Worthy is the Lamb, 26 April 2026
26 04 26 Filed in: Sermons | Handel's Messiah
Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 26, 2026
Revelation 5:9-14
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb that was slain for us, is worthy of our eternal worship, praise, and devotion.
Know: Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
Feel: Deeper love for Jesus and his love for us.
Do: Worship God in Spirit and in truth with passion and joy.
Today’s the day we finish our series on arguably the greatest music ever written, Handel’s Messiah. That’s worthy of a “hallelujah!”
Hallelujah!
Speaking of “worthy,” our theme, taken from the song of the same name, is “Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain,” taken from our text in Revelation 5:9-14. The Messiah is, indeed, worthy.
As many of you know, I collect baseball cards. One day when I was a boy, my mom was alarmed when I told her I spent what was probably $10 on a card. “You paid $10 for a piece of paper?”
“Mom, a $10 bill is a piece of paper!”
I assured her I had a buyer for the card and, sure enough, I came home the next day with $15 or $20. She was quick to support my baseball card hobby from that day forward!
The key in trading cards or any collectible is defining worth. Value. An item or service is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Our English word “worth” is the root of “worthy” which means “having worth” or “deserving honor, value, or recognition.” It’s also the root of worship.
An award winner may feel worthy or unworthy about receiving an award, for example. Some of you may remember the goofy scene in the movie “Wayne’s World” where the characters respond to rock star Alice Cooper by saying, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!”
As a final illustration, imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where people feel unworthy of a title or role, fearing they may be exposed as a “fraud.”
Today we’re looking at the book of Revelation. I need to preface it with a few notes. First, the Bible is not a book, but rather a library of 66 books. They are written by dozens of authors over the course of hundreds of years and have a diversity of literary genres. You don’t read a book of history in the same way you do a biography. There’s a difference between poetry and commands. The most fascinating biblical genre is apocalyptic literature.
Apocalypse means to uncover or reveal, to see the true nature of something you didn’t see before. In the Bible, it’s when God reveals something to us.
I want to recommend this Bible Project video on apocalyptic literature:
https://bibleproject.com/videos/apocalyptic-literature/
The most famous piece of apocalyptic literature is found in the book of Revelation. It seems everyone is curious about Revelation. Are we living in the end times? Is so-and-so the anti-Christ? When will Jesus return? What do these strange verses mean?
Although much of Revelation is challenging and controversial, today’s text is rather clear. In chapter five, there is a wonderful scene that is a preview of what is to come. It continues the throne-room vision found in chapter 4.
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. (Revelation 5:1, NLT)
This two-sided scroll reveals God’s plan for history. The seals made the contents inaccessible, with seven being the number of completion.
And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. (Revelation 5:2-3, NLT)
That’s disappointing! If angels weren’t worthy, sinful humans aren’t. Jesus’ friend John continues…
Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:4-5, NLT)
Jesus is the Lion of Judah, the victorious one, the King, the one who conquered sin and death on the cross. But he didn’t stay there. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. (Revelation 5:6, NLT)
Now Jesus is depicted as a lamb, a symbol of innocence and simplicity, atonement for sin. Fortunately for us, the horns and eyes are identified. This is symbolic language, obviously.
He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. (Revelation 5:7-8, NLT)
Here, gold bowls filled with incense are the prayers of God’s people. Did you know that about your prayers?
The purpose of Revelation—and all of the Bible—is to bring comfort and help us prepare for the future. Get ready! These things will happen someday. We don’t know when. It could be today. It could be 1000 years from now. But get ready…and now we’re ready for our text for today from Handel’s Messiah.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9, NIV)
Jesus is worthy. He’s worth it. He deserves the opportunity to read the scroll because of what he did on the cross for us…all of us…people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This is one reason why racism is such an evil. Jesus died for Iranians, Israelis, and Indians. He died for Haitians and Hawaiians, Africans and Afghanis, Democrats and Republicans.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10, NIV)
This is what we will do someday…reign on the earth. The new earth. We’re not going up to heaven. Jesus is coming down to earth. There will be new heavens and a new earth.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (Revelation 5:11, NIV)
Can you imagine? What a sight! What a sound!
In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12, NIV)
Singing angels! Wow!
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)
Don’t miss this: it says every creature, the living and the dead. This isn’t just an announcement from an angel. These aren’t words spoken by a group of saints. It says every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea. Does that mean fish and birds and giraffes and puppy dogs will declare this?
So What?
There may be many things we don’t understand about Revelation, but the Lamb that was Slain is certainly Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who came, lived, died, and rose again. He is worthy—worth—all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:14, NIV)
That’s the natural response to an encounter with God…humility and worship. He’s worthy of our worship. He is worth it! He’s worth more than any baseball card, diamond, or castle. That’s one reason we gather each week…to be reminded He’s God and we’re not and He deserves our worship, our allegiance, our time, our talents, and our treasures. He is in control, we’re not. He is LORD.
Do you want to know when all this will happen? I don’t know, but we’re done day closer to it today than yesterday…and it will be amazing!
Amen. Yes, LORD. Let it be!
Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb that was slain for us, is worthy of our eternal worship, praise, and devotion. Hallelujah!
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 26, 2026
Revelation 5:9-14
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb that was slain for us, is worthy of our eternal worship, praise, and devotion.
Know: Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
Feel: Deeper love for Jesus and his love for us.
Do: Worship God in Spirit and in truth with passion and joy.
Today’s the day we finish our series on arguably the greatest music ever written, Handel’s Messiah. That’s worthy of a “hallelujah!”
Hallelujah!
Speaking of “worthy,” our theme, taken from the song of the same name, is “Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain,” taken from our text in Revelation 5:9-14. The Messiah is, indeed, worthy.
As many of you know, I collect baseball cards. One day when I was a boy, my mom was alarmed when I told her I spent what was probably $10 on a card. “You paid $10 for a piece of paper?”
“Mom, a $10 bill is a piece of paper!”
I assured her I had a buyer for the card and, sure enough, I came home the next day with $15 or $20. She was quick to support my baseball card hobby from that day forward!
The key in trading cards or any collectible is defining worth. Value. An item or service is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Our English word “worth” is the root of “worthy” which means “having worth” or “deserving honor, value, or recognition.” It’s also the root of worship.
An award winner may feel worthy or unworthy about receiving an award, for example. Some of you may remember the goofy scene in the movie “Wayne’s World” where the characters respond to rock star Alice Cooper by saying, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!”
As a final illustration, imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where people feel unworthy of a title or role, fearing they may be exposed as a “fraud.”
Today we’re looking at the book of Revelation. I need to preface it with a few notes. First, the Bible is not a book, but rather a library of 66 books. They are written by dozens of authors over the course of hundreds of years and have a diversity of literary genres. You don’t read a book of history in the same way you do a biography. There’s a difference between poetry and commands. The most fascinating biblical genre is apocalyptic literature.
Apocalypse means to uncover or reveal, to see the true nature of something you didn’t see before. In the Bible, it’s when God reveals something to us.
