Meek, 19 January 2025
19 01 25 Filed in: Sermons | Blessed: The Beatitudes
Blessed are the Meek
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 19, 2025
Matthew 5:5
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: The humble who use their power to bless others will be blessed.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:5
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word power? Is it a corrupt politician? Perhaps it’s something you’re seeking. It could be a force like electricity or even a tornado.
Someone once said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But is it possible to use power well rather than abuse it?
My name is Kirk, and today we’re continuing our series on the Beatitudes—the blessings announced by Jesus. We’re in Matthew’s Gospel, or “good news,” chapter five.
The Beatitudes taught by Jesus are not instructions to follow or achievements to unlock. They are simple statements of reality, announcing what God is doing and declaring truths about our present world and the future. Many of them express prophetic imagination—a vision of the world to come when there will be no tears, pain, or suffering.
So far in the series we have examined:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
Our text for today says:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Meek is an uncommon word in modern vocabulary. What does meek mean?
Meek might conjure up images of weakness, frailty, or powerlessness. One definition describes the meek as “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed upon; submissive.” But are the doormats of the world going to inherit the earth? Hardly!
It seems hard to imagine the weak inheriting the earth. But that’s not what Jesus is saying. Meekness is not weakness; it’s the opposite. The original Greek word for meek, praus, means “power under control.” It was used to describe a trained horse, one capable of immense power yet disciplined for its rider’s benefit. A wild horse does what it pleases, but a broken horse channels its strength for good.
Meekness manifests in our lives as self-control. Have you ever met someone who lacked self-control? We often call such behavior childish because children tend to act selfishly, seeking immediate gratification. Sadly, many adults prioritize their own needs and desires without regard for others.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Professor D.A. Carson defines meekness as “a controlled desire to see the other’s interests advance ahead of one’s own.”
One of the Bible’s most challenging verses states:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Meekness is not passive; it is others-centered. For example, the meek may feel anger, but not for personal slights. Instead, their anger is stirred by injustice against others. We should be angered by sex trafficking and domestic violence. We should advocate for the unborn, the marginalized, and the voiceless. This is power used wisely, not for self-service but to bless others.
So, what does it look like to use power for others’ benefit? Any oppressed group—workers in sweatshops, persecuted Christians, victims of prejudice—needs advocates with the power to bring change. Andy Crouch, in his book Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, defines power as “the ability to make something of the world…to participate in the sense-making process unique to humans.”
Let me say again meekness is not passive. It engages, speaks, up, uses influence and power for the benefit of others. Who in our world could use help? Who in our city could use help? I must confess it’s easy for me to look the other way or wait for someone else to meet the needs of others.
Perhaps you have a memory of elementary school where a student was bullied, ignored, or teased. Did you do anything? Did you speak up? Did you sit with the new kid in the cafeteria? Did you defend the needy?
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
This idea stands in stark contrast to our materialistic, self-serving culture. The Message translation puts it this way:
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” (Matthew 5:5, The Message)
One blessing of meekness is contentment. Why do we constantly want more? Comparison kills contentment. When our focus shifts to what others have, we lose sight of what God has given us. Anything we desire more than God becomes an idol.
Power, like money, isn’t inherently bad. It’s a gift that can be used selfishly or generously. We all have power—through our reputations, resources, relationships, opportunities, education, and experience. The question is: will we use our power to benefit ourselves or others?
Who do you know that used power wisely? Two that come to mind for me are Abraham Lincoln and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose legacy we celebrate tomorrow as a nation. Both Lincoln and King were humans. They made mistakes. They were sinners. But they paid a tremendous price—their own lives—using their power, platform, and influence to serve others. There were much easier paths for them to take, but is my understanding that in their meekness they were selflessly blessing others.
I don’t believe it’s God’s will for every one of His followers to be a martyr, though David Barrett estimates 45 million Christians were martyred in the 20th century for their faith and today countless of our brothers and sisters in Christ are imprisoned, tortured, and murdered for their faith in Jesus, a freedom we often take for granted in this country.
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do…We are to leave everything—ourselves, our rights, our cause, our whole future—in the hands of God.”
Abraham displayed meekness by letting Lot choose the better land. Moses, despite being attacked and criticized, prayed for his people. The greatest model of meekness, however, is Jesus. He said:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:43-45)
This is not the American Dream, family. It’s not who dies with the most toys wins, stand up for my rights, do it my way, or look out for number one. Some people think they can put a little Jesus onto the American Dream like whipped cream on hot cocoa, but that’s not the invitation. The invitation is to die to your pride, humble yourself, and serve others through God’s strength. It’s radical, and I must confess my life is not radical enough. I’m selfish. I’m prideful. I want to be happy and safe and comfortable, but that’s not what I signed up for when I surrendered my life to Jesus.
Jesus, with all power in heaven and earth, chose to serve and sacrifice himself for us. He demonstrated the ultimate act of meekness. And He says, “Follow me.”
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
What does it mean to inherit the earth? For first-century Jews, it meant Israel—their promised land. For us, it points to the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation 21. Jesus promises that the meek will inherit the earth…and be blessed, have God’s favor and presence.
So What?
We all possess power, whether through our wealth, education, or influence. The question is how we use it. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we’re called to follow Jesus and serve others.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
One of my doctoral professors, Scot McKnight, said,
“The “meek” are those who suffer and who have been humbled, and yet they do not seek revenge but God’s glory and the welfare of others. In other words, they lovingly trust God and hope in God’s timing and God’s justice.”
The meek experience contentment and will one day enjoy their eternal inheritance. Let us use our power to glorify God and bless others, living as citizens of His upside-down kingdom. In doing so, we will be blessed and experience God’s presence and favor.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project, Dr. Matt Carter.
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 19, 2025
Matthew 5:5
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: The humble who use their power to bless others will be blessed.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:5
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word power? Is it a corrupt politician? Perhaps it’s something you’re seeking. It could be a force like electricity or even a tornado.
Someone once said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But is it possible to use power well rather than abuse it?
My name is Kirk, and today we’re continuing our series on the Beatitudes—the blessings announced by Jesus. We’re in Matthew’s Gospel, or “good news,” chapter five.
The Beatitudes taught by Jesus are not instructions to follow or achievements to unlock. They are simple statements of reality, announcing what God is doing and declaring truths about our present world and the future. Many of them express prophetic imagination—a vision of the world to come when there will be no tears, pain, or suffering.
So far in the series we have examined:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
Our text for today says:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Meek is an uncommon word in modern vocabulary. What does meek mean?
