December 2025
Messenger, 7 December 2025
Messenger
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 7, 2025
Malachi 3:1-5
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: The greatest way to love another is to introduce them to the Messiah.
Advent Theme: love
Song: But who may abide?
There’s a legend that in 490 BC Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. The distance run was approximately 26.2 miles and defines the most famous race in the world, the marathon.
I’m training for a 10K which is not even a quarter of a marathon and I’m already exhausted! Imagine the passion required to run more than 26 miles not for a medal or any kind of prize, but to simply deliver a message. It better be good…and it was.
We have a message…the gospel which means “good news.” We have the greatest news in human history to share. The Messiah has come and he is returning soon!
Today we are continuing our Advent series following selections from what may be the greatest music ever written, Handel’s Messiah. The lyrics are supreme, taken directly from scripture. Our theme today is messenger, taken from the third chapter of the ancient writing by the prophet Malachi (or Malachi…the Italian prophet!). The name Malachi means messenger!
Prophets—then and now—are not about future-telling as much as forth-telling. They declare the truth. It’s not uncommon for prophets to make people uncomfortable, offering warnings rather than warm, fuzzy words of encouragement. Being a prophet is a difficult assignment, but God uses them to deliver important messages.
To understand today’s text, we need to backup one verse which, oddly, has been placed in the previous chapter by those who added chapter and verse markings generations after the writing of the scriptures.
You have wearied the LORD with your words.
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.
By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17)
The people have wandered away from God, a common practice then…and now. Their hypocrisy and sin have resulted in God issuing warnings to His people.
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:1)
There are actually two messengers presented in this verse. The first is John the Baptist, mentioned last week (see Mark 1:2). He prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. The second messenger, the messenger of the covenant, refers to Jesus the Messiah. Are they coming with good news? Are they announcing victory?
Malachi continues with sobering words that form the lyrics of today’s song(s).
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? (Malachi 3:2a)
Judgment Day is coming…for all of us. Are you ready? Who may abide or endure?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. (Malachi 3:2b-3a)
God’s people are compared to impure metal and dirty laundry! For thousands of years, precious metals like gold and silver have been refined by intense heat to remove impurities. It’s a powerful image of God purifying us, often through trials and suffering, removing the idols and sins in our lives. Silversmiths must pay careful attention to the metal. If it doesn’t receive enough heat, the impurities will remain. If the metal remains in the fire too long, it will be destroyed. I’m told silver is fully refined when the silversmith can see their image in it. That means they cannot stand at a distance but patiently watch as the dross is removed.
We are more familiar with the role of bleach, removing stains from clothing. Sin stains our souls, separates us from God, and ultimately leads to death and destruction. The good news is refining and purification are possible, but not pleasant.
Malachi says the first to be purified will the Levites, the religious leaders.
Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. (Malachi 3:3b-4)
Once refined, they can lead acceptable worship as was done before the people wandered away from God. Unfortunately, not everyone will repent, turn, and follow the LORD.
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:5)
These are terrifying words for those who do not fear, respect, and follow the LORD. Malachi records a list of some of their many sins, including oppressing widows, orphans, and foreigners (a rather timely topic!).
So What?
Imagine the thrill experienced by Pheidippides as in his exhaustion he was able to announce good news to the people of Athens. War is over! Victory is ours!
Malachi’s news was not so pleasant, though it was necessary to warn people about their sin and its consequences.
More than 2500 years later, followers of the Messiah have been commissioned as messengers, God’s ambassadors to go and make disciples of all nations. The news is, at first, terrible. God’s standard is perfection, He doesn’t grade on a curve, and we’re all going to be judged some day.
The good news—the gospel—is that Jesus is LORD. He lived a perfect life, died in our place, rose from the dead, and will return soon to take his followers to be with him for eternity. Followers of Jesus are called to be hope dealers in a culture of brokenness as messengers of the gospel. And there’s no running required!
There are, of course, many ways to deliver this news. I want to offer you several.
First, share your story. Share HiStory. My favorite thing at College First is baptisms. What could be greater than hearing one’s story of going from death to life, from darkness to light, from worshipping self to glorifying God? Jesus said
…there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
We get to rejoice, too, when someone is born again, turns from their sin, and says yes to Jesus. Of course, baptism is not the only time to share your story. You can share it anytime, anywhere…in person or online.
One of my dreams is to create short “my story” videos to share on Sundays, on social media, and on a dedicated page on our website. In recent days we’ve heard stories of Ohio State football players, other athletes, and celebrities testifying to the power of God in their lives. It’s inspiring. It brings glory to God. It’s a way to be a messenger of good news.