I want to recommend this Bible Project video on apocalyptic literature:
https://bibleproject.com/videos/apocalyptic-literature/
The most famous piece of apocalyptic literature is found in the book of Revelation. It seems everyone is curious about Revelation. Are we living in the end times? Is so-and-so the anti-Christ? When will Jesus return? What do these strange verses mean?
Although much of Revelation is challenging and controversial, today’s text is rather clear. In chapter five, there is a wonderful scene that is a preview of what is to come. It continues the throne-room vision found in chapter 4.
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. (Revelation 5:1, NLT)
This two-sided scroll reveals God’s plan for history. The seals made the contents inaccessible, with seven being the number of completion.
And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. (Revelation 5:2-3, NLT)
That’s disappointing! If angels weren’t worthy, sinful humans aren’t. Jesus’ friend John continues…
Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:4-5, NLT)
Jesus is the Lion of Judah, the victorious one, the King, the one who conquered sin and death on the cross. But he didn’t stay there. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. (Revelation 5:6, NLT)
Now Jesus is depicted as a lamb, a symbol of innocence and simplicity, atonement for sin. Fortunately for us, the horns and eyes are identified. This is symbolic language, obviously.
He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. (Revelation 5:7-8, NLT)
Here, gold bowls filled with incense are the prayers of God’s people. Did you know that about your prayers?
The purpose of Revelation—and all of the Bible—is to bring comfort and help us prepare for the future. Get ready! These things will happen someday. We don’t know when. It could be today. It could be 1000 years from now. But get ready…and now we’re ready for our text for today from Handel’s Messiah.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9, NIV)
Jesus is worthy. He’s worth it. He deserves the opportunity to read the scroll because of what he did on the cross for us…all of us…people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This is one reason why racism is such an evil. Jesus died for Iranians, Israelis, and Indians. He died for Haitians and Hawaiians, Africans and Afghanis, Democrats and Republicans.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10, NIV)
This is what we will do someday…reign on the earth. The new earth. We’re not going up to heaven. Jesus is coming down to earth. There will be new heavens and a new earth.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (Revelation 5:11, NIV)
Can you imagine? What a sight! What a sound!
In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12, NIV)
Singing angels! Wow!
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)
Don’t miss this: it says every creature, the living and the dead. This isn’t just an announcement from an angel. These aren’t words spoken by a group of saints. It says every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea. Does that mean fish and birds and giraffes and puppy dogs will declare this?
So What?
There may be many things we don’t understand about Revelation, but the Lamb that was Slain is certainly Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who came, lived, died, and rose again. He is worthy—worth—all power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:14, NIV)
That’s the natural response to an encounter with God…humility and worship. He’s worthy of our worship. He is worth it! He’s worth more than any baseball card, diamond, or castle. That’s one reason we gather each week…to be reminded He’s God and we’re not and He deserves our worship, our allegiance, our time, our talents, and our treasures. He is in control, we’re not. He is LORD.
Do you want to know when all this will happen? I don’t know, but we’re done day closer to it today than yesterday…and it will be amazing!
Amen. Yes, LORD. Let it be!
Jesus the Messiah, the Lamb that was slain for us, is worthy of our eternal worship, praise, and devotion. Hallelujah!
The Trumpet Shall Sound, 19 April 2026
19 04 26 Filed in: Sermons | Handel's Messiah
The Trumpet Shall Sound
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 19, 2026
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Transformation is coming soon…get ready!
Today we’re continuing our series on Handel’s Messiah, arguably the greatest piece of music ever composed…with lyrics taken directly from the Bible. Today’s song is The Trumpet Shall Sound.
The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
High school. For some, it’s filled with wonderful memories of making the homecoming court, scoring the winning touchdown, or winning the spelling bee. For others, it’s social awkwardness, struggling through final exam week, or a long list of poor choices. I went to Brighton High School in Michigan and graduated in nineteen…something! The best thing that happened to me in high school occurred in my senior year when I met the love of my life, an amazing girl named Heather.
The second-best memory of high school is band…symphonic band, jazz band, and most of all marching band. I played the trumpet and our trumpet section was so passionate, we made t-shirts that said, “Trumpets Jam.” I don’t have the t-shirt, but I still have the trumpet! The greatest thrill was when four of us were featured at the Detroit Lions halftime show at the old Pontiac Silverdome, hearing my name over the PA system in front of 80,000 fans (most of whom were at the concession stands or bathrooms!).
There are several texts in the Bible that mention musical instruments, but arguably the most exciting is found in today’s scripture reading. The New Living Translation of Paul’s message to the church in Corinth says,
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NLT)
There is so much we don’t know about the future, but this hopeful text reveals many things. First, transformation is coming. I’m too old to have played with Transformers, but I know of their ability to change from one thing to another. That’s the idea of transformation. A caterpillar is transformed into a…butterfly. We all realize change can be hard, especially when loss is involved, but in the case of our bodies, transformation is a beautiful thing.
Our transformed bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrected body. It will be immortal. Jesus ate after the resurrection, so we will eat…but perhaps we won’t have to count calories! There was at least one moment when Jesus seemed to defy the laws of physics and enter a room without going through a door or window.
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. (John 20:26, NLT)
That’s kind of fun! Easter is about more than just Jesus’ resurrection. It’s a preview of coming attractions for his followers, too. We will have our own resurrection day soon (well, after we die!).
Let’s compare our current bodies from our resurrected ones:
Perishable imperishable
Sown in dishonor raised in glory
Sown in weakness raised in power
Sown a natural body raised a spiritual body (1 cor. 15:35-54)
Sickness and death no sickness or death
There’s more to the transformation than just the physical flesh and blood which will decay and die. Our sinful nature is in rebellion against God. It’s not suitable for the new world that is to come, the new creation, and someday followers of Jesus will be free from sin and temptation. If we read a bit more…
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55, NLT)
I love those words. Those are fightin’ words! Death, you won’t have the last word. Your time is coming to an end. Jesus defeated you. King Jesus rules!
Paul quotes from two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah (25) and Hosea (13). But if you look at the entire library we call the Bible, you will see the themes of creation, death, and new creation. What God did in Jesus the Messiah He will do for all of Jesus’ followers. Through Jesus, we’ve been given victory over sin and death. It has been given, it will be given, and in the here and now it is being given to us.
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57, NLT)
Like much of scripture, it is a present and future reality, now and not yet. Sure, we look to the future, but don’t miss the present reality, the mission, the calling to make disciples, to love, equip, and send. Jesus didn’t come so we can go to heaven when we die. He came so we could experience moments of heaven now—Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven—and in a more complete way in the future.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
The things we do in this life matter for eternity, good or bad. Paul is saying specifically the things we do for the LORD are not in vain, they are never useless. This is an important thing for us to remember. We have a present responsibility, an opportunity today.