Meek might conjure up images of weakness, frailty, or powerlessness. One definition describes the meek as “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed upon; submissive.” But are the doormats of the world going to inherit the earth? Hardly!
It seems hard to imagine the weak inheriting the earth. But that’s not what Jesus is saying. Meekness is not weakness; it’s the opposite. The original Greek word for meek, praus, means “power under control.” It was used to describe a trained horse, one capable of immense power yet disciplined for its rider’s benefit. A wild horse does what it pleases, but a broken horse channels its strength for good.
Meekness manifests in our lives as self-control. Have you ever met someone who lacked self-control? We often call such behavior childish because children tend to act selfishly, seeking immediate gratification. Sadly, many adults prioritize their own needs and desires without regard for others.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Professor D.A. Carson defines meekness as “a controlled desire to see the other’s interests advance ahead of one’s own.”
One of the Bible’s most challenging verses states:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Meekness is not passive; it is others-centered. For example, the meek may feel anger, but not for personal slights. Instead, their anger is stirred by injustice against others. We should be angered by sex trafficking and domestic violence. We should advocate for the unborn, the marginalized, and the voiceless. This is power used wisely, not for self-service but to bless others.
So, what does it look like to use power for others’ benefit? Any oppressed group—workers in sweatshops, persecuted Christians, victims of prejudice—needs advocates with the power to bring change. Andy Crouch, in his book Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, defines power as “the ability to make something of the world…to participate in the sense-making process unique to humans.”
Let me say again meekness is not passive. It engages, speaks, up, uses influence and power for the benefit of others. Who in our world could use help? Who in our city could use help? I must confess it’s easy for me to look the other way or wait for someone else to meet the needs of others.
Perhaps you have a memory of elementary school where a student was bullied, ignored, or teased. Did you do anything? Did you speak up? Did you sit with the new kid in the cafeteria? Did you defend the needy?
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
This idea stands in stark contrast to our materialistic, self-serving culture. The Message translation puts it this way:
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” (Matthew 5:5, The Message)
One blessing of meekness is contentment. Why do we constantly want more? Comparison kills contentment. When our focus shifts to what others have, we lose sight of what God has given us. Anything we desire more than God becomes an idol.
Power, like money, isn’t inherently bad. It’s a gift that can be used selfishly or generously. We all have power—through our reputations, resources, relationships, opportunities, education, and experience. The question is: will we use our power to benefit ourselves or others?
Who do you know that used power wisely? Two that come to mind for me are Abraham Lincoln and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose legacy we celebrate tomorrow as a nation. Both Lincoln and King were humans. They made mistakes. They were sinners. But they paid a tremendous price—their own lives—using their power, platform, and influence to serve others. There were much easier paths for them to take, but is my understanding that in their meekness they were selflessly blessing others.
I don’t believe it’s God’s will for every one of His followers to be a martyr, though David Barrett estimates 45 million Christians were martyred in the 20th century for their faith and today countless of our brothers and sisters in Christ are imprisoned, tortured, and murdered for their faith in Jesus, a freedom we often take for granted in this country.
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do…We are to leave everything—ourselves, our rights, our cause, our whole future—in the hands of God.”
Abraham displayed meekness by letting Lot choose the better land. Moses, despite being attacked and criticized, prayed for his people. The greatest model of meekness, however, is Jesus. He said:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:43-45)
This is not the American Dream, family. It’s not who dies with the most toys wins, stand up for my rights, do it my way, or look out for number one. Some people think they can put a little Jesus onto the American Dream like whipped cream on hot cocoa, but that’s not the invitation. The invitation is to die to your pride, humble yourself, and serve others through God’s strength. It’s radical, and I must confess my life is not radical enough. I’m selfish. I’m prideful. I want to be happy and safe and comfortable, but that’s not what I signed up for when I surrendered my life to Jesus.
Jesus, with all power in heaven and earth, chose to serve and sacrifice himself for us. He demonstrated the ultimate act of meekness. And He says, “Follow me.”
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
What does it mean to inherit the earth? For first-century Jews, it meant Israel—their promised land. For us, it points to the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation 21. Jesus promises that the meek will inherit the earth…and be blessed, have God’s favor and presence.
So What?
We all possess power, whether through our wealth, education, or influence. The question is how we use it. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we’re called to follow Jesus and serve others.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
One of my doctoral professors, Scot McKnight, said,
“The “meek” are those who suffer and who have been humbled, and yet they do not seek revenge but God’s glory and the welfare of others. In other words, they lovingly trust God and hope in God’s timing and God’s justice.”
The meek experience contentment and will one day enjoy their eternal inheritance. Let us use our power to glorify God and bless others, living as citizens of His upside-down kingdom. In doing so, we will be blessed and experience God’s presence and favor.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project, Dr. Matt Carter.
Mourn, 12 January 2025
12 01 25 Filed in: Sermons | Blessed: The Beatitudes
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 12, 2025
Matthew 5:4
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: We are blessed and comforted when we mourn and mourn with others.
Life is full of loss. It might be a job, your health, or your marriage. Take a moment to think about your greatest loss. I know—it’s not the most uplifting way to begin today! But really, what is your greatest loss? An athlete might think of a championship they nearly won. A child might recall the death of a beloved pet. For others, it could be the loss of a spouse, a child, or even one’s memory. In California, it might be a house. Loss is universal. And unless it involves weight, we’re usually not fond of loss.
As we continue our series on the Beatitudes, Blessed, we’re going to explore what Jesus said about loss and grief. It’s a weighty subject, yet Jesus offers hope and encouragement for those who mourn. Perhaps this is exactly what you need to hear today.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, NIV)
This world is undeniably broken. Although God created a beautiful universe for us to enjoy, humanity’s pride, rebellion, and sin have marred it, leaving us with a world full of problems.
How do we respond to loss? Some of us were taught, “Big boys don’t cry.” Some cultures bury emotions in silence, while others openly weep and wail.
When I think of wailing, I’m reminded of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, also called the Western Wall. It’s the only remaining part of the Jewish Temple, destroyed in 70 AD, and is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. It’s called the Wailing Wall because of the lamentations over the Temple’s destruction. More than a million prayers, written on slips of paper, are placed into its crevices each year—a poignant image of grief and hope intertwined.
Grieving is essential to life. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us:
"There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
Talking about grief, mourning, and loss can make us uncomfortable. Yet, Jesus calls those who mourn “blessed.” How can this make sense? Last week, we discussed the Greek word makarios, meaning “happy, fortunate, well-off, supremely blest.” It seems paradoxical. Imagine walking into a funeral home and telling the grieving families they are blessed. It feels counterintuitive.
