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Generous, 8 March 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-03-08T14:08:25-04:00

Generous
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Money Matters
March 8, 2026
2 Corinthians 9:6-12

Series Big Idea: Money is a powerful tool that can bless or destroy.

Big Idea: You’ve probably never met an unhappy generous person.

What makes you happy?

Can money buy happiness? Yes it can. If you give me some, I’ll prove it!

The problem is the happiness money buys is temporary. But as I said last week,

You’ve probably never met an unhappy generous person.

We live in one of the most consumeristic, selfish societies in the history of the world. We’re told, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins,” “It’s all about you,” and even the fantasy that we can somehow have our “own truth.” Even today, most people around the world depend upon the support and generosity of others, whether it’s family, friends, or neighbors. We were created to exist in community, and God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit model it perfectly for us.

There are countless stories of wealthy people living miserable lives, some even taking their own lives in despair, because money can’t buy lasting happiness, but generosity can!

A 20089 study by Harvard and the University of British Columbia found those who spend money on others reported greater happiness than those who spent it on themselves. Researchers have discovered acts of giving stimulate the reward center of the brain, something called the “helper’s high.” Those who regularly practice generosity have lower depression rates, stronger social bonds, greater life satisfaction, and even better physical health markers,

This should come as no surprise given Jesus’ words that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

You’ve probably never met a happy, content selfish person!

You probably know the golden rule:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Those were Jesus’ words, not mine. He also said,

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)

Once again, this isn’t a fundraising pitch. It’s not what I want from you but what I want for you…what God wants for you…the happiness, the joy, the thrill of being generous.

In week one of this series, we said everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards. It’s not my stuff, but His. We will all one day stand before God and give an account of what we did with our money, time, and gifts. This is not simply a financial issue, but a spiritual issue. How we earn, spend, give, save, and invest our money is a discipleship issue. Greed is not part of the fruit of the Spirit!

Last Sunday we said God faithfully provides through the generosity of His people…and what a joy it is to give, to invest in God’s Kingdom, to bless others, whether it’s an offering of a handful of rice as we saw in the video or a million-dollar gift. God’s math means whatever we offer to Him will be multiplied and impact lives for eternity.

Even if you’re a poor college student, a young family waist-deep in debt, or simply crushed under the weight of medical bills of no fault of your own, you can experience the joy of generosity. I want to challenge you to take a step of faith…not a leap, but a step of faith. Go ahead and take God at His word:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

Tithe simply means ten percent. That’s less than what you probably pay in taxes. That should be less than you tip a waiter or waitress! Ten percent is a good place for beginners. If you’re not giving ten percent, you’re missing out! You may be saying, “I can’t afford to give ten percent.” I’m saying you can’t afford to NOT give ten percent…as a starter, as a step of faith. If you just can’t imagine God providing and honoring your generosity, start with 5%. I dare you to trust God! The great thing about percentage giving is it adjusts to your income. We all have something we can give.

If you find yourself in debt, struggling to make ends meet, unsure of how to create a budget, or just want to grow in your understanding of finances, I want to encourage you to sign up for Financial Peace University. It will be held here on Wednesday evenings beginning March 25 and since it’s during Encounter, you can bring your kids!

This is not just a personal issue. As a church family, I’ve encouraged our leaders to create mission plans (that’s another name for a budget!) that require God to show up! We never want to be foolish or greedy, but I want us to remain on our knees, desperate for God.

I’m always struck by this passage in Proverbs, the book of wisdom:

“Two things I ask of you, LORD;
            do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
            give me neither poverty nor riches,
            but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
            and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
            and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9)

I know what it’s like to be desperate for God. As many of you know, Heather and I spent years on our knees praying for our kids and their various challenges. When our daughter was in remission, I prayed to the LORD, “I don’t want to lose this urgency and desperation. I don’t want to get busy and comfortable. I want to turn my prayer requests and petitions into praises,” and I’ve tried to do that.

I know He’s calling me to take steps of faith, to step out of my comfort, to be more generous. As John Ortberg famously said, “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.”

We briefly looked at this text from Paul to one of the first churches in Europe. The church in Jerusalem is struggling financially, and Paul encourages those in Corinth to help.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written:

            “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
                        their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12)

This is a win-win-win…a win for the church in Jerusalem, a win for God who is glorified, and a win for the givers who receive blessings.

So What?

I challenge you—I dare you—to ask God what to do with this sermon, with this series. What is your next step. Maybe it’s to sign up for Financial Peace University. Perhaps you simply need to volunteer an hour a week—here or with one of our local ministry partners. Maybe it’s time to start giving ten percent or five percent…or even a dollar! See if God doesn’t honor and bless you. It’s possible God wants some of you to add a percent—or a zero—to your current giving. You can’t outgive God.

Last year I gave away copies of Randy Alcorn’s classic The Treasure Principle. If you didn’t get one, I’d love to give you a copy, but I must warn you it is challenging.

Jesus summarized the entire scriptures by saying love God, love your neighbor as yourself. Do you believe that? Prove it! How we use and steward our time, our talents, and our treasures is the real measure of our faith, our obedience, our spiritual maturity.

Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.

A life of generosity is a key to true satisfaction and happiness.

I pray that He says to each of us someday, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Provider, 1 MArch 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-03-01T20:11:20-05:00

Provider
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Money Matters
March 1, 2026
Genesis 22:6-14; Philippians 4:19

Series Big Idea: Money is a powerful tool that can bless or destroy.

Big Idea: God faithfully provides through the generosity of His people.

There was a man whose town began to flood after days of relentless rain. The river crested its banks, streets filled with water, and emergency sirens wailed through the night.
The man stood on his porch as the water rose to his knees and prayed, “Lord, I trust You. Please save me.”
A neighbor paddled by in a small rowboat and shouted, “Jump in! I’ll take you to safety!”
The man replied, “No, thank you. I’m praying. God is going to save me.”
The water kept rising. He climbed onto his roof and prayed again, “God, I know You’re faithful. Rescue me!”
Soon a rescue boat came by. “Sir, this is your last chance. Get in!”
He shook his head. “No. I have faith. God will save me.”
Finally, with the water at the chimney, a helicopter hovered overhead. They dropped a rope ladder and yelled, “Grab on!”
But he called back, “No! I’m waiting on God!”
Moments later, the waters overtook him.
When he stood before the Lord, he asked, “God, I trusted You. Why didn’t You save me?”
And the Lord said, “I sent you a rowboat, a rescue team, and a helicopter. What more were you waiting for?”
God faithfully provides through the generosity of His people.What do you need today? In 1943, Abraham Maslow wrote a paper that diagramed a hierarchy of needs.

I’m not here to debate the merits of the pyramid, but rather to note we all have needs. Some need food and water. Others struggle with health and safety. When our more basic needs get met, friends, achievement, and meaning enter the picture. Regardless of what you need today, God is able to provide, and it’s usually accomplished through His people. Paul wrote to a church in modern day Greece,
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
God does not promise to provide our every want and desire. That’s a job for prosperity gospel preachers! He promises to meet our needs. He is a provider.
Once upon a time, God told Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. This was the son that took 100 years for God to provide! I can’t imagine the thoughts and feelings going through his head, but Abraham obeyed. Genesis 22 says,
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,
7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

            “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

            “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. (Genesis 22:6-8)

The Hebrew word for provide is raah. It can mean “to see” or provide.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:9-10)

Can you imagine?

But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

            “Here I am,” he replied.

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:11-12)

I bet Abraham uttered the loudest sigh of relief in history!

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:13-14)

The LORD Will Provide in Hebrew is Yahweh Jireh. Some have pronounced it Jehovah Jireh.

Centuries later, the LORD provided the ultimate sacrifice for us, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, Jesus Christ. Thousands of years later, God is still providing for His people. He gives us everything we need for what He’s called us to do.

What has He called us to do?

Love God. Love neighbor as self. Go and make disciples.

Last Sunday we said

Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.

He loves to use His people to provide, to answer prayers, to participate in His Kingdom.
The opening story is a joke, but it delivers a truth. Imagine you owned a boat or helicopter and could save a life. How great would that be? Yet every one of us has been invited into God’s Kingdom to not only dwell but serve.

I asked, “What do you need?.” Now, what do you have? We all have something…money, cars, homes, skills and talents, time, energy, health, etc. How are you stewarding those gifts, those blessings.

Imagine someone in this room needed a set of golf clubs and you had two sets. How great would it be to provide for them?

Imagine someone in this room needed childcare for one hour this week and you were available. How great would it be to provide for them?

Imagine someone in this room prays for healing and you are a doctor. How great would it be to provide it for them?

Last week I said I wanted a bag of gold and someone provided for me!

Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

This is so true. I love receiving gifts, but giving them is a blast, whether it’s a birthday gift to a grandchild, buying someone at Dietsch’s, or writing a check to College First. It’s a joy to be generous!

Paul again, this time to the church in Corinth:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written:

            “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
                        their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)
You can’t outgive God. He provides, and He has provided for me and my family in some incredible ways. For example,

-       We needed $100 one week and $50 came in the mail and $50 from a relative
-       We needed help with our furnace and someone from CF fixed it
-       We prayed for a minivan and received one hours later!
-       When we moved to a new city, we needed friends…and found them

In every case, God used someone to bless us, to provide for us…and they had the thrill of being used by God. You can’t buy that!

What do you need?
What do you have?

As the church, we are to love one another and one way we can love is by providing for the needs of one another, offering a ride, a room, or a repair. The second chapter of Acts describes a beautiful picture of what a church should become.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 2:44-45)

That sounds fun! That sounds like the Church in action.

So What?

What do you have? What do you need? It’s hard to manage the resources of hundreds of people at College First, but you can begin by thinking about your gifts.

Some of you have time to give, and volunteering here and/or at another ministry in the area will do far more for your heart and soul than watching bad news on TV! You can scoop ice cream, build a house, teach children, serve food, coach sports, count money, pack gifts, sing, clean, sew, cook, garden, ring a bell, mow…or even preach! If you tell me what you like to do, I’ll get you connected to opportunities. I had a man years ago tell me he loved racing cars, so we started a church auto racing team! It was great!

If your gifts are financial, you can give online, via check, or in person. Your investment in God’s work at College First is producing fantastic fruit, including baptisms, healed marriages, and a NextGen ministry of students we can barely contain on our physical campus. To those of you who give 1% or 5% or 10% or 90% of your income, thank you. I cannot imagine a better investment than College First which is why the largest check we write each month is to College First. The dividends are eternal! You can give to our benevolence fund, NextGen leadership endowment, or any number of other things. You can give stocks, bonds, and other non-cash gifts, too, such as livestock or real estate. You’ve probably never met an unhappy generous person.

God faithfully provides through the generosity of His people. What do you have? Don’t hoard it. Invest it. You’ll never regret it!

Stewards, 22 February 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-02-24T06:21:12-05:00

Stewards
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Money Matters
February 22, 2026
Deuteronomy 10:14-22

Series Big Idea: Money is a powerful tool that can bless or destroy.

Big Idea: Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.

A few years ago, the Major League Baseball club in Cleveland made news when they announced their search for a new, politically correct name. Not being from Ohio and failing to understand the history, I was surprised when they adopted the name Guardians. I later learned there were guardian sculptures on the nearby Hope Memorial Bridge, symbolically offering protection and safety. Their website states, “We hope that wearing the name Guardians will make our fans proud to protect and preserve all that we love about this city.”

I didn’t plan to talk about guardians, but it appeared in a thesaurus search under “stewards,” our topic today. Like a guardian, a steward manages the property, affairs, or finances of another person, one who is put in charge of something valuable.

Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards. His guardians.

We’re going to spend the next few weeks looking at the subject of money. Few topics are more relevant. Money impacts everything from our marriages to our worship. Money matters!

Some people get nervous when money is mentioned in church. Are we beginning a fundraising campaign? No. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, College First is paying its bills. This is about discipleship…helping you follow and obey Jesus. Jesus talked about it more than heaven and hell combined! This is not about what I want from you but rather what God wants FOR you.

In what may be the first book of the Bible written, Job says,

and said:

            “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
                        and naked I will depart.
            The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
                        may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21)

Job had lost most everything in his life. At the end of the book, he gets most of it back…and then some. Even in the midst of unbearable suffering, Job understood…

Everything we have belongs to God.

It’s all His. Everything. Our bank accounts. Our 410(k). Our talents. Our bodies. Our health. Our future. Our family. Our friends. Our homes. It’s all His.

This is a problem for many. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard some say, “I earned this. I built this. I deserve this. I own this. I accomplished this…” To quote a famous line from Finding Nemo…

Mine, Mine, Mine!

But it’s not. Nothing is truly yours. It all belongs to the LORD.

Recently, I’ve heard more acknowledgements of God in an interesting place…athletic press conferences! I find it refreshing to hear sports stars give God credit and glory for their accomplishments. Did God score the winning touchdown? No. Did God lace up skates and win a medal? No. Do athletes win championships without effort or training? Hardly. But I take notice when people recognize God is the one who creates our bodies, gifts us with abilities, creates opportunities, provides protection, and has a will and plan for each of our lives. Moses wrote,

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)

I see the stars/I hear the rolling thunder/Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

But it’s not just the heavens that are his. The earth and everything in it belong to the LORD.

When I was a young boy, I played with G.I. Joe. I had a Jeep for him. I had a cool space capsule for him. I had different military outfits. But at no point did Joe turn to me and say, “This stuff is mine!”

I realize it’s a silly example, but it’s tempting for us to look at our stuff and say, “Mine!” At any moment, you could lose anything and everything, beginning with your very life. Everything belongs to the LORD. It’s a wonder we can have a relationship with Him. Moses continues,

Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:15-16)

God is so good!

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. (Deuteronomy 10:17)

This is our God! He is greater than any prime minister, president, or prince. He has more wealth than every billionaire combined. He is stronger than any power or force. Yet He is pure, honest, and love.

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:18)

This is our God. He is not fair. Grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love are never fair. But He’s good! And He wants us to follow Him. It’s important to notice the context: the people were slaves in Egypt and have been liberated.

And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19)

How quickly we forget our past, God’s grace, how far we’ve come.

Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. 22 Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. (Deuteronomy 10:20-22)

What do the people owe God? Everything!
What do we owe God? Everything!

Everything we have belongs to God. We are his stewards. We are his guardians.

Please take out your wallet. Look inside. It belongs to God. All of it. The debit cards, the savings account, the 401(k), and the checkbook, too.

When you invest money with a banker or financial planner, they don’t keep them money. It’s not theirs. It’s on loan to them for the purpose of keeping the money safe and watching it grow. If you put $100 in the bank, you don’t expect them to say, “We lost half of it so here’s $50. If it’s a saving or investment account, you hope to be able to withdraw more than $100, in time”

Growing up, my dad had a company car. Then a company van! He had several Dodge vans over the year, filled with catalogs he would take to various sales calls. The van did not belong to dad, yet he took very good care of it. He would eventually trade it in for a newer model. The nice thing was the company was responsible for the purchase and expenses. If it broke, dad would go to the company and ask them to repair it.

This is true for all of our stuff. It belongs to the LORD. We are to steward and guard our possessions. We are to ultimately use them for God’s glory. We are to invest.

During our new year orientation of church leaders, I told everyone there is no money available to spend. We are only to invest budgeted funds…in loving, equipping, and sending.

Jesus told a great parable about three men who were given bags of gold. The first man was given five bags of gold. He invested them and doubled his money for the master.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21)

The second man was given two bags of gold. He also invested it and received the same response.

The third man was given one bag of gold and instead of investing it went to Starbucks and drank it all away! No, he hid it in the ground.

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. (Matthew 25:26-27)

“ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:28-30)

So What?

Jesus’ half brother wrote,

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

We have all been blessed with freedom in this country, life, and fellowship together. Many of you have cars, homes, education, friends, talents, health, and money. Capital One asks, “What’s in your wallet?” These gifts are not to be used. They are to be invested. One day, we will all stand before God and have to give an account for how we guarded and stewarded our gifts. What a sobering thought! What will God say to you? What will He say to me? I pray He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The Life of the World to Come, 15 February 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-02-15T14:12:10-05:00

The Life of the World to Come
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Creed
February 15, 2026
Philippians 3:20-21

Series Big Idea: The ancient Nicene Creed offers a valuable summary of our faith.

Big Idea: Jesus is reigning in this life, and he will reign forever in the life of the world to come.

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:20-21

Death is a subject many seek to avoid, yet we are all one day closer to it than we were yesterday. We’ve all experienced death in a variety of ways, from the funerals of loved ones to news stories of war to violence in movies. Death—and taxes—are certain.

Although thoughts of death should be terrifying for those who are not following Jesus, death for the believer is good news…actually, great news!

This morning we’re concluding our series on the Nicene Creed, a summary of the Christian faith in five paragraphs, written 1701 years ago. We’ve talked about it. We’ve sung about it. Let’s recite it together.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Today we’ll examine the final seventeen words. But first, how did death enter the world in the first place?

If we go back—way back—to the third chapter of the Bible, we see Adam and Eve banished from the garden of Eden after they disobeyed God.

And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

Because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were expelled from the garden and no longer had access to the tree of life…which was actually a blessing. Imagine living forever in these decaying bodies!

Scripture clearly teaches the resurrection of the dead, though it was not universally understood.

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:12)

The Sadducees of Jesus’ day were Jewish leaders who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Today, we call such people nihilists.

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:13-19)

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we can’t experience resurrection, and this whole thing known as the Christian faith is as real as unicorns.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Because he lives, we have hope for the future. It’s not confined to this moment, this earth, this body, this reality. I know most of us are U.S. citizens…

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

We don’t know everything about our new bodies, but they will be like Jesus’ resurrected body. Pastor Glenn Packiam notes, “Resurrection is not an escape from the body; it’s the redemption and glorification of the body.”

Since resurrection Sunday, followers of Jesus have a hope and a future. This is why funerals for Christians is always bittersweet. We grieve our temporary loss, but celebrate both their gain and our ultimate reunion.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Not only will the dead rise, new creation—the world to come—is in our future.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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 21:1-4)

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)

God will redeem, complete, perfect, and transform this world. Even though we sin, he does not abandon us. His promise is secure because of the empty tomb, proof that God has conquered sin and death. He will finish what He started at creation.

So What?

Author Leslie Newbigin asks,

“How can this strange story of God made flesh, of a crucified Savior, of resurrection and new creation become credible for those whose entire mental training has conditioned them to believe that the real world is the world which can be satisfactorily explained and managed without the hypothesis of God? I know of only one clue to the answering of that question, only one hermeneutic of the gospel: a congregation which believes it.”
In other words, we have hope. We have a future. We have God’s promises of new bodies, a new heaven, and a new earth. We can look beyond today’s headlines and see tomorrow’s paradise. We don’t become obsessed with money, sex, and power because we know something far greater awaits us. And as God’s people now, we are to proclaim good news, go and make disciples, pray for the sick, pursue justice, shine the light in the darkness, and most of all love well. Love like Jesus.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

While we wait, we don’t ignore the world. We fill it with faith, hope, and love. Jesus is returning. We need to get ready and help others get ready. I believe he is waiting for us to complete the task. Jesus said,

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

College First family, let’s love, equip, and send…until Jesus returns!

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is reigning in this life, and he will reign forever in the life of the world to come. Let us follow the king, obey the king, and bring all honor and glory to the king, now and forever.

Amen!

