sorrow, and pain, yet possessing all power and authority. Do you know him? Do you follow him? Is he just Savior but also truly LORD?
What I want to tell you is Jesus will calm every storm in your life, but we know that’s not true. Scott Krippayne penned these song lyrics:
Sometimes He calms the storm And other times He calms His child
I love that! God promises to be with us…always. I’d rather be with Jesus in a storm than alone on the beach.
Our scripture reading is from Jesus’ final words on earth as recorded by Matthew. He gathered his followers together.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18)
This passage is known as the Great Commission. It’s one of the most important texts in the entire Bible.
First, Jesus declares his authority. It is complete. Jesus has all authority. He has it all, in heaven and on earth. That is crucial because the rest would be meaningless without it.
The mission, then, is to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey. This is the foundation of our church mission to love, equip, and send. We are to be a discipleship factory.
Notice that’s different than merely distributing religious goods and services. It means we are to intentionally engage in life-on-life ministry, but we’re not alone. He is with us always, to the very end of the age. That’s the message of Christmas: Emmanuel, God is with us. Jesus was with us for 33 years and then sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. I take great comfort in knowing God is here. God is with us.
This does not mean we won’t struggle, but rather that God is with us in the struggle.
At this very moment, the room is filled with something you cannot see, feel, smell, taste, or hear, but they are very real. They’re called radio frequencies or waves. In order to access them, you need a receiver…a radio. The same can be said for WiFi or television signals. They are present, but we’re often unaware of their presence. We need to tune in. We need to pay attention.
Research shows that as we move, our eyes are usually focused ahead or down. There could be something right above you, and you may be unaware of it. I want to challenge you to look up! Paul said in the midst of life’s troubles,
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Not only is God with us, but the Church is with us in the struggle. Notice the capital “C.” We were created for community, for relationships. I need you. You need me. We are a family. No individual is a family.
I love our College First family. I’ve seen countless examples of people loving, serving, praying, laughing, crying, encouraging, grieving, and rejoicing with and for one another. I believe we can go through just about anything in life if we know we’re not alone. I often think of our nine years with a sick child and the dozens of people who journeyed with us. Heather read a book by Carol Kent that referred to those people as “stretcher-bearers.” They came alongside us and carried us when we could not carry ourselves. They brought meals, prayed, sent cards of encouragement, watched our other kids when we were at the Cleveland Clinic, and supported us financially.
That’s the Church in action. Real community. Nothing artificial about it! But you have to reach out. You have to make your needs known. Ask for help, fill out a Connection Card, join a small group, contact the office, send an e-mail to a staff member, come forward for prayer at the end of our gathering today. We can’t serve you if we don’t know you need help.
So What?
If you’ve said “yes” to Jesus, you are never alone. God promises to be with us…always. If you let Jesus in your boat, he will never leave you. The writer of the book of Hebrews said,
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
This is a reference to three Old Testament passages (Genesis 28:15, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, and Joshua 1:5). Throughout the Scriptures, we’re reminded that God is with us. Always. These verses have been a comfort to those facing persecution and even martyrdom both then and now around the world. It’s a promise He makes again and again.
In the storm, the disciples didn’t feel God’s love, but it was present. It was hard for them to hear Jesus, but he was speaking. He was fully present even when they were not looking to him. Things changed when they turned to him and reached out.
The next time you feel lonely, remember, God is with us. Look up!
And the church is with us. Reach out! You’re a part of a family. You belong here. You are seen. You are loved. You are never alone.
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 1, 2026
Matthew 28:18-20
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God promises to be with us…always.
When is the last time you felt lonely?
For some, it may be today, even surrounded by others. Being alone and feeling lonely are quite different. While I can’t guarantee you will never feel lonely, I can say with complete confidence you are never alone. God is with us…always.
My name is Kirk, and today we continue our series He Promises. In week one, we said God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Last Sunday, we said God is present even when you don’t hear His voice. I want to encourage you today that you’re not alone in the struggle. And the struggle is real.
If you’ve been reading through the New Testament with us, you recently encountered a great story about Jesus and his disciples in a great storm on the Sea of Galilee. To set the stage, the Sea of Galilee is known for violent thunderstorms with gale-force winds that can appear with little warning, waves reaching as high as 20 feet. In Jewish culture, the sea was associated with danger, chaos, and natural forces. I imagine many people had drowned during ferocious storms that seemed to be created by monsters.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)
This sounds fine, but on the other side were…Gentiles! Pagans. “Those people.” It’s like someone telling a bunch of Buckeyes to drive up to Ann Arbor to hang out with Wolverines!
Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (Mark 4:36)
I’m sure it was difficult leaving the crowds. Jesus had done a lot of teaching and was probably exhausted. He had taught about faith, and now trust would be tested.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. (Mark 4:37)
This was not a military-grade ship they were in! It was probably a wooden boat, obviously made by hand since they had no shipbuilding factories.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
I love the detail…on a cushion. I can’t imagine how anyone could sleep through this storm, though Jesus was very tired from the crowds. Notice the accusation in the disciples. “Don’t you care?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)
Jesus said these words to an unclean spirit at Capernaum in the first chapter of Mark. He has authority over spiritual and natural forces. Beyond a miracle, the disciples may have thought of the sea in Psalm 107:
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:28-30)
Jesus is doing what God did in this scripture. This is no party trick! This is God at work.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Fear or faith? There were experienced fishermen in the boat with Jesus, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. For them to be terrified is significant.
The storm was over, yet they were still afraid. Instead of fearing the danger, they feared God. It wasn’t a spooky fear, but awe and reverence in the presence of the mysterious miracle worker. They’ve seen Jesus do miracles. They’ve heard the amazing teaching. They were still coming to grips with the fact that the long-awaited Messiah was in their midst.
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)
The question reveals a lot about the disciples. Who is this? We know it is Jesus, the God-man, fully God and fully human, able to relate to our struggles, sorrow, and pain, yet possessing all power and authority. Do you know him? Do you follow him? Is he just Savior but also truly LORD?