But here’s the truth: blessing is not about ease or pleasure. It’s about experiencing God’s presence and favor. Sometimes, God allows us to lose what we hold dear—not to punish us, but to draw us closer to Him. These moments remind us that when God is all we have, we realize He is all we need.
Loss is painful. It leaves scars that often never fully heal. Yet, even in loss, we can experience the presence and favor of God. The psalmist declares:
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
That sounds so sweet, doesn’t it? What poet wrote those words? They were probably sitting in a meadow on a sunny, spring afternoon trying to encourage a suffering friend, right? Hardly! This is the writing of David while he was being hunted by King Saul!
Psalm 34 is a powerful song of God’s deliverance in the midst of agony. The verse before eighteen says,
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Perhaps most remarkable of all is how the psalm begins:
I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:1-4)
Remember, this is from a man fleeing for his life! David realized despite his problematic circumstance, God was present and worthy of worship. This is one reason we sing at funerals. We are to remember He remains worthy. We might not understand, but by faith we can trust He has a plan.
Another psalm declares,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
This is a promise, church family. I know there are moments where it might not feel like God is present, but He is with us…always…but especially when we call upon Him, when we cry out and admit we need help.
Eugene Peterson paraphrased Jesus’ words beautifully in The Message:
"You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4, The Message)
Jesus promises comfort for those who mourn. The word translated “comforted” is parakaleo, closely related to parakletos, the term Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.
While I can’t imagine anything better than being in the presence of Jesus himself, he told his disciples,
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
We recently celebrated Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus walked our planet for about 33 years, but when he ascended into heaven, he didn’t leave us high and dry. He sent the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts, and the Holy Spirit is living inside every follower of Jesus. When we mourn, we open our hearts to the Comforter’s work in our lives. God meets us in our pain, often through His Spirit, and sometimes through His people.
Paul writes in Romans:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Loving well means entering into the joy and pain of others. Mourning with others can feel awkward, leaving us unsure of what to say or do. Often, the best gift we can offer is our presence. Silence can be golden. We are to mourn with those who mourn, not necessarily advise them! Remember Job’s friends? When they tried to explain his suffering, they only added to his pain. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Simply being present—a hug, a card, or a kind gesture—can bring deep healing.
Jewish tradition embraces this beautifully through sitting shiva, a seven-day mourning period after a burial. Loved ones sit together, sharing memories and grief. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of community in times of sorrow.
Family, we need one another. We need to mourn with one another, rejoice with one another, pray for one another, and perhaps most of all be present for one another. Jesus came as Emmanuel—God with us—and when we are present for others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We are Jesus with skin on! What a blessing!
Mourning Our Sin
There’s another kind of mourning we must not overlook—mourning over our sins. We all sin. We harm others, rebel against God, and create idols in our lives.
When was the last time you truly grieved over your sin? Mourning our sin brings us to repentance and restoration, allowing God’s peace and comfort to heal our hearts.
Communion reminds us of this truth. Each time we partake, we remember our sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and His amazing grace. Mourning our sin draws us closer to God and helps us seek His righteousness.
A New Hope
If you’re mourning today, I want to fix it for you. I wish I could restore what you’ve lost—a job, a relationship, or a loved one. While I can’t, I can remind you that God never wastes anything.
Grieve deeply. Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you. Let others support you. Healing takes time, but you are never alone. God is with you, and your church family is here for you.
One day, all mourning will cease.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project.
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 12, 2025
Matthew 5:4
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: We are blessed and comforted when we mourn and mourn with others.
Life is full of loss. It might be a job, your health, or your marriage. Take a moment to think about your greatest loss. I know—it’s not the most uplifting way to begin today! But really, what is your greatest loss? An athlete might think of a championship they nearly won. A child might recall the death of a beloved pet. For others, it could be the loss of a spouse, a child, or even one’s memory. In California, it might be a house. Loss is universal. And unless it involves weight, we’re usually not fond of loss.
As we continue our series on the Beatitudes, Blessed, we’re going to explore what Jesus said about loss and grief. It’s a weighty subject, yet Jesus offers hope and encouragement for those who mourn. Perhaps this is exactly what you need to hear today.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, NIV)
This world is undeniably broken. Although God created a beautiful universe for us to enjoy, humanity’s pride, rebellion, and sin have marred it, leaving us with a world full of problems.
How do we respond to loss? Some of us were taught, “Big boys don’t cry.” Some cultures bury emotions in silence, while others openly weep and wail.
When I think of wailing, I’m reminded of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, also called the Western Wall. It’s the only remaining part of the Jewish Temple, destroyed in 70 AD, and is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. It’s called the Wailing Wall because of the lamentations over the Temple’s destruction. More than a million prayers, written on slips of paper, are placed into its crevices each year—a poignant image of grief and hope intertwined.
Grieving is essential to life. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us:
"There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
Talking about grief, mourning, and loss can make us uncomfortable. Yet, Jesus calls those who mourn “blessed.” How can this make sense? Last week, we discussed the Greek word makarios, meaning “happy, fortunate, well-off, supremely blest.” It seems paradoxical. Imagine walking into a funeral home and telling the grieving families they are blessed. It feels counterintuitive.
But here’s the truth: blessing is not about ease or pleasure. It’s about experiencing God’s presence and favor. Sometimes, God allows us to lose what we hold dear—not to punish us, but to draw us closer to Him. These moments remind us that when God is all we have, we realize He is all we need.
Loss is painful. It leaves scars that often never fully heal. Yet, even in loss, we can experience the presence and favor of God. The psalmist declares:
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
That sounds so sweet, doesn’t it? What poet wrote those words? They were probably sitting in a meadow on a sunny, spring afternoon trying to encourage a suffering friend, right? Hardly! This is the writing of David while he was being hunted by King Saul!
Psalm 34 is a powerful song of God’s deliverance in the midst of agony. The verse before eighteen says,
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Perhaps most remarkable of all is how the psalm begins:
I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:1-4)
Remember, this is from a man fleeing for his life! David realized despite his problematic circumstance, God was present and worthy of worship. This is one reason we sing at funerals. We are to remember He remains worthy. We might not understand, but by faith we can trust He has a plan.
Another psalm declares,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
This is a promise, church family. I know there are moments where it might not feel like God is present, but He is with us…always…but especially when we call upon Him, when we cry out and admit we need help.