One Holy Church, 8 February 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-02-08T16:06:33-05:00

One Holy Church
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Creed
February 8, 2026
Ephesians 4:2-6, 31-32

Series Big Idea: The ancient Nicene Creed offers a valuable summary of our faith.

Big Idea: Followers of Jesus are part of one, universal, global Church, the Bride of Christ.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:2-6, 31-32

Once upon a time, about 2000 years ago, where were two types of people: Jews and Gentiles. One day, a rabbi invited a dozen men to leave everything and follow him on a three-year journey, one that would change the world. After performing the ultimate miracle—resurrecting from the dead—he said he would leave again with the promise to return…soon. He sent the Holy Spirit—our subject last week—who initiated what is arguably the most powerful movement in the history of the world…the Church.

Throughout this new year, we’ve been examining one of the most important documents in the history of Christianity, the Nicene Creed. This five-paragraph summary of our faith understandably begins with God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Today we are looking at the Church.

What in the world is the Church? Some use the word to describe a building. Others think of a weekend gathering of people. The original Greek word, ekklesia, means simply assembly, meeting, or congregation. By this definition, you could make an argument that online church isn’t! Of course, virtual gatherings have legitimacy, especially when physical proximity is impossible.

The Nicene Creed states,

We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

There may be a few words there that raise an eyebrow, so let’s unpack this 1701 year-old statement.

We believe. This may not include you, and if not, we don’t want you to feel excluded. We love spiritual seekers investigating the Christian faith. Welcome. For the rest of us, we believe…in one. That means one! Holy means set apart, distinct. As you can see in the brackets, small-c catholic is not a reference to Roman Catholic with a capital-C but universal. Apostolic refers to following the teachings and authority of the apostles, those who were with Jesus. Church, of course, is our subject. Notice it is capitalized to denote the assembly or gathering of all followers of Jesus, not referring to a local congregation such as College First.

We are part of a diverse, global family. I hope I don’t need to say the Church is not just a white or western or USAmerican experience, but a multi-ethnic population. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of the future of the Church:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

There’s one more sentence in today’s statement.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

Baptism is a public expression of an inward faith, a symbolic water grave that we enter to show our death to our selfish sins and that we exit to demonstrate being resurrected, made a new creation, forgiven of our sins not from our works but the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Unfortunately, the Church does not have a stellar history of one…of unity.

Are you ready for a crash course in Church history?

Jesus invested in twelve disciples and many others who were gathered together in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit arrived.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

This was the reversal of the Tower of Babel. We’ll dive into this on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, but suffice it to say what began with a Jewish rabbi quickly spread to Gentiles. Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but the movement now known as Christianity has spread around the world. Where two or more are gathered, there is conflict! Church history is tragically filled with divisions and splits. As churches spread throughout the Roman Empire, language, culture, and leadership led to key centers in Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. For the first thousand years or so, there was one Church with many cultures.

In 1054, the Great Schism occurred, a split between the western Roman Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox Church based in Constantinople. We mentioned the filoque last week, the understanding of the Holy Spirit, and papal authority and cultural and political divisions led to this separation, splitting the Church in two.

In the 1500s, abuses and corruption in the Catholic Church and theological issues led to the Protestant Reformation. These “Protestant” churches emphasized the authority of Scripture over church tradition and salvation by grace through faith alone, not works. Martin Luther in Germany, John Calvin in Switzerland, and Ulrich Zwingli in Zurich were among the primary Reformers that led to new congregations and a 66-book Bible following the Hebrew Old Testament.

I wish we could simply say there are Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches, but over the years a number of Protestant denominations have emerged following theological and cultural differences. In fact, according to the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Illinois, there are more than 42,000 Christian denominations around the world…Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Anabaptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist, Church of God, and others.

Ironically, two of the things that have divided churches over the years have been communion and baptism, specifically the meaning of the bread and wine and how much water is used in baptism.

Jesus prayed that we would be one in John 17.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

I can’t imagine who much worse the divisions would be if he wasn’t praying for our unity!

Unity is one of the five prayers that I pray for College First Church of God. I pray for direction, protection, passion, good fruit, and unity.

I’ll never forget my wedding day, that thrilling moment Heather and her dad rounded the corner of the back of the sanctuary and headed toward me. She was—and is—the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I was thinking, “Come on down!” As beautiful as she was—and is—if she came down the aisle dismembered—arms flailing, eyeballs rolling, feet hopping, torso wiggling—I would’ve probably screamed in horror. I didn’t want Mrs. Potato Head! Beautiful parts alone don’t make a beautiful bride. There must be unity!

It’s always a challenge for any family to get along given our own preferences, opinions, and desires. When our focus is on Jesus rather than our selfish rights and views, we become unified, not around our agendas but his.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

A lot of people talk trash about the church because it’s filled with imperfect people. Duh! I’ve been brutally hurt by the church, by church people, by sinners…just like me! We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. It’s His Church, not mine or yours. In the midst of disillusionment with scandal, idolatry, and pure sin in the church, I’ve decided to try to become part of the solution rather than part of the problem. The church is called the Bride of Christ and you can’t love Jesus and hate his wife!

The Church exists to glorify God. It’s really not about us, though we’re privileged to be invited into God’s family. We’ve been sent on a mission…to go and make disciples.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

So What?

The church is not a building or even a service, but a family. There is one church in Findlay with multiple congregations. Followers of Jesus are part of a global community of believers here to bring glory to God, love one another, and offer faith, hope, and love to our world as we go and make disciples of all nations. We are all different. We bring different gifts and resources together to serve one another and fulfill the mission, the Great Commission.

I want the Church to grow stronger, healthier, and larger. I long for every person on the planet to be invited into the family…about 8 billion people, billions of whom have never even heard about Jesus! I love it when we gather together, but it’s ultimately to equip you to scatter, to go, to share the gospel, the good news.

As a practical next-step, I want to challenge you to pray for three people you can invite to our Easter celebration, April 5 which will be…at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. We’re taking the Church to the community. We’ll have one 10:30 AM gathering, bringing our congregation together while welcoming our friends and neighbors to experience the Church…and Jesus!

College First family, I love you. We’re going to equip you with invite cards beginning next week, and we want to send you into the world to be salt and light, to spread good news, to invite your friends and neighbors to “come and see.” Let’s throw Findlay the biggest party it’s ever seen! Let the Church celebrate the bridegroom…Jesus Christ!

Holy Spirit, 1 February 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-02-01T12:51:34-05:00

The Holy Spirit
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Creed
February 1, 2026
Acts 1:6-8

Series Big Idea: The ancient Nicene Creed offers a valuable summary of our faith.

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is a vital member of the Trinity seeking to make us like Christ.

Scripture Reading: Acts 1:6-8

In 1977, an emerging filmmaker created a science fiction movie that featured a line that has been quoted for decades, even leading to its own pseudo holiday on May 4:

May the force be with you.

As we continue our series on the Nicene Creed—an ancient statement of faith supported by Christians of all denominations—we turn from the Father and the Son to the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

My name is Kirk and it’s great to be back after being in Kenya training pastors. It was a fruitful trip, though it was a shock to the system to experience weather 80 degrees cooler when we arrived home! Thank you for your prayers.

Lance Finley and Alex Miller spoke the past two weeks about Jesus, the second member of the Trinity. Today we turn to the Holy Spirit.

There’s a lot of mystery and even fear concerning the Holy Spirit. Some think the Spirit is a force, as in Star Wars. This is not true. A force is ambiguous or nebulous, but the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a feeling, not an indifference or ambivalent element.

The Holy Spirit is not a ghost. The original Hebrew word, ruach, can be translated breath or wind. Visually, the Spirit is sometimes depicted as a dove, a reference to Jesus’ baptism.

We first see the Spirit mentioned in the second verse of the Bible.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

The Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit—do life together, not unlike the biblical model of the family—mom, dad, and child. There is a synergy that exists when relationships are healthy, a mutual satisfaction resulting in the flourishing of all.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

If you will allow me to nerd out for just a moment, I’ve been saying the Nicene Creed has been embraced by all Christians—Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant—with one exception. Here it is! Notice the brackets. Does the Spirit proceed from the Father or from the Father and the Son? Listen to this from the Colson Center:

The word filioque is Latin for “and the Son,” as in, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” This is from the Nicene Creed, a widely accepted summary of Christian doctrine, which emerged from the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and was finalized at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381. The original text read only “who proceeds from the Father.” However, over subsequent generations, Christians in Western Europe included “... and the Son.” Eastern Christians did not.

Those three words in English, (and just one in Latin) carry enormous theological weight. Though other issues were at play, this was the final straw that led the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch in Constantinople to mutual excommunicate each other in 1054. For Western Christians, at issue is preserving the unity of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, who always works in the Name of Christ. For Eastern Christians, it’s a question of authority. For both, at stake is how best to understand the inner workings of the Godhead. Though certainly an issue of theological precision, the filioque is a matter of no small theological importance.

In other words, Orthodox Christians have a slightly different understanding of the Holy Spirit than Catholics and Protestants. You could spend days researching the ramifications of those three bracketed words. They don’t impact our salvation or practice, but it’s worth noting the theological difference it presents.

Theologian Michael Bird writes,

The divine persons have distinct operations or works appropriate to who they are, that is, the Father is the Creator, the Son is the redeemer, and the Spirit is renewer. But even then, their operations are inseparable, namely, the Father involves the Son and the Spirit in what he does, the Son is the Son of the Father and the bearer and dispenser of the Spirit, and the Spirit is sent by the Father through the Son.

The Holy Spirit is visible throughout the Old Testament, from the second verse of the Bible to helping Joseph interpret dreams in Egypt to giving builders skill to craft the tabernacle and its furniture to encounters with Balaam, Samson, King Saul, and the prophet Micaiah.

It’s not until Acts 2 that the Spirit is simultaneously present in every follower of Jesus. In our text for today, Jesus predicts the coming of the Holy Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This is a fantastic verse revealing the spread of the gospel from its epicenter in Jerusalem to eventually the ends of the earth. It forms a great metaphor for our mission to love, equip, and send as our Jerusalem is obviously Findlay and Hancock County, it includes the Great Lakes Conference covering Ohio and Michigan, moves throughout our nation, and encompasses the world, including Haiti, Kenya, and Thailand.

You can read about the Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost in the next chapter, Acts 2. It describes the birth of the Church which we will celebrate on May 24. So what is the role of the Holy Spirit?

1.    The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin to the world. (John 16:8-11)

2.    The Holy Spirit glorifies and reveals Jesus. (John 16:12-15)

3.    The Holy Spirit enables us to confess Jesus is Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:3b)

4.    The Holy Spirit gives us new birth. (John 3:5-6)

5.    The Holy Spirit gives us a new life and a new status as children of God. (Romans 8:10-17)

6.    The Holy Spirit brings comfort, helps us to pray, reveals truth, inspires and illuminates scripture.

7.    The Holy Spirit gives gifts to serve the Church, witness to the world, and glorify God.

8.    The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

I want to highlight one aspect of the fruit today: love. Followers of Jesus are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are commanded to love our enemy. This means if you call yourself a Christian, you are to love Republicans, Democrats, atheists, members of ICE, immigrants, Jews, Palestinians, Asians, LGBTQIA persons, Muslims, addicts, …and let’s not forget Wolverines!

I can hardly believe some of the things so-called Christians are saying and posting online. We are not going to all agree on every political candidate or issue. We are going to have different opinions about what to do with legal immigrants and illegal immigrants. We are going to see economics, government, and the second amendment differently.

But we are always called to love—to look out for the best interest of the other person—even when in the flesh you might want to hurt, harm, or hate. That’s the way of the world. The fruit of the Holy Spirit begins with love, and Jesus modeled it perfectly, praying for Roman guards nailing him to a cross.

It’s not easy to love…some people. It’s certainly not easy to love one’s enemies, whoever they may be. But that’s the litmus test of our faith—love. Don’t believe me? Read 1 Corinthians 13. College First, we must be a people of love, first and foremost. It’s about Jesus. He is our example. Don’t get sucked into political idolatry, worldly reactions, or selfish living. Remember the Golden Rule. We love God by loving others.

So What?

We need the Holy Spirit! We can’t love my enemies on my own power. We can’t experience peace by trying harder. We can’t produce joy on our own. One of the oldest prayers of the church is, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Pray it regularly. Seek the fruit. Surrender your will. Make space for the Holy Spirit in your heart.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)

This is not a one-and-done filling, but a continuous filling, like if I say, “Breathe!” We are to breathe constantly and be filled with the Spirit constantly. We make space by confessing our sins (exhale) and welcome the Holy Spirit (inhale), surrendering to the Spirit and receiving the fruit and gifts.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

The Holy Spirit is not a force, a ghost, or feeling, but a Person, God, one third of the Trinity. We need the Holy Spirit to know Jesus and become like Jesus. There is life and power and fruit and gifts that the Holy Spirit offers. We simply need to pray, “Come, Holy Spirit.”

Father, 11 January 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-01-11T13:34:48-05:00

One God, the Father, the Almighty
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Creed
January 11, 2026
Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 42:5-7

Series Big Idea: The ancient Nicene Creed offers a valuable summary of our faith.

Big Idea: God the Father is good, faithful, and one Person of the Trinity.

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 42:5-7

What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever made? Perhaps it was a song, a painting, or a poem. Maybe it was cookies, a gourmet meal, a shed, or a pinewood derby car. When considering the question, I thought of our children, though technically I co-created them!

The first verse of the Bible states,

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

After an introduction last Sunday, today we dive into the text of the Nicene Creed, a summary of the Christian faith assembled 1701 years ago in a city in modern day Turkey designed to clarify the teachings of the Bible and unify Christians. Today, it is a statement affirmed by Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians (with one small exception we’ll discuss later). The creed begins,

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.

I realize some of you might not believe this—or any part of the Nicene Creed—and that’s fine. We’re glad you’re here and we invite you to explore what 2.3 billion people around the world believe. This is a safe place to bring doubts and questions.

The statement itself has several parts we will explore. First, we believe in one God. This may not sound radical, but throughout human history there have been atheists who do not believe in God, polytheists who believe in multiple Gods, and monotheists who believe in one God. The Greeks had many gods and temples that were the backdrop for much of the writing of the New Testament. Obviously, Christians are monotheists, though some have questioned whether we believe in three Gods. We do not.

For thousands of years, Jews have recited a prayer known as the Shema, a declaration of faith. It begins,

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

We believe in one God who exists in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There have been many metaphors to explain what we call the Trinity. We’re describing God, so we shouldn’t be surprised it’s mysterious or overwhelming. Someone said if we could fully understand God, we would be God!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

When we look at this verse in the original Hebrew, the word for God is Elohim. It refers to one God but is grammatically plural. We don’t have time to explore the details, but this is one of about 2600 times elohim is used as a singular noun.

My favorite metaphor for the Trinity is my son, grandson, and myself. We are three different people, but we are all 100% Mr. Schneemann. If the three of us were together and someone said, “Mr. Schneemann!” we would all respond. I’m not more or less Mr. Schneemann than the others. We have distinct personhood, but we’re all one family. This is not a perfect metaphor, but it’s my favorite. To clarify, we are NOT God!

Our theme today focuses on God the Father.

We believe in one God, the Father…

We believe in one God, the Father. Tragically, the word Father has negative connotations for some based upon their biological dad. As a result, some have replaced the noun with mother, but the scriptures consistently use the male word.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty. The Hebrew word for Almighty is Shaddai.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)

Almighty—Shaddai—is a title for God. He appeared to Abram to announce he would become a dad…at nearly one hundred years of age! Only God Almighty could accomplish this!

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible. I think that covers everything!

This is what God the LORD says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: (Isaiah 42:5)

Potters create with clay.
Baristas create with coffee.
Musicians create with instruments.
Legoists create with…Legos!

God creates with…His voice! From nothing!

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

Some of the rabbis believe God sung creation into existence, which gives me the chills!

The rest of our text from the prophet Isaiah says,

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:6-7)

Here’s where this gets exciting: Almighty God, Creator of the universe, uniquely created you and me for—wait for it—a relationship with Himself. I’ve heard this for more than five decades, but it never ceases to amaze me. The One who put the stars in the sky, created the giraffe, made the redwood trees, spoke into existence the sun, moon, and planets…He wants a relationship with you! And me!

If that’s not enough, Isaiah says He has work for us to do. We’re on a mission from God! I love how one writer describes this: invitation and challenge. God invites us into relationship—to sit on His lap, so to speak—and then gives us an assignment.

“…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Don’t miss that last sentence. He is with us. Always. That’s relationship. He goes with you when you leave today. He’ll be at the office, rec center, or classroom tomorrow. He’s always available, always listening, always eager to hear your voice, always good, always faithful, always loving…and He’s all-powerful, ever-present, and all-knowing.

And He knows your name! He knows my name! Can I get a witness up in here?!

Last week I challenged you to seek to understand who God uniquely created you to be with the homework to describe yourself in ten words or less. We are exploring who is God? in this series, and if you can answer who are you, clarity will emerge about meaning, purpose, and joy.

To assist you, we are hosting a powerful four-week workshop entitled Refocus on Purpose. There’s info in your bulletin and in the lobby. This is a perfect next-step for you as you not only step into this new year but literally the rest of your life.

So What?

Whenever we talk about God, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. As I said on Christmas Eve, God is truly awesome, arguably the only One worthy of such a description. It’s incredible that the Creator of heaven and earth would tolerate us, much less embrace us. I can barely conceive of the reality that a holy God would want to have a relationship with a broken, sinful, ragamuffin like me. But the good news gets even greater!

Three of the four gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—record a miraculous event that occurred the moment Jesus died. Matthew wrote,

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51a)

This curtain separated an area called the Holy of Holies from the people. Only the high priest could enter this space, and only once a year. This was the most special place on earth where God’s presence dwelt. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can go there, into the presence of Almighty God.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

We are invited in, to know the Creator of the universe, to do life with Him. That’s why we were created, to know God and glorify Him.

You were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory.

Followers of Jesus are related by blood—the blood of Jesus. We have a good, good Father who knows us by name, knows the number of hairs on our heads, knew us before the foundation of the world, and who will welcome us into His presence for eternity.

Do you know Him? If not, today can be the day you say “yes” to Jesus, the one whose death and resurrection reconcile us—reconnect us—to our Creator. No matter what words you use to describe yourself, your greatest identity will always be “child of the most high God, the Almighty, creator of the universe.”!

What’s the greatest thing God ever made? It’s you…and me. Unlike trees, angels, or dolphins, we were created in His image with dignity, value, and worth…and He invites us into His throne room, into a relationship with Him now and forever. He’s a good, good Father.

We Believe in…4 January 2026

user@domain.com — 2026-01-05T06:22:20-05:00

We Believe in…
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Creed
January 4, 2026
Ephesians 2:8-10, 17-19

Series Big Idea: The ancient Nicene Creed offers a valuable summary of our faith.

Big Idea: We become what we behold…and believe.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:8-10, 17-19

Happy new year! There’s nothing like new beginnings, and today we begin a new day, a new week, a new year…and a new sermon series. As I prayed about how to start 2026, I learned about an ancient creed that celebrated 1700 years…last year. The Nicene Creed is 1701 years old and whether you have it memorized or have no idea what a creed is, I believe this exploration of the basics of our faith will ground us in the good, beautiful, and true and equip us for a great year ahead.

Who are you? Years ago, I tried to summarize myself in as few words as possible. I think I can adequately describe myself as a spiritual pilgrim, artist, and entrepreneur. Upon further reflection, one additional word is necessary to convey my identity: papa!