What I want to tell you is Jesus will calm every storm in your life, but we know that’s not true. Scott Krippayne penned these song lyrics:
Sometimes He calms the storm And other times He calms His child
I love that! God promises to be with us…always. I’d rather be with Jesus in a storm than alone on the beach.
Our scripture reading is from Jesus’ final words on earth as recorded by Matthew. He gathered his followers together.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18)
This passage is known as the Great Commission. It’s one of the most important texts in the entire Bible.
First, Jesus declares his authority. It is complete. Jesus has all authority. He has it all, in heaven and on earth. That is crucial because the rest would be meaningless without it.
The mission, then, is to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey. This is the foundation of our church mission to love, equip, and send. We are to be a discipleship factory.
Notice that’s different than merely distributing religious goods and services. It means we are to intentionally engage in life-on-life ministry, but we’re not alone. He is with us always, to the very end of the age. That’s the message of Christmas: Emmanuel, God is with us. Jesus was with us for 33 years and then sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. I take great comfort in knowing God is here. God is with us.
This does not mean we won’t struggle, but rather that God is with us in the struggle.
At this very moment, the room is filled with something you cannot see, feel, smell, taste, or hear, but they are very real. They’re called radio frequencies or waves. In order to access them, you need a receiver…a radio. The same can be said for WiFi or television signals. They are present, but we’re often unaware of their presence. We need to tune in. We need to pay attention.
Research shows that as we move, our eyes are usually focused ahead or down. There could be something right above you, and you may be unaware of it. I want to challenge you to look up! Paul said in the midst of life’s troubles,
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Not only is God with us, but the Church is with us in the struggle. Notice the capital “C.” We were created for community, for relationships. I need you. You need me. We are a family. No individual is a family.
I love our College First family. I’ve seen countless examples of people loving, serving, praying, laughing, crying, encouraging, grieving, and rejoicing with and for one another. I believe we can go through just about anything in life if we know we’re not alone. I often think of our nine years with a sick child and the dozens of people who journeyed with us. Heather read a book by Carol Kent that referred to those people as “stretcher-bearers.” They came alongside us and carried us when we could not carry ourselves. They brought meals, prayed, sent cards of encouragement, watched our other kids when we were at the Cleveland Clinic, and supported us financially.
That’s the Church in action. Real community. Nothing artificial about it! But you have to reach out. You have to make your needs known. Ask for help, fill out a Connection Card, join a small group, contact the office, send an e-mail to a staff member, come forward for prayer at the end of our gathering today. We can’t serve you if we don’t know you need help.
So What?
If you’ve said “yes” to Jesus, you are never alone. God promises to be with us…always. If you let Jesus in your boat, he will never leave you. The writer of the book of Hebrews said,
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
This is a reference to three Old Testament passages (Genesis 28:15, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, and Joshua 1:5). Throughout the Scriptures, we’re reminded that God is with us. Always. These verses have been a comfort to those facing persecution and even martyrdom both then and now around the world. It’s a promise He makes again and again.
In the storm, the disciples didn’t feel God’s love, but it was present. It was hard for them to hear Jesus, but he was speaking. He was fully present even when they were not looking to him. Things changed when they turned to him and reached out.
The next time you feel lonely, remember, God is with us. Look up!
And the church is with us. Reach out! You’re a part of a family. You belong here. You are seen. You are loved. You are never alone.
How Do I Hear God? 25 October 2026
25 10 26 Filed in: Sermons | He Promises
How Do I Hear God?
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 25, 2026
John 10:2-4
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, I meet with a group of men and ask them two questions:
1. What is God saying to you?
2. What are you going to do about it?
Take a moment and think about how you would answer them.
Today we’re continuing our new series He Promises. Last Sunday we said God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Today our subject deals with listening to God.
It’s often said Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God. Relationships require two-way communication. I can talk to a tree, but I can’t have a relationship with a tree because it cannot communicate. I can text you every day, but if you never reply, we don’t have a relationship.
Sometimes we pray, and it seems like God didn’t get the message. He’s not ghosting you.
God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
I admit that a relationship with God is different than one with a person you can see, hear, and touch. I recently asked a friend if she had a relationship with her dog, and she said, “Absolutely.” The way they communicated with one another was different than a human-to-human interaction, but they have a unique and special bond. In a way, the same can be said about our relationship with God.
When I ask, “What is God saying to you?” I’m making two assumptions:
1. God is speaking
2. You can discern what He is saying
God promises His presence. The book of Matthew ends with Jesus saying,
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
God never promised that we would always hear His voice, but He is always with us.
How do I hear God?
God speaks in a variety of ways, both in biblical times and today. 1 Samuel records one incident where God spoke in an audible voice. Samuel was a young boy serving under Eli the priest.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. (1 Samuel 3:2-5)
Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice.
Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” (1 Samuel 3:6)
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. (1 Samuel 3:7)
A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:8-9)
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Samuel needed Eli to help him discern the voice of God. We need wise counsel in our lives to help us discern God’s voice sometimes, too.
If I called you on the phone for the first time, you might talk for a while to be polite, but eventually you’d ask, “Who is this?” When I call my kids, they never ask that because they know my voice. The more time I spend knowing God through prayer, obedience, and studying the Bible, the better I know God and can discern between His voice, my wishful thinking, and the enemy’s lies.
In the tenth chapter of John, Jesus tells his friends,
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:2-4)
I’ve never heard the LORD speak audibly to me, but I do pray those words Samuel declared: Speak, for your servant is listening.”
There are those who have heard God’s voice. Others have had dreams and visions, which can be from God. Extraordinary circumstances are just that…extraordinary. God can use the ordinary to speak through people and circumstances. For example…
On October 19, 2023, I received a phone call from Lance Finley inviting me to apply for the lead pastor role at College First Church of God. I was so surprised! My first response was that it would be crazy to leave a great church in Toledo. I didn’t want to move, but then my primary question was, “God, is this Your will?” I spent months praying, studying Scripture, and seeking wise counsel before becoming convinced that God was leading us to College First.