Eugene Peterson paraphrased Jesus’ words beautifully in The Message:
"You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4, The Message)
Jesus promises comfort for those who mourn. The word translated “comforted” is parakaleo, closely related to parakletos, the term Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.
While I can’t imagine anything better than being in the presence of Jesus himself, he told his disciples,
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
We recently celebrated Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus walked our planet for about 33 years, but when he ascended into heaven, he didn’t leave us high and dry. He sent the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts, and the Holy Spirit is living inside every follower of Jesus. When we mourn, we open our hearts to the Comforter’s work in our lives. God meets us in our pain, often through His Spirit, and sometimes through His people.
Paul writes in Romans:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Loving well means entering into the joy and pain of others. Mourning with others can feel awkward, leaving us unsure of what to say or do. Often, the best gift we can offer is our presence. Silence can be golden. We are to mourn with those who mourn, not necessarily advise them! Remember Job’s friends? When they tried to explain his suffering, they only added to his pain. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Simply being present—a hug, a card, or a kind gesture—can bring deep healing.
Jewish tradition embraces this beautifully through sitting shiva, a seven-day mourning period after a burial. Loved ones sit together, sharing memories and grief. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of community in times of sorrow.
Family, we need one another. We need to mourn with one another, rejoice with one another, pray for one another, and perhaps most of all be present for one another. Jesus came as Emmanuel—God with us—and when we are present for others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We are Jesus with skin on! What a blessing!
Mourning Our Sin
There’s another kind of mourning we must not overlook—mourning over our sins. We all sin. We harm others, rebel against God, and create idols in our lives.
When was the last time you truly grieved over your sin? Mourning our sin brings us to repentance and restoration, allowing God’s peace and comfort to heal our hearts.
Communion reminds us of this truth. Each time we partake, we remember our sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and His amazing grace. Mourning our sin draws us closer to God and helps us seek His righteousness.
A New Hope
If you’re mourning today, I want to fix it for you. I wish I could restore what you’ve lost—a job, a relationship, or a loved one. While I can’t, I can remind you that God never wastes anything.
Grieve deeply. Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you. Let others support you. Healing takes time, but you are never alone. God is with you, and your church family is here for you.
One day, all mourning will cease.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project.
Poor in Spirit, 5 January 2025
05 01 25 Filed in: Sermons | Blessed: The Beatitudes
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 5, 2025
Matthew 5:3
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: Although we avoid the poor—and being poor—God can fill whatever we lack.
Several years ago, I heard about Stu G, guitarist with delirious and now Michael W. Smith, putting together a study on the Beatitudes. Many have heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon in history. The Beatitudes are eight revolutionary statements that reflect the upside-down Kingdom of God.
A few weeks ago we talked about this reality, nothing how Jesus said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
Today as we begin the new year with a series on the Beatitudes, we will explore this incredible statement:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
Do you want to be blessed? Why?
When someone sneezes, what do we do? We say, “God bless you” or “bless you.”
When I greet someone with a “how’s it going?” I sometimes hear, “I’m blessed.”
The original Greek word used in Matthew 5, makarios, means “supremely blest; fortunate, well off, happy.” It doesn’t necessarily speak of material wealth, though we might say a millionaire is blessed with money, a supermodel is blessed with good looks, or an athlete is blessed with physical strength.”
I’m going to give you my definition: blessed is having God’s presence and favor. There’s nothing greater than God’s presence. If there’s anything you want more in heaven than being with God, it’s an idol. I can’t wait to have a pain-free body, a sinless existence, and streets of gold. I’m looking forward to a reunion with my dad and others who have passed, but what I want to do more than anything in heaven is run to Jesus! I can’t wait to be in the eternal presence of God.
Sadly, many Christians want money, pleasure, and power more than God. They are willing to settle for temporary things which may bring a moment of happiness, but no lasting joy. This will become so obvious as we look at The Beatitudes, a word meaning blessings. We all want to be blessed…or do we?
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said: (Matthew 5:1-2)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, NIV)
The New Living Translation reads,
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3, NLT)
Blessed are the poor. Why the poor? They look the least blessed. We seemingly do just about anything to avoid being poor. If we’re honest, we may even avoid the poor. It’s such a negative word, poor. It’s at the bottom of most survey responses—from excellent to poor. Maybe you saw the word on your report card. It may conjure up the image of someone begging. The original Greek word, ptochos, means to crouch, a beggar, distressed, cringing. What could that possibly have to do with God and His blessing?
I’d like us to consider today Eugene Peterson’s translation from The Message.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
When is the last time you were at the end of your rope? Maybe it was that time you were sick in the hospital. Perhaps it was when a relationship ended. It could’ve been losing the job, filing for bankruptcy, grieving a broken relationship, or dealing with an unwelcome medical diagnosis. Perhaps you’re there right now. Jesus says, “You’re blessed!”
Jesus doesn’t say blessed are the financially poor. He uses the phrase “poor in spirit.” It’s a hole, something missing, a lack. You can be one of the 835 billionaires in the United States and be poor in spirit. You can be a world-class marathoner and be poor in spirit. You can be famous and powerful and yet poor in spirit. We’ve all found ourselves at the end of our rope. And then what?
It’s common for us to complain. Maybe we blame. It surely can’t be our fault! If you’re like me, after whining, you’ll remember to pray. It could be God’s goal is for our poverty in the first place!
I’ve heard a lot of people over the years talking about the decline of Christianity in the West. Thousands of churches in the United States close every year (which is one reason why we need to plant new churches). Research consistently shows church attendance and biblical literacy on the decline. I think there are two reasons people in our culture aren’t passionately pursuing Jesus. The first is simply that we’re too busy, distracted by our screens and entertainment. The second is simple: we don’t need God. Or more accurately, we don’t think we need God.
Who has time or energy for God when you’re in the middle of your rope, when things are going great, when the money’s flowing, the relationships are healthy, the body’s in shape, and all is well? Need I remind you money, people, and health can all be idols? And they can all be taken away.
Eventually it hits the fan. Nobody lives a perfect life. We get the phone call from the doctor. The boss gives us a pink slip. The spouse files for divorce. The car breaks down. It might take a while, but eventually, many people turn to God. They are desperate. They are searching for answers. They need help…and are willing to acknowledge it.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
It sounds so simple, yet it’s profoundly true. In the next chapter of Matthew, Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
It can be all about you or all about God, but not both! You can allow God to be in control or pretend you’re in the driver’s seat, but you can’t have God as your co-pilot!
Jesus did not say blessed are the poor who have no money. He says blessed are the poor in spirit, those who need God. His kingdom belongs to them because they seek it, they find it, and they experience it.