Take a few moments to describe yourself. PAUSE

Who is God? What do you believe?

Tragically, many don’t really know, which has led to cults and false teachers through the centuries. It’s not uncommon to hitch your wagon to your favorite author, theologian, preacher, or online influencer. There are many myths about Christianity and fictitious scripture verses such as, “God helps those who help themselves” which is not in the Bible!

Although some call it a book, the Bible is really a library, a collection of 66 books. Despite Jesus’ prayers for unity in John 17, there are now over 40,000 Christian denominations in our world, most of whom would say the Bible is their authority, yet the interpretation and application of its timeless truths have created tremendous divisions, not the least of which is the Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant camps.

A creed is “a summary statement of beliefs that unites Christians from all denominations and all generations.” It’s an overview of the Christian faith, coming from “credo” in Latin meaning “I believe.” Much like my summary of myself, a creed offers the highlights of the holy scriptures. Creeds connect us to the ancient roots of our faith. Some creeds are believed to date back to the apostles after Pentecost about two thousand years ago. Many of you know the Apostle’s Creed. Creeds that followed sought to clarify aspects of their predecessors. Describing God and summarizing thousands of pages is a daunting task, after all!

Last year, Pope Leo said,

In the unity of faith, proclaimed since the beginning of the Church, Christians have been called to walk in harmony, guarding and transmitting the gift they have received with love and joy. This is expressed in the words of the Creed, “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God… for our salvation he came down from heaven,” that were formulated 1700 years ago by the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical gathering in the history of Christianity.

All Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians believe the Nicene Creed…with one small exception, which we’ll address later in the series. So what does it say? What could all Christians possibly agree about?!

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic [universal] and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Right about now you may be thinking, “Who cares about five paragraphs written 1701 years ago? How will that help me pay my Visa bill, get me a promotion at work, help me raise my kids, or ensure I don’t get the flu this winter?”
At our Christmas Eve services, I said we become what we behold. If we don’t know God, we can’t become like Him. If we don’t understand the basics of the faith, we don’t possess a reliable, useful, relevant faith.

One of the things that excites me about the Nicene Creed is how it clarifies closed-hand issues that are non-negotiable for anyone calling themselves a Christian. It illuminates what we have in common with followers of Jesus from other traditions. The family of God is quite diverse, not only in age and ethnicity but also in worship practices and what I like to call open-handed issues that are important but not essential to our faith. Some of those issues—the things which sadly divide Christians—include modes of baptism, the meaning of communion, and spiritual gifts.

For a bit of history, I want to take you back 1701 years to the town of Nicaea in modern-day Turkey. Between May and June 19, 325 AD, a council—a gathering of Christian leaders—was assembled Christians were wrestling with differences about the nature of Jesus, among other things, specifically the question was he created, a believe known as Arianism. That belief was condemned by the phrase

…true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father

There were other things clarified such as determining the date for Easter and various church laws called canons (not the war weapon!).

One of the influential members at the Council of Nicaea was an African from Alexandria, Egypt named Athanasius who was an outspoken critic of Arianism, that Jesus was created and, therefore, was not fully God. Based upon these scriptures (Isaiah 9:6, John 5-6, Philippians 2:5-13, Colossians 1:15-19 Hebrews 1:3), it was determined that

• Jesus Christ is “begotten, not made”
• He is “of the same essence” (homoousias) with the Father
• The Son is eternal, not created

As scholars and historians celebrated the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed last year, many lamented the fact that the town of Iznik, Turkey where the council occurred has no church today. Maybe it would be a good place to plant a new church!

About 2000 years ago, Paul wrote these words to a church in modern day Turkey:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

This is a portrait of every follower of Jesus, regardless of the church or denomination. We are all masterpieces, created in Jesus to do the good things God prepared for us to do before the foundation of the earth!

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4a)

A few verses later, Paul says of Jesus,

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:17-18)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, (Ephesians 2:17-18)
We are one in Christ Jesus, brothers and sisters in a global family of approximately 2.3 billion people on our planet of 8 billion souls.

So What?
As we begin the new year, I want to challenge you to reflect upon two questions:

Who are you? Who is God?

We will address the second question throughout this series, grounding you in the holy scriptures that have united Christians for two thousand years. We become what we behold…and believe.
Your task, then, is to determine who you are, who God has uniquely created you to be, and discover the good works He has created you to do. In a broad sense, this is clearly to love God and love others as yourself. But as we behold the LORD, we will gain clarity on how we are created in His image and the masterpiece we see in the mirror.

Theologian and author Leonard Sweet recently spoke of “a creed not just to recite, but to live. A confession not just of what we believe, but of who we are becoming.”

You were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory.

Amen.

Prince of Peace, 21 December 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-12-21T14:43:43-05:00

Prince of Peace
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 21, 2025
Isaiah 9:6

Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.

Big Idea: Jesus the Messiah is the Prince of Peace.

Advent Theme: peace

What do you want for Christmas?

Most of us no longer visit Santa to tell him about the toy or doll we want, but each of us has desires, whether it’s a more expensive toy like a car, a real-life doll like a spouse, or something far more grandiose like world peace.

Our text today is quite short, a prophet proclamation issued around 700 BC that describes the Messiah, the subject of Handel’s musical masterpiece and the reason we’re here thousands of years later.

            For to us a child is born,
                        to us a son is given,
                        and the government will be on his shoulders.
            And he will be called
                        Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
                        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Jesus the Messiah is the Prince of Peace. He’s the other things, too, but our theme today is peace. The original Hebrew word, shalom, is one I use frequently. It’s one of the most beautiful words in the world, not only speaking of the absence of conflict but also completeness, soundness, well-being, perfect, prosperity…things we all seek every day.

It's no secret that our world is torn apart by wars and rumors of wars, whether they are wager on battlefields or social media. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, why is there so much evil and hatred in our world?

First, God is giving satan a season to lie, steal, kill, and destroy. Why? I don’t fully understand, but it has something to do with testing and character development. Jesus’ half-brother, James wrote,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Second, I believe there is evil in the world now to cause us to draw close to God, to need God, to reach out, to pray. How desperate are you for God? If your Christmas shopping is done, the cookies have been baked, and you just learned about getting a raise in the new year, perhaps you are comfortable and even complacent. Contrast that with the unhoused, the lonely, the widow, the legal immigrant begging God for provision.

Let me offer a third reason God allows evil now in our world: for us to be peace makers. Jesus said,

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

He didn’t say blessed are the peacekeepers, but blessed are those who make peace. Peace keeping sometimes involves avoiding conflict or experiencing false peace. Peace making is when we enter into spaces of conflict, get involved, take risks, and sometimes pay the price. When we ask God—or Santa—for peace on earth, could it be that we are the ones who need to take action?
Our example, of course, is Jesus. He entered difficult spaces (including a manger), had difficult conversations, and spoke the truth in love, even when it was unpopular, even when it got him killed!
Jesus wasn’t afraid to engage people and say hard things. He refused to follow the crowd, yet invited them into a new way of living. He demonstrated how to love one’s enemies, welcome the stranger, and engage the outcast. Jesus made peace because he is the Prince of Peace.
Peace on earth is something we all seek and it’s central to the Christmas message. On Wednesday, we’ll look at the angelic announcement to the shepherds:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Remember that word shalom? It’s not just the absence of external conflict, but also internal wholeness and completeness. How is your soul? Are you experiencing internal peace?

After writing about the faith of Abraham, the writer of the book of Romans says,

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

When we say “yes” to Jesus and begin to follow him, we have peace with God. We talked about Jesus being the good shepherd last Sunday. In one of his teachings, he said,

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

The peace—the right relationship—between us and God cannot be snatched away. He is for us. He loves us. Usually when we feel distant from God, it’s because we’ve moved, we’ve gotten busy, we’ve failed to invest in the relationship. There is something called the dark night of the soul when it feels like God is hiding. I believe the purpose is ultimately to get our attention and cause us to pursue Him more. But usually a lack of internal peace is the result of personal sin or neglect.

We can’t talk about relationships without mentioning those around us. Paul wrote to a church in modern day Turkey,

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Notice he doesn’t say keep the unity but make every effort to do so through the bond of peace. It reminds me of another message from Romans,

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

Sometimes peace is not possible. Sin destroys, and that goes for relationships, too. You can’t control another person. If you’re like me, it’s more than enough to control yourself! We may need to make the first move in restoring broken relationships and then leave the results to God.

So What?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He said,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Do you know him? If not, step one is saying, “Jesus, I give you my life.” That’s the best gift you can give him for his birthday this week! He does not promise to make you healthy and wealthy, but he is the source of true peace. Please let me or another staff member know if today is your day to say yes to Jesus so we can give you some free tools to help you begin your journey.

To those of you who know the Prince of Peace, are you following him? Are you seeking first his Kingdom over your own? Are you spending quality time with him or just talking about doing so? All of your time, talents, and treasures are gifts from Him.

Finally, I want to challenge each of us to follow the Prince of Peace into peace-making. Pay attention to those around you. Who is hurting? Who is lonely? Who is broken inside? Who needs a smile, a word of encouragement, an invitation to coffee…or even lunch today?

We can’t control what world leaders do in the midst of war. We can’t control the behavior of others, even friends and family. We can cultivate our own soul, listen to others, and look for ways to build bridges while others build walls. As the old song says,

Let There Be Peace On Earth/And Let It Begin With Me.

I can’t end any better than by quoting Paul’s words from our last sermon series:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Hallelujah!

Shepherd, 14 December 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-12-15T06:37:18-05:00

Shepherd
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 14, 2025
Isaiah 40:9-11; 60:1; Matthew 11:28-29

Series Big Idea: Handel’s Messiah may be the greatest work of music ever created, bringing praise and glory to the Creator.

Big Idea: Jesus the Messiah is the Good Shepherd who offers rest for your soul.

Advent Theme: Joy

Song(s): O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, He Shall Feed

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word…shepherd?

It’s hardly a common occupation in our country. One report I read said there are 125 shepherds in the United States…or less than three per state! There are, however, more than 62,000 people in the United States with the last name Shepherd! I’m not sure if I’ve ever met a shepherd…or even seen one in the wild! I’ve seen shepherds dressed in bathrobes in Christmas pageants, but that’s about it! Most of us understand the role of shepherds about as well as first-century citizens of Israel understood computer programmers!

Jesus the Messiah is the Good Shepherd who offers rest for your soul.

This Advent, we’re looking at the scriptures in Handel’s Messiah pertaining to the first arrival of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah spoke about the Messiah hundreds of years before his birth.

O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9, NKJV)

VIDEO: AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS
VIDEO: STEVIE WONDER, https://youtu.be/3UHW1mvlGxU

Several prophetic passages in Messiah speak of messengers, our subject last week. Last week it was from Malachi and today it’s Isaiah who highlights the delivery of good news…and doesn’t our world need more good news? The message here is simple: behold your God! Here is your God. He is here. Notice Him. Pay attention. Look upon Him. Turn to Him. Follow Him.

Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. (Isaiah 40:10, NKJV)

This word “behold” is one I rarely noticed. Ironically, it means “pay attention!” God is strong. He will come…soon. Get ready! That was the message before Jesus’ first visit to our planet. Today we are awaiting his promised return, his arrival. Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful, amazing, and truly awesome is our God! The song we heard earlier includes this message from Isaiah chapter 60:

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)

Our light has, indeed, come. About 2000 years ago, he was born in the town of Bethlehem. Jumping back to chapter 40, we encounter the Good Shepherd.

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. (Isaiah 40:11, NKJV)

VIDEO: AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS
VIDEO: Steven Curtis Chapman & Sandi Patti, https://youtu.be/rXUIQAFa84w

The most famous chapter in the Bible beautifully describes Jesus the Good Shepherd, written by David who was, himself, a shepherd!

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1)

We could stop here. What else do we need?

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
                              he refreshes my soul.
            He guides me along the right paths
                        for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:2-3)

Could you use some quiet, some refreshment? Are you looking for guidance?

Even though I walk
            through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
            for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
            they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

The rod and staff serve as protection and discipline to ensure our safety and well-being.

You prepare a table before me
            in the presence of my enemies. (Psalm 23:5a)

You anoint my head with oil;
            my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5b)

These were powerful images in the culture of blessing and provision.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
            all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
            forever. (Psalm 23:6)

If you don’t care about God’s presence, never mind! But if you want to be with God, dwell with God, spend eternity with God, the invitation is yours to accept. His arms are wide open, no matter what you’ve done in the past or who you are.

Jesus the Messiah—the Good Shepherd—said,

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV)

VIDEO: Steven Curtis Chapman & Sandi Patti, https://youtu.be/rXUIQAFa84w

During this Christmas season when we put together wish lists and are bombarded by commercials, I want to remind you nothing satisfies like Jesus. There is no greater present than presence of God. I know many of you are heavy laden…you have heavy hearts. Take Jesus at his word. He is gentle and offers rest, not only physical rest but rest for your soul. We could all use more of that! A newer translation of this text says,

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, NLT)

So What?

Jesus the Messiah is the good shepherd. He said so!

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13)

He says it again in the next verse!

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

Do you know the good shepherd? Are you willing to follow the Good Shepherd? Sheep are vulnerable creatures, unable to protect themselves from wild animals. They cannot bite or kick or claw their enemies. If they fall, they are unable to get themselves back up. They need help finding food and water. Sheep need a shepherd…and must remain close to the shepherd to survive. So do we!

Jesus the Messiah came as a baby and laid down his life for us. What more could he give? His birth announcement was given to a group of shepherds, but that’s another story!

What Jesus asks is not just intellectual belief of historic events, but surrender and submission. He wants to be close to you to lead and guide, feed and provide for you. Have you said “yes” to Jesus? You can do so with a simple prayer: Jesus, I give you my life. If that’s you today, I want to celebrate with you. Please let me know via e-mail or in person. Perhaps you used to know Jesus and have wandered off. He told a beautiful parable in Luke 15 about the lost sheep and how the shepherd will leave the 99 to pursue the one missing lamb. If that’s you, it’s not too late to return to the flock. Perhaps that’s why you’re here today!

If you’ve been following the Good Shepherd, remember we make choices every day to wander or remain close to Christ. He loves you more than you can imagine and always has our best interest at heart. He will never lead us astray.

Jesus the Messiah is the Good Shepherd who offers rest for your soul. Hallelujah!

Messenger, 7 December 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-12-07T13:35:31-05:00

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!

Comforter, 30 November 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-11-30T19:16:59-05:00

Comforter
Handel’s Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 30, 2025
Isaiah 40:1-5

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 Messiah is our comforter.

Advent Theme: Hope

The holidays are here again! Thanksgiving is in the rear-view mirror, December begins tomorrow, and the season of Advent has officially begun. Some say this is the most wonderful time of the year. For others, it’s a challenging season for any number of reasons. Though we usually use the word “Christmas” to describe the next several weeks, the word “Advent” is becoming increasingly popular, perhaps because of the proliferation of advent calendars.

Advent is all about arrival. For hundreds of years, prophets spoke of a coming Messiah, the promised deliverer of the Jews. This season celebrates His arrival about two thousand years ago while we anticipate the return of the King—his second arrival—any day now!

Jesus has been called many names—from profanity to royalty—and during this Advent season we are going to explore many titles and roles of the Messiah who is, who was, and who will return soon.

The date was Saturday, December 3, 2011. My wife, Heather, and I were seated in Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium, and it was there that we experienced Messiah for the first time. I knew the Hallelujah Chorus and was familiar with many of the other songs, but what struck me was the lyrics. They are all taken directly from the Bible.

Many years ago I had the idea of preaching through the songs of Messiah and we will start today! Handel’s Messiah has three parts, the first of which covers the themes of Christmastime, the arrival of Jesus to our planet. The second and third parts deal with Holy Week, the death and resurrection of Jesus which we’ll revisit when Easter approaches.
Messiah is likely the most heard, sung, and recorded piece of classical music on earth. Handel wrote the 260 pages of music in just 24 days, a work that spans three hours and includes nine-piece orchestra, choir, and soloists. The words were assembled by Handel’s friend Charles Jennens who used the 1662 Anglican Book of Common Prayer as a guide. There are eighty verses of scripture in the libretto, only ten from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The majority of the text is ancient prophecy predicting details about the coming of Christ. There are over 100 Old Testament prophecies uniquely fulfilled by the Messiah!

Messiah premiered in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742, and later was performed in London. It made its U.S. debut in 1818 at Boylston Hall in Boston.

Messiah begins with three songs from Isaiah 40:1-5. I want to share samples of them with you today. But first, a bit of context.

Isaiah is a prophet who wrote the book that bears his name around 700 BC. The people of Israel were struggling under the expansion of the Assyrian empire. Like much of the Jewish Bible—the Old Testament—themes of God’s salvation and judgment abound. God goes to extraordinary lengths to show his love for humanity, we turn away from Him, and things go south!

As Isaiah’s writing, God’s people are in bad shape.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1, NIV)

Whenever you see something repeated in scripture, take notice. Ancient scrolls and languages did not have bold, italics, or different colors to get our attention. They had to literally spell it out! God tells His people they will be comforted amid their bondage. Deliverance is coming, and it came most profoundly about 700 years later in the first coming of the Messiah.

I realize some of you may not be fans of classical music…yet! In 1990, a group of Christian singers and musicians came together for an updated version of Messiah, simply called Handel’s Young Messiah.

Strangely, three years later, The New Young Messiah was released with a different group of artists.

My favorite recording of this music is 1992’s Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. Quincy Jones brought together an all-star cast of gospel and R&B artists ranging from Take 6 and Dianne Reeves to Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and the Richard Smallwood Singers.

Jesus brings comfort to our lives, whatever the circumstances. He is present through the Holy Spirit in every believer. Do you need comfort today? Call out to Jesus.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2, NIV)

Jerusalem had been held captive for seventy years. The trial was the result of their sin, but that is coming to an end. Now Isaiah speaks of John the Baptist, a New Testament figure who will come on the seen about 700 years later.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

This is a vivid description of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus.

Verse 4…

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4, NIV)

Raising and lowering was a metaphor for preparing a road for a dignitary. We might call this today, “Rolling out the red carpet.” Get ready for the Messiah, people! Isaiah said it then about the first arrival. We can proclaim it today as the return of Christ is near.

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5, NIV)

I want God’s glory to be the bottom line of my life. During suffering, Isaiah declared God’s glory would be revealed. These days, it seems like nobody is paying attention to the LORD God Almighty…but just you wait!

So What?

Today, we wait for the return, the second arrival of Jesus.

He’s coming soon. He promised! Are you ready? Do you know him? He’s the reason we’re here!

Actually, God is with us…now! The Holy Spirit is here until Jesus returns. Sure, you can’t touch the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t diminish the power or reality of the One who is at work making us more like Christ, preparing us for the Messiah’s promised return, filling us with gifts and fruit, and bringing comfort to us in our dark days.

I want to encourage all of you to experience Handel’s Messiah, too. You can attend a live performance, stream the songs, watch video performances, visit websites about the musical masterpiece, or just show up next Sunday as we continue the series.

My prayer is that this season we would center ourselves on Jesus the Messiah. Rather than giving into fear, we can experience the Prince of Peace, the God of comfort. Instead of focusing on wish lists and credit cards, let’s remember what Christmas is all about, a King born in Bethlehem who will return soon and he shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!