Discernment is essential in hearing from God. Whether it’s an audible voice, dreams, or circumstances, it’s often helpful to seek wise counsel. Samuel had Eli. I have Heather, our church staff, and Elders, among others. I’ve heard people claim some wild things they believe God spoke to them that were clearly not from God. How do I know?
The primary way God speaks is through the Bible. This is why it’s so important to read and study it. The Bible helps us discern truth from the lies of our culture. It reveals His will for us, His character, and His wisdom. It doesn’t tell us what job to take, what color socks to wear, or what car to buy, but it offers timeless instructions for godly living. I especially love reading the Gospels and studying the life of Jesus, my hero, my role model.
What’s God saying to you? If you can’t answer, perhaps you need to spend more time in the Bible because the primary way God speaks is through the Bible. Ask Him to show you through the Scripture what you need today…your daily bread.
Time Matters
God rarely speaks on demand. We can study the Bible, pray, seek wise counsel, and still not get an answer. This is when faith kicks in. God’s timing is perfect, and it’s not usually the same as ours! It’s easy to get impatient with God.
If that’s you, don’t give up. He is with you. He promised! Keep seeking His will. Some of you have spent months or years seeking a job, a spouse, or some other decision. Sometimes God is silent. He feels distant. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. God is always up to something. Be patient. He sees you. God’s presence is a promise, not a feeling.
Do you want God to speak?
It’s one thing to hear God and quite another to obey. Jesus responded to a woman,
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)
Perhaps you don’t want God to speak because you’re afraid of what He might say. What if He says, “Sell everything and give to the poor,” as Jesus said to the rich young ruler? What if He wants me to be a missionary in the jungle? What if He says I need to change my behavior, my attitude, or my career?
What if He does? He loves you. He knows best. He can be trusted. I promise!
So What?
You were created for a relationship with God, your Creator. All relationships require time, attention, effort, and intentionality for them to be healthy and growing. God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
What is God saying to you?
If you don’t know, have you asked Him to speak? Are you engaging the Bible? Studying it with others? Seeking wisdom and discernment from others?
Are you quiet enough to hear? That’s where I struggle. I love to be busy, and that makes it hard to listen. The psalmist wrote,
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:10-11)
This was written in the midst of chaos and turmoil, not unlike our world today. The LORD Almighty is with us.
God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
What are you going to do about it?
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 25, 2026
John 10:2-4
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, I meet with a group of men and ask them two questions:
1. What is God saying to you?
2. What are you going to do about it?
Take a moment and think about how you would answer them.
Today we’re continuing our new series He Promises. Last Sunday we said God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Today our subject deals with listening to God.
It’s often said Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God. Relationships require two-way communication. I can talk to a tree, but I can’t have a relationship with a tree because it cannot communicate. I can text you every day, but if you never reply, we don’t have a relationship.
Sometimes we pray, and it seems like God didn’t get the message. He’s not ghosting you.
God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
I admit that a relationship with God is different than one with a person you can see, hear, and touch. I recently asked a friend if she had a relationship with her dog, and she said, “Absolutely.” The way they communicated with one another was different than a human-to-human interaction, but they have a unique and special bond. In a way, the same can be said about our relationship with God.
When I ask, “What is God saying to you?” I’m making two assumptions:
1. God is speaking
2. You can discern what He is saying
God promises His presence. The book of Matthew ends with Jesus saying,
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
God never promised that we would always hear His voice, but He is always with us.
How do I hear God?
God speaks in a variety of ways, both in biblical times and today. 1 Samuel records one incident where God spoke in an audible voice. Samuel was a young boy serving under Eli the priest.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. (1 Samuel 3:2-5)
Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice.
Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” (1 Samuel 3:6)
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. (1 Samuel 3:7)
A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:8-9)
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Samuel needed Eli to help him discern the voice of God. We need wise counsel in our lives to help us discern God’s voice sometimes, too.
If I called you on the phone for the first time, you might talk for a while to be polite, but eventually you’d ask, “Who is this?” When I call my kids, they never ask that because they know my voice. The more time I spend knowing God through prayer, obedience, and studying the Bible, the better I know God and can discern between His voice, my wishful thinking, and the enemy’s lies.
In the tenth chapter of John, Jesus tells his friends,
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:2-4)
I’ve never heard the LORD speak audibly to me, but I do pray those words Samuel declared: Speak, for your servant is listening.”
There are those who have heard God’s voice. Others have had dreams and visions, which can be from God. Extraordinary circumstances are just that…extraordinary. God can use the ordinary to speak through people and circumstances. For example…
On October 19, 2023, I received a phone call from Lance Finley inviting me to apply for the lead pastor role at College First Church of God. I was so surprised! My first response was that it would be crazy to leave a great church in Toledo. I didn’t want to move, but then my primary question was, “God, is this Your will?” I spent months praying, studying Scripture, and seeking wise counsel before becoming convinced that God was leading us to College First.
Discernment is essential in hearing from God. Whether it’s an audible voice, dreams, or circumstances, it’s often helpful to seek wise counsel. Samuel had Eli. I have Heather, our church staff, and Elders, among others. I’ve heard people claim some wild things they believe God spoke to them that were clearly not from God. How do I know?
The primary way God speaks is through the Bible. This is why it’s so important to read and study it. The Bible helps us discern truth from the lies of our culture. It reveals His will for us, His character, and His wisdom. It doesn’t tell us what job to take, what color socks to wear, or what car to buy, but it offers timeless instructions for godly living. I especially love reading the Gospels and studying the life of Jesus, my hero, my role model.
What’s God saying to you? If you can’t answer, perhaps you need to spend more time in the Bible because the primary way God speaks is through the Bible. Ask Him to show you through the Scripture what you need today…your daily bread.