Who wouldn’t want the kingdom of heaven? Simply, those who don’t need God. They love this world too much. They feel self-sufficient. Their arrogance keeps them from bowing their knee and pursuing God. Just as there must be emptiness before fullness, so becoming poor in spirit must precede the grace and riches of the kingdom of God.
Pastor Craig Groeschel puts it this way: Growth and comfort cannot co-exist.
I love that! Are you comfortable this morning…or growing?
So What?
This morning, you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to enter a storm. God’s blessing is His presence—always, even in the storms, especially in storms. He says, “I’m on your side. I’m with you. I’m for you. I see you.” Sure, we want Him to instantly calm the storm. Sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child. The promise is His presence. You might feel like a spiritual zero, as Dallas Willard called it. Maybe you’re at the end of your rope due to an addiction or a failing marriage. You might be financially broke, overwhelmed with depression, or debilitated by anxiety. Your physical body may be failing you. God doesn’t promise to instantly fix everything broke in our lives, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He’s with us in the storm. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. But it begins with surrender, with recognizing our poverty, and turning to God.
And if all is well in your life, praise God…and remember without Him, you can do nothing. We are all sinners saved by the wonderful grace of our LORD.
Although we avoid the poor—and being poor—God can fill whatever we lack. There’s an old Vineyard song which says, “More love, more power, more of You in my life.” That’s my prayer for 2025, for me and for you. I pray that we would be desperate for God, passionate for God, advancing on our knees, seeking first His Kingdom.
Credits: Some ideas from the Beatitudes Project podcast.
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 5, 2025
Matthew 5:3
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: Although we avoid the poor—and being poor—God can fill whatever we lack.
Several years ago, I heard about Stu G, guitarist with delirious and now Michael W. Smith, putting together a study on the Beatitudes. Many have heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon in history. The Beatitudes are eight revolutionary statements that reflect the upside-down Kingdom of God.
A few weeks ago we talked about this reality, nothing how Jesus said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
Today as we begin the new year with a series on the Beatitudes, we will explore this incredible statement:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
Do you want to be blessed? Why?
When someone sneezes, what do we do? We say, “God bless you” or “bless you.”
When I greet someone with a “how’s it going?” I sometimes hear, “I’m blessed.”
The original Greek word used in Matthew 5, makarios, means “supremely blest; fortunate, well off, happy.” It doesn’t necessarily speak of material wealth, though we might say a millionaire is blessed with money, a supermodel is blessed with good looks, or an athlete is blessed with physical strength.”
I’m going to give you my definition: blessed is having God’s presence and favor. There’s nothing greater than God’s presence. If there’s anything you want more in heaven than being with God, it’s an idol. I can’t wait to have a pain-free body, a sinless existence, and streets of gold. I’m looking forward to a reunion with my dad and others who have passed, but what I want to do more than anything in heaven is run to Jesus! I can’t wait to be in the eternal presence of God.
Sadly, many Christians want money, pleasure, and power more than God. They are willing to settle for temporary things which may bring a moment of happiness, but no lasting joy. This will become so obvious as we look at The Beatitudes, a word meaning blessings. We all want to be blessed…or do we?
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said: (Matthew 5:1-2)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, NIV)
The New Living Translation reads,
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3, NLT)
Blessed are the poor. Why the poor? They look the least blessed. We seemingly do just about anything to avoid being poor. If we’re honest, we may even avoid the poor. It’s such a negative word, poor. It’s at the bottom of most survey responses—from excellent to poor. Maybe you saw the word on your report card. It may conjure up the image of someone begging. The original Greek word, ptochos, means to crouch, a beggar, distressed, cringing. What could that possibly have to do with God and His blessing?
I’d like us to consider today Eugene Peterson’s translation from The Message.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
When is the last time you were at the end of your rope? Maybe it was that time you were sick in the hospital. Perhaps it was when a relationship ended. It could’ve been losing the job, filing for bankruptcy, grieving a broken relationship, or dealing with an unwelcome medical diagnosis. Perhaps you’re there right now. Jesus says, “You’re blessed!”
Jesus doesn’t say blessed are the financially poor. He uses the phrase “poor in spirit.” It’s a hole, something missing, a lack. You can be one of the 835 billionaires in the United States and be poor in spirit. You can be a world-class marathoner and be poor in spirit. You can be famous and powerful and yet poor in spirit. We’ve all found ourselves at the end of our rope. And then what?
It’s common for us to complain. Maybe we blame. It surely can’t be our fault! If you’re like me, after whining, you’ll remember to pray. It could be God’s goal is for our poverty in the first place!
I’ve heard a lot of people over the years talking about the decline of Christianity in the West. Thousands of churches in the United States close every year (which is one reason why we need to plant new churches). Research consistently shows church attendance and biblical literacy on the decline. I think there are two reasons people in our culture aren’t passionately pursuing Jesus. The first is simply that we’re too busy, distracted by our screens and entertainment. The second is simple: we don’t need God. Or more accurately, we don’t think we need God.
Who has time or energy for God when you’re in the middle of your rope, when things are going great, when the money’s flowing, the relationships are healthy, the body’s in shape, and all is well? Need I remind you money, people, and health can all be idols? And they can all be taken away.
Eventually it hits the fan. Nobody lives a perfect life. We get the phone call from the doctor. The boss gives us a pink slip. The spouse files for divorce. The car breaks down. It might take a while, but eventually, many people turn to God. They are desperate. They are searching for answers. They need help…and are willing to acknowledge it.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
It sounds so simple, yet it’s profoundly true. In the next chapter of Matthew, Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
It can be all about you or all about God, but not both! You can allow God to be in control or pretend you’re in the driver’s seat, but you can’t have God as your co-pilot!
Jesus did not say blessed are the poor who have no money. He says blessed are the poor in spirit, those who need God. His kingdom belongs to them because they seek it, they find it, and they experience it.
Who wouldn’t want the kingdom of heaven? Simply, those who don’t need God. They love this world too much. They feel self-sufficient. Their arrogance keeps them from bowing their knee and pursuing God. Just as there must be emptiness before fullness, so becoming poor in spirit must precede the grace and riches of the kingdom of God.
Pastor Craig Groeschel puts it this way: Growth and comfort cannot co-exist.
I love that! Are you comfortable this morning…or growing?
So What?