Second, pray and invite. We gather each Sunday and at special events throughout the year to announce good news. We have new invite cards for both Sundays and Christmas Eve. Studies show 80% of people invited will respond positively to an invitation. I’m happy to be a messenger if you bring the people to hear the message!
Third, serve. Encounter on Wednesday nights is exploding with unchurched kids. We are making two trips in the new 12-passenger van to pick up children, and we may need to add a third! It may seem surprising, but many know nothing about Jesus, yet by teaching or even helping, you can serve as a messenger of the LORD. Whether it’s at College First or one of our partners like Christian Clearing House, the Women’s Resource Center, or Habitat for Humanity, you can engage in delivering God’s truth to others.
Finally, invest in future messengers. Someday we will be unable to share good news, which is why we’re intentionally discipling next gen leaders…our legacy. I’m grateful for the vision of our leaders who stated,
The vision of CF is to become a future-oriented church by 2028 that will see 33% of our congregation made up of kids, students, and young adults.
This is one of the things that made we want to come to College First last year. As many of you know, we have been consistently hitting that 33% number on Sunday mornings…three years early! Praise God! In addition, our ministry fellows, residents, and interns are being loved, equipped, and sent. We want that to continue!
With the new Reist Next Gen Leadership Development Quasi-endowment, we can all invest in our future leaders, pastors, elders, deacons, and trustees. Last week, one of our interns, Zack Britton, announced to our staff that after a long season of prayer and Our Christmas offering this year will help seed this endowment which will provide resources to love, equip, and send leaders in the name of Jesus for generations to come. The Reist family has made a generous gift to launch the fund, and the Elders have recommended moving some of our savings to the endowment. I’m praying the audacious prayer of raising $1 million. Will you join Heather and me in making a special gift to train messengers? This is not about what I want from you, but rather what I want for you…the privilege of investing in God’s Kingdom for generations to come!
We are all called to be messengers, and the news is even more important than the one delivered by Pheidippides in ancient Greece. We proclaim Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. As we celebrate love on this Advent Sunday, the greatest way to love another is to introduce them to the Messiah. He’s the reason for the season…and he’s returning soon. Let’s get ready!
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 7, 2025
Malachi 3:1-5
Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.
Big Idea: The greatest way to love another is to introduce them to the Messiah.
Advent Theme: love
Song: But who may abide?
There’s a legend that in 490 BC Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. The distance run was approximately 26.2 miles and defines the most famous race in the world, the marathon.
I’m training for a 10K which is not even a quarter of a marathon and I’m already exhausted! Imagine the passion required to run more than 26 miles not for a medal or any kind of prize, but to simply deliver a message. It better be good…and it was.
We have a message…the gospel which means “good news.” We have the greatest news in human history to share. The Messiah has come and he is returning soon!
Today we are continuing our Advent series following selections from what may be the greatest music ever written, Handel’s Messiah. The lyrics are supreme, taken directly from scripture. Our theme today is messenger, taken from the third chapter of the ancient writing by the prophet Malachi (or Malachi…the Italian prophet!). The name Malachi means messenger!
Prophets—then and now—are not about future-telling as much as forth-telling. They declare the truth. It’s not uncommon for prophets to make people uncomfortable, offering warnings rather than warm, fuzzy words of encouragement. Being a prophet is a difficult assignment, but God uses them to deliver important messages.
To understand today’s text, we need to backup one verse which, oddly, has been placed in the previous chapter by those who added chapter and verse markings generations after the writing of the scriptures.
You have wearied the LORD with your words.
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.
By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17)
The people have wandered away from God, a common practice then…and now. Their hypocrisy and sin have resulted in God issuing warnings to His people.
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:1)
There are actually two messengers presented in this verse. The first is John the Baptist, mentioned last week (see Mark 1:2). He prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. The second messenger, the messenger of the covenant, refers to Jesus the Messiah. Are they coming with good news? Are they announcing victory?
Malachi continues with sobering words that form the lyrics of today’s song(s).
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? (Malachi 3:2a)
Judgment Day is coming…for all of us. Are you ready? Who may abide or endure?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. (Malachi 3:2b-3a)
God’s people are compared to impure metal and dirty laundry! For thousands of years, precious metals like gold and silver have been refined by intense heat to remove impurities. It’s a powerful image of God purifying us, often through trials and suffering, removing the idols and sins in our lives. Silversmiths must pay careful attention to the metal. If it doesn’t receive enough heat, the impurities will remain. If the metal remains in the fire too long, it will be destroyed. I’m told silver is fully refined when the silversmith can see their image in it. That means they cannot stand at a distance but patiently watch as the dross is removed.