Time Matters
God rarely speaks on demand. We can study the Bible, pray, seek wise counsel, and still not get an answer. This is when faith kicks in. God’s timing is perfect, and it’s not usually the same as ours! It’s easy to get impatient with God.
If that’s you, don’t give up. He is with you. He promised! Keep seeking His will. Some of you have spent months or years seeking a job, a spouse, or some other decision. Sometimes God is silent. He feels distant. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. God is always up to something. Be patient. He sees you. God’s presence is a promise, not a feeling.
Do you want God to speak?
It’s one thing to hear God and quite another to obey. Jesus responded to a woman,
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)
Perhaps you don’t want God to speak because you’re afraid of what He might say. What if He says, “Sell everything and give to the poor,” as Jesus said to the rich young ruler? What if He wants me to be a missionary in the jungle? What if He says I need to change my behavior, my attitude, or my career?
What if He does? He loves you. He knows best. He can be trusted. I promise!
So What?
You were created for a relationship with God, your Creator. All relationships require time, attention, effort, and intentionality for them to be healthy and growing. God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
What is God saying to you?
If you don’t know, have you asked Him to speak? Are you engaging the Bible? Studying it with others? Seeking wisdom and discernment from others?
Are you quiet enough to hear? That’s where I struggle. I love to be busy, and that makes it hard to listen. The psalmist wrote,
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:10-11)
This was written in the midst of chaos and turmoil, not unlike our world today. The LORD Almighty is with us.
God is present even when you don't hear his voice.
What are you going to do about it?
Does God Still Love Me, 18 October 2026
18 10 26 Filed in: Sermons | He Promises
Does God Still Love Me?
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 18, 2026
Luke 15:4-7
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Love. It’s one of the most powerful words in the English language. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.
I love ice cream. I love my wife. I love the Findlay Oilers basketball team. I love my sister. I love Jesus.
How can one word convey so many different meanings?
The Bible says God loves me, but what does that mean? And is it true?
My name is Kirk, and today we’re beginning a new series called “He Promises.” I’m sure you’ve heard or sung or read, “God loves you.” It’s about as old-school, basic, vintage as it gets.
My friend, David May, had t-shirts made that say, “Jesus Loves You…and David May does, too!” I love that (no pun intended). Sometimes the idea of God’s love can seem vague and impersonal, but that love expressed through a human can be transformative. Sometimes we believe we are loved, but don’t feel it. That can be true in a marriage, with parents, or a friendship. God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it.
The most famous verse in the Bible says,
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
The word “loved” is “agapao” in the original Greek, a word that means to love, to show love, to value, esteem, be faithful towards, to delight in.
God delights in the world. He delights in His creation, and the zenith of creation was not the mountains, ocean, dolphins, or platypus! It was humankind.
God loves the world.
Unfortunately, the world God created and loves does not always love Him. Have you ever thought about how God feels when His love is rejected? Perhaps you’ve experienced love that was not reciprocated. Many of us had puppy love as kids and felt rejected when we expressed it, only to discover the other person had different feelings. I remember in elementary school it was fashionable to ask a friend to ask a person if they would “go” with you. I can’t even remember the person, but at least once I asked a friend to ask a girl if she would “go” with me and was told no. I’m not sure where I wanted to go in third grade!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
God loves the world. Nobody loves like God, but love is more than an action with God. It’s His very nature.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
God is love. He is the definition of love. He proved it, too.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
The Father sent Jesus to die to take away our sins, to forgive us, to restore our relationship with God, which was broken by our sin, rebellion, and disobedience.
Obviously, God does not love our sin, and He doesn’t love what sin has done to our world, but He loves the world. Not only does God love the world, but God loves you. Yes, you. Not just the person next to you who you think has it all together (remember our previous sermon series…all families are messed up!). God knows you. He sees you. He loves you. Even when you wander from Him.
Jesus said in today’s scripture reading:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:4-7)
This is not a story about the smart sheep, the popular sheep, the talented sheep, the good-looking sheep, or the athletic sheep. It’s about a wandering sheep…literally a sinner who has lost their way and repents…turns 180 degrees and runs to God.
Is that you today? Some of you have never said “yes” to Jesus. You’ve been too busy, proud, angry, or simply unaware that God loves you. Respond today with a simple prayer: “Jesus, I give you my life.”
Perhaps you’ve called yourself a Christian but have wandered off the path. Come home. The Father’s arms are open wide.
Tragically, many people don’t believe God really loves them. They may protest and say, “You don’t know what I’ve done.” God does, and…
God will always love you. You are the one Jesus loves!
His love is unconditional. It never changes. His arms will always be open to welcome you into His family, but He will not force Himself upon you…or anyone. Love does not pressure or manipulate or control. Instead,
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Agape love doesn't depend on what we do. Like an anchor, it’s not moved by waves or weather or circumstances. If you’ve said “yes” to Jesus, you can be certain of his love for you.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Romans 8:35-36)
Nothing shall separate us from God’s love. Nothing.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Nothing shall separate us from God’s love. Nothing.
Sometimes life hurts. People hurt us. Our bodies fail us. Our minds betray us. Trouble or persecution or famine or danger may come. But God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Your feelings are real, but not always reliable. You don’t have to understand everything. I certainly don’t! I have struggled to feel God’s love amid suffering, disappointment, pain, and prayers that seemed to go unanswered, but that never changed the truth that God loved me…and he loves you, too.
So What?
My earnest prayer for all of us is that we experience God’s love. It’s been said the longest twelve inches in the world is from the head to the heart. I want you to know God’s love in the deepest part of your soul. Jesus summarized the entire Bible by saying,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
We love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength when we experience God’s love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And then we can go and love others.
Today I want to close with a video called Father’s Love Letter. It’s a series of promises in the Bible that God makes to you and me. You might want to close your eyes, listen, and let the words of your Father wash over you.