This morning, you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to enter a storm. God’s blessing is His presence—always, even in the storms, especially in storms. He says, “I’m on your side. I’m with you. I’m for you. I see you.” Sure, we want Him to instantly calm the storm. Sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child. The promise is His presence. You might feel like a spiritual zero, as Dallas Willard called it. Maybe you’re at the end of your rope due to an addiction or a failing marriage. You might be financially broke, overwhelmed with depression, or debilitated by anxiety. Your physical body may be failing you. God doesn’t promise to instantly fix everything broke in our lives, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He’s with us in the storm. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. But it begins with surrender, with recognizing our poverty, and turning to God.
And if all is well in your life, praise God…and remember without Him, you can do nothing. We are all sinners saved by the wonderful grace of our LORD.
Although we avoid the poor—and being poor—God can fill whatever we lack. There’s an old Vineyard song which says, “More love, more power, more of You in my life.” That’s my prayer for 2025, for me and for you. I pray that we would be desperate for God, passionate for God, advancing on our knees, seeking first His Kingdom.
Credits: Some ideas from the Beatitudes Project podcast.
Wise Men, 22 December 2024
23 12 24 Filed in: Sermons | The Glory of Christmas
Wise Men
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 22, 2024
Matthew 2:1-12
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: Wise men—and women—still seek Him…and bring gifts to the King.
The King of kings came first as a lowly servant.
How do you approach the manger? One of my favorite Christmas cliches is that “wise men still seek Him.” Wise women do, too.
Last week we saw how the birth of Jesus the Messiah was announced to Jewish shepherds by an angel. Today we see the birth of Jesus the Messiah was announced to possibly Gentile Magi—or wise men—by a star. This is a big deal because Jesus the Jewish Messiah is also the Gentile Messiah. Us Gentiles have been grafted into God’s plan for humanity, and for that I am so grateful.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1)
There’s more to this sentence, but there’s plenty to dissect here first. Our scene takes place after Jesus was born, likely one or two years later. If you have a nativity scene with men carrying gifts, they should be placed far from the manger. One or two years away!
The second thing we see is this is during the time of King Herod, a very insecure leader as we will see in a minute. He ruled from 36 or 37 BCE until 1 or 4 BCE, depending upon your source.
Magi from the east are mentioned next. How many? We don’t know. Were they wise? Certainly educated. Were they kings? Not necessarily, though “We Three Kings” is a fun song to sing (and the first widely popular Christmas carol written in the USA back in 1857!).
What are their names? The Bible doesn’t say, but legend says they were called Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar.
The east was likely Babylon or Persia, modern-day Iraq or Iran, though possibly as far away as India. We only know “from the east,” but their journey was between 500 and 1000 miles—by foot or camel—taking weeks or even months. These Magi are dedicated! Would you walk 500 miles…to meet Jesus?
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
The Magi are in Jerusalem inquiring about the birth of the king of the Jews, one who even had his own star (then again, Jesus created everything!). Remember, no GPS, no cable news, they didn’t have radios or a printing press to obtain information, but they were astrologers who paid attention to the stars. They thought the stars delivered messages from the gods.
Jews believed in one God who created the universe, but these were probably Gentile Magi. God used a star this one time to convey a most important message to these men.
Are any of you sky gazers? One of the things I love about Findlay versus larger cities where I’ve lived is on a clear night, you can see more stars. The sky is magnificent! I confess I don’t know all the constellations, but I can find the Big Dipper! I remember my first trip to South America, gazing above and seeing an entirely different set of stars.
The Star Prophecy comes from the book of Numbers.
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17)
Remember, Jewish shepherds were led by an angel’s words. Now Gentile Magi are led by a star.
We really don’t know much about these wise men, but many theories exist. Some have suggested a link with the prophet Daniel hundreds of years earlier.
Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. (Daniel 2:48)
There are countless articles and videos about the wise men, but little in the Bible itself.
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)
“A king is born? I’m the king,” Herod must’ve thought. It’s not like they had an election every four years! He’s not what we would call a nice guy, having murdered family members and eventually all baby boys two years and younger. Can you imagine?
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. (Matthew 2:4)
King Herod didn’t know the details, so he asked the Jewish leaders. What’s remarkable is how they apparently had no interest in traveling the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem! It’s not enough to know about God. We need to pursue and worship Jesus!
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:5-6)
This is a prophecy from Micah 5:2, one of hundreds that Jesus the Messiah fulfilled.
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2:7-8)
Nice try, Herod! You want to worship this boy? Right!!! Herod was lying. He only wanted to know where Jesus was so he could end any rival to his dynasty by killing the boy king.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10)
This is no ordinary star. It moves. It guides them. Then it stops. It reminds me of the way God led the people of Israel through the wilderness for forty years, a cloud by day and fire by night. There are many scientific theories about this star, but it is my belief that it’s simply one of the many miraculous components Jesus’ birth and early years.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
The Magi came to the house, not the birthplace of Jesus. It’s interesting how Joseph’s not mentioned. Maybe he was out hunting for food or building a model spaceship for his son (maybe not!).
The Magi bow down and worship the boy. They bring him treasured gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is the only reference to “three” Magi, but there may have been two or twenty! Three looks nice on Christmas cards (again, this was one or two years after Jesus was born) and three is a common number in the Bible…but we don’t know!
We do know these three gifts were special and all connected to temple worship.
Gold is…gold (presently about $2500/ounce!) and the temple was covered in it.
Frankincense is resin from the Boswellia tree, used for cosmetic, medicinal, and religious purposes. It was burned in the temple twice a day for its aroma and was more valuable—by weight—than gold. The smoke of the burned frankincense represented the prayers of the saints ascending to God.
Myrrh is sap from the Commiphora tree, used for embalming, burial, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes.
These are extremely expensive gifts.
We don’t know for sure, but some have linked the Magi to a passage in the book of Isaiah that mentions kings, which is probably where the idea of “We Three Kings” originated.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn…Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. (Isaiah 60:3, 6)
Again, we don’t know. What we do know is…
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:12)
God spoke to them in a dream…and they obeyed. Today, Epiphany or “Three Kings Day” is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to meet Jesus.
So What?
God orchestrated every detail of this story. Pagan Magi—seeking other gods—encountered the one true God. They delivered treasures that helped the holy family flee to Egypt while Herod massacred innocent boys.
Wise men—and women—still seek Him. These Magi traveled 1000+ miles round trip, proving their love for Jesus with their time, travel, and treasures.
What will you bring Jesus for His birthday?
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 22, 2024
Matthew 2:1-12
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: Wise men—and women—still seek Him…and bring gifts to the King.
The King of kings came first as a lowly servant.
How do you approach the manger? One of my favorite Christmas cliches is that “wise men still seek Him.” Wise women do, too.