All this talk of resurrected bodies and new creation are wonderful…for followers of Jesus. But tragically, there is an alternative destination for those in rebellion against God. From Matthew 25 to 2 Thessalonians 1 to Revelation 20, we see judgment is coming and without Jesus as Savior, they are without hope. We must tell them. We must show them. We must proclaim good news in word and deed.
Family, one of my five prayers for us is passion…passion for the things that matter to God…passion for the lost. I have family members, friends, and neighbors I love who are facing an eternity without God. I can’t imagine such a hell! My heart aches when I think about them living without God now, too, and how they’re missing out on a life of peace, joy, and meaning.
But ministry is hard. I don’t mean professional ministry. Any ministry, any discipleship, any outreach, any investment we make in people…because people are people. They are messy. They wander. They betray. They deny. They leave. They backslide. They sin (just like all of us!). Discouragement is rampant among anyone trying to make disciples, love their neighbor as themselves. You’re heard the old adage “no good deed goes unpunished.” It’s not biblical, but it seems true sometimes.
College First, be strong. Be immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the LORD. Nothing you do for God’s Kingdom is in vain. Even if people quit your small group. Even if your ministry struggles. Even if the person you are discipling seems clueless. Even when that student you poured your life into makes poor choices. Even when your own children or grandchildren walk away from the faith. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. You matter. Your Kingdom work matters. We’re all called into the disciple-making ministry and it’s hard. It’s rarely convenient. It will stretch you and take you out of your comfort zones…but God will meet you there, and there’s nothing better than that!
I love these words from N.T. Wright:
How God will take our prayer, our art, our love, our writing, our political action, our music, our honesty, our daily work, our pastoral care, our teaching, our whole selves – how God will take this and weave its varied strands into the glorious tapestry of his new creation, we can at present have no idea. That he will do so is part of the truth of the resurrection, and perhaps one of the most comforting parts of all.
Family, I love you, and I’m so proud of you. Many of you have served around here for decades, pouring your time, talent, and treasures into God’s work here and around the world. A day is coming when you will receive your reward. It will be greater than any paycheck or new car or lottery winning. Your new body alone will be worth it, to say nothing of eternity with the LORD.
So What?
The day is coming. The trumpet will sound. The dead will be raised. We will be transformed.
We must prepare for the transformation. There will be no advance notice. It will happen suddenly…in the blink of an eye. That’s fast! Nobody knows when this event will occur, not even Jesus (so don’t waste your time with people claiming to know)!
Are you ready? Are your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers ready? The day is coming…soon. It will be a great day…for those who are ready. For the rest…not so much.
Transformation is coming soon…be encouraged, prepare, get ready! The best is yet to come!
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 19, 2026
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Transformation is coming soon…get ready!
Today we’re continuing our series on Handel’s Messiah, arguably the greatest piece of music ever composed…with lyrics taken directly from the Bible. Today’s song is The Trumpet Shall Sound.
The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
High school. For some, it’s filled with wonderful memories of making the homecoming court, scoring the winning touchdown, or winning the spelling bee. For others, it’s social awkwardness, struggling through final exam week, or a long list of poor choices. I went to Brighton High School in Michigan and graduated in nineteen…something! The best thing that happened to me in high school occurred in my senior year when I met the love of my life, an amazing girl named Heather.
The second-best memory of high school is band…symphonic band, jazz band, and most of all marching band. I played the trumpet and our trumpet section was so passionate, we made t-shirts that said, “Trumpets Jam.” I don’t have the t-shirt, but I still have the trumpet! The greatest thrill was when four of us were featured at the Detroit Lions halftime show at the old Pontiac Silverdome, hearing my name over the PA system in front of 80,000 fans (most of whom were at the concession stands or bathrooms!).
There are several texts in the Bible that mention musical instruments, but arguably the most exciting is found in today’s scripture reading. The New Living Translation of Paul’s message to the church in Corinth says,
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NLT)
There is so much we don’t know about the future, but this hopeful text reveals many things. First, transformation is coming. I’m too old to have played with Transformers, but I know of their ability to change from one thing to another. That’s the idea of transformation. A caterpillar is transformed into a…butterfly. We all realize change can be hard, especially when loss is involved, but in the case of our bodies, transformation is a beautiful thing.
Our transformed bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrected body. It will be immortal. Jesus ate after the resurrection, so we will eat…but perhaps we won’t have to count calories! There was at least one moment when Jesus seemed to defy the laws of physics and enter a room without going through a door or window.
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. (John 20:26, NLT)
That’s kind of fun! Easter is about more than just Jesus’ resurrection. It’s a preview of coming attractions for his followers, too. We will have our own resurrection day soon (well, after we die!).
Let’s compare our current bodies from our resurrected ones:
Perishable imperishable
Sown in dishonor raised in glory
Sown in weakness raised in power
Sown a natural body raised a spiritual body (1 cor. 15:35-54)
Sickness and death no sickness or death
There’s more to the transformation than just the physical flesh and blood which will decay and die. Our sinful nature is in rebellion against God. It’s not suitable for the new world that is to come, the new creation, and someday followers of Jesus will be free from sin and temptation. If we read a bit more…
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55, NLT)
I love those words. Those are fightin’ words! Death, you won’t have the last word. Your time is coming to an end. Jesus defeated you. King Jesus rules!
Paul quotes from two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah (25) and Hosea (13). But if you look at the entire library we call the Bible, you will see the themes of creation, death, and new creation. What God did in Jesus the Messiah He will do for all of Jesus’ followers. Through Jesus, we’ve been given victory over sin and death. It has been given, it will be given, and in the here and now it is being given to us.
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57, NLT)
Like much of scripture, it is a present and future reality, now and not yet. Sure, we look to the future, but don’t miss the present reality, the mission, the calling to make disciples, to love, equip, and send. Jesus didn’t come so we can go to heaven when we die. He came so we could experience moments of heaven now—Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven—and in a more complete way in the future.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
The things we do in this life matter for eternity, good or bad. Paul is saying specifically the things we do for the LORD are not in vain, they are never useless. This is an important thing for us to remember. We have a present responsibility, an opportunity today.
All this talk of resurrected bodies and new creation are wonderful…for followers of Jesus. But tragically, there is an alternative destination for those in rebellion against God. From Matthew 25 to 2 Thessalonians 1 to Revelation 20, we see judgment is coming and without Jesus as Savior, they are without hope. We must tell them. We must show them. We must proclaim good news in word and deed.
Family, one of my five prayers for us is passion…passion for the things that matter to God…passion for the lost. I have family members, friends, and neighbors I love who are facing an eternity without God. I can’t imagine such a hell! My heart aches when I think about them living without God now, too, and how they’re missing out on a life of peace, joy, and meaning.
But ministry is hard. I don’t mean professional ministry. Any ministry, any discipleship, any outreach, any investment we make in people…because people are people. They are messy. They wander. They betray. They deny. They leave. They backslide. They sin (just like all of us!). Discouragement is rampant among anyone trying to make disciples, love their neighbor as themselves. You’re heard the old adage “no good deed goes unpunished.” It’s not biblical, but it seems true sometimes.