Hell is for Real, 16 November 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-11-16T06:16:21-05:00

Hell is for Real
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
One Minute After You Die
November 16, 2025
Mark 9:43-48

Big Idea: Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:43-48

Several years ago my friend, Jim, died…for about fifteen minutes. Doctors were able to revive him and he lived another year or two before dying…and remaining so. Shortly after being revived, I asked him if he saw a bright light during those fifteen minutes. He thought for a moment and said, “No.” After a brief pause, I asked, “Did it get hot?!”

Last Sunday we began our two part series one minute after you die with a look at “the good place,” heaven. Today, we’re going to explore “that other place.”

You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.

The subject makes many uncomfortable, but the odds you will die someday are quite good! Are you ready? Do you have a will? Have you planned your funeral? Most importantly, are you ready to meet your Maker? Judgment Day is coming for all of us.

Heaven is for real. Hell is for real, too. C.S. Lewis wrote,

There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture and, specially, of Our Lord's own words; it has always been held by Christendom; and it has the support of reason. If a game is played, it must be possible to lose it.

In a world full of gray, Jesus seemed to indicate we will all spend eternity in one of two places, destinations we commonly call heaven and hell. One of the most common objections to the Christian faith is, “Why would a loving God send someone to hell?” Lewis again,

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done”, and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in hell choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find to those who knock, it is opened.

God has granted each of us free will, the ability to make decisions. We make thousands of them each day, but the greatest decision is whether to follow God or violate the first two of the ten commandments and make ourselves god, to create an idol of the person in the mirror. To put it plainly, heaven is where God dwells, and, therefore, it’s for people who want to be with God. Hell is where God is distant and, therefore, it’s for people who don’t want to be with God. We all get to choose, and our decision will be honored for eternity.

Judgment Day is coming. Are you ready?

Our Churches of God, General Conference denomination describes it like this:

We believe in the judgment of God.

We believe those who have trusted in Jesus for salvation will stand before the judgment of Christ to give account for their works done for him (2 Corinthians 5:10). It is there they will receive crowns for lives pleasing to him (Hebrews 6:10). We believe the judgment of the believer’s sin was taken by Christ on Calvary and has been forgiven and purged from the memory of God (Hebrews 10:17).

We believe those who have rejected God’s offer of salvation and have not received Christ as their Savior will stand before the great white throne judgment. Their names will not be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. They will suffer the eternal consequence of that rejection and their sin (Revelation 20:11, 15).

Just as Led Zeppelin sang about a stairway to heaven, AC/DC sang about being on a highway to hell. It’s not a pleasant destination. People have many ideas of hell, many shaped more by Dante’s Inferno or medieval imagery, like that in the Sistine Chapel, than the Bible. There are even jokes like this (that are funny, but hell is no laughing matter…and accordions get a bad rap!).

Let’s look at Jesus’ words:

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48 where

            “ ‘the worms that eat them do not die,
                        and the fire is not quenched.’ (Mark 9:43-48)

Is Jesus speaking literally or metaphorically when he says, “The fire never goes out?” Does it really matter? Do you want to find out?

Here’s Jesus again:

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:12-13)
Judgment Day is coming. Are you ready? We talked about heaven last week, but what exactly is hell?

Hell has been defined as “the state of utter and irrevocable damnation to which the unregenerate soul is condemned after death.” – Van A. Harvey

The subject of hell has been debated for thousands of years. There are four primary views on hell:

1.    Purgatory is a Catholic belief involves a state between death and heaven for purification. Last Sunday I mentioned a state between death and heaven but it’s like a waiting area, not a place of preparation.
2.    Universalism implies people will have a second chance after death to get right with God, where hell is not eternal punishment but merely a state for correction. It sounds great but seems to contradict Jesus’ teachings.
3.    Annihilation or terminal punishment is where people are destroyed rather than suffering forever.
4.    Eternal Conscious Torment, the traditional view where the wages of sin are punished for eternity.

Before speaking of the new heavens and the new earth, the text in Revelation says,

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
Hell is for real.

So What?

I imagine many of you shrug your shoulders after a sermon about hell thinking, “I’ve got nothing to worry about. I prayed that magic prayer and have my ‘get out of hell free’ card.” I always find these words of Jesus sobering:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Are you doing the will of the Father? Are you obeying God and His word? It’s easy to say yes to Jesus on Sunday, but what about Monday? We are saved not by works, but by grace, by the blood of Jesus on the cross. But true faith is shown through our actions. Jesus’ half-brother wrote,

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder…faith without deeds is useless…dead. (James 2:19, 20b, 26b)

We get to choose where to spend eternity. God will honor our choice.

Heaven is for real and Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?
Hell is for real and Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?

Even if you are faithfully following Jesus, what about your friends, neighbors, and family? Do they know Jesus? If not, are you praying for them? Have you had spiritual conversations with them? Have you shared your story? Have you invited them to join us here on Sunday morning? Perhaps a great next step for you is to spend the next month praying for them each day and then invite them to one of our four Christmas Eve services (3, 5, 7, 9 PM).

We all deserve hell. We all deserve eternal separation from God for our sins. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, His perfect standard. He doesn’t grade on a curve. The real scandal is not that there’s anyone in hell, but that there’s anyone in heaven! This is why Jesus died…so we can know God, have our sins washed white as snow, and live an abundant life now and beyond the grave.

Perhaps some of you have had a wake-up call this morning. You know you’re not following Jesus, even though you’ve joined us today. I’m glad you’re here. It’s not an accident. Today is the day of salvation. I’m not merely trying to scare the hell out of you, I want to introduce you to Jesus. This isn’t about religion or rules or taking away your fun, but it’s all about freedom, hope, peace, joy, and purpose. Jesus went to great lengths to become one of us, to model what it means to be human, to die for us, to conquer sin and death, and to invite us to follow him. You can begin by saying, “Jesus, I give you my life.” If that’s you, please tell me. I want to give you some gifts and celebrate with you.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

That’s incredible news, but not everyone knows it…and not everyone accepts it. Say yes to Jesus. He said yes to you! Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?

For further study:
·      Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
·      Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
·      Stop Erasing Hell by Preston Sprinkle
·      One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer

Heaven is for Real, 9 November 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-11-10T14:58:45-05:00

Heaven is for Real
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
One Minute After You Die
November 9, 2025
Revelation 21:1-4

Big Idea: Heaven is for real and Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?

You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.

This is true whether it’s your wealth, your health, or your soul. When is the last time you seriously pondered death? The odds are pretty good we will experience it! Many deny the reality of death while others simply procrastinate creating a will, a password cheat sheet for loved ones, an advance healthcare directive, or developing a relationship with God.

Today we begin a two-week, pre-holiday series entitled “one minute after you die.” There have been many books and even movies that tell stories of people who have died and returned and their experiences. In fact, one in 25 USAmericans have had a near-death experience. Have you? Unfortunately, the stories lack consistency with one another so while they are fascinating, they’re not authoritative. I have not died—yet—so I can’t tell you exactly what happens one minute after you die…but the Bible offers glimpses of what is to come.

Paul wrote to a church in modern day Greece:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

I’ve been to a lot of funerals. Many of them are filled with hope because of the faith of the deceased. Paul continues…

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)

We typically call this place heaven, though technically there are at least three different biblical words that we translate heaven in English. To add to the complexity, the eternal home for followers of Jesus will not be heaven, exactly, but what is called the new heavens and the new earth. Genesis begins in a garden and Revelation ends in a city, the New Jerusalem. So, when we say “heaven,” we may be speaking of different places, times, or realities, but all beyond this life.

Author John Taylor notes,

Scripture consistently affirms that believers enter immediately into the presence of Jesus. Paul’s confidence was unflinching: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). He called it “better by far” to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). These verses leave little room for delay or unconscious “soul sleep.” From the earliest centuries of Christian theology to modern scholarship, the consensus has held that the soul of a believer goes instantly to be with Christ.

Theologians call this the intermediate state — a conscious, peaceful existence in God’s presence between death and the future resurrection. It’s “intermediate” not because it’s incomplete, but because it’s not the end of the story. The body, still under the weight of mortality, remains in the ground. Yet the soul experiences rest, awareness and worship in a reality more vivid than the one left behind. Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross confirm that immediacy: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Not “someday.” Today.

What is heaven like? Let’s begin by shattering a few myths. Heaven is not…
-       Floating on clouds forever
-       People becoming angels
-       Our final home (there will be a new earth and New Jerusalem)
-       For everyone (only those who say “yes” to Jesus and make him Lord)
-       Where memories or individuality are erased
-       Boring

Actually, Christians will spend eternity not in heaven, but on a new earth. Our scripture reading today says,

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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 21:1-4)

Words cannot express the beauty, the glory, the peace, the paradise. If you want a simple definition, heaven is where God dwells. Jesus taught his disciples to pray,

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Heaven is where God dwells. There are moments when heaven kisses earth, where God’s manifest presence is real, when you know the atmosphere has changed. Maybe you experienced that this morning as we were praising the LORD in song. Perhaps you witnessed justice served, the poor blessed, new life birthed, or were simply awed by the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. We often think of heaven as a place “up there” where we will go to escape “down here,” but that’s not exactly right as we’ll see in a moment. Let me say again heaven is where God dwells.

I love the question pastor John Piper posed several years ago:

“If you could have Heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with Heaven, if Christ was not there?” – John Piper, “God Is the Gospel”

The best thing about heaven is God’s presence. Jesus said.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (John 14:1-2)

The ancient Greek word for “rooms’ is “monai” which is not a final resting place but a temporary stop on a journey that will lead you somewhere else.

Jesus continues…

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:3-4)

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

It's important to note the thief on the cross beside Jesus at the crucifixion was not “saved” because he was a good person. He was given the death penalty, after all. What saved him, what gave him the right to enter paradise was his faith in Jesus Christ.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

This past week I was given a simple tool to engage in spiritual conversations with people. Many struggle to share their faith, either feeling awkward, unprepared, or simply fearful of rejection. Here’s a question you can ask anyone that doesn’t mention God, Jesus, the Bible, or church:

Do you believe there is life after death?

Listen to their response and see if it doesn’t create opportunities to share the good news, the gospel. Usually, heaven and hell enter the discussion, with the inevitable question, “How does one get to heaven?” It’s not by being good or even religious. Heaven requires perfection. Only Jesus was perfect, and therefore one can only enter heaven through Jesus. Judgment Day is coming for us all. When we say yes to Jesus, we are adopted into his family, we join his team. We begin a relationship with him in this life which will continue for eternity.

So What?

Many people believe heaven is where good people die and bad people go to the other place. The reality is we’re all bad. We’ve all sinned. We’ve all missed the mark. I don’t deserve heaven. Mother Teresa and Billy Graham don’t deserve heaven. The pope doesn’t deserve heaven. We all deserve eternal separation from God for our sins.

The good news—the gospel—is Jesus is LORD, he is good, he is perfect, and he died on the cross to pay the punishment we deserve. Hallelujah!

The goal of this life is not to go to heaven when we die, but rather to bring heaven to earth now, offering healing and hope to our broken world. Heaven is where God dwells, and we want Him to rule and reign here now in the renewal of all things. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was the “launching of God’s new world” (N.T. Wright).

You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.

If you’re ready, are you preparing others? Do they know Jesus?

If not, you can begin by saying yes to Jesus. Simply say, “Jesus, I give you my life.” If that’s you today, would you please tell me or one of our leaders? We want to celebrate with you and help you get started on your journey.

Heaven is for real and Judgment Day is coming…are you ready?

For further study:

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Heaven by Randy Alcorn
The Heaven Promise by Scot McKnight
One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer
Remember Heaven by Matt McCullough
Imagine Heaven by John Burke

Contentment, 2 November 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-11-02T13:27:22-05:00

Contentment
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
November 2, 2025
Philippians 4:10-23

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: In a world of anxiety and chaos, we can find contentment in Christ.

How are you today? Is anyone tired? Anxious? Stressed? Chill?

If there’s one thing USAmericans lack, it’s contentment. We are busy, busy, busy…often with nothing to show for it. We buy stuff…tons of stuff, but much of it ends up in next year’s garage sale. We take our kids from game to lesson to practice in what seems like an Uber driver audition. We bet on sports and the lottery hoping for a shortcut to wealth. We play games, watch tv (or worse), scroll through social media, seemingly inspiring Bono to sing, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

In a world of anxiety and chaos, we can find contentment in Christ.

Today we’re finishing our series on this short book and Paul has a slight dilemma. He loves these people and he’s grateful for their gifts, yet he wants them to not send any more money. He never wants to be accused of preaching for money, instead saying the gospel is a free gift. Side note: if I was independently wealthy, I’d love to preach here for free, but I like to eat and live indoors—like many of you—so I am thankful for the opportunity to receive a paycheck…but I assure you I don’t do this “for” the money!

Writing from prison, he says,

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. (Philippians 4:10)

These people have helped Paul while he was in prison, praying for him and ensuring he received food and care, something the government didn’t do back then. He never actually says “thanks” in this section, but he is grateful.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

There’s the word, content. It means “contained.” If you can be content in a Roman prison, you can be content anywhere…whatever the circumstances! He’s content. He is not in financial need. He’s more excited about how the giving will bless the giver than himself, the recipient.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12)

Paul has experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly of life on earth. Many of us can relate. We’ve encountered the ups and downs of finances, health, relationships, and emotions. But have you been flogged, exposed to death, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, shipwrecked, gone without food, been cold and naked? This is Paul’s story, yet he talks about being content. So, what’s the secret, Paul?

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Mic drop!

The culture says money, pleasure, and power will make you happy, and they will…for a moment. But true contentment is not dependent upon current conditions. As I say sometimes, “It is well with my soul, but not my circumstances.”

Athletes may use this verse as a motivational slogan, which is fine, but it applies to all of life, and in this context, he is actually saying he can do “all these things,” the ability to live through wealth or poverty or food or hunger, not his ability to achieve anything.

Paul said he has learned to be content in all circumstances, because he can do all things through Christ. Pastor Eugene Peterson notes,

Mature Christians are able to do all things because they don’t have to do everything. They acquire strength to live because they don’t have to be anxious and constantly attentive to trivia, and they don’t have to take responsibility for the whole world on their shoulders[1].

Control is usually an illusion, unless we’re talking about our attitude. God is in control…we’re not. Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do…nothing (John 15:5).”

Paul was God-sufficient instead of self-sufficient. Paul could face anything, because in every situation he had Christ. The same is true or can be true for us, but it begins with letting go, surrender, and being willing to sacrifice, obey, and pay the price. Paul certainly did. He not only had the LORD, he had friends praying and supporting him.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. (Philippians 4:14-16)

Paul’s in prison thanking these people for their aid. What selflessness. As I’ve said before, I’d be writing, “Please get me out of here!”

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:17-18)

Paul is full…he has more than enough. Epaphroditus—who we looked at a few weeks ago—delivered money to Paul from the Philippians, perhaps 600 miles or more on foot! Why? Because the Church is a family that takes care of one another, that welcomes the stranger, that responds to the needs of others, even distributing money. This was evident from the very beginning of the Church in Acts 2:

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 2:44-45)

We don’t separate the spiritual and physical. We care about the whole person, because we are to love God with all of heart, soul, mind, and body.

Paul’s rejoicing at the gifts sent by the Philippians, yet he not only shows personal appreciation, he acknowledges how their generosity is actually worship to the LORD.

This is still true today. When you give to College First Church of God, it’s an act of worship. It’s a step of faith, declaring God owns it all and you can’t outgive Him. I’m grateful for your generosity, church, but beyond paying the bills, I know your sacrifice is pleasing to God and He will honor and bless you for it. I thank my God for you!

I might add it’s a joy to give to support God’s work here and beyond. When you and I give to College First, we are supporting evangelists, missionaries, Next Gen leaders, and the needy in Findlay and around the world. Our benevolence fund has helped countless people over the years and is available for all of you to give and receive. We have a simple form at the office you and submit on behalf of yourself or a friend. We are a family. We do life together. We help, love, and serve one another. It’s who we are.

By the way, we can’t outgive God. In fact, Paul tells these generous, sacrificial givers…

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

What needs will God meet? All of them! Every single one! How? Often through God’s people, the Church. The Philippians have met Paul’s needs (and then some).

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:20)

The glory of God is the bottom line of College First, of the Great Lakes Conference, of the Churches of God, General Conference, of life itself! For ever and ever. Amen! Then he concludes with a common conclusion…

Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. (Philippians 4:21-22)

And finally,

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Philippians 4:23)

Amen!

So What?

In a few moments, you will enter the real world, so to speak. Having been loved and equipped, you will be sent out to do the week ahead…work, play, rest, recreation, conversations, worship, etc. The culture will send you a barrage of messages seeking to make you discontent. That’s the purpose of most advertisements—you won’t be content until you buy this, look like this, drive this, experience this. It’s a lie!

Family, we must spend time with one another in community. Life’s too hard to go it alone. And we must spend time in God’s Word regularly, not to be religious, but to speak truth to our minds that are filled with lies every day. Start with 5 minutes a day. The American Dream is a lie and we’re swimming in it, drowning in it. Narcissism is a lie. It’s not all about you! Control is a lie. He’s God and you’re not! Sometimes I feel like the purpose of my preaching is to deprogram you—and me—from the lies of the world, which are often subtle yet destructive.

Look around. Are people happy? Are they experience peace, freedom, joy? Although it’s decades old, I feel like Mick Jagger’s song could be the hymn of America: I can’t get no satisfaction.

Contrast that with the timeless wisdom of a converted Jew writing from prison:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)

In a world of anxiety and chaos, we can find contentment in Christ. He’s where the joy is. He’s where the abundant life is. He’s where contentment is. To God be the glory.

Amen.

Credits: some ideas from W. Jerry Murray

Citizens, 26 October 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-10-26T16:49:57-04:00

Citizens
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 26, 2025
Philippians 3:17-4:9

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: Our citizenship is in heaven and we need to live like it.

There’s a lot of talk these days about citizenship. We’ve heard words like immigration, refugee, green card, and asylum as people flee danger and seek to establish a new life. Many spend years trying to gain the citizen status others experience since birth, and that citizenship carries with it a certain identity.

What is your citizenship? Has it ever changed? Would you like it to change? Do you know the rights and benefits of your citizenship? Are you a good citizen?

PRAY

Today we’re continuing our series on the book of Philippians, a short letter written by Paul from a Roman prison to a church he started in modern day Greece. Last week we read Paul’s words about the supremacy of knowing Jesus. Our text today begins,

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. (Philippians 3:17)

One of the fascinating aspects of parenting is watching your kids mimic you. This can be hilarious…or frightening. The old song Cats in the Cradle reflects this. Much of what we learn in life is caught, not taught. Paul is saying watch me, follow me. That’s bold! This is one of the sobering things about leadership at any level…followers are watching…and often imitating. I actually prefer what Paul wrote to those in Corinth:

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

And as I don’t follow Christ, don’t follow my example! Years ago, someone eased my mind a bit when they said, “I’m not a perfect example, but I’m a living example.” I can embrace that. Of course, Paul’s purpose in saying follow my example is the threat of others who could harm the church in Philippi.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18-19)

It’s so easy to live for temporary things like money, power, and pleasure, the things of this world.

But our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20a)

Philippians were Roman citizens, which was prestigious, but Paul is saying being a citizen of heaven is infinitely better. This world is not our home.

The biggest sporting event in the world, the World Cup, will be held next year, hosted for the second time by the United States. Fans will not only cheer, but they will also wear the flags, colors, and uniforms of their country. In a sense, they are representing their nation. I’m always fascinated to know who a first-generation citizen roots for, their birth country or their present home. Citizenship matters.