Last week we saw how the birth of Jesus the Messiah was announced to Jewish shepherds by an angel. Today we see the birth of Jesus the Messiah was announced to possibly Gentile Magi—or wise men—by a star. This is a big deal because Jesus the Jewish Messiah is also the Gentile Messiah. Us Gentiles have been grafted into God’s plan for humanity, and for that I am so grateful.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1)
There’s more to this sentence, but there’s plenty to dissect here first. Our scene takes place after Jesus was born, likely one or two years later. If you have a nativity scene with men carrying gifts, they should be placed far from the manger. One or two years away!
The second thing we see is this is during the time of King Herod, a very insecure leader as we will see in a minute. He ruled from 36 or 37 BCE until 1 or 4 BCE, depending upon your source.
Magi from the east are mentioned next. How many? We don’t know. Were they wise? Certainly educated. Were they kings? Not necessarily, though “We Three Kings” is a fun song to sing (and the first widely popular Christmas carol written in the USA back in 1857!).
What are their names? The Bible doesn’t say, but legend says they were called Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar.
The east was likely Babylon or Persia, modern-day Iraq or Iran, though possibly as far away as India. We only know “from the east,” but their journey was between 500 and 1000 miles—by foot or camel—taking weeks or even months. These Magi are dedicated! Would you walk 500 miles…to meet Jesus?
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
The Magi are in Jerusalem inquiring about the birth of the king of the Jews, one who even had his own star (then again, Jesus created everything!). Remember, no GPS, no cable news, they didn’t have radios or a printing press to obtain information, but they were astrologers who paid attention to the stars. They thought the stars delivered messages from the gods.
Jews believed in one God who created the universe, but these were probably Gentile Magi. God used a star this one time to convey a most important message to these men.
Are any of you sky gazers? One of the things I love about Findlay versus larger cities where I’ve lived is on a clear night, you can see more stars. The sky is magnificent! I confess I don’t know all the constellations, but I can find the Big Dipper! I remember my first trip to South America, gazing above and seeing an entirely different set of stars.
The Star Prophecy comes from the book of Numbers.
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17)
Remember, Jewish shepherds were led by an angel’s words. Now Gentile Magi are led by a star.
We really don’t know much about these wise men, but many theories exist. Some have suggested a link with the prophet Daniel hundreds of years earlier.
Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. (Daniel 2:48)
There are countless articles and videos about the wise men, but little in the Bible itself.
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)
“A king is born? I’m the king,” Herod must’ve thought. It’s not like they had an election every four years! He’s not what we would call a nice guy, having murdered family members and eventually all baby boys two years and younger. Can you imagine?
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. (Matthew 2:4)
King Herod didn’t know the details, so he asked the Jewish leaders. What’s remarkable is how they apparently had no interest in traveling the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem! It’s not enough to know about God. We need to pursue and worship Jesus!
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:5-6)
This is a prophecy from Micah 5:2, one of hundreds that Jesus the Messiah fulfilled.
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2:7-8)
Nice try, Herod! You want to worship this boy? Right!!! Herod was lying. He only wanted to know where Jesus was so he could end any rival to his dynasty by killing the boy king.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10)
This is no ordinary star. It moves. It guides them. Then it stops. It reminds me of the way God led the people of Israel through the wilderness for forty years, a cloud by day and fire by night. There are many scientific theories about this star, but it is my belief that it’s simply one of the many miraculous components Jesus’ birth and early years.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
The Magi came to the house, not the birthplace of Jesus. It’s interesting how Joseph’s not mentioned. Maybe he was out hunting for food or building a model spaceship for his son (maybe not!).
The Magi bow down and worship the boy. They bring him treasured gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is the only reference to “three” Magi, but there may have been two or twenty! Three looks nice on Christmas cards (again, this was one or two years after Jesus was born) and three is a common number in the Bible…but we don’t know!
We do know these three gifts were special and all connected to temple worship.
Gold is…gold (presently about $2500/ounce!) and the temple was covered in it.
Frankincense is resin from the Boswellia tree, used for cosmetic, medicinal, and religious purposes. It was burned in the temple twice a day for its aroma and was more valuable—by weight—than gold. The smoke of the burned frankincense represented the prayers of the saints ascending to God.
Myrrh is sap from the Commiphora tree, used for embalming, burial, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes.
These are extremely expensive gifts.
We don’t know for sure, but some have linked the Magi to a passage in the book of Isaiah that mentions kings, which is probably where the idea of “We Three Kings” originated.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn…Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. (Isaiah 60:3, 6)
Again, we don’t know. What we do know is…
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:12)
God spoke to them in a dream…and they obeyed. Today, Epiphany or “Three Kings Day” is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to meet Jesus.
So What?
God orchestrated every detail of this story. Pagan Magi—seeking other gods—encountered the one true God. They delivered treasures that helped the holy family flee to Egypt while Herod massacred innocent boys.
Wise men—and women—still seek Him. These Magi traveled 1000+ miles round trip, proving their love for Jesus with their time, travel, and treasures.
What will you bring Jesus for His birthday?
Shepherds, 15 December 2024
15 12 24 Filed in: Sermons | The Glory of Christmas
Shepherd: Jesus is for Everyone
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 15, 2024
Luke 2:8-15
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today because Jesus is for everyone.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-15
The Kingdom of God is upside down! For two thousand years, we have been following a God who said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
So, it should be no surprise that God chose society’s misfits, the least of these, common shepherds to be given the highest honor, a cosmic multi-media extravaganza followed by a front-row seat at the birthplace of the King of kings…because Jesus is for everyone!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9)
Three weeks into this series. Three appearances by angels. This time the LORD’s radiance surrounded them. I can’t imagine such an experience ever, but especially at night, piercing the darkness. I would be terrified, too!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
Angels are always saying, “Fear not!” It’s actually the most common command in the entire Bible, not only spoken by angels, but by the LORD. Obviously, the celestial creature appearing at night was terrifying, but the startling surprise was a good one…a great one!
Good news. Who could use a little good news today?
Great joy. Our world desperately needs it.
For all the people. Male and female. Jew and Gentile. Young and old. Buckeye and Wolverine! Jesus is for everyone!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)
The long-awaited Messiah has arrived! I’m quite sure Jesus was the only baby that night in a feeding trough, but how exactly were they supposed to find child? I’m sure this wasn’t the only manger in Bethlehem! The manger itself was nothing special, merely a signpost for the shepherds.