Video: Father’s Love Letter, https://www.fathersloveletter.com
One more thing…God loves you, even when it doesn’t feel like it…and I do, too!
Credits: some ideas from Life.Church
He Promises
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 18, 2026
Luke 15:4-7
Series Description: Maybe you’ve heard what Jesus has done for others. You want to believe He can do the same for you, but you're not sure it's even possible. Jesus made several promises in the Bible—but what do they mean today?
Big Idea: God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Love. It’s one of the most powerful words in the English language. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.
I love ice cream. I love my wife. I love the Findlay Oilers basketball team. I love my sister. I love Jesus.
How can one word convey so many different meanings?
The Bible says God loves me, but what does that mean? And is it true?
My name is Kirk, and today we’re beginning a new series called “He Promises.” I’m sure you’ve heard or sung or read, “God loves you.” It’s about as old-school, basic, vintage as it gets.
My friend, David May, had t-shirts made that say, “Jesus Loves You…and David May does, too!” I love that (no pun intended). Sometimes the idea of God’s love can seem vague and impersonal, but that love expressed through a human can be transformative. Sometimes we believe we are loved, but don’t feel it. That can be true in a marriage, with parents, or a friendship. God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it.
The most famous verse in the Bible says,
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
The word “loved” is “agapao” in the original Greek, a word that means to love, to show love, to value, esteem, be faithful towards, to delight in.
God delights in the world. He delights in His creation, and the zenith of creation was not the mountains, ocean, dolphins, or platypus! It was humankind.
God loves the world.
Unfortunately, the world God created and loves does not always love Him. Have you ever thought about how God feels when His love is rejected? Perhaps you’ve experienced love that was not reciprocated. Many of us had puppy love as kids and felt rejected when we expressed it, only to discover the other person had different feelings. I remember in elementary school it was fashionable to ask a friend to ask a person if they would “go” with you. I can’t even remember the person, but at least once I asked a friend to ask a girl if she would “go” with me and was told no. I’m not sure where I wanted to go in third grade!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
God loves the world. Nobody loves like God, but love is more than an action with God. It’s His very nature.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
God is love. He is the definition of love. He proved it, too.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
The Father sent Jesus to die to take away our sins, to forgive us, to restore our relationship with God, which was broken by our sin, rebellion, and disobedience.
Obviously, God does not love our sin, and He doesn’t love what sin has done to our world, but He loves the world. Not only does God love the world, but God loves you. Yes, you. Not just the person next to you who you think has it all together (remember our previous sermon series…all families are messed up!). God knows you. He sees you. He loves you. Even when you wander from Him.
Jesus said in today’s scripture reading:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:4-7)
This is not a story about the smart sheep, the popular sheep, the talented sheep, the good-looking sheep, or the athletic sheep. It’s about a wandering sheep…literally a sinner who has lost their way and repents…turns 180 degrees and runs to God.
Is that you today? Some of you have never said “yes” to Jesus. You’ve been too busy, proud, angry, or simply unaware that God loves you. Respond today with a simple prayer: “Jesus, I give you my life.”
Perhaps you’ve called yourself a Christian but have wandered off the path. Come home. The Father’s arms are open wide.
Tragically, many people don’t believe God really loves them. They may protest and say, “You don’t know what I’ve done.” God does, and…
God will always love you. You are the one Jesus loves!
His love is unconditional. It never changes. His arms will always be open to welcome you into His family, but He will not force Himself upon you…or anyone. Love does not pressure or manipulate or control. Instead,
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Agape love doesn't depend on what we do. Like an anchor, it’s not moved by waves or weather or circumstances. If you’ve said “yes” to Jesus, you can be certain of his love for you.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Romans 8:35-36)
Nothing shall separate us from God’s love. Nothing.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Nothing shall separate us from God’s love. Nothing.
Sometimes life hurts. People hurt us. Our bodies fail us. Our minds betray us. Trouble or persecution or famine or danger may come. But God loves you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Your feelings are real, but not always reliable. You don’t have to understand everything. I certainly don’t! I have struggled to feel God’s love amid suffering, disappointment, pain, and prayers that seemed to go unanswered, but that never changed the truth that God loved me…and he loves you, too.
So What?
My earnest prayer for all of us is that we experience God’s love. It’s been said the longest twelve inches in the world is from the head to the heart. I want you to know God’s love in the deepest part of your soul. Jesus summarized the entire Bible by saying,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
We love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength when we experience God’s love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And then we can go and love others.
Today I want to close with a video called Father’s Love Letter. It’s a series of promises in the Bible that God makes to you and me. You might want to close your eyes, listen, and let the words of your Father wash over you.
Video: Father’s Love Letter, https://www.fathersloveletter.com
One more thing…God loves you, even when it doesn’t feel like it…and I do, too!
Credits: some ideas from Life.Church
Messiah Mess, 11 October 2026
12 10 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ideal Family
Messiah Mess
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 11, 2026
Luke 2:41-48
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: The Messiah lived in a messed-up family, too, and was even “left behind.”
Scripture: Luke 2:41-48
Good morning! My name is Kirk, and today we’re concluding our series entitled “Ideal Family.” The big idea of the series is that all families are messed up, including biblical families. I find it comforting to know that even the heroes of the Bible were imperfect like me, and that all of the families in the Bible had issues…even Jesus’ family.
Have you ever lost something? We all have. It can be a terrible feeling, even frightening, at times. A few years ago, I lost my cell phone at a Detroit Tigers game. I was relieved to recover it.
Sometimes we don’t even know something is lost. Recently, a stranger came to the front door of our home and asked if there was a Heather there. She had found my wife’s wallet on the ground in a parking lot. Heather didn’t even know she dropped it!
I’m fascinated by the story of Jesus being left behind at the temple.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. (Luke 2:41)
This is an annual event. We know they did it at least a dozen times because…
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. (Luke 2:42)
Some of you have annual trips. You go to that cottage in Pure Michigan. There’s a special place you rent in Hocking Hills or Amish country. You celebrate a holiday in the same home each year.