I love this country and I’m grateful for our freedoms, but my greatest allegiance is not to a flag but a kingdom…the Kingdom of God. We must never let our earthly citizenship take priority over our citizenship in heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Are you ready for this? What hope! Every day my body becomes lowlier! I’m looking forward to an upgrade. Jesus’ resurrected body offers a preview of what ours will become. The best is yet to come!

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! (Philippians 4:1)

He loves this church (as I love you, College First!). They are more precious to him than diamonds and jewels and he wants them to remain faithful to the LORD. Stand firm!

Now he mentions two women by name who don’t always agree with one another.

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:2-3)

Disagreements are nothing new, even among godly men and women. The world would say cancel, but we are called to reconcile, love one another, These people are saved. Their names are in the book of life and they are citizens of heaven. Instead of arguing, Paul offers a series of instructions to his readers. First,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Rejoice…in your circumstances? No. Paul’s writing from prison! Rejoice in the Lord. In case you missed it the first time, he repeats it. Rejoice! When? Always! Next,

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:5)

Gentleness is part of the fruit of the Holy Sprit. Some have translated it fairmindedness or graciousness. He says the Lord is near. His return is near. His presence is near. Even today, church, the Lord is near. That brings me peace. Thirdly,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Heather put a sign in our bathroom which said, “Worry about nothing. Pray about everything.” It used to bug me because I like to worry! The original Greek word for anxious here is to be pulled in different directions. Can you relate? Hope here, fear there. It’s been said that worry is the greatest threat thief of joy, the theme of this letter. One researcher discovered 8 percent of the things we worry about are matters of legitimate concern! Also, worry is a sin (Matthew 6:24-34). The alternative is so much better, casting our burdens, fears, anxiety, and worry to the LORD.

Paul uses three different words: prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. Here, prayer may mean adoration, worship, devotion. When you talk with the LORD, it’s always good to start with praise. It reminds us of the power and faithfulness of our conversation partner. Then we can pour out our hearts with requests before expressing appreciation.

Another tool I often use is ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication or requests and petitions. If prayer is just a wish lists, you’ll both get bored!

What’s the result of rejoicing, gentleness, and prayer?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

The peace of God beats the stress and chaos of the world any day! It’s the antidote to worry. The language Paul uses is from the military. The Philippians were very familiar with Roman guards keeping watch.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Count your blessings not your complaints! God’s character is filled with the good things—the virtues in this list.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

These are his spiritual children. He loves them and wants them to grow and mature. True belief doesn’t remain in our heads. It must be demonstrated through actions…daily. Obedience is God’s love language. We will experience His peace as we have right praying and right thinking which leads to right living.

So What?

Citizens behave differently than tourists. They learn the language and the culture. They wear the uniform, so to speak, and pledge their allegiance to both the flag and the territory.

What is your citizenship? Are you an American Christian or a Christian American? I realize some of you are neither—and we’re so glad you’re here! Welcome! But do we live primarily as citizens of heaven or earth?

Are you trying to keep up with the Joneses, running from place to place, consuming the finest goods and services you can afford (or some you can’t afford)? Is your life filled with the pursuits of power, pleasure, and control?

Or are you living for an audience of One, seeking to love God and love others as yourself, trusting in God’s provisions and having an attitude of gratitude?

It all begins in our head…and moves to our heart and hands. Let’s read this again:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny!

We all know this intellectually, but what fills your mind? What entertains you? What informs you? The media is filled with violence, gossip, lies, perversion, rebellion, and temptations of every kind, including comparison. How is it influencing us?

I challenge you—and myself—to think on good things, true things, noble things, right things, pure things lovely things, admirable things, excellent things, praiseworthy things…heavenly things—because that’s where our citizenship is found. Let's live like it!

Prize, 19 October 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-10-19T13:24:00-04:00

Prize
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 19, 2025
Philippians 3:1-16

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize.

One of my favorite lines when people learn I’m a pastor is when I tell them I hate organized religion. Usually, they are quite surprised. I sometimes joke that I like disorganized religion! Technically, I love “true” religion described by Jesus’ half-brother, James

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

But tragically, countless people—including so-called Christians—have emphasized religion—organized religion—over the way of Jesus best described as a relationship with God.

Before we get into today’s text, I must define what I mean by religion. I’ve often looked at religion as the human quest to win God’s favor, His approval. For thousands of years people have engaged in religious practices such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimages, giving, and even self-harm to appease the god or gods, whether it’s to benefit them in this life or the next…with most being unsure of their ultimate status.

The message of Jesus was radically different. For starters, he taught his followers to call God Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy. It was shocking for Jesus’ audience to hear such an intimate word used to describe the Almighty.

Many have made comparisons between religion and the relationship of Christianity. They usually look like this:

Religion – our pursuit of God
Christianity - God’s pursuit of us

Religion – strive and achieve
Christianity – surrender and abide

Religion – what we do
Christianity – what Jesus has done

The context for our text today in Paul’s letter to a church in modern day Greece is the early days of Christianity. Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but as a Jewish rabbi, his mission was to seek and save…both Jew and Gentile. Jews have followed the 613 laws of Moses, known as the Torah. This includes everything from dietary restrictions (eating kosher) to worship rituals to male circumcision. Today, churches debate things like the role of women in ministry, the mode of baptism, and whether any spiritual gifts have ceased. In the early church, the role of Jewish laws and traditions were hotly debated.

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (Philippians 3:1)

Paul’s in prison rejoicing—not in his circumstances, but in the LORD!

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. (Philippians 3:2-4a)

Paul uses strong language to warn about the enemies of the gospel, enemies of the good news. There are at least eighteen different theories on who these enemies were, but it seems like they were relying upon their religion to earn God’s favor rather than trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul himself was a very religious, law-abiding Jew before he encountered the risen Christ.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (Philippians 3:4b-6)

He was a model Jew. Prior to his conversion to follow Jesus, I’m sure he would’ve been asked to speak at all the conferences, write best-selling books, and influence countless on social media. He was among the Jewish elite, but neither his ancestry and heritage nor his achievements were enough to earn God’s favor.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7)

Christ is better than any religion.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. (Philippians 3:8a)

Paul’s in prison for following and proclaiming Jesus. He has lost his status among the Jews, who now are his enemies. Everything he worked for he considers a loss…but knowing Jesus is worth it.

I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:8b-9)

His religious efforts he now considers rubbish. He actually uses a vulgar term in Greek (think feces). That’s what his religion means to him! I love the next sentence. It’s the centerpiece of today’s text.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

Everyone wants to go to heaven…but nobody wants to die. Once again, we see how following Jesus is the opposite of the American Dream. To save our life, we must lose it. To experience resurrection, we must die to our selfish ways. I don’t like to suffer any more than you do, but we grow through trials. We are shaped by life’s storms. Growth and comfort cannot co-exist (Craig Groeschel).

Do you want to know Jesus…or just know about him? Do you want a relationship with God…or just religion, keeping him at arm’s length? Do you want God for what he can do for you—like a cosmic vending machine—or do you truly want to know Him?

The Greek word for “know,”ginosko, is intimate knowledge of another person, like a husband and wife. It’s not information, but the deepest connection.

The greatest thing in all my life is knowing Jesus. I admit it’s different knowing God than knowing someone you can see, hear, and hug. It takes time to recognize His voice, though we have 66 books to get us started!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Paul can relate. This great man of faith was once public enemy number one among Christians, overseeing their persecution and death! If you have stuff in your past, imagine the blood of martyrs on his? He could’ve wallowed in the guilt and shame, but instead he is looking ahead.

It's ok to look in the rear view mirror to see how far we’ve come, but if we stare at the past, we’ll crash into what’s ahead. Because of Jesus—not our goodness—the sins of Christ-followers have been forgiven. We can experience new life in Christ. He has a mission for us…to love God and to love others as ourselves.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Paul is pressing on, he’s striving…not to be perfect, but to know Christ. Jesus is the prize, the reward, the greatest thing about the next life. He’s not shuffling to mediocrity. He’s running for Christ.

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians 3:15-16)

He trusts God will guide the Philippians, even in their differences. They are a faithful church he deeply loves.

So What?

In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.

Do you know Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? It begins with saying, “Jesus, I give you my life. I believe you died and rose from the dead. I trust you to forgive my sins—past, present, and future. I repent of my selfish ways and surrender to you and your will. I want to follow you, into death and resurrection. Speak to me. Draw me close. Give me a hunger to pray and read the Bible. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with your power, gifts, and fruit. I owe you everything. Amen.” If you pray this for the first time today, please let me know. I have some gifts I’d like to give you.

If you are a follower of Jesus, how’s it going? Are you hearing his voice? Are you obeying? Are you sharing the good news with others? Are you making enough time for prayer? Are you pursuing intimacy with Christ?

Jesus is better than any religion. He’s better than money, power, or pleasure. In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.

Credits: thanks to W. Jerry Murray for ideas and input

Messengers, 12 October 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-10-15T06:35:34-04:00

Messengers
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 12, 2025
Philippians 2:19-30

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: Paul’s friends are godly men of character worthy of honor.

Many years ago, my friend—I’ll call him Bill—that’s his name—Bill was working as a physical therapist following years of training and study. A friend asked him to take over the finances of his growing company, becoming the CFO. Bill was so surprised, wondering why this successful entrepreneur would ask him to change careers and manage millions of dollars with no formal training in finance. The man replied, “Because I trust you.”

If you had a business—as some of you do—and you had to give it away to someone who is not related to you, who would you choose? Who do you trust?

Today as we continue our study of the book of Philippians, a short letter written from prison by Paul to a church in modern day Greece, we will be introduced to two people Paul trusted and loved…Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Trust. It takes years to earn and seconds to lose. The Bible introduces us to a wide variety of characters, some wise, others foolish, and some evil. All but Jesus had flaws, yet many were used by God to do great things in His Kingdom leading up to the faith of many here today 2000 years later.

Last Sunday, we looked at a beautiful poem or hymn about Jesus the Messiah and Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians to follow Christ and his example. Now he offers some personal notes about his two friends who are examples of humility, self-sacrifice, and what it means to pick up your cross daily and follow Jesus.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. (Philippians 2:19)

Timothy is mentioned in the first verse of this epistle or short letter, but he’s probably not in prison with Paul as this is written. Paul hopes to send Timothy to Philippi. Notice he doesn’t just hope, he hopes “in the LORD.” He is seeking God’s will above his own. Timothy is a very special person to Paul. They were together when this church was founded. He knows Timothy will be a blessing to the Philippians and that he will return to Paul with news about them.

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. (Philippians 2:20)

The Greek word for “like him” is rare, meaning “of like mind” or “one who shares the same feelings.” Timothy was Paul’s disciple, and when Timothy speaks, he speaks for Paul.

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21)

Is this true? I believe it is generally true. Humans tend to be selfish, which surely inspired Paul to write several verses earlier

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)

This is so challenging, yet Jesus modeled this perfectly.

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. (Philippians 2:22-24)

Timothy did not serve Paul so much as he served in the work of the gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD.

The Bible is filled with partnerships, from Adam and Eve (after God said it’s not good for man to be alone) to Moses and Aaron to Paul and Timothy here. There’s great, ancient wisdom in the book of Ecclesiastes which says,

9          Two are better than one,
                        because they have a good return for their labor:
10         If either of them falls down,
                        one can help the other up.
            But pity anyone who falls
                        and has no one to help them up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

What’s great about Timothy is he doesn’t seek the spotlight, but he’s willing to serve in the second chair, so to speak.

Paul and Timothy worked together traveling throughout the known world, including prison, but Timothy also served as an envoy to churches. Paul wrote two letters directly to Timothy which we have in our Bible…1 and 2 Timothy! In the second, he says,

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)

The next verse is one of my favorites in the entire Bible.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

It’s easy for me to remember the address…2 Timothy 2:2. This is a brilliant vision of discipleship…multiplication …reproduction. How many generations are mentioned? Four! Paul – Timothy – reliable people – others.

You can apply this strategy to any form of mentoring, whether it’s training athletes, passing on special recipes in the kitchen, maintaining family traditions, or educating people in the trades. In this case, though, Paul tells Timothy not to hoard his faith but share it…intentionally…with those who will do the same.

I know this doesn’t sound “fair,” but not everyone is worthy of your time and investment. Jesus loved everyone, but focused his time on twelve disciples and, further, three of his followers—Peter, James, and John—who passed the baton of faith to others who did the same again and again and now 2000 years later, here we are! Who introduced you to Jesus? Who can you introduce to Jesus?

Now Paul turns to his other friend.

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. (Philippians 2:25)

Epaphroditus was a predecessor to a Door Dash driver! He delivered messages and supplies between Paul and the Philippians. He sacrificed to do so.

For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. (Philippians 2:26-27)

Have you ever been near death? We are quick to forget God’s mercy, healing, and answers to prayer. Obviously God sometimes says no or wait, but Paul celebrates the health of his friend.

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. (Philippians 2:28-30)

We are to worship God and honor people. Showing honor not only affirms the person, it shows others what matters, what we value.

So What?

Let’s go back for a moment and look at the character of these two men. Paul says Timothy…

-       shows genuine concern for the welfare of others (2:20)
o   can this be said of you?
-       has proved himself (2:22)
o   Are you all talk or do you walk the walk?
-       has served in the work of the gospel (2:22)
o   This is sharing Jesus in word and deed
o   Do you share your faith? Do you share your story? Do you share His story?
o   There’s an urban legend that St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.” He did not say that…and if he did, he would need words to say it! The work of the gospel involves words and deeds. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care…but we need both. We need to look after the widow, stranger, and orphan…AND tell them about Jesus.
o   We talk about the things we love, which is why you hear me talk about my wife, our kids and g-kids, Dietsch’s ice cream, roller coasters, music…and Jesus. I don’t force any of those things on people. I’m not trying to sell anything. But these are my passions and I want others to experience them. I love introducing new friends to Heather. I love showing photos of my family. One of my favorite things to do is not only eat ice cream but treat others to ice cream. I have a season pass to Cedar Point and the other Six Flags parks that expires December 31, 2026 so if you want to ride coasters, let’s go! I say yes to most every invitation I have to play music. And when it comes to Jesus, I want the world to know they are loved so much that someone died for them. That’s a lot of love! Jesus is the greatest gift, but gifts are not yours until you receive them, accept them. In a world of hatred, anxiety, fear, and division, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is LORD of all and wants to lead your life and mind…if we will get out of the driver’s seat and—as the songs says—let Jesus take the wheel.

Paul calls Epaphroditus a brother, a co-worker, a fellow soldier. He was a faithful messenger who took care of Paul’s needs. I’m sure he had the spiritual gifts of mercy and helps. He was worthy of honor. He was so committed to the work of the gospel he almost died.

It would be incredible for those words to be said of me…are any of us. The great news is we get to choose how we live our lives and it begins with making good choices every day, every hour, every moment.

Paul trusted these faithful men. Much like a man entrusted his life work and business to my friend Bill, Paul entrusted his work in the gospel—the good news—to these men.

Paul’s friends were godly men of character, committed to Jesus, disciple makers, and worthy of honor. Are we?

Messiah, 5 October 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-10-02T15:33:31-04:00

Messiah
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 5, 2025
Philippians 2:5-18

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: Jesus the Messiah is our perfect example, the humble servant.

There are two types of people in this world—those who like poetry and those who…

On the surface, poetry can be something for artists and literary types. “Who has time for fancy words?” one may ask. “Just get to the point!”

Whether you know it or not, you probably engage in poetry most every day. It might not be through poems, per se, but songs. Today we’re going to look at one of the most brilliant poems or possibly song lyrics in the Bible. They don’t rhyme—at least not in English—but they provide a vivid description of the most important human who as ever walked our planet.

We’re continuing our study of the short book of Philippians. Paul was one of the early church leaders. After persecuting Christians, he had a supernatural encounter with Jesus which led to his conversion and later to planting churches throughout the known world. Philippians was written by imprisoned Paul to a church in modern day Greece to encourage them. Last week’s text ended with words about humility. Today we begin with the fifth verse of the second chapter.

These next seven verses are the central theme of the entire book of Philippians. Some have called this the “Christ hymn,” perhaps an early church creed. A creed is a summary of one’s faith. We’ll examine an important creed in the new year.

Before we unpack these seven verses in detail, listen to the ancient poem.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (Philippians 2:5, NLT)

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8, NLT)

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11, NLT)

Listen to it again in a different translation (ESV).

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8, ESV)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11, ESV)

What word or phrase stood out to you? Let’s dive into the New International Version text.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5, NIV)

He’s our example. He’s the perfect model of what it means to be human, because he became one of us, which is incredible.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV)

This isn’t an exact comparison, but I like to this of this as Jesus’ Clark Kent move. If you know anything about Superman, you know he spent most of the time as a journalist with nerdy glasses. He set aside his cape and superhero powers to become a regular man, which is not unlike what Jesus did when he came to earth as a baby. Jesus is fully God and yet fully human, something known as the hypostatic union, one person with two natures. This is a mystery, for sure, but it can be seen throughout the Bible. He chose to serve us, teach us, and ultimately die for us to pay the penalty of our sins and failures.

Let’s go back and look at the text again.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV)

Jesus is God. He has always been God. We worship one God in three Person, Father, Son and Spirit. We call this the Trinity, three in one. It’s a mystery, but what’s also a mystery is why all-powerful God would choose to come to this broken, messed-up world and live among us. Forget the agony of dying on the cross, just living on earth for 33 years instead of heaven—what a step down! It says he made himself nothing. Who wants to sign up for that? He became a servant. God became a servant!

The Greek word for emptying is kenosis, a theological term used to describe Jesus emptying himself of his divine glory to become one of us…or maybe emptying his divinity into a human body.

Jesus didn’t stop being God, but became one of us, fully human. He was secure in his identity, which obviously includes being a servant. We know Jesus chose a humble, human existence to set an example for us to follow. As it says in the book of Hebrews,

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

God the Son willingly set aside power and privilege to become one of us, and that’s amazing. Some of you may remember the old Joan Osborne song “One of Us” from the 90’s. She sang, “What if God was one of us?” I want to reply, “He was! He is! He gets us!”

Which reminds me, most of you have seen the “He Gets Us” campaign. It has its critics, but I love it. It sends the powerful message that Jesus sees us, knows us, and gets us. He knows pain, loss, betrayal, and suffering better than anyone…and certainly better than any religious figure.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

The ultimate sacrifice is to die for another person, and Jesus died for us. He lived a perfect life but died because we’re not perfect. We need a Savior.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself but rather thinking of yourself less. Christine Caine says humility is “not a character trait to be developed, it’s the natural by-product of being with Jesus.” Nobody has ever modeled humility better than Jesus and his self-sacrifice…all the way to death. As the old song says, “He gave his life/what more could he give/oh how he loves you/oh how he loves me/oh how he loves you and me.”

It would be bad news if we stopped with Jesus on the cross, but “He is Risen!”

9          Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
                        and gave him the name that is above every name,
10         that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
                        in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11         and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
                        to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV)

Two weeks ago we talked about paradox, and here’s one. Because of his humble obedience to go to the cross he was exalted. The Kingdom of God is upside down.

We’ve reflected upon Jesus through this brilliant poem of the Messiah which shows both Christ’s humiliation (incarnation, cross) and exaltation (resurrection, ascension, universal lordship). The gospel, the good news, in three words: Jesus is LORD.