College First, be strong. Be immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the LORD. Nothing you do for God’s Kingdom is in vain. Even if people quit your small group. Even if your ministry struggles. Even if the person you are discipling seems clueless. Even when that student you poured your life into makes poor choices. Even when your own children or grandchildren walk away from the faith. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. You matter. Your Kingdom work matters. We’re all called into the disciple-making ministry and it’s hard. It’s rarely convenient. It will stretch you and take you out of your comfort zones…but God will meet you there, and there’s nothing better than that!
I love these words from N.T. Wright:
How God will take our prayer, our art, our love, our writing, our political action, our music, our honesty, our daily work, our pastoral care, our teaching, our whole selves – how God will take this and weave its varied strands into the glorious tapestry of his new creation, we can at present have no idea. That he will do so is part of the truth of the resurrection, and perhaps one of the most comforting parts of all.
Family, I love you, and I’m so proud of you. Many of you have served around here for decades, pouring your time, talent, and treasures into God’s work here and around the world. A day is coming when you will receive your reward. It will be greater than any paycheck or new car or lottery winning. Your new body alone will be worth it, to say nothing of eternity with the LORD.
So What?
The day is coming. The trumpet will sound. The dead will be raised. We will be transformed.
We must prepare for the transformation. There will be no advance notice. It will happen suddenly…in the blink of an eye. That’s fast! Nobody knows when this event will occur, not even Jesus (so don’t waste your time with people claiming to know)!
Are you ready? Are your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers ready? The day is coming…soon. It will be a great day…for those who are ready. For the rest…not so much.
Transformation is coming soon…be encouraged, prepare, get ready! The best is yet to come!
Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates, 12 April 2026
12 04 26 Filed in: Sermons | Handel's Messiah
Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 12, 2026
Psalm 24:7-10
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Jesus is the King of kings and LORD of lords, worthy of our praise and obedience.
Our nation’s 250-year history has been one without a king. We have had presidents and governors and mayors lead us, but none of had the role of royalty.
Our text for today speaks of a king…the King…the King of kings, the King of glory. His name is Jesus.
We’re continuing our series on the lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. Our song today is entitled Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates.
In the beginning God…created…the heavens and the earth. He had a beautiful relationship with Adam and Eve until they disobeyed, sin entered the world, they hid, and were expelled from paradise. Generations later, God told Abram he would become the father of a great nation despite being childless in his nineties. Later, Moses was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land while God served as their leader, guiding them through a cloud in the daytime and fire at night as they journeyed for forty years in the wilderness. Despite many warnings, the people wanted a king because…all their neighbors had a king. God wanted to be their king, but they insisted and God gave them over to a series of kings, most of whom did great harm to the Israelites.
David was a shepherd who wrote about the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23, and he was one of the good kings…who wrote about the Great King in today’s text, the very next Psalm.
The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters. (Psalm 24:1-2)
Everything we have belongs to the LORD. We are His stewards. We worship the God who created and owns everything, including you and me!
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Literally, this is none of us, but because of Jesus, we can be made clean. Even today, God is searching for men, women, and children who have clean hands, who do no harm to others. They also have pure hearts. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” in Matthew 5:8. They also avoid idols, trusting only in God.
They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:5-6)
I pray this would be us…the generation who seeks God, those who receive salvation and redemption from Him. God will declare righteous and save those who are committed to Jesus and trust him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and body.
Now we come to today’s scripture.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:7)
What do gates and doors have to do with a king?
It is believed this psalm was used after battle when the ark of the covenant returned.
The ark—not Noah’s ark—was a sacred box containing the Ten Commandment tablets, a jar of manna God used to feed the people while they were journeying for forty years in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod. It was the most sacred object of the Israelites, so when it was
The temple doors open for the King.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)
David was a strong and mighty king, conquering the giant Goliath as a young boy and proving to be such a skilled solider that his predecessor, King Saul, felt threatened by his success. So David knows about victory, yet he is describing the Victor, the one who conquered sin and death and the cross, King Jesus. He fights our battles.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
He’s our King. He battles for us. Hallelujah!
I know the news these days is scary, with war in Iran and Israel, among other places. It’s easy to feel afraid, anxious, and worried, but our world is not ruled by presidents, prime ministers, Democrats or Republicans. King Jesus is LORD! Even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:9)
The King is coming. Are you ready? He said in the book of Revelation,
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)
I love the next verse.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)
If you think there’s repetition here, you’re right.
If you think there’s repetition here…
David did not have the options of bold, italics, underlining, or highlighting when he wrote this, so the common way to emphasize was to repeat.
Jesus is the LORD Almighty, the King of glory!
So What?
Hail to the King! He is worthy of our praise and worship, not just on Sunday, but every day.
Author and Pastor Mark E. Moore just published a book with Kyle Idleman entitled The Missing Messiah: The Jesus We Can No Longer Ignore. He said on a recent podcast,
Jesus is not your therapist. He's not your life hack. He's not your guru. He is your king. He's your Lord. And until you make him Lord, you're missing half of him.
He continues,
In the church, if you look at the history of the church, the Jews missed the Messiah because they were wanting a king. They were not expecting a savior. When the Gentiles came in, they didn't know what Messiah was. And so they translated it as Christ, but they didn't know how to define the word Christ. So they defined it as savior, not as king.
The American church, based on Gentile culture, we have made Jesus our savior and not our king. So the Jews missed him for one reason, we've missed him for another.
Someone said there are vampire Christians who only want Jesus for his blood. They want to avoid hell, but they don’t want a King, they don’t want a LORD, they don’t want to submit and surrender to God, they just want a Savior.
What about you? During this season of Eastertime, we’re celebrating the cross and the empty tomb and all that Jesus accomplished, but while it’s true that our redeemer lives, he is also King. He is LORD. A Christian is not someone who believes in historic events intellectually. They follow. Christian means “little Christ.” We’re not saved by our works, but our works validate our faith. We’re all on a journey, but true spiritual growth means becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The role of the king is to take care of his subjects.
The role of the subjects is to follow, to submit, to obey.
King Jesus knew we would not be perfect, which is why he came and died, to forgive our sins and reconcile us to the Father. But our faith is not based on morality, but a relationship…with our Creator. Our King got off the throne, became a baby, lived to die, and rose from the dead. Hallelujah!
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)
Jesus is the King of kings and LORD of lords, worthy of our praise and obedience.
Is He your King?
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 12, 2026
Psalm 24:7-10
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Jesus is the King of kings and LORD of lords, worthy of our praise and obedience.
Our nation’s 250-year history has been one without a king. We have had presidents and governors and mayors lead us, but none of had the role of royalty.
Our text for today speaks of a king…the King…the King of kings, the King of glory. His name is Jesus.
We’re continuing our series on the lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. Our song today is entitled Lift Up Your Heads O Ye Gates.