In the case of Mary and Joseph, it was their faith tradition that prompted them to travel to Jerusalem for Passover.
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. (Luke 2:43)
I love the phrase “the boy Jesus.” Did he know his parents were leaving? How many children did they have to wrangle as they headed back to Nazareth? It’s about 90 miles away. These journeys were done in a group to guard against robbers, though we don’t know how many were in their caravan.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. (Luke 2:44)
“Thinking” he was in their company. That’s what we call an assumption, friends! Can you imagine the conversation? “Where’s Jesus?” “Is he with you?” “No!” “I thought he was with you!” It took a day for them to realize he was lost.
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (Luke 2:45)
I would hope so! Can you imagine what Child Protective Services would say to Mary and Joseph?!?!?
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
I can’t imagine looking for a lost child for three days! I can remember times when I’d lose one of my kids for a few seconds in a store and be on the verge of panic.
Obviously, Jesus wasn’t worried. It never even says he knew he was lost! What happened? How did he miss the journey back to Nazareth?
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:47-48)
Mary blames Jesus for being left behind! At least they searched for him! Are you searching for Jesus? He said,
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
The book of Luke is filled with several lost and found stories, most notably the lost coin, sheep, and son in Luke chapter 15. I love how he records Jesus’ mission:
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Jesus’ Not-So-Perfect Family
Perhaps no other story shows us how Jesus did not come from an Ideal Family. He was sinless, but his parents were not perfect. His siblings weren’t perfect. In fact, it wasn’t until years later that his half-brother, James, acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah…and they lived together! How did James miss the clues:
- The family dog died…until Jesus brought it back to life!
- Mary ran out of bread…until Jesus multiplied the loaves until there were leftovers
- Wine was served at every meal…even when they only had water to drink!
- Jesus won the Fantasy Football league every year!
I’m being facetious, just playing a bit, but seriously, Jesus’ family wasn’t perfect. Like ours, they surely had struggles, conflicts, and parental mistakes. Despite the flaws of Mary and Joseph, I’d say Jesus turned out pretty good!
So What?
The Messiah lived in a messed-up family, too, and was even “left behind.”
As we close out this series, there are a few things I want you to remember…
1. All families are broken. That’s why we need God’s grace and healing.
2. We have a family of origin and a spiritual family.
3. Loving others begins with family. It’s often easier to love strangers than those closest to us, but Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples by…our politics? Our theology? Our Sunday morning music? No, it’s our love for one another.
As members of God’s family, we all fail and sin, but our Dad is perfect. He never fails.
Throughout this series, I hope you’ve been encouraged and challenged as you reflect on your own family. Families can be messy…but they also provide us with the greatest opportunities to learn, grow, serve, and experience joy.
As your brother in Christ, I’m grateful for you. I love your encouragement, appreciate your constructive criticism, and need your prayers. Together we are seeking to love, equip, and send…and welcome new spiritual siblings into the family.
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 11, 2026
Luke 2:41-48
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: The Messiah lived in a messed-up family, too, and was even “left behind.”
Scripture: Luke 2:41-48
Good morning! My name is Kirk, and today we’re concluding our series entitled “Ideal Family.” The big idea of the series is that all families are messed up, including biblical families. I find it comforting to know that even the heroes of the Bible were imperfect like me, and that all of the families in the Bible had issues…even Jesus’ family.
Have you ever lost something? We all have. It can be a terrible feeling, even frightening, at times. A few years ago, I lost my cell phone at a Detroit Tigers game. I was relieved to recover it.
Sometimes we don’t even know something is lost. Recently, a stranger came to the front door of our home and asked if there was a Heather there. She had found my wife’s wallet on the ground in a parking lot. Heather didn’t even know she dropped it!
I’m fascinated by the story of Jesus being left behind at the temple.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. (Luke 2:41)
This is an annual event. We know they did it at least a dozen times because…
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. (Luke 2:42)
Some of you have annual trips. You go to that cottage in Pure Michigan. There’s a special place you rent in Hocking Hills or Amish country. You celebrate a holiday in the same home each year.
In the case of Mary and Joseph, it was their faith tradition that prompted them to travel to Jerusalem for Passover.
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. (Luke 2:43)
I love the phrase “the boy Jesus.” Did he know his parents were leaving? How many children did they have to wrangle as they headed back to Nazareth? It’s about 90 miles away. These journeys were done in a group to guard against robbers, though we don’t know how many were in their caravan.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. (Luke 2:44)
“Thinking” he was in their company. That’s what we call an assumption, friends! Can you imagine the conversation? “Where’s Jesus?” “Is he with you?” “No!” “I thought he was with you!” It took a day for them to realize he was lost.
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (Luke 2:45)
I would hope so! Can you imagine what Child Protective Services would say to Mary and Joseph?!?!?
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
I can’t imagine looking for a lost child for three days! I can remember times when I’d lose one of my kids for a few seconds in a store and be on the verge of panic.
Obviously, Jesus wasn’t worried. It never even says he knew he was lost! What happened? How did he miss the journey back to Nazareth?
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:47-48)
Mary blames Jesus for being left behind! At least they searched for him! Are you searching for Jesus? He said,
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
The book of Luke is filled with several lost and found stories, most notably the lost coin, sheep, and son in Luke chapter 15. I love how he records Jesus’ mission:
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Jesus’ Not-So-Perfect Family
Perhaps no other story shows us how Jesus did not come from an Ideal Family. He was sinless, but his parents were not perfect. His siblings weren’t perfect. In fact, it wasn’t until years later that his half-brother, James, acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah…and they lived together! How did James miss the clues:
- The family dog died…until Jesus brought it back to life!
- Mary ran out of bread…until Jesus multiplied the loaves until there were leftovers
- Wine was served at every meal…even when they only had water to drink!
- Jesus won the Fantasy Football league every year!