So What?

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Work out your salvation, like work out your body. We don’t work for our salvation, because Jesus paid the price on the cross. He saved every man, woman, and child that says yes to him and surrenders their lives to him. But we don’t stop the moment we say “yes” to Jesus. We need to develop our salvation. We need to grow, not just individually but as a church family. We need to follow daily. How? With fear and trembling! We fear, honor, and stand in awe of God…and submit to His will and plans.

Paul follows with clear, practical next steps for us all.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” (Philippians 2:14-15a)

I’m so glad every Christian in the USA has mastered this! Ha! It has been said that gossip and slander are the most dangerous threats in the church today. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

THINK (true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, kind) before you speak! This will guard against divisions and protect the unity Jesus prays for us today.

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:15b-18)

Here's Paul rejoicing yet again…from prison! The darker the world, the brighter the light of Christ will shine through us…if we get out of the way! We need to hold firmly to God and His word, the word of life. Jesus the Messiah is our perfect example, the humble servant. We need to know Jesus. We need to follow Jesus. We need to share Jesus, in word and deed…for his glory. Amen!

Paradox, 21 September 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-09-21T15:29:11-04:00

Paradox
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
September 21, 2025
Philippians 1:12-26

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand.

Paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but actually describes a deeper truth. One of the most popular examples is less is more.

The Bible is filled with paradox, which explains why following Jesus is the original alternative lifestyle. It is radical. It is counter-cultural. We are not to live like the world lives because we are not of this world. We are citizens of what appears to be an upside-down kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, “The first shall be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 20:16)

Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Today we continue our series on the book of Philippians, a short letter written by Paul to one of the first churches he started in modern day Greece. He’s writing from an unknown prison and the theme of the letter—paradoxically—is joy.

Have you ever been imprisoned? Most of us have not been held in physical chains, but many of us have been in bondage, whether it’s to fear, addiction, mental illness, debt, loneliness, anxiety, hatred, or shame.

Paul is physically imprisoned for proclaiming the gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD. You would think that prison would stop his ministry, but Paul says otherwise.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)

Do you see the paradox? Paul is arrested for preaching good news and now possibly thousands of soldiers (the whole palace guard) learn about him and his message. Chains may or may not have been literal, but he was imprisoned and suffering physically.

For two thousand years, tens of millions of Christians have been persecuted for their faith, many even martyred. Roughly 4000-6000 are killed for faith-related reasons every year. North African Tertullian in the second-century said “The blood of Christians is seed,” meaning “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” When you try to stop us, it will only strengthen and expand our movement.

Paul understood this. Amazingly, even in prison, he was not concerned about his well-being, but rather the Kingdom of God. He understood these words of Jesus:

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

Every human experiences seasons of growth, from drinking to eating to crawling to walking to running. Spiritual growth has its own steps. Jesus began his public ministry by inviting people to “come and see.” Over time, he challenged them to greater maturity, culminating with “come and die”…in order to truly live.

Do you understand this? Are you experiencing this? If you’re like me, you wonder if it’s even possible. After all, we’re taught in our culture to be independent, to do whatever feels good, to declare our rights, and pursue happiness, safety, and comfort. But this is not the way of Jesus…or Paul. Their chief concern is the Kingdom of God.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Philippians 1:15-17)

Motivates matter, right? Not according to Paul in this instance!

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:18a)

Paul doesn’t care. The gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD, is being preached. Here the message is more than the medium, in this case likely competitors of Paul preaching the pure gospel with selfish motives. He then says,

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Philippians 1:18b)

He’s really rejoicing…in prison…in chains. Why?

for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:19)

There it is…Paul’s deliverance, whether it’s release from prison or eternal salvation.

Notice the two things that will turn out for his deliverance: the prayers of the Philippians and the Holy Spirit.

It’s a mystery the role we play and the role God plays in miracles, in the supernatural, in the transformation of lives.

I often think of it like sailing. Heather and I had a sailing class in college, the last class of the week on Friday afternoon we got to go sailing. There are two parts to sailing: the wind and the sail. If there’s no wind, you won’t move much. If the sail is not in the right position, you won’t move much…or at least not in the right direction! It’s a both-and.

The Greek word for the Holy Spirit, pneuma, literally means wind. I like to think our prayers are like putting up the sails. When we pray and the Spirit moves, there’s motion, movement, transformation.

Does God need us? Of course not, but He chooses to involve us in His work, His mission. We are His ambassadors on planet earth, re-presenting Him to others. Incredible!

Paul rejoiced at the prayers of the Philippians and the provision of the Spirit.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)

“Paul, you’re in prison for your faith. Don’t worry about being ashamed. You are obviously a man of great courage.” Are we courageous about our faith…or ashamed? Jesus hung up for us. Can we stand up for him? Can we tell our story…His-tory? Paul didn’t care about himself. All that mattered was God’s glory, Christ exalted. He explicitly said,

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Paradox!

We’re all going to die someday. The question is how will we live. Paul has already given up his life, his agenda, his will, his rights to Jesus. Every day he declared in word and deed, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.” Did you know there’s tremendous freedom in letting go? Fully surrendered people don’t worry about…anything! If it’s all about Jesus, it’s up to him whether we live or die, so there’s nothing we need to protect, maintain, or stress about. It’s in His hands…even our very lives.

Do our lives matter? Absolutely! You were created in the image of God with dignity, value, and worth. But you were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Here’s Paul’s explanation of “should I stay or should I go?”

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:22-24)

I feel this. I can’t wait to meet Jesus face to face, but my mission has not yet been accomplished…and neither has yours! We have work to do.

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Philippians 1:25-26)

Like a good pastor, Paul loves his flock, his sheep, his disciples. He cares for them, encourages them, and finds joy in their maturity.

I can relate. College First, when I hear stories of people taking next steps with God I rejoice. Whenever a selfish sinner surrenders to Jesus, I celebrate…with all of the angels, by the way! I love you and love to see what God is doing in and through us—not me, but us. Together. Jesus is building his church! Each of us has a part to play, a gift to use…not for our glory but God’s.

Thank you…for praying, inviting, serving, and investing. God is moving in and through us as we love, equip, and send and I can’t imagine anything more exciting.

So What?

The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand. The more we decrease, the more God can increase. When we are weak, He is strong. When we die to our own ego and agenda, we can truly live the abundant life Jesus offers. Where are you weak? Where do you need to die?

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

May this be our declaration as we love, equip, and send.

Thanks, 14 September 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-09-14T20:17:35-04:00

Thanks
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
September 14, 2025
Philippians 1:1-11

Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.

Big Idea: Paul expresses his gratitude and love for the church he started years earlier.

Thank you. Few words are more powerful. Few words are more important. Echoing today’s scripture reading, I want to begin by saying College First Church of God, I thank my God every time I remember you.

Today we’re beginning a new series on the book of Philippians. It’s a letter written by Paul to early Christians in the city of Philippi in modern day Greece. Heather and I were privileged to visit Philippi in 2016. The ruins they have uncovered are amazing, and new discoveries continue to be made.

Before diving in, let me set the scene. Philippi was the first European place to hear about Jesus the Messiah. Acts 16 tells us about Paul’s first visit to Philippi and as we’ll see, the people there brought him great joy, arguably the central theme of the book. This letter was written by Paul while a prisoner in what is probably Ephesus in modern day Turkey. This church has sent him money which was essential since captors rarely provided food to prisoners.

Writing about joy from prison—an ancient prison without cable TV and air conditioning, mind you—seems unbelievable. How can you have joy in the midst of such suffering? It truly is a God-thing. As someone once said, it is well with my soul, but not my circumstances. If you can relate, you’re going to love this short book.

Let’s begin:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church between 56 and 62 AD. His disciple, Timothy, is a co-author and had a relationship with this congregation. Philippi at this time was a Roman colony and most of its citizens were Romans.

This church began during the second missionary journey of Paul. Typically, he begin planting a church by preaching in the synagogue, but there were so few Jews in Philippi that they had no synagogue. There were, however, a group of godly women who would gather on the Sabbath by the banks of the river Gangites to recite prayers. Paul joined them and met Lydia, a successful businesswoman who traded purple cloth.

When Paul performed an exorcism on a fortune-telling slave girl, her owners had Paul and Silas thrown into jail when they realized she could no longer make them money. They have a hymn sing that night, an earthquake opens the jail, the jailer and his family become Christians, and they’re released the next day when it is discovered Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. There’s much more to the story in Acts 16 and beyond, but that’s a bit about the founding of this Philippian church.

Years later now, Paul is in another prison, though the location is up for debate since he was in at least four prisons for boldly preaching the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. His friend, Epaphroditus, visits Paul with a gift, and Paul sends this letter back to the Philippian church.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:2)

This is Paul’s standard greeting in his letters, found in 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and others. Grace is unmerited favor. It’s a gift. It’s amazing!

Peace is…peace, quietness, rest.

Jesus Christ, of course, is the center of this book, of Paul, of College First Church of God, of the universe! There’s a poem in Philippians 2:6-11 which is at the core of Philippians, a passage about Jesus the Messiah which we’ll cover later in our sermon series.

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3)

I said this last Sunday and I’ll say it again…College First, I thank God for you. Fortunately, I’m not telling you through a letter written in prison! It’s a joy to be in Findlay, to do life together, to be on mission together to love, equip, and send in the name of Jesus.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:4-6)

Paul prays with joy. He always prays with joy when he prays for them. If you know anything about Paul’s other writings, he’s not always pleased with his recipients! This church, though, is special as they have been generous to him and faithful to the LORD.

It’s important to note the day of Christ Jesus is coming. It seemed like it would happen any day, and 2000 years later we’re about 750,000 days closer!

Don’t miss this: God will finish what He starts…but it usually takes time…and He’s got all the time in the world! I’ve been impatient so many times in my life, wondering if God will answer prayer, come through, fulfill His promises. He always does. God can be trusted…completely. He sees you. He loves you. He wants to do life with you.

I know some of you have experience church hurt. I’ve heard stories about abuse, neglect, injustice, and suffering. Your story is not over. Seek help. Get connected in a small group. You’re not the only one. But be encouraged, the best is yet to come.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:7-8)

We often downplay emotions in our western society, but Paul not only has deep feelings for his readers, he defends his feelings. God gave us emotions. Jesus wept. He sweated drops of blood. He knows pain and suffering. He also knows deep love.

Likewise, Paul is following in the footsteps of Jesus. We can’t always trust our emotions, especially if we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (HALT). Make a note of that. That’s when you’re most likely to be tempted to sin.

But Paul’s expressing his love and longing for them.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

Paul prays three things. First, that their love will overflow in knowledge and wisdom. Love should always be the first characteristic of a Jesus follower. If we’re known more for anything other than love, we have some work to do. Rather, we have some surrender to do to receive and experience God’s love and then share it. I alluded to this last week.

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT)

Paul prays for discernment. When people ask how they can pray for me, when there’s nothing urgent, I ask for wisdom and discernment. I don’t know what I’m doing as a lead pastor! I don’t know what I’m doing as a husband or dad or even friend! I need discernment…for myself and those I lead. When our Elders and other leaders gather, I often say, “We’re not here to decide anything, but rather to discern what God is saying and how He is directing.”

Our Elders have our monthly meeting this week and I would be grateful for your prayers.
Finally, Paul prays that they would be filled with righteousness…right living. That’s a great prayer. Imagine if all Christians were known for their love, discernment, and right living.

So What?

It’s possible to have joy…even in prison.
It is good to offer thanks to God for others.
Christ is coming soon and we need to be ready…and help others get ready.

In closing, let me personalize these final verses from the New Living Translation.

College First, I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (NLT)

Vision Sunday, 7 September 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-09-08T11:00:46-04:00

Vision Sunday
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 7, 2025
Matthew 28:18-20

Big Idea: We’re on a mission from God to go and make disciples of all nations.

At the beginning of training camp each year, legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”

I mention this for two reasons. First, this is our fall kickoff. Michigan and Ohio State have begun their seasons. The Browns and Lions and Bengals have their first football game today. The Labor Day holiday has passed, and kids are back in school. The university is alive and kicking, and we are days away from the official start of autumn.

The second reason I mention the “gentlemen, this is a football” quote is the back-to-basics approach Lombardi took with his players. It’s easy to get sophisticated, fancy, and drift from our purpose, our mission. About a year ago my first words as your lead pastor were…”Why are you here?” Why are we here?

A year is hardly enough time to become an expert on a congregation whose roots began 172 years ago in 1853, but I’ve at least gotten my feet wet in these first 14 months!

So why are we here? Where are we going?

Imagine you are about to say goodbye to someone knowing you will never see them again. In fact, you will not be able to reach them via phone, letter, or even text. You have one opportunity to share your heart, your passion, your burden. What would you say?

In today’s scripture reading, we hear what may be Jesus’ final words to his friends before ascending into heaven. This is a passage known as the Great Commission. We looked at it briefly last Sunday.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

This text is loaded!

First, Jesus has all authority, on heaven and on earth. He is why we are here. He is our source, our power, our purpose, our Savior, our LORD, our King. It’s all about Jesus. If College First ever becomes about me, please fire me! If it ever becomes about our building, let’s sell it! If it ever becomes about consumerism or religion or politics or fundraising or religion or anything but Jesus, it’s time to hit the brakes!

It's because Jesus is fully God and fully human and has all authority that he can say second—and this is the heart of the commission—therefore go and make disciples. What’s a disciple? It’s an apprentice, a student, a protégé. A disciple of Jesus is someone who acts like Jesus. It’s different than calling yourself a Christian. Throughout history many have claimed to be a Christian without any resemblance to Christ.

Are you a disciple of Jesus? Are you a “little Christ?” Do your words, actions, finances, and calendar declare your allegiance to Jesus? You can’t be a disciple for an hour or two a week. Discipleship is a lifestyle. This afternoon, dozens of NFL players will play a game, but they won’t forget football tomorrow morning. Being a professional athlete is a 24/7/365 lifestyle. They don’t just show up at the stadium, play for a few hours and go home. It impacts every meal they eat…or don’t eat. It consumes their time with training and exercise. They do everything possible to ensure good sleep habits. Countless hours are spent with coaches and specialists who develop not only their body but also their mind. Football is a lifestyle. Discipleship is a lifestyle, too.

What would happen if I wandered onto the University of Findlay football team practice field outside my office and said, “Put me in, coach! I’m here to play football?” I would be laughed off the field. I’m no NCAA football player. I haven’t devoted my life to conditioning and athletics. A t-shirt that says Oilers doesn’t make me a member of the team.

In the same way wearing a Jesus t-shirt and stepping into this room and calling yourself a Christian doesn’t make you a disciple of Jesus. It might be a good start—and any of our staff, Elders, and leaders would love to talk with you about next steps—but an hour or two on Sunday doesn’t make you a disciple. Jesus said,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)

…and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27b)

That’s a disciple. A disciple is someone fully devoted to loving God and loving others. Are you a disciple? Do you want to become a disciple?

A disciple is not perfect. I’m certainly not perfect. But I’m in the process of becoming like Jesus, and it is my life mission to help others become like Jesus. That’s discipleship.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)

We are to make disciples of all nations. This is why I’m so passionate about international students and immigrants in our community. We can reach the world without a passport! The Internet is a tool for global discipleship, too. We live in a day in which we can get a passport and a plane ticket and make disciples in other nations. I’ve been privileged to train pastors in Burundi in central Africa twice and I’ve been invited by the Great Lakes Conference to train pastors in Kenya in January. All nations. The movement of Jesus is not just a USAmerican thing. In fact, it began in the Middle East! We are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and giving them an opportunity to publicly declare their faith and allegiance to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God who exists in three Persons, the blessed Trinity.

There’s more.

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

The journey does not end with baptism. It’s really the beginning. Then we must obey! We must follow Jesus. We must surrender our will, our wallet, and our ways. We must die to ourselves—symbolized by the water grave of baptism—in order to truly live the abundant life Jesus promised. It’s not the American Dream. In many ways it’s the opposite of the American Dream, but it’s the path to true freedom, peace, purpose, and joy.

There are three words which describe our mission here at College First: love, equip, send.

Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus. It is a verb. Do you love well? Do we love well?

Equip is the essence of discipleship, providing examples and tools for living like Jesus. It may look like a Sunday sermon, but it can be done through RightNow Media videos, a retreat, studying the Bible through the Bible Recap tools (the NT starts next month!), serving the needy, spending time in prayer, engaging in a small group, or simply spending time with a disciple of Jesus, doing life with them and hanging out.

Send is the true fruit of our labor, the fulfillment of our mission. Who have we sent? We’ve sent people like Katie Crabtree to become a missionary in Thailand. We’ve sent people like Giorgio Ferrario to become the campus minister at the University of Findlay. We’ve sent some of you into our parking lot to serve food through Chopin Hall, others to serve future moms at the Women’s Resource Center, and still others to help children read through Literacy Lions.

There’s a lot of emphasis in church world about how many people show up on Sunday morning, but what matters most is our sending capacity, not our seating capacity.

Our mission is not to distribute religious goods and services. We’re not here to entertain you with great music and lectures. Our purpose is not to babysit kids for an hour on Sunday. We are here to make disciples, fully devoted followers of Jesus and we do that by loving, equipping, and sending in the name of Jesus Christ.

So What?

The future is bright!

Monthly Senior Fun Dinners return this Tuesday at 5:30 PM. Our special guest speaker, Beth Yoder, will share about Night to Shine, an unforgettable worldwide celebration event, centered on God's love, honoring and valuing people with special needs. We are one of three Findlay congregations involved in this February 13 experience.

We have begun to livestream Winebrenner Worship on Sundays at 10 AM.

Our relationship with the University is stronger than it has been in many years, especially with Campus Ministry.

Next Sunday we’re having a fundraiser lunch for the Berachah Prayer Hall in India. This church was started by the father of Simeon, our ministry resident. Speaking of Simeon, he’s starting The Dwelling, a church plant in the Toledo area for people from India. And speaking of church planting, we are exploring the support of two other church plants, one in Ann Arbor and another in Kenton, with the desire to launch daughter congregations in the coming years. We are planning on doing a lot of sending!

Psalm 102:18 says
            Let this be written for a future generation,
                        that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
19         “The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
                        from heaven he viewed the earth,
20         to hear the groans of the prisoners
                        and release those condemned to death.”

In 2022, Pastor Brandon Kelly noted the following about this text:

1.    We live for others, not ourselves
2.    We aim for the future, not the past
3.    We all take responsibility, not just a few

Our vision is to become a future-oriented church by 2028 that will see 33% of our congregation made up of kids, students, and young adults. Two weeks ago on Youth Sunday, you saw examples of how this vision is becoming a reality. We are creating an endowment to fund interns and ministry leaders. Stay tuned for details. We’re also purchasing a van for our students…and the rest of the College First family.

I want to talk about our plans for Alpha, the Refocus on Purpose Workshop, next Easter, mission trips, the Habitat for Humanity Apostle Build, and other things slated for 2026, but I’m running out of time so let me close by saying I thank God for you, College First family. Thank you for your generosity and stewardship of your time, talents, and treasures. You have made a tremendous impact already in the lives of Heather and me and for 172 years you’ve been making and sending disciples. I love you and I’m humbled and honored to be a part of this family that God is using for His glory. College First has a great history, but I truly believe the best is yet to come. Let’s love, equip, and send! Let’s go!

Get to Work, 31 August 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-09-02T06:07:31-04:00

Get to Work!
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 31, 2025
Colossians 3:23-24

Big Idea: Work was created by God to be an act of worship.