In the beginning God…created…the heavens and the earth. He had a beautiful relationship with Adam and Eve until they disobeyed, sin entered the world, they hid, and were expelled from paradise. Generations later, God told Abram he would become the father of a great nation despite being childless in his nineties. Later, Moses was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land while God served as their leader, guiding them through a cloud in the daytime and fire at night as they journeyed for forty years in the wilderness. Despite many warnings, the people wanted a king because…all their neighbors had a king. God wanted to be their king, but they insisted and God gave them over to a series of kings, most of whom did great harm to the Israelites.
David was a shepherd who wrote about the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23, and he was one of the good kings…who wrote about the Great King in today’s text, the very next Psalm.
The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters. (Psalm 24:1-2)
Everything we have belongs to the LORD. We are His stewards. We worship the God who created and owns everything, including you and me!
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Literally, this is none of us, but because of Jesus, we can be made clean. Even today, God is searching for men, women, and children who have clean hands, who do no harm to others. They also have pure hearts. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” in Matthew 5:8. They also avoid idols, trusting only in God.
They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:5-6)
I pray this would be us…the generation who seeks God, those who receive salvation and redemption from Him. God will declare righteous and save those who are committed to Jesus and trust him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and body.
Now we come to today’s scripture.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:7)
What do gates and doors have to do with a king?
It is believed this psalm was used after battle when the ark of the covenant returned.
The ark—not Noah’s ark—was a sacred box containing the Ten Commandment tablets, a jar of manna God used to feed the people while they were journeying for forty years in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod. It was the most sacred object of the Israelites, so when it was
The temple doors open for the King.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)
David was a strong and mighty king, conquering the giant Goliath as a young boy and proving to be such a skilled solider that his predecessor, King Saul, felt threatened by his success. So David knows about victory, yet he is describing the Victor, the one who conquered sin and death and the cross, King Jesus. He fights our battles.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
He’s our King. He battles for us. Hallelujah!
I know the news these days is scary, with war in Iran and Israel, among other places. It’s easy to feel afraid, anxious, and worried, but our world is not ruled by presidents, prime ministers, Democrats or Republicans. King Jesus is LORD! Even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:9)
The King is coming. Are you ready? He said in the book of Revelation,
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)
I love the next verse.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)
If you think there’s repetition here, you’re right.
If you think there’s repetition here…
David did not have the options of bold, italics, underlining, or highlighting when he wrote this, so the common way to emphasize was to repeat.
Jesus is the LORD Almighty, the King of glory!
So What?
Hail to the King! He is worthy of our praise and worship, not just on Sunday, but every day.
Author and Pastor Mark E. Moore just published a book with Kyle Idleman entitled The Missing Messiah: The Jesus We Can No Longer Ignore. He said on a recent podcast,
Jesus is not your therapist. He's not your life hack. He's not your guru. He is your king. He's your Lord. And until you make him Lord, you're missing half of him.
He continues,
In the church, if you look at the history of the church, the Jews missed the Messiah because they were wanting a king. They were not expecting a savior. When the Gentiles came in, they didn't know what Messiah was. And so they translated it as Christ, but they didn't know how to define the word Christ. So they defined it as savior, not as king.
The American church, based on Gentile culture, we have made Jesus our savior and not our king. So the Jews missed him for one reason, we've missed him for another.
Someone said there are vampire Christians who only want Jesus for his blood. They want to avoid hell, but they don’t want a King, they don’t want a LORD, they don’t want to submit and surrender to God, they just want a Savior.
What about you? During this season of Eastertime, we’re celebrating the cross and the empty tomb and all that Jesus accomplished, but while it’s true that our redeemer lives, he is also King. He is LORD. A Christian is not someone who believes in historic events intellectually. They follow. Christian means “little Christ.” We’re not saved by our works, but our works validate our faith. We’re all on a journey, but true spiritual growth means becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The role of the king is to take care of his subjects.
The role of the subjects is to follow, to submit, to obey.
King Jesus knew we would not be perfect, which is why he came and died, to forgive our sins and reconcile us to the Father. But our faith is not based on morality, but a relationship…with our Creator. Our King got off the throne, became a baby, lived to die, and rose from the dead. Hallelujah!
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)
Jesus is the King of kings and LORD of lords, worthy of our praise and obedience.
Is He your King?
My Redeemer Lives, 5 April 2026
10 04 26 Filed in: Sermons | Handel's Messiah
My Redeemer Lives
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 5, 2026
Job 19:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Because my redeemer lives, I have a living hope.
I know that my redeemer lives. What a great message for Easter, resurrection Sunday. Today is the greatest day on the Christian calendar as we remember Jesus’ horrific death on the cross was followed by his miraculous resurrection.
This past Advent, we began a message series examining the songs and lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. The first part of the magnificent work of music speaks of the Incarnation, the events of Christmastime which is why it’s commonly performed in December. But the rest of it—including the Hallelujah Chorus—is about the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Messiah with glimpses of the future.
Our world is a mess…would you agree? Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, sin and evil have been wreaking havoc, whether it’s violence, racism, abuse, addiction, greed, adultery, or any number of things that steal, kill, and destroy. It’s nothing new. What makes things seem so bad, I believe, is the 24/7 news cycle that is constantly screaming through our screens. We know too much!
Because humans made a mess of the world, Jesus came as a baby to fix things, to ultimately die, to take the punishment you and I deserve for our sins, our pride, our rebellion. Jesus is our redeemer…and I know that my redeemer lives.
Redeemer is one of those churchy, biblical words you rarely hear in our culture, but it’s incredible.
To redeem is to exchange. We redeem gift cards, for example. Another meaning of redeem is to pay off, like a debt or promissory note.
Is there anyone perfect here? You’ve never told a white lie, cheated, lusted, driven over the speed limit…!!! We’ve all sinned—missed the mark—and according to God we must be penalized. That’s only fair, right? A simple example would be paying a parking ticket.
Imagine you received a ticket from God for every sin you committed, every bad deed, every failure to love well, every evil thought. That would be an expensive ticket, right?! How would you feel about paying it? It would be impossible!
Now imagine Jesus comes along and says, “I’ll pay it.” How would that make you feel?
That’s redemption. That’s a redeemer. That’s grace…unmerited favor. And it’s available to everyone one of you. You can choose to suffer yourself and be punished for your sins or say yes to Jesus and let him pay the bill, let him be your redeemer.
One of the most famous of the ancient scriptures says,
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
About 2000 years ago Jesus died on a cross in Jerusalem…though he did nothing wrong.
When Jesus rose from the dead—and hundreds of people saw his resurrected body—he proved his love. He proved his power. He proved his sacrifice was sufficient. Paul, who wrote much of the Bible, said,
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, NLT)
“Belongs to Christ” simply means they say yes to Jesus. The simple prayer is, “Jesus, I give you my life.”
If you’re like me, you probably like to be in control. You don’t want to follow, you want to lead. But how’s that working out for you? Are you experiencing a life of freedom? Peace? Joy? Satisfaction? Contentment?