I’m being facetious, just playing a bit, but seriously, Jesus’ family wasn’t perfect. Like ours, they surely had struggles, conflicts, and parental mistakes. Despite the flaws of Mary and Joseph, I’d say Jesus turned out pretty good!
So What?
The Messiah lived in a messed-up family, too, and was even “left behind.”
As we close out this series, there are a few things I want you to remember…
1. All families are broken. That’s why we need God’s grace and healing.
2. We have a family of origin and a spiritual family.
3. Loving others begins with family. It’s often easier to love strangers than those closest to us, but Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples by…our politics? Our theology? Our Sunday morning music? No, it’s our love for one another.
As members of God’s family, we all fail and sin, but our Dad is perfect. He never fails.
Throughout this series, I hope you’ve been encouraged and challenged as you reflect on your own family. Families can be messy…but they also provide us with the greatest opportunities to learn, grow, serve, and experience joy.
As your brother in Christ, I’m grateful for you. I love your encouragement, appreciate your constructive criticism, and need your prayers. Together we are seeking to love, equip, and send…and welcome new spiritual siblings into the family.
King's Chaos, 4 October 2026
04 10 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ideal Family
King’s Chaos
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 4, 2026
Psalm 3
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: The “man after God’s own heart” led a broken family in need of God’s grace.
Scripture: Psalm 3
Parenting is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. It might be the most rewarding thing, but it is not easy. I wish the first video described my three kids when they were teenagers. The second video is close to what I did once when my then-teenager wouldn’t wake up. I resorted to using water, though not a bucket-full!
There are few relationships more significant than those between a parent and child. History is filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly of parenthood. Today, as we continue our series Ideal Family, we’re going to look at the most popular figure in the Old Testament—the Jewish Bible—and his chaotic family. It’s filled with sin, scandal, and drama. The lead character was an adulterer, murderer, and alleged rapist, yet it’s ultimately a story of God’s amazing grace.
The big idea of this sermon series is all families are messed up, including biblical families. Our subject today is King David, a great warrior, king, musician, and poet.
As a boy, he killed a lion and a bear…and then Goliath the giant (1 Samuel 17). His music was so powerful, it would bring relief to the tormented king, even causing an evil spirit to flee (1 Samuel 16:23). Young David was so popular, the crowds would celebrate him over and above King Saul, the man whose throne he would later possess (1 Samuel 18:7; 21:11; 29:5).
Yet aside from his victory over Goliath, he may be best known for his encounter with a woman named Bathsheba in 2 Samuel chapter 11. We don’t have time to read it today, but David had a fling with a woman he saw bathing from the roof of his palace when he should have been off to war. It’s unlikely it was consensual, meaning rape was involved. He got her pregnant and had her husband killed to cover it up. The baby died. But the consequences didn’t end there.
He had a son named Solomon who built the Temple and was blessed with wisdom, wealth, and women. Near the end of his life, King David assembled all the officials of Israel and said,
Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:5)
So David blesses Solomon, he becomes king, and everyone lives happily ever after. Right? Hardly.
David had many sons…from multiple wives. Remember Cain and Abel, sibling rivalry? Imagine many sons… with different mothers! What could go wrong?
Last week we noted how sins can be passed from one generation to the next. Blessings work that way. Curses work that way, too. We often become like our parents, and our children follow our example. Jacob was deceitful like his father Isaac, who was deceitful like his father Abram.
David’s sexual sin with Bathsheba may have some connection to a horrific event that would occur among his children. David’s firstborn son, Amnon, fell in love with his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:4), and raped her (2 Samuel 13:14), causing chaos in David’s family.
When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. (2 Samuel 13:21-22)
Understandable, right?
Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled. (2 Samuel 13:28-29)
Do you see why I entitled this message, “King’s Chaos?”
We simply don’t have time to cover all the stories of David and his family, but if you turn to 2 Samuel chapter 15, we see Absalom wreaking more havoc on his family. David’s son, Absalom, tries to seize control.
A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” (2 Samuel 15:13, NLT)
King David flees his son, Absalom, which is where our scripture reading from Psalm 3 originates. Remember, the context is King David fleeing his son!
LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me! (Psalm 3:1)
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.” (Psalm 3:2)
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)
David flees his son, and in 2 Samuel chapter 18, we read
During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.” (2 Samuel 18:9-10, NLT)
“What?” Joab demanded. “You saw him there and didn’t kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero’s belt!” (2 Samuel 18:11, NLT)
“I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver,” the man replied to Joab. “We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’ And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son—and the king would certainly find out who did it—you yourself would be the first to abandon me.” (2 Samuel 18:12-13, NLT)
“Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree. Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him. (2 Samuel 18:14-15, NLT)
This is great news, right? Not to David. Skipping ahead…
Then the man from Ethiopia arrived and said, “I have good news for my lord the king. Today the LORD has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you.” (2 Samuel 18:31, NLT)
“What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”
And the Ethiopian replied, “May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!” (2 Samuel 18:32, NLT)
The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” (2 Samuel 18:33, NLT)
So What?
I’ve heard stories of some dysfunctional families, but David’s is one of the most bizarre. Incest, rape, murder, adultery…yet the patriarch, David, is called a man after God’s own heart.
After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22)
But what does this have to do with us thousands of years later?
1. Parenting is hard. Every mom and dad said, “Amen!” Parents love their kids through thick and thin (even teenagers!!!). It’s a special bond. They say love is blind, and while that usually refers to romance, it can sometimes apply to parenting. David loved his kids…even his son who was trying to kill him.
2. One spouse is enough! I don’t want to make light of this, but so much of David’s chaos came from multiple wives bearing multiple children and a family tree that looked more like spaghetti than an oak. One man marrying one woman and creating children mirrors the Trinity of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all One, doing life together, each serving a unique, complementary function.
3. Sin always has consequences, now or later. We can only imagine David’s legacy had he (and Solomon) avoided sexual sins (there’s so much we don’t have time to cover here).