Happy Labor Day Weekend…to all of you who don’t have a cabin in Michigan!

I know we’re not supposed to use four-letter words—especially in church—but today we’re talking about a word that causes many to shudder…work! Get to work!

On this Labor Day weekend, I want to share a few passages of scripture concerning labor.

1.    Work was God’s idea from the beginning.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15)

Work was a part of our world before Adam and Eve sinned and brought suffering to our world. The Hebrew word in the original language, avad, means “to work!” In this and other contexts, it referred to the ground, tending to the garden.

The thought of working a garden sounds miserable to me, honestly. As a boy, we had a fairly large garden in the back of our suburban house. I generally enjoyed harvesting the vegetables and didn’t even mind tip-and-tailing the green beans and shucking the corn, but there was one thing I despised…weeds!

My parents did their best to incentivize the task. I remember they bought Tarzan rings for our play structure and if I filled a certain number of 5 gallon buckets full of weeds, they would be mine (and my sister’s). I don’t have the greatest memory in the world, but I’m pretty sure I worked 32 hours every day during the summer in 130 degree heat in order to get those rings! What made it worse was watching the neighbors swim in the pool while I agonized in the back-breaking work. I thought I devised a shortcut and fluffed up the weeds in the bucket to make it appear full, but mom caught on and changed the expectation to push-down full!

As I think about it, if I could garden without weeds, I think I’d like gardening! It’s fun to plant seeds and even water the crops. Of course, the best part is biting into a freshly-picked, home-grown vegetable.

We often think of work as toil because…it often is as a result of what we call The Fall, Adam and Eve disobeying God by eating of the one forbidden tree in the Garden. One tree, Adam! When God announced punishments,

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

            “Cursed is the ground because of you;
                        through painful toil you will eat food from it
                        all the days of your life. (Genesis 3:17)

Work is good. Toil is hard. Needless to say, the Hebrew for toil here is not the same as work in chapter two. In fact, one definition for the word itstsabon is “a pain.” Pulling weeds is a pain, indeed! This is why I’m grateful for grocery stores!

There was work before The Fall and I believe there will be work in the next life, too, but not toil.

2.    How we work matters.

Paul wrote to the church in Colossi,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

We all work. Your labor may be studying for exams, working in an office, caring for your yard, changing diapers, teaching a class, or preparing a meal in your home. Retirees may not work for a pay check, but there is labor in all of our lives, and as I said, that’s by design by God. You may enjoy your labor or despise it, but how we do it matters.

You were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory. That means you need to work for the glory of God. This includes our attitude, our effort, and the quality of what we do. I know we are often motivated by paychecks or report cards, but this text shows us more is at stake…a reward from the Lord. Think about that on Tuesday!

3.    Life is more than work.

This is obvious to most of us, especially after the pandemic. Nevertheless, a writer in The Atlantic several years ago devised the term “workism” which is “the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production, but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose, calling it a “king of religion, promising identity, transcendence, and community.” We’ve all heard about workaholics. I used to tell friends I would’ve been a workaholic except my wife would let me become one! Although it created conflict, I’m grateful she lovingly reminded me life is more than work…especially when there were three little people in our home that needed love and attention…to say nothing of their mom!

Work/life balance is a myth! It’s a tension to manage rather than a problem to solve.

Jesus famously said,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)

He didn’t say love your work with your whole self but love Him. We can love God by doing good work and we can love our family by providing for them, but work must never become an idol.

4.    Work matters…for eternity

If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a minister. You are called to

…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This is not a text for pastors, but for all of us. One Barna study in 2018 showed 72% of Christians in the workforce view their work as having little or no connection to their faith or sense of calling.

Family, wherever you go, you represent Jesus. Some have said you are the only Bible many will ever read. How you love, serve, encourage, care, listen, show patience, kindness, hope, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and self-control as you are filled with the Holy Spirit matters. How you proclaim good news in word and deed to others in the classroom, marketplace, senior center, or field is not only a calling, it’s a privilege.

Growing up in a small church in Brighton, Michigan I used to think we paid the pastor to do the ministry. I now realize his role was to be the ad-minister and equip the congregation to be the ministers. This is often known as the priesthood of all believers.

Peter wrote,

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

This was not written to professional clergy. This is all of our callings. Each day you interact with people I don’t know. You have access to men, women, and children I may never meet. You can invite them to join us on Sundays, of course, which would be great, but even if they’re here an hour a week, you may spend as many as 40 hours a week with them, showing them what it means to follow Jesus.

The late Tim Keller concluded 80% or more of evangelism in the early church was done not by ministers or evangelists” but by Christians working as mothers, tentmakers, and farmers. Many of those you know will never “go to church,” but we are all called to be missionaries wherever we are.

Today I commission you as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ at…fill in the blank of wherever you will find yourself this week…the office, hospital, neighborhood, park, school, wherever. Good news needs to be shared. People need to be loved. Offer a smile, a kind word, ask someone out for a cup of coffee and ask where they are on their spiritual journey. Don’t’ worry about having all the answers. Just engage people in conversations and listen. People today are so lonely and anxious. It doesn’t take much to show love.

5.    Rest matters. Just do it!

Like the video said, we need to rest from our work…or more accurately work from our rest. At creation, humans were created on day six. What happened on day seven? Rest. That’s what they did on their first full day of life, meaning they began with rest and then worked rather than the other way around. God designed us to rest…and commanded it. Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments and the penalty for breaking it was…death by stoning! We were not made to work seven days a week. Our minds, bodies, and souls need rhythms of rest, weekly days of joy and delight in addition to daily, monthly, and annual breaks for recovery, recalibration, and focused time with God.

So What?

As we prepare to celebrate labor tomorrow, remember these ancient words:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Eat and drink for God’s glory.
Work for God’s glory. It is to be an act of worship.
Rest for God’s glory. He commanded it. He created it for our benefit.

Work was created by God to be an act of worship. Enjoy your holiday and remember on Tuesday…you get to work!

God Shows Compassion, 17 August 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-08-17T18:50:41-04:00

God Shows Compassion
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Jonah: God's Grace for All Nations
August 17, 2025
Jonah 4

Series Big Idea: Jonah is a remarkable story about life and death(s).

Big Idea: God’s love is available to all, Jew and Gentile alike.

We’ve been studying the book of Jonah for the past few weeks and today we conclude with chapter four. The most famous part of the story was obviously Jonah being swallowed by—and later vomited by—a large fish. But why was Jonah in the fish? He disobeyed God when told to go to Nineveh. But why didn’t Jonah want to go to Nineveh?

Throughout this series, we’ve noted how the life of a prophet was not an easy one. They were given messages by God to deliver to people who were often enemies of God. The message was typically, “Repent! Turn! Say ‘yes’ to God! Surrender! Get on your knees!

In chapter 3, Jonah finally goes to Nineveh, tells the people to repent, and they do! I used to think Jonah avoided Nineveh because he was afraid of failure, wasting his breath on people uninterested in God. The opposite was true. The people—led by the king—not only repented, they put on sackcloth and fasted to show their sincerity and desperation. God

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10)

God shows compassion and the Ninevites are spared of God’s wrath. This is wonderful news!

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. (Jonah 4:1)

What? He was a successful prophet. The people repented. Revival broke out. What’s the problem?

He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jonah 4:2)

He didn’t want God to love Nineveh. He hated this city, as many Jews did. He hated these people and didn’t want God to show love, grace, and compassion. He wanted to see his enemies destroyed!

Have you ever felt that way? Are there people you hate? Be honest. It might be a particular person or group. Who are “those people” in your life? It could be people with different race, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Maybe it’s our president, the last one, Putin, or Elon Musk. Do they deserve God’s grace and love more than you?

Maybe it was Osama bin Ladin or Saddam Hussein, Hitler,…or that person responsible for that huge loss in your life…they killed your loved one, caused you to lose your job, or stole your innocence. Do they deserve God’s grace and love more than you?

Jonah is so angry about God loving “those people,” he says,

Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3)

He’d rather die than see the Ninevites live! This is serious hatred. Before we move on, perhaps you can relate.

But the LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4)

Who is the object of Jonah’s anger, the Ninevites or God? Jonah is angry because God is slow to anger! He wants to die because God lets the Ninevites live.

It’s ok to be real with God, but don’t be surprised if He responds with truth. God is God and we’re not. We may struggle to love or forgive, but that’s what He does. That’s who He is. That’s great news for us…and “the world” that God so loved. We are all “better than we deserve.” But we should never hoard God’s love. We are to share it with others.

I have a friend who told me he struggled to pray for a particular government leader. I thought if God gripped the heart of this leader, they would make God-honoring decisions and make the world a better place. Everyone wins when someone surrenders to Jesus. Right?

Now we come to one of the strangest stories in the Bible.

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. (Jonah 4:5)

He delivered his message, the people repented, and he sticks around to see what’s next.

Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. (Jonah 4:6)

God still loves Jonah after his bad attitude. The LORD provides a plant for shade…and Jonah was “very happy” about the plant.

But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. (Jonah 4:7)

The LORD gives, the LORD takes away. The text doesn’t just tell us about the hungry worm. It says God provided it. Can you imagine Jonah’s anger now? The one thing in his life that makes him happy, the plant, is now eaten by this stupid worm!

When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:8)

This is the second time Jonah makes this declaration. He’s not the only person in the Bible who had suicidal ideation.

If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who does, there’s a new simple hotline number: 988. Make a note of it, and if you are struggling, people tell someone. No matter the reason, help is available, and you matter to us and you matter to God.

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” (Jonah 4:9)

I appreciate Jonah’s honesty, but doesn’t he sound like a child? What an attitude!

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. (Jonah 4:10)

True! Now for the grand finale of the book. Are you ready? God says to Jonah,

And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:11)

That’s it! The book of Jonah ends with a question mark! The book of Nahum is the only other book of the Bible that ends with a question mark. What’s the answer to the question? Should God love the people of Nineveh? Yes! Should God love the people of Findlay? Yes! Should God so love the world? He does!

So What?

When all is said and done, this book is not about a fish. It’s not even about Jonah. It’s about a God who a loving, gracious, forgiving, compassionate God.

The context of the book of Jonah is the tension between Jews and Gentiles. When Jesus arrives hundreds of years later, he declared good news for not only Jews but also us Gentiles, too. We’re grafted in. Jesus died for us, too! Hallelujah! In the book of Acts,

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34-35)

Fear here is not spooky, but awe and reverence. God doesn’t have favorites. We’re all entitled to receive His love, and we should celebrate that. There is nothing in this world greater than God’s transforming love, and history is filled with examples of people repenting of their evil deeds, surrendering to Jesus, and being used for God’s glory, including Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9), King Manasseh of Judah (2 Chronicles 33), John Newton (1725-1807), and former gang leader Nicky Cruz.

God’s love is available to all, Jew and Gentile alike.

One commentator wrote,

“It’s not as if we should never desire justice. It is good news when an oppressor is toppled, the terrorist caught, the torturer brought to justice. The great danger is that instead of simply rejoicing at the vindication of the oppressed, we self-righteously identify ourselves as the oppressed, taking pity on ourselves and not on the others. In our imaginations, Yahweh becomes a weapon in our campaign to destroy our enemies, an instrument of our own revenge rather than the righteous judge of the earth.”

Are you ok with God loving your enemies? Jesus died for them, too.

God Forgives the Repentant, 10 August 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-08-10T20:06:22-04:00

God Forgives the Repentant
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Jonah: God's Grace for All Nations
August 10, 2025
Jonah 3:1-10

Series Big Idea: Jonah is a remarkable story about life and death(s).

Big Idea: God demonstrates His love for sinners like Jonah, the people of Nineveh, and us.

Scripture Reading: Jonah 3:1-5

The most famous verse of the Bible says,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Who does that exclude?

From the opening pages of the Bible, humans have had a remarkable habit of identifying differences, identifying enemies, and creating “us versus them” scenarios. We’ll see it in a few weeks at football stadiums across the country. We tragically see it on more deadly battlefields.

The Kingdom of God is the result of God so loving the world, and that includes…everyone. We can choose whether to accept or reject God’s love, but Jesus died for USAmericans and Russians, blacks and whites, gays and straights, legal and illegals, rich and poor, elephants and donkeys.

But what happens when “those people” are offered God’s love? Do they deserve it? Do we?

We’re in the third week of our series on Jonah and while the big fish grabs all the headlines, the real story is God’s love…for sailors, for Ninevites, and for Jonah. We like to think of ourselves as the good guys in every story, but the truth is we have more in common with Jonah than we’d like to admit.

Have you ever run from God? Have you ever procrastinated a spiritual assignment? Have you ever failed to share God’s good news with someone out of fear or embarrassment? Have you ever failed to love “those people?”

Jonah chapter 3 begins…

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:1-2)

If you missed it, the first time Jonah ran away from God and Nineveh. God said, “Go” and Jonah said, “No.” We don’t know when or where God came to Jonah this second time. Hopefully it was after Jonah bathed! It’s amazing that God gives Jonah a second chance. That gives me hope when I fail. I love—and need—God’s amazing grace and mercy and forgiveness.

God called Nineveh a great city, and by that He did not mean good, but rather large. It was the capital of the Assyrian Empire in what we know as Mosul, Iraq today. Assyrians were not only enemies of Israel, but they were also known for brutality against their foes. They were not nice people, and Jonah wanted nothing to do with them.

But now he wanted nothing to do with living in the sea again, so, this time, he does the right thing.

Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. (Jonah 3:3a)

God said, “Go” and Jonah said, “O…k”

Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:3b-4)

This is not good news for the Ninevites. Then again, prophets rarely delivered good news. Their most common message was, “Repent! Turn! Stop what you’re doing and do the opposite!” Often their message was ignored, and people suffered the consequences. But in this case

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. (Jonah 3:5)

The people responded to Jonah’s proclamation and repented. Amazing!

When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. (Jonah 3:3-6)

This is remarkable. It’s one thing for commoners to cry out to God, but quite another for the king to humble himself before the LORD. Oh that we would have leaders in our government today who would humble themselves and pray and turn from the wicked ways. It reminds me of God’s promise to His people in the book of 2 Chronicles:

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This is our God. He does not hold grudges. He does not become bitter. He is slow to anger and abounding in love as noted at least eight times in the Bible. And that love is available to all. For God so loved…the world. That includes North Korea, Iran, Russia, and even us Wolverine fans! Back to the king…

This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. (Jonah 3:7)

He’s calling for a season of fasting.

Have you ever fasted from food? Fasting is one of the classic spiritual disciples or practices or habits. I’m hardly an expert, but I engage in fasting. Like jogging on the treadmill, I don’t always like the experience but appreciate the results.

Fasting can draw us to God. It can recalibrate not only our digestive system but also our souls. Fasting reminds us of our dependency on God for daily bread, helps us identify with those unable to obtain food, humbles us before God, serves as obedience to Jesus, helps us overcome temptation, strengthens our prayers, expresses our love and worship to God, and helps us in decision-making, among other things. It’s also a sign of repentance, which is clearly the case here. These people don’t just pay lip service to God. They enter a season of mourning and repentance. The king continued,

But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. (Jonah 3:8)

Sackcloth is a rough material made from goat or camel’s hair. It’s like burlap and was worn as a sign of sorrow, repentance, humility, or mourning. It’s a visual expression of brokenness. I’m not aware of anything similar in our culture. It was often done with fasting. I’m fascinated by the king’s decree to cover the animals with sackcloth, too. Clearly he is serious about his remorse and repentance. Notice his four commands: fast, wear sackcloth, pray, and give up their evil ways.

Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 3:9)

As long as we have breath, it’s never too late to repent, to turn and run to God. This king understood this.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10)

Mission accomplished! Missions accomplished!

Jonah proclaimed God’s message.

The king and the people repented.

God was able to spare Nineveh of destruction.

It’s amazing that God gives the Ninevites a second chance.

And everyone lived happily ever after! Well, not quite, as we’ll see next week.

So What?

To summarize this chapter, after God forgives Jonah for his disobedience, God forgives Israel’s enemies because they repent.

Who are you in the story? Are you Jonah, eager to proclaim God’s truth to a broken world, courageously sharing the reason for your hope? Are you a Ninevite, living in sin, yet eager to repent and receive forgiveness? Are you in a position to forgive like God, eager to see a broken relationship restored?

I know we can all relate to the Ninevites. We’ve all sinned…against God and others. We all need forgiveness. God demonstrates His love for sinners like Jonah, the people of Nineveh, and us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Although a different context, the prophet Ezekiel was told,

Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” (Ezekiel 33:11a)

This is the heart of God. When we turn from our sins, God is always ready to start again with us. God demonstrates His love for sinners like Jonah, the people of Nineveh, and us. Hallelujah!

God Answers Prayer, 3 August 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-08-04T13:24:44-04:00

God Answers Prayer
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Jonah: God's Grace for All Nations
August 3, 2025
Jonah 2:1-10

Series Big Idea: Jonah is a remarkable story about life and death(s).

Big Idea: It is possible to praise God without fully following Him.

Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:17-2:2

Prayer is one of the most fundamental aspects of faith. It is certainly not unique to the Christian faith, as people of other religions pray to their god or gods. Although I prefer to think of prayer as talking with God or even better doing life with God, prayer as a noun could be described as a collection of words spoken to God. It’s not surprising then that the Bible is filled with prayers that have been recorded for us. There are around 200 specific prayers contained in the scriptures, including the psalms and the prayers of Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Stephen, Paul, and, of course, Jesus.

You can learn a lot about a person by listening to them pray. Our words express our heart, our attitude, and often our beliefs. If we can’t be honest with God…

Today we’re going to explore what must be the prayer prayed in the most unusual place in history.

Last Sunday we concluded the first chapter of the book of Jonah with these words:

Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17)

There are many incredible things about this sentence. I can’t imagine being in a fish for three minutes, much less three days and nights. What did Jonah do during those 72 hours or so? How did he keep track of the time?!

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. (Jonah 2:1)

Jonah prayed to his God, the LORD. I’m sure God had Jonah’s attention! He’s no longer running from God but running to God.

This morning, are you running from God or to God?

What would you pray from inside a fish? Here’s what Jonah prayed…

He said:

            “In my distress I called to the LORD,
                        and he answered me.
            From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
                        and you listened to my cry. (Jonah 2:2)

Wait! He didn’t begin with, “Get me out of this smelly fish?” He recognizes the blessing of the fish that saved his life. Spoiler alert: the original Hebrew word for distress is the same used for the travail of childbirth, as in a child about to be born. He was all but dead, yet he will be reborn, so to speak.

Have you ever been in a jam? Have you ever called to God for help? God will always listen to our calls for help. He loves us…even when it doesn’t feel like it. Often like Jonah, we wander—or run—and God uses things to get our attention because…He loves us. He wants a relationship with you and me. Every good dad wants to enjoy his kids. Our heavenly Father loves us. Oh, how He loves us!

You hurled me into the depths,
                        into the very heart of the seas,
                        and the currents swirled about me;
            all your waves and breakers
                        swept over me. (Jonah 2:3)

That’s a vibrant description of Jonah’s journey!

I said, ‘I have been banished
                        from your sight;
            yet I will look again
                        toward your holy temple.’ (Jonah 2:4)

He turns to God in his distress.

The engulfing waters threatened me,
                        the deep surrounded me;
                        seaweed was wrapped around my head. (Jonah 2:5)

Some of you would rather die than have seaweed wrapped around your head!