The culture says to pursue happiness, and we usually do so through money, power, and pleasure, but I haven’t found anything or anyone that offers true meaning and purpose than Jesus. He’s fully God, yet fully human, the perfect example of what it means to be human…and the one I want to lead my life.
Our song from Handel’s Messiah is curious because although it declares, “My redeemer lives,” those words were taken from the book of Job, written hundreds—if not thousands—of years before Jesus died and rose from the dead.
It’s the story of a righteous man whose faith is tested by a variety of tragedies and pain, from physical suffering to the loss of his children. Job is honest about his suffering and how he feels about God’s testing. Then he adds,
My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family. (Job 19:17)
Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. (Job 19:18)
All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. (Job 19:19)
I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. (Job 19:20)
“Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. (Job 19:21)
Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? (Job 19:22)
Have you ever felt like that? We all have stories of hurt and suffering. I’ve suffered. My family has suffered. We’ve been through many long, hard seasons including nine years of treatments across the country with a sick child. For months, one of our children lived at the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland with me while my wife was in Ann Arbor with our other two kids during the week. Heather and I would switch on weekends, passing one another on the Ohio Turnpike. The relational, physical, and financial challenges were overwhelming, and as the years dragged on, I could relate to Job, a little bit. It felt like God was out to get us or at least forgot us, at times, though our story was not over…and neither is yours.
A few verses after expressing all of his anguish, Job declares,
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (Job 19:25)
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:26-27)
I know that my redeemer lives. Job had hope that the Messiah would come. He knew his story—and HiStory—was not over.
Job wrote centuries before Jesus walked the earth. While we can view his words as somewhat prophetic, he had no knowledge of the Messiah’s death and resurrection. He was not only on the other side of Easter, Job was on the other side of Christmas! But even in his agony, he had faith to believe God would eventually intervene, that he would be vindicated, that whether in life or death, he would see God.
I know that my redeemer lives.
If Jesus remained dead, there would be no reason for faith. We would have no hope. Death would win.
But he is risen! He is risen indeed!
So What?
Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow
Because Jesus lives, all fear is gone.
When we trust him rather than ourselves, we can rest, experience forgiveness, and know peace.
Do you know God loves you? No matter who you are or what you’ve done, God loves you…so much that He proved His love by sending Jesus to die as your redeemer, to pay the penalty of your sins…and mine.
Do you know Jesus died and rose from the dead? That’s the foundation of the Christian faith. It’s not about a religion or politics, but the person of Jesus.
Do you know Jesus is your redeemer? If not, today can be the day you say yes to Jesus, the day you choose to follow him, the day to allow him to pay the bill and lead your life. You’ll never regret it.
My hope is not in my talents, my wealth, or my wisdom. It’s not in technology, our government, or the stock market. The only real hope I’ve found came through a cross and an empty tomb, a death and a resurrection. I know that my redeemer lives, and because he lives, I have hope. Jesus is my living hope. Is he yours?
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
April 5, 2026
Job 19:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: Because my redeemer lives, I have a living hope.
I know that my redeemer lives. What a great message for Easter, resurrection Sunday. Today is the greatest day on the Christian calendar as we remember Jesus’ horrific death on the cross was followed by his miraculous resurrection.
This past Advent, we began a message series examining the songs and lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. The first part of the magnificent work of music speaks of the Incarnation, the events of Christmastime which is why it’s commonly performed in December. But the rest of it—including the Hallelujah Chorus—is about the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Messiah with glimpses of the future.
Our world is a mess…would you agree? Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, sin and evil have been wreaking havoc, whether it’s violence, racism, abuse, addiction, greed, adultery, or any number of things that steal, kill, and destroy. It’s nothing new. What makes things seem so bad, I believe, is the 24/7 news cycle that is constantly screaming through our screens. We know too much!
Because humans made a mess of the world, Jesus came as a baby to fix things, to ultimately die, to take the punishment you and I deserve for our sins, our pride, our rebellion. Jesus is our redeemer…and I know that my redeemer lives.
Redeemer is one of those churchy, biblical words you rarely hear in our culture, but it’s incredible.
To redeem is to exchange. We redeem gift cards, for example. Another meaning of redeem is to pay off, like a debt or promissory note.
Is there anyone perfect here? You’ve never told a white lie, cheated, lusted, driven over the speed limit…!!! We’ve all sinned—missed the mark—and according to God we must be penalized. That’s only fair, right? A simple example would be paying a parking ticket.
Imagine you received a ticket from God for every sin you committed, every bad deed, every failure to love well, every evil thought. That would be an expensive ticket, right?! How would you feel about paying it? It would be impossible!
Now imagine Jesus comes along and says, “I’ll pay it.” How would that make you feel?
That’s redemption. That’s a redeemer. That’s grace…unmerited favor. And it’s available to everyone one of you. You can choose to suffer yourself and be punished for your sins or say yes to Jesus and let him pay the bill, let him be your redeemer.
One of the most famous of the ancient scriptures says,
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
About 2000 years ago Jesus died on a cross in Jerusalem…though he did nothing wrong.
When Jesus rose from the dead—and hundreds of people saw his resurrected body—he proved his love. He proved his power. He proved his sacrifice was sufficient. Paul, who wrote much of the Bible, said,
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, NLT)
“Belongs to Christ” simply means they say yes to Jesus. The simple prayer is, “Jesus, I give you my life.”
If you’re like me, you probably like to be in control. You don’t want to follow, you want to lead. But how’s that working out for you? Are you experiencing a life of freedom? Peace? Joy? Satisfaction? Contentment?
The culture says to pursue happiness, and we usually do so through money, power, and pleasure, but I haven’t found anything or anyone that offers true meaning and purpose than Jesus. He’s fully God, yet fully human, the perfect example of what it means to be human…and the one I want to lead my life.
Our song from Handel’s Messiah is curious because although it declares, “My redeemer lives,” those words were taken from the book of Job, written hundreds—if not thousands—of years before Jesus died and rose from the dead.
It’s the story of a righteous man whose faith is tested by a variety of tragedies and pain, from physical suffering to the loss of his children. Job is honest about his suffering and how he feels about God’s testing. Then he adds,
My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family. (Job 19:17)
Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. (Job 19:18)
All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. (Job 19:19)
I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. (Job 19:20)
“Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. (Job 19:21)
Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? (Job 19:22)
Have you ever felt like that? We all have stories of hurt and suffering. I’ve suffered. My family has suffered. We’ve been through many long, hard seasons including nine years of treatments across the country with a sick child. For months, one of our children lived at the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland with me while my wife was in Ann Arbor with our other two kids during the week. Heather and I would switch on weekends, passing one another on the Ohio Turnpike. The relational, physical, and financial challenges were overwhelming, and as the years dragged on, I could relate to Job, a little bit. It felt like God was out to get us or at least forgot us, at times, though our story was not over…and neither is yours.
A few verses after expressing all of his anguish, Job declares,
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. (Job 19:25)
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:26-27)
I know that my redeemer lives. Job had hope that the Messiah would come. He knew his story—and HiStory—was not over.