Just when they thought this experience couldn’t get any bigger…
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
If one angel was scary, imagine this multi-media extravaganza! What did they announce? Glory to God. Peace—shalom, wholeness, well-being, completeness—on earth.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)
Good idea! Can you imagine?
Most of us don’t know much about shepherds. Are there any in Findlay? They were outcasts in Israel. They couldn’t testify in court. They were ceremonially unclean from their work…which kept them out of the temple for weeks so they could not be made clean. We don’t think much about these things today, but for Jews then, it was a big deal.
These were likely Levitical shepherds who raised the sheep used in temple sacrifices. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity…
…the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b)
Sacrificial lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloth to keep them from becoming injured or bruised. Did you catch that?! Only perfect lambs were suitable for a sacrifice at the temple.
These lowly shepherds receive the birth announcement of the Messiah. They get a free show in the sky, better than any fireworks or drone performance. They go to see this baby, the perfect sacrifice…the Good Shepherd himself!
We noted last week how Mary and Joseph were poor, bringing birds to the temple dedication of Jesus because they couldn’t afford a lamb (Luke 2:24).
The shepherds get a little more time in the biblical spotlight.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)
They wasted no time. They hurried off. Things were just as the angel declared. God always keeps His promises.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18)
They were the first evangelists of the Messiah’s birth, sharing good news. The people were amazed at what the shepherds said. What an honor to proclaim the birth of the King of kings. Today, we are all called to share the gospel, “good news,” with others. What a privilege! What a joy!
Unless you’re a history buff, you might not know Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, turned Rome into an empire, with himself at the head (of course!). He announced that he had brought peace and justice to the entire world and proclaimed himself as ‘son of god.’ We often think of words like savior and lord in the context of Jesus, but these were words associated with Caesar. The contrast between Caesar and Jesus could not be greater!
The shepherds understood the significance of this birth not only from a prophetic, Messianic perspective but also a power and authority sense.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
We talked about Mary two weeks ago, but her character was so unique. Nobody in human history has ever experienced many of the things she experienced, including this unusual birth and birth announcement.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
God always keeps His promises.
So What?
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to kings. After all, Jesus is the King of kings.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the rich. After all, everything we have belongs to God.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the famous. After all, Jesus is the greatest figure in human history.
But in God’s upside-down Kingdom, God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today.
He sent the greatest gift ever to a poor family. The lowest in the land was given the highest honor.
That gives me hope. I’m nothing special. I don’t have royal blood, a silver spoon, a genius mind, or powerful friends.
Jesus is for everyone.
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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
God so loved the world. All nations. All peoples. Jesus is for everyone. He’s the greatest gift, yours for the taking. He is Savior to those who receive him as LORD? Have you received Him?
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 15, 2024
Luke 2:8-15
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today because Jesus is for everyone.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-15
The Kingdom of God is upside down! For two thousand years, we have been following a God who said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
So, it should be no surprise that God chose society’s misfits, the least of these, common shepherds to be given the highest honor, a cosmic multi-media extravaganza followed by a front-row seat at the birthplace of the King of kings…because Jesus is for everyone!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9)
Three weeks into this series. Three appearances by angels. This time the LORD’s radiance surrounded them. I can’t imagine such an experience ever, but especially at night, piercing the darkness. I would be terrified, too!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
Angels are always saying, “Fear not!” It’s actually the most common command in the entire Bible, not only spoken by angels, but by the LORD. Obviously, the celestial creature appearing at night was terrifying, but the startling surprise was a good one…a great one!
Good news. Who could use a little good news today?
Great joy. Our world desperately needs it.
For all the people. Male and female. Jew and Gentile. Young and old. Buckeye and Wolverine! Jesus is for everyone!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)
The long-awaited Messiah has arrived! I’m quite sure Jesus was the only baby that night in a feeding trough, but how exactly were they supposed to find child? I’m sure this wasn’t the only manger in Bethlehem! The manger itself was nothing special, merely a signpost for the shepherds.
Just when they thought this experience couldn’t get any bigger…
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
If one angel was scary, imagine this multi-media extravaganza! What did they announce? Glory to God. Peace—shalom, wholeness, well-being, completeness—on earth.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)
Good idea! Can you imagine?
Most of us don’t know much about shepherds. Are there any in Findlay? They were outcasts in Israel. They couldn’t testify in court. They were ceremonially unclean from their work…which kept them out of the temple for weeks so they could not be made clean. We don’t think much about these things today, but for Jews then, it was a big deal.
These were likely Levitical shepherds who raised the sheep used in temple sacrifices. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity…
…the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b)
Sacrificial lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloth to keep them from becoming injured or bruised. Did you catch that?! Only perfect lambs were suitable for a sacrifice at the temple.
These lowly shepherds receive the birth announcement of the Messiah. They get a free show in the sky, better than any fireworks or drone performance. They go to see this baby, the perfect sacrifice…the Good Shepherd himself!
We noted last week how Mary and Joseph were poor, bringing birds to the temple dedication of Jesus because they couldn’t afford a lamb (Luke 2:24).
The shepherds get a little more time in the biblical spotlight.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)
They wasted no time. They hurried off. Things were just as the angel declared. God always keeps His promises.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18)
They were the first evangelists of the Messiah’s birth, sharing good news. The people were amazed at what the shepherds said. What an honor to proclaim the birth of the King of kings. Today, we are all called to share the gospel, “good news,” with others. What a privilege! What a joy!
Unless you’re a history buff, you might not know Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, turned Rome into an empire, with himself at the head (of course!). He announced that he had brought peace and justice to the entire world and proclaimed himself as ‘son of god.’ We often think of words like savior and lord in the context of Jesus, but these were words associated with Caesar. The contrast between Caesar and Jesus could not be greater!
The shepherds understood the significance of this birth not only from a prophetic, Messianic perspective but also a power and authority sense.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
We talked about Mary two weeks ago, but her character was so unique. Nobody in human history has ever experienced many of the things she experienced, including this unusual birth and birth announcement.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
God always keeps His promises.
So What?
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to kings. After all, Jesus is the King of kings.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the rich. After all, everything we have belongs to God.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the famous. After all, Jesus is the greatest figure in human history.
But in God’s upside-down Kingdom, God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today.
He sent the greatest gift ever to a poor family. The lowest in the land was given the highest honor.
That gives me hope. I’m nothing special. I don’t have royal blood, a silver spoon, a genius mind, or powerful friends.
Jesus is for everyone.
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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
God so loved the world. All nations. All peoples. Jesus is for everyone. He’s the greatest gift, yours for the taking. He is Savior to those who receive him as LORD? Have you received Him?