4. God’s grace is sufficient. Despite his flaws, God used David…and his family, both then and thousands of years later.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. (2 Timothy 2:8)
No matter your family of origin, no matter your own personal sins and failures, God loves you. He wants the best for you. He sent Jesus to die for you. You can’t earn his mercy and forgiveness, but you can repent, turn, and say “yes” to him today. Surrender your life and experience the peace, freedom, love, hope, and joy King David and millions since have experienced.
God’s amazing grace is good news, indeed.
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)
Hallelujah!
Series: Ideal Family
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 4, 2026
Psalm 3
Series Big Idea: All families are messed up, including biblical families.
Big Idea: The “man after God’s own heart” led a broken family in need of God’s grace.
Scripture: Psalm 3
Parenting is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. It might be the most rewarding thing, but it is not easy. I wish the first video described my three kids when they were teenagers. The second video is close to what I did once when my then-teenager wouldn’t wake up. I resorted to using water, though not a bucket-full!
There are few relationships more significant than those between a parent and child. History is filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly of parenthood. Today, as we continue our series Ideal Family, we’re going to look at the most popular figure in the Old Testament—the Jewish Bible—and his chaotic family. It’s filled with sin, scandal, and drama. The lead character was an adulterer, murderer, and alleged rapist, yet it’s ultimately a story of God’s amazing grace.
The big idea of this sermon series is all families are messed up, including biblical families. Our subject today is King David, a great warrior, king, musician, and poet.
As a boy, he killed a lion and a bear…and then Goliath the giant (1 Samuel 17). His music was so powerful, it would bring relief to the tormented king, even causing an evil spirit to flee (1 Samuel 16:23). Young David was so popular, the crowds would celebrate him over and above King Saul, the man whose throne he would later possess (1 Samuel 18:7; 21:11; 29:5).
Yet aside from his victory over Goliath, he may be best known for his encounter with a woman named Bathsheba in 2 Samuel chapter 11. We don’t have time to read it today, but David had a fling with a woman he saw bathing from the roof of his palace when he should have been off to war. It’s unlikely it was consensual, meaning rape was involved. He got her pregnant and had her husband killed to cover it up. The baby died. But the consequences didn’t end there.
He had a son named Solomon who built the Temple and was blessed with wisdom, wealth, and women. Near the end of his life, King David assembled all the officials of Israel and said,
Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:5)
So David blesses Solomon, he becomes king, and everyone lives happily ever after. Right? Hardly.
David had many sons…from multiple wives. Remember Cain and Abel, sibling rivalry? Imagine many sons… with different mothers! What could go wrong?
Last week we noted how sins can be passed from one generation to the next. Blessings work that way. Curses work that way, too. We often become like our parents, and our children follow our example. Jacob was deceitful like his father Isaac, who was deceitful like his father Abram.
David’s sexual sin with Bathsheba may have some connection to a horrific event that would occur among his children. David’s firstborn son, Amnon, fell in love with his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:4), and raped her (2 Samuel 13:14), causing chaos in David’s family.
When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar. (2 Samuel 13:21-22)
Understandable, right?
Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled. (2 Samuel 13:28-29)
Do you see why I entitled this message, “King’s Chaos?”
We simply don’t have time to cover all the stories of David and his family, but if you turn to 2 Samuel chapter 15, we see Absalom wreaking more havoc on his family. David’s son, Absalom, tries to seize control.
A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” (2 Samuel 15:13, NLT)
King David flees his son, Absalom, which is where our scripture reading from Psalm 3 originates. Remember, the context is King David fleeing his son!
LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me! (Psalm 3:1)
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.” (Psalm 3:2)
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)
David flees his son, and in 2 Samuel chapter 18, we read
During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.” (2 Samuel 18:9-10, NLT)
“What?” Joab demanded. “You saw him there and didn’t kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero’s belt!” (2 Samuel 18:11, NLT)
“I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver,” the man replied to Joab. “We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’ And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son—and the king would certainly find out who did it—you yourself would be the first to abandon me.” (2 Samuel 18:12-13, NLT)
“Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree. Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him. (2 Samuel 18:14-15, NLT)
This is great news, right? Not to David. Skipping ahead…
Then the man from Ethiopia arrived and said, “I have good news for my lord the king. Today the LORD has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you.” (2 Samuel 18:31, NLT)
“What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”
And the Ethiopian replied, “May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!” (2 Samuel 18:32, NLT)
The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” (2 Samuel 18:33, NLT)
So What?
I’ve heard stories of some dysfunctional families, but David’s is one of the most bizarre. Incest, rape, murder, adultery…yet the patriarch, David, is called a man after God’s own heart.
After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ (Acts 13:22)
But what does this have to do with us thousands of years later?
1. Parenting is hard. Every mom and dad said, “Amen!” Parents love their kids through thick and thin (even teenagers!!!). It’s a special bond. They say love is blind, and while that usually refers to romance, it can sometimes apply to parenting. David loved his kids…even his son who was trying to kill him.
2. One spouse is enough! I don’t want to make light of this, but so much of David’s chaos came from multiple wives bearing multiple children and a family tree that looked more like spaghetti than an oak. One man marrying one woman and creating children mirrors the Trinity of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all One, doing life together, each serving a unique, complementary function.
3. Sin always has consequences, now or later. We can only imagine David’s legacy had he (and Solomon) avoided sexual sins (there’s so much we don’t have time to cover here).
4. God’s grace is sufficient. Despite his flaws, God used David…and his family, both then and thousands of years later.
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. (2 Timothy 2:8)
No matter your family of origin, no matter your own personal sins and failures, God loves you. He wants the best for you. He sent Jesus to die for you. You can’t earn his mercy and forgiveness, but you can repent, turn, and say “yes” to him today. Surrender your life and experience the peace, freedom, love, hope, and joy King David and millions since have experienced.
God’s amazing grace is good news, indeed.
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)
Hallelujah!