Job wrote centuries before Jesus walked the earth. While we can view his words as somewhat prophetic, he had no knowledge of the Messiah’s death and resurrection. He was not only on the other side of Easter, Job was on the other side of Christmas! But even in his agony, he had faith to believe God would eventually intervene, that he would be vindicated, that whether in life or death, he would see God.
I know that my redeemer lives.
If Jesus remained dead, there would be no reason for faith. We would have no hope. Death would win.
But he is risen! He is risen indeed!
So What?
Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow
Because Jesus lives, all fear is gone.
When we trust him rather than ourselves, we can rest, experience forgiveness, and know peace.
Do you know God loves you? No matter who you are or what you’ve done, God loves you…so much that He proved His love by sending Jesus to die as your redeemer, to pay the penalty of your sins…and mine.
Do you know Jesus died and rose from the dead? That’s the foundation of the Christian faith. It’s not about a religion or politics, but the person of Jesus.
Do you know Jesus is your redeemer? If not, today can be the day you say yes to Jesus, the day you choose to follow him, the day to allow him to pay the bill and lead your life. You’ll never regret it.
My hope is not in my talents, my wealth, or my wisdom. It’s not in technology, our government, or the stock market. The only real hope I’ve found came through a cross and an empty tomb, a death and a resurrection. I know that my redeemer lives, and because he lives, I have hope. Jesus is my living hope. Is he yours?
God's Will, 22 March 2026
God’s Will for Your Life
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Why?
March 22, 2026
Proverbs 3:1-7
Series Big Idea: It’s natural to ask God, “Why?” but He’s up to something.
Series Scripture: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Big Idea: It is wise to seek God’s will for your life.
Author Mark Twain said the two most important days are the day you are born and the day you figure out…why.
One of the most common questions I get as a pastor is, “How do I know God’s will?” I’d be the first person to say I sometimes wish God would simply send me a text or an e-mail, but He has given us something far greater…if you’re willing to seek it.
Do you have a life verse? A favorite passage of the Bible? A quote that serves as your north star? Mine was selected decades ago and it has guided me better than any GPS. Today during our “Why?” series, we’re examining God’s Will for Your Life.
In the most famous prayer in history, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, “Your will be done.” But how do we know God’s will? Romans chapter 12 gives us a clear answer, but I want to work backwards. Verse two ends
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2b)
God’s will is good, and pleasing, and perfect. As I said last week, Daddy knows best. He can be trusted in all things. He’s not mad at you, He’s madly in love with you! He’s not out to get you, He wants to get to know you! My favorite passage of the Bible is found in our scripture reading for today. The first verses of Proverbs chapter three contain several “do not” commands, every one of which is a command in the same grammatical structure as the Ten Commandments. My favorite verses within the section say,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I’m living proof of this truth. Even though I haven’t always trusted and followed God, it has been my aspiration, my desire. He has guided me to places I never imagined (can you say ‘Ohio?’) and has never failed me, even when I have failed. The journey has not always been easy or comfortable, but I wouldn’t trade the adventure for anything. Perhaps the greatest thing is the peace and satisfaction of being led by God. When things have gotten rough—and they have—I’ve said, “God, You led me here and You’ve got to lead me through.” He has been so faithful! Hallelujah!
So how do we know God’s will? Back to Romans, the first part of verse two says,
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Does the world have influence over you? Absolutely! Even if you were to move to the middle of nowhere with no phone, tv, or Internet, you would surely experience temptation. What is the pattern of this world? Paul wrote,
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
We are bombarded by these things in our entertainment, advertising, neighbors, and culture. It’s the way of the world. We need to put it to death!
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Be transformed by the renewing of our mind? How do we do that? Let’s back up one more verse.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
What’s the therefore there for? Romans chapter 11 ends with a doxology that declares God’s wisdom, knowledge, justice, creation, and sovereignty.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36b)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
Therefore we are to submit our bodies—and everything else—to God. Followers of Jesus surrender their rights to Christ. Our bodies belong to the LORD. We are temples where He dwells. How’s your temple? How are you treating it? This is especially true in a sex-crazed culture where immorality runs rampant—even among those who call themselves Christians. The invitation from Jesus is to die—to our sin, our pride, our selfish living—and be resurrected with him, experiencing righteousness, justice, and peace. We renew our mind by studying the Bible, guarding our eyes and ears and heart, and seeking first God’s Kingdom rather than our own.
Taken as a whole, these two verses are loaded! They’re challenging. But they are a path to understanding God’s will. If you really want to know it, you begin by aligning your heart, soul, body and mind with godliness, not the world. Usually that means doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing. It can be lonely. This is why we need to fellowship with one another, encourage one another, love and support one another as we live radical, countercultural lives. If your life doesn’t seem different to what everyone else is doing, you might not be doing it God’s way. Let me be clear, I don’t always get this right, either, but…
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
This is a beautiful vision of us—the Church! Love, good deeds, encouragement…
I know some of you simply can’t be here in-person, but if you can gather with us on Sundays, in small groups during the week, and at special events, you will be blessed…and your presence will bless others.
(By the way, we have a little gathering coming up in two weeks. I hope you will all be there…with friends! If not, please pray, pray, pray that God will use this celebration to draw men, women, and children to Himself.)
Back to this issue of calling, our calling is often the intersection of our gifts, our passions, and the world’s needs. What are you good at? What do you love to do? How can that impact the world, near or far? These may give us clues, but it may take years to discover and/or experience. Then again,
there may be more than one calling for our lives. This may be true over the course of our lives. I used to be in sales, then music, now pastoring. My friend Bill went from physical therapist to CFO! Young people, you will likely have multiple careers—which is not always the same as calling, but they often align.
If you’re still trying to figure it out, don’t rush the process. Be faithful in the small things. Memorize Romans 12:1-2. Following Jesus is not a puzzle to solve. It’s a lifelong journey with Christ, being guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
The quest for clarity should result in intimacy with God. Seek and you will find. The goal is not landing the perfect job or even understanding the Bible like a scholar but knowing Jesus.
The quest for clarity should result in intimacy with God. Discern with others. This is why we need to get together. I often say when Heather and I agree on a decision, it is usually God’s will. This is not to say we often disagree nor is it a guarantee, but we need to be on the same page before things such as a relocation or a job change. One friend said to his wife, “God told me to plant a church.” Her reply was respectfully, “When He tells me, we’ll do it.” He wisely waited several years until she said she heard from the LORD. They have been leading their “new” church together for almost sixteen years. Timing is everything. Had he gone ahead, I’m not sure the church and/or their marriage would be intact. Maybe it is God’s will for you to be married, have kids, or move to Hawaii…but it might be years into the future. Remember, God has all the time in the world!
I have a discipleship Huddle with a group of men where I ask three questions:
a. What is God saying to you?
b. What are you going to do about it?
c. How can we help?
We discern together because sometimes we are biased. Wise counsel is…wise!