We are more familiar with the role of bleach, removing stains from clothing. Sin stains our souls, separates us from God, and ultimately leads to death and destruction. The good news is refining and purification are possible, but not pleasant.
Malachi says the first to be purified will the Levites, the religious leaders.
Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. (Malachi 3:3b-4)
Once refined, they can lead acceptable worship as was done before the people wandered away from God. Unfortunately, not everyone will repent, turn, and follow the LORD.
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:5)
These are terrifying words for those who do not fear, respect, and follow the LORD. Malachi records a list of some of their many sins, including oppressing widows, orphans, and foreigners (a rather timely topic!).
So What?
Imagine the thrill experienced by Pheidippides as in his exhaustion he was able to announce good news to the people of Athens. War is over! Victory is ours!
Malachi’s news was not so pleasant, though it was necessary to warn people about their sin and its consequences.
More than 2500 years later, followers of the Messiah have been commissioned as messengers, God’s ambassadors to go and make disciples of all nations. The news is, at first, terrible. God’s standard is perfection, He doesn’t grade on a curve, and we’re all going to be judged some day.
The good news—the gospel—is that Jesus is LORD. He lived a perfect life, died in our place, rose from the dead, and will return soon to take his followers to be with him for eternity. Followers of Jesus are called to be hope dealers in a culture of brokenness as messengers of the gospel. And there’s no running required!
There are, of course, many ways to deliver this news. I want to offer you several.
First, share your story. Share HiStory. My favorite thing at College First is baptisms. What could be greater than hearing one’s story of going from death to life, from darkness to light, from worshipping self to glorifying God? Jesus said
…there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
We get to rejoice, too, when someone is born again, turns from their sin, and says yes to Jesus. Of course, baptism is not the only time to share your story. You can share it anytime, anywhere…in person or online.
One of my dreams is to create short “my story” videos to share on Sundays, on social media, and on a dedicated page on our website. In recent days we’ve heard stories of Ohio State football players, other athletes, and celebrities testifying to the power of God in their lives. It’s inspiring. It brings glory to God. It’s a way to be a messenger of good news.
Second, pray and invite. We gather each Sunday and at special events throughout the year to announce good news. We have new invite cards for both Sundays and Christmas Eve. Studies show 80% of people invited will respond positively to an invitation. I’m happy to be a messenger if you bring the people to hear the message!
Third, serve. Encounter on Wednesday nights is exploding with unchurched kids. We are making two trips in the new 12-passenger van to pick up children, and we may need to add a third! It may seem surprising, but many know nothing about Jesus, yet by teaching or even helping, you can serve as a messenger of the LORD. Whether it’s at College First or one of our partners like Christian Clearing House, the Women’s Resource Center, or Habitat for Humanity, you can engage in delivering God’s truth to others.
Finally, invest in future messengers. Someday we will be unable to share good news, which is why we’re intentionally discipling next gen leaders…our legacy. I’m grateful for the vision of our leaders who stated,
The vision of CF is to become a future-oriented church by 2028 that will see 33% of our congregation made up of kids, students, and young adults.
This is one of the things that made we want to come to College First last year. As many of you know, we have been consistently hitting that 33% number on Sunday mornings…three years early! Praise God! In addition, our ministry fellows, residents, and interns are being loved, equipped, and sent. We want that to continue!
With the new Reist Next Gen Leadership Development Quasi-endowment, we can all invest in our future leaders, pastors, elders, deacons, and trustees. Last week, one of our interns, Zack Britton, announced to our staff that after a long season of prayer and Our Christmas offering this year will help seed this endowment which will provide resources to love, equip, and send leaders in the name of Jesus for generations to come. The Reist family has made a generous gift to launch the fund, and the Elders have recommended moving some of our savings to the endowment. I’m praying the audacious prayer of raising $1 million. Will you join Heather and me in making a special gift to train messengers? This is not about what I want from you, but rather what I want for you…the privilege of investing in God’s Kingdom for generations to come!
We are all called to be messengers, and the news is even more important than the one delivered by Pheidippides in ancient Greece. We proclaim Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. As we celebrate love on this Advent Sunday, the greatest way to love another is to introduce them to the Messiah. He’s the reason for the season…and he’s returning soon. Let’s get ready!