So What?
It is wise to seek God’s will for your life. Knowing God’s will starts with God, not with us. You can tell God what you want, but if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
I think this is what inspired Saint Augustine to say something like, “Love God and do what you want.”
There are few “guarantees” in life or with our choices, but God is gracious and kind. Even when we make an unwise choice, He will redeem the decision, guiding us back onto the path if we’re willing to seek first His Kingdom. His arms are always wide open.
Why were you born? Ultimately you were created to know God, make Him known to others, and bring Him glory. You and I were made to worship…with our voices and with our lives. I challenge you this week to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He’s worth it! Amen.
Reflection Questions
What is your life verse(s)?
How has it guided you?
What brings you joy?
What gifts has God given to you?
What is your life purpose?
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Why?
March 22, 2026
Proverbs 3:1-7
Series Big Idea: It’s natural to ask God, “Why?” but He’s up to something.
Series Scripture: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Big Idea: It is wise to seek God’s will for your life.
Author Mark Twain said the two most important days are the day you are born and the day you figure out…why.
One of the most common questions I get as a pastor is, “How do I know God’s will?” I’d be the first person to say I sometimes wish God would simply send me a text or an e-mail, but He has given us something far greater…if you’re willing to seek it.
Do you have a life verse? A favorite passage of the Bible? A quote that serves as your north star? Mine was selected decades ago and it has guided me better than any GPS. Today during our “Why?” series, we’re examining God’s Will for Your Life.
In the most famous prayer in history, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, “Your will be done.” But how do we know God’s will? Romans chapter 12 gives us a clear answer, but I want to work backwards. Verse two ends
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2b)
God’s will is good, and pleasing, and perfect. As I said last week, Daddy knows best. He can be trusted in all things. He’s not mad at you, He’s madly in love with you! He’s not out to get you, He wants to get to know you! My favorite passage of the Bible is found in our scripture reading for today. The first verses of Proverbs chapter three contain several “do not” commands, every one of which is a command in the same grammatical structure as the Ten Commandments. My favorite verses within the section say,
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I’m living proof of this truth. Even though I haven’t always trusted and followed God, it has been my aspiration, my desire. He has guided me to places I never imagined (can you say ‘Ohio?’) and has never failed me, even when I have failed. The journey has not always been easy or comfortable, but I wouldn’t trade the adventure for anything. Perhaps the greatest thing is the peace and satisfaction of being led by God. When things have gotten rough—and they have—I’ve said, “God, You led me here and You’ve got to lead me through.” He has been so faithful! Hallelujah!
So how do we know God’s will? Back to Romans, the first part of verse two says,
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Does the world have influence over you? Absolutely! Even if you were to move to the middle of nowhere with no phone, tv, or Internet, you would surely experience temptation. What is the pattern of this world? Paul wrote,
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)
We are bombarded by these things in our entertainment, advertising, neighbors, and culture. It’s the way of the world. We need to put it to death!
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Be transformed by the renewing of our mind? How do we do that? Let’s back up one more verse.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
What’s the therefore there for? Romans chapter 11 ends with a doxology that declares God’s wisdom, knowledge, justice, creation, and sovereignty.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36b)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
Therefore we are to submit our bodies—and everything else—to God. Followers of Jesus surrender their rights to Christ. Our bodies belong to the LORD. We are temples where He dwells. How’s your temple? How are you treating it? This is especially true in a sex-crazed culture where immorality runs rampant—even among those who call themselves Christians. The invitation from Jesus is to die—to our sin, our pride, our selfish living—and be resurrected with him, experiencing righteousness, justice, and peace. We renew our mind by studying the Bible, guarding our eyes and ears and heart, and seeking first God’s Kingdom rather than our own.
Taken as a whole, these two verses are loaded! They’re challenging. But they are a path to understanding God’s will. If you really want to know it, you begin by aligning your heart, soul, body and mind with godliness, not the world. Usually that means doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing. It can be lonely. This is why we need to fellowship with one another, encourage one another, love and support one another as we live radical, countercultural lives. If your life doesn’t seem different to what everyone else is doing, you might not be doing it God’s way. Let me be clear, I don’t always get this right, either, but…
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
This is a beautiful vision of us—the Church! Love, good deeds, encouragement…
I know some of you simply can’t be here in-person, but if you can gather with us on Sundays, in small groups during the week, and at special events, you will be blessed…and your presence will bless others.
(By the way, we have a little gathering coming up in two weeks. I hope you will all be there…with friends! If not, please pray, pray, pray that God will use this celebration to draw men, women, and children to Himself.)
Back to this issue of calling, our calling is often the intersection of our gifts, our passions, and the world’s needs. What are you good at? What do you love to do? How can that impact the world, near or far? These may give us clues, but it may take years to discover and/or experience. Then again,
there may be more than one calling for our lives. This may be true over the course of our lives. I used to be in sales, then music, now pastoring. My friend Bill went from physical therapist to CFO! Young people, you will likely have multiple careers—which is not always the same as calling, but they often align.
If you’re still trying to figure it out, don’t rush the process. Be faithful in the small things. Memorize Romans 12:1-2. Following Jesus is not a puzzle to solve. It’s a lifelong journey with Christ, being guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
The quest for clarity should result in intimacy with God. Seek and you will find. The goal is not landing the perfect job or even understanding the Bible like a scholar but knowing Jesus.
The quest for clarity should result in intimacy with God. Discern with others. This is why we need to get together. I often say when Heather and I agree on a decision, it is usually God’s will. This is not to say we often disagree nor is it a guarantee, but we need to be on the same page before things such as a relocation or a job change. One friend said to his wife, “God told me to plant a church.” Her reply was respectfully, “When He tells me, we’ll do it.” He wisely waited several years until she said she heard from the LORD. They have been leading their “new” church together for almost sixteen years. Timing is everything. Had he gone ahead, I’m not sure the church and/or their marriage would be intact. Maybe it is God’s will for you to be married, have kids, or move to Hawaii…but it might be years into the future. Remember, God has all the time in the world!
I have a discipleship Huddle with a group of men where I ask three questions:
a. What is God saying to you?
b. What are you going to do about it?
c. How can we help?
We discern together because sometimes we are biased. Wise counsel is…wise!
So What?
It is wise to seek God’s will for your life. Knowing God’s will starts with God, not with us. You can tell God what you want, but if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
I think this is what inspired Saint Augustine to say something like, “Love God and do what you want.”
There are few “guarantees” in life or with our choices, but God is gracious and kind. Even when we make an unwise choice, He will redeem the decision, guiding us back onto the path if we’re willing to seek first His Kingdom. His arms are always wide open.
Why were you born? Ultimately you were created to know God, make Him known to others, and bring Him glory. You and I were made to worship…with our voices and with our lives. I challenge you this week to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He’s worth it! Amen.
Reflection Questions
What is your life verse(s)?
How has it guided you?
What brings you joy?
What gifts has God given to you?
What is your life purpose?