            To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
                        the earth beneath barred me in forever.
            But you, LORD my God,
                        brought my life up from the pit. (Jonah 2:6)

I love that picture of mountains having roots in the sea! The LORD brought his life up from the pit. It reminds me of King David’s words of Psalm 40:

I waited patiently for the LORD;
            he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
            out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
            and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:1-2)

Jonah continues…

            “When my life was ebbing away,
                        I remembered you, LORD,
            and my prayer rose to you,
                        to your holy temple. (Jonah 2:7)

It’s funny how people remember God when they’re facing death. I wonder if there are any true atheists when an airplane is about to crash! I thought I was going to die when the airplane I was on filled with smoke. Fortunately, we were on the ground, but we had to evacuate, jumping off the wing of the plane. I doubt I was the only one praying as our ability to breathe diminished prior to the emergency exit doors opening!

So far, Jonah's prayer has been written in the past-tense. God spared his life. The very fish that could’ve brought about his death instead sustained his life. Like us, he is saved but not completely delivered. He’s not on dry land, but in the awkward (and smelly) in-between. Followers of Jesus have been saved, but we’ve not yet arrived at our final destination. We live in the tension of being in between the first and second comings of Jesus.

Now Jonah makes a present declaration.

            “Those who cling to worthless idols
                        turn away from God’s love for them. (Jonah 2:8)

This is a brilliant statement. It surely comes from Jonah’s experience.

            But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
                        will sacrifice to you.
            What I have vowed I will make good.
                        I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ” (Jonah 2:9)

Jonah has done a 180. He’s gone from running away to praise, from disobedience to sacrifice. He’s got his head on straight, he’s come to his senses, he’s right where God wants him, fully surrendered.

Or does he? It took me some study to realize Jonah never repents. He praises God for sparing his life, but at no point does he acknowledge his disobedience in running from God—and the Ninevites. He is able to love God, but not his neighbor as himself. This is as challenge for many of us. Sometimes it’s easier to love God, sing songs, pray prayers…but love that person? Those people? “You just don’t understand,” we protest.
Jonah is a complex character who may reveal much about our own hearts. He certainly knew the right answers. He had good theology. But his heart was not fully surrendered to God. And his mission was not complete. We’ll continue next week, but let’s not miss the end of chapter two.

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (Jonah 2:10)

What a vivid verse!

So What?

Jonah’s poetic prayer makes many important declarations about God and His character during his three days in the fish. What seemed like a place of death for him became a source of deliverance. The same could be said of the cross.

Jesus said prior to the crucifixion,

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40)

As we prepare to remember the cross, let me offer a caution:

It is possible to praise God without fully following Him.

It reminds me to the words of Isaiah quoted by Jesus,

The Lord says:

            “These people come near to me with their mouth
                        and honor me with their lips,
                        but their hearts are far from me. (Isaiah 29:13)

We can go to church. We can take communion. We can give our time and money. But what God wants most of all is your heart. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)

Jonah was saved by a fish. We are saved by a cross.

Today we remember that Jesus gave everything for us, even his very life. How will you respond? Eat the bread and remember his body. Drink the cup and remember his blood. But let’s not stop there. We love God because He first loved us…and we love our neighbors as ourselves because God loves them, too.

Jonah Runs, 27 July 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-07-29T10:54:52-04:00

Jonah Runs
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Jonah: God's Grace for All Nations
July 27, 2025
Jonah 1:1-17

Series Big Idea: Jonah is a remarkable story about life and death(s).

Big Idea: We have the freedom to fight, flee, or follow God’s call.

Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:1-3

The Bible is not a book. It’s a library. There are letters, instructions, poems, prophecies, and stories—incredible stories! We’re going to spend the next four weeks looking at one of the most fascinating of them all. It is controversial. It is referenced by Jesus. It has drama and action and God speaking and…a very abrupt ending!

Many of you know the story of Jonah. Or do you? Jonah is certainly one of the most well-known characters in the Bible. Before we dive in, let’s begin with some background. Jonah was a prophet from Gath Hepher near the Sea of Galilee while Jeroboam II reigned over the ten northern tribes from 786-746 B.C.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:1-2)

Jonah is considered a minor prophet, not because he is less important than a major prophet, but rather because this book is much shorter than books such as Isaiah and Ezekiel. God speaks to Jonah and tells him to go…to Nineveh…to preach against it and its wickedness.

Prophets are not necessarily future-tellers but forth-tellers. They are called by God to speak, announce, proclaim…and generally, it’s not good news. The one-word message of many prophets is…repent! Turn! Change! Return to God!

The life of a prophet is not enviable. They disrupt. They annoy. Much of the time, they are rejected. People-pleasers need not apply! This was not an easy assignment. Rarely did God offer cushy jobs to prophets!

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3)

Someone has said if you want to run from God, satan will always give you a ride!

I don’t want to give too much away, but it was not fear of rejection that caused Jonah to head in the opposite direction of God’s instructions. Note to the wise: do not try to run away from the LORD. It never goes well.

I thought of Jonah on more than one occasion when God called Heather and me to make a major life decision, particularly two relocations. Moving to Findlay last year was one of them. I wanted to be sure we were moving at God’s calling and not simply the urging of friends. As many of you know, I was not particularly excited about moving to Findlay, but I didn’t want to follow Jonah into disobedience…and I certainly didn’t want to experience the detour he took!

I must add, Heather and I are thrilled God led us to Findlay…and grateful we said yes!

We have the freedom to fight, flee, or follow God’s call. This applies to everything from career choices and spousal selection to everyday temptations to sin.

Jonah chose to flee. Perhaps he thought God wouldn’t notice him “running” away from Him! He was told to go to modern-day Iraq and instead headed toward Spain! He even paid for the trip! This is no accident. It was pre-meditated disobedience and rebellion against God. You can run, but you can never hide!

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. (Jonah 1:4)

Most of us have never been on a dangerous sea, but countless people have lost their lives in nautical storms. Imagine the construction of the ships…before fiberglass, steel, and modern plastics. Wood and hand tools were likely the only materials available.

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. (Jonah 1:5a)

They were all afraid, which tells you this was a serious storm. Then these experienced sailors each cried out to his own god. What an interesting statement! They believed in god…or gods! Then these sailors were so desperate they threw their stuff into the sea. Can you picture the scene? It was a nightmare. These people were fearing for their lives!

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. (Jonah 1:5b)

The same Hebrew word, yarad, is used to describe Jonah going down to Joppa, going aboard the ship, going below deck, and falling into a deep sleep.

[Can you think of anyone who slept in a boat during a huge storm? Jesus in Mark 4:38.]

The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 1:6)

The sailors call out to their gods. Now the captain wants Jonah to try his God. Perhaps he has a sense that Jonah worships the one true God, Yahweh.

Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. (Jonah 1:7)

If you simply want to be “biblical,” one way to know God’s will is to cast lots…to roll the dice, draw straws, or flip a coin. I don’t generally recommend this as a method of discernment, but it is biblical…in more than one instance. Here, God uses a storm, sailors, and even the lots to accomplish His purposes.

So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” (Jonah 1:8)

They know something is up with this Jonah guy! I’m fascinated by how “spiritual” these sailors are, though it was culturally common. In our society, people don’t usually think much about the supernatural. We tend to look for reasonable explanations for reality.

He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9)

I love how Jonah references the sea and the dry land, something on all their minds!

This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.) (Jonah 1:10)

Can you feel the tension building?

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” (Jonah 1:11)

If you didn’t know what follows, what would you say? My first thought would be to pray to the LORD, but then again, Jonah is running from the LORD, so he replies…

“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” (Jonah 1:12)

Would you come up with that answer? Evidently, the sailors didn’t buy it.

Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. (Jonah 1:13)

Just when they thought it couldn’t get worse…

Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. (Jonah 1:14-16)

Jonah was supposedly this godly prophet. He disobeys God, yet God uses him to get the attention and worship of these men. God can redeem anything!

Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17)

Does this mention a whale? No! It’s a huge fish.

Some whales and sharks can swallow a human whole. Sperm whales can reach 70 feet in length and don’t have to chew their food.

Two SeaWorld educators, Keith Robinson and Donna Parham, believe it may have been a great white shark.[1] Jonah and Jaws!

To summarize chapter one, Jonah runs from God, a storm comes, he’s thrown overboard, pagan sailors repent and worship God, and a great fish saves Jonah.

So What?

Obey God. Skip the detour! I said it earlier:

We have the freedom to fight, flee, or follow God’s call. There are consequences for all our actions. What will you do?

[1] http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/usa/california/san_diego/general_stories/sd9-13-02jonah.html

Ask, 6 July 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-07-07T16:02:08-04:00

Ask
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
July 6, 2025
1 John 5:13-21

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: We can ask God for anything, including forgiveness.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:13-15

As we conclude our series on the book of 1 John written by one of Jesus’ three best friends, John, we read his closing remarks directed to early Christians. Throughout the letter, he has talked about light, love, antichrist, children of God, actions, and spirits, among other things. Our scripture reading today continues last week’s theme of life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

John wants them to be secure in their salvation, that they may know they have eternal life. This is the promise for those “who believe in the name of the Son of God.”

I’ve had many conversations with people of various faiths—including Christianity—regarding the certainty of their destiny. John says his purpose in writing is to assure them of eternal life…not because of their works, of course, but because of their faith in Jesus.

Do you know you have eternal life? If you believe in Jesus, if you believe he died and rose again, if you believe he is the way, the truth, and the life, if you believe he is the ultimate example of what it means to be human, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus, then you can know that you have eternal life. This is good news. This is great news! Furthermore, the writer of Romans declares,

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-29)

John continues with more great news for followers of Jesus.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)

Does this mean God always hears our prayers? Yes!
Does this mean God always answers our prayers? Yes!
Does this mean God always answers our prayers the way we want? No!

We have everything we have asked of God…if we are seeking first His will, His Kingdom, His way. God’s will is not for us to be the center of the universe. He provides for our needs but doesn’t necessary honor self-centered requests for our every desire. If we are truly following Jesus, our heart will sync with his heart. Let’s ask of God now.

Prayer is a popular church topic, but one often filled with negative emotions. Do I pray enough? Am I good at prayer? What if I get bored? What if I fall asleep? What if I simply forget? What if I don’t know what to say? Do I have to bow my head? Close my eyes? Pray out loud?

I used to think prayer was talking to God. Then I thought prayer was talking with God. But now I believe prayer is doing life with God. It is far more than a wish list we tell God. It includes petitions, but also praise, thanksgiving, confession, prayers for others, and I would add questions, fears, doubts, and moments of awe and wonder.

I like the three essential prayers of Anne Lamott: help, thanks, wow!

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Prayer is not only the utterance of the lips; it is also the desire of the heart.”

We could talk all day about prayer and we should pray all day…today and every day. What are you up to, LORD? What makes You happy? Sad? Angry? What is my next step in loving You? Loving others? What is Your will for my life? For College First? For our nation and world? For the sake of time, we must move on!

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. (1 John 5:16-17)

Sin is anything that separates us from God. It may be something we do. It may be something we fail to do. All sin ultimately leads to death…the death of a relationship, peace, eternal life, or even natural life. Earlier John said failing to believe Jesus came and died for sinners would result in death…eternal death. We have eternal life by believing Jesus died and rose from the dead and following him.

Failing to love may not result in physical death, but we are commanded to love, to pray for others, pray that God’s love would flow through us to others.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. (1 John 5:18)

We all sin. We all continue to sin after encountering God. Followers of Jesus do not continue to sin without remorse and regret. We are not proud of our sin. We struggle with it, sometimes failing…and then turning to God with repentance for forgiveness. Christ followers are kept safe from the evil one.

We also need to turn to one another sometimes…to forgive or ask for forgiveness. As we journey together, we will inevitably step on one another’s toes. It’s usually accidental, but the other person may not be aware of the pain they caused. We need to take Matthew 18 seriously.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15-17)

Is this easy? No.
Does it involve conflict? Yes.
Is it biblical? Obviously!

The kingdom of this world cancels when hurt. In the kingdom of God, we confront…with love. We cry, “Ouch!” We seek reconciliation rather than retaliation. While others get bitter, we get better and restore the relationship. Family, we must speak up and say, “Help me understand.” There are exceptions, but often the conflict is based upon a misunderstanding, a mistake, or even someone simply having a bad day. We need grace and forgiveness and we need to be quick to extend it to others…as God has extended it so generously to us. Jesus said,

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

You might feel as though you’ve sinned beyond God’s forgiveness, and I want to declare to you such a thing is impossible. If you seek forgiveness from God, it will be granted. Listen to a portion of Psalm 103.

He does not punish us for all our sins;
            he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
            is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
            as the east is from the west.
The LORD is like a father to his children,
            tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;
            he remembers we are only dust. (Psalm 103:10-14)

When Jesus died, he didn’t die for some of your sins. He died for all of them!

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

This is why we feel tension in our world. It’s why we can’t keep up with the Joneses! This world is not our home. I’m baffled when Christians wonder why the world is evil. It’s under satan’s control…for now! His day will come. I can’t wait! Don’t ever expect the world to act like the Kingdom of God. It’s the world! We are called to life differently. We are called to forgive, to serve, to bless, …to love.

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)

That is one true verse! Three sentences. Three uses of the word true!

Who is true? Jesus. He is the true God and eternal life. Last week we noted a conversation with Thomas.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Jesus is life. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. Truth is a person. Do you know him? Do you follow him?

Now we come to the last verse of the entire letter. John doesn’t end with a “sincerely” or “best regards” or even a blessing. He closes his letter by saying,

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

His closing words are, “No idols.” First, he reminds them they are dear—dear children—and then says

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:21, NLT)

Over 100 verses in the Bible speak about idols, including the second of the ten commandments.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (Exodus 20:4)

Idols have been a part of the human condition almost from the beginning.

They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.” (2 Kings 17:12)

We do, too. Maybe you don’t bow down to a statue, but we are all drawn to other gods, other things that receive our attention…our time, our money, our energy, our thoughts, our worship. It’s possible that John had in mind not an idol of stone or wood, but false beliefs about Jesus. The Old Testament associates idolatry with injustice. It might represent a failure to love.

I struggle sometimes with the 2nd commandment. I want to be in control, comfortable, wealthy, powerful, secure, recognized, celebrated, privileged, safe, and pampered. The problem is when I’m focused on myself, I can’t see God. When I obsess about my fears, I can’t give God my attention. When I worry or fret or lust or covet or embrace bitterness or fail to love, I’m not walking in the light of God…and I’m certainly not living according to His will so of course my prayers will not be answered the way I seek. Of course I will eventually be anxious, lonely, and/or upset.

So What?

I don’t know what idols are in your life, but I want to give you time to acknowledge them and confess them. God is ready and willing to forgive, but we need to agree with Him that we have sinned and we need to repent, turn, return to following Jesus.

Remember,

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

We can ask God for anything, including forgiveness. Hallelujah!

Amen!

Life, 29 June 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-06-30T06:45:28-04:00

Life
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
June 29, 2025
1 John 5:1-12

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: No Jesus, no life. Know Jesus, know life.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:1-5

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “…in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” We spend our lives trying to avoid both!

The subject of life and death has been very personal for me, especially this year. I have attended more funerals this year than any year of my life…and we’re not even halfway through the year! Some deaths are tragic, even horrifying. Others are expected, though none of us know our expiration date. As many of you know, I officiated the funeral of my grandma last weekend Missouri. It was truly a celebration of a life well-lived, serving people and loving Jesus. She was a remarkable lady. You can read about her in Proverbs 31! Our text today says,

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12)

Grandma knew Jesus. Grandma knew life.

We’ve been studying the book of 1 John for several weeks and today we’ll cover the first part of the final chapter, finishing next Sunday. It begins…

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. (1 John 5:1)

We frequently use the expression “Jesus Christ.” Christ is not Jesus’ last name. It’s a word that means anointed. Tragically, it has become a swear word to some people.

Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? This is not merely do you believe in God. Most USAmericans believe in God, but what do you mean by God? When we say Jesus is the Christ, we are declaring he is the promised Messiah of the Jews, the son of God, fully God, fully human, and worthy of not merely intellectual belief, but surrender, commitment, allegiance.

When we say yes to Jesus, we are adopted into his family. I often refer to you, church, as family because that’s what we are…brothers and sisters, spiritual siblings. If you love our heavenly Dad, you love His other kids, too.

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. (1 John 5:2)

We love others by loving God. We love God by loving others. We should never separate them. Jesus said the entire law is summarized by loving God and loving others as ourselves.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. (1 John 5:3a)

I’ve said obedience is God’s love language. You can’t love God and hate people. You can’t love God and hate immigrants or Iranians or Jews or Palestinians or Wolverines or Buckeyes or whites or blacks or browns or anyone else. Love means love! Jesus died for every illegal alien, prostitute, drag queen, corrupt politician, drunk driver, child abuser, and preacher.

My heart is heavy when people claim to love God but hate people…any people!

This is so simple, but not easy. Love never is, because it requires humility, sacrifice, and service. One thing about loving God is He made the first move. Our love is a response to His.

And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3b-5)

Without God’s love, we can’t love others. We’ve been given power to resist evil, the fruit of the Holy Spirit which includes self-control, and the hope of heaven, eternity with God. We are not victorious because of what we’ve done, but we’re victorious because of the work of Jesus through the cross and the empty tomb.

Some of you saw the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals yesterday. It’s like being on the winning team not because you got a hit, but rather your teammate hit a home run. He gives us the victory. He gives us the power. He has overcome the world. Hallelujah!

Side note: the Greek word here for victory is nike (NEE-kay). Perhaps you’ve heard of it!

This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (1 John 5:6-8)

Some taught Jesus was a man who became the Messiah when the Holy Spirit came upon him at his baptism…and left before the crucifixion. John is saying Jesus was already the Christ at his baptism—water—and crucifixion—blood. Jesus is fully God and fully human and the Holy Spirit, baptism, and death all bear witness to this reality…to say nothing of the empty tomb.

It's worth noting some have seen water and blood as referencing the ordinances of baptism and communion, and still others note both came from Jesus’ side when pierced on the cross.

We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:9-11)

The Greek word for “life” here is zoe. Eternal life is found in Jesus. It’s not from our good works, but his amazing grace.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12)

This is where we started. Jesus is life. No Jesus, no life. Know Jesus, know life.

Do you know Jesus? Do your friends? Family? Neighbors?

It doesn’t take long for any of us to encounter people who don’t know Jesus. I’m not talking about religion, but a relationship with Jesus. We have the privilege of introducing people to Jesus, the Christ, the anointed one, the Messiah.

We live in exciting times when people are looking for answers. Young people are searching for freedom from anxiety. Chaos and stress surround us. Uncertainty fills the air. We can’t even trust the news. What is really true anymore?

Good news needs to be shared, and the greatest news is that Jesus is LORD. No president, king, prime minister, scientist, athlete, movie star, or social media pundit can back up that claim. Jesus is LORD means God is in control, this world has a purpose, heaven is for real, hope is here, love is boundless.

One of my favorite tools for sharing great news is a question: where are you on your spiritual journey? Many people today claim to be spiritual but not religious. Ask them about their spirituality. It may open a door for them to ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).

We can also participate in global evangelism—proclaiming good news—by praying, giving, and serving with Global Reach of the Churches of God, General Conference, our denominational family.

In a conversation with Thomas,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Jesus is life. He is the life. Do you want more out of life? Do you want more life? Do you want to experience life to the max? It’s not found online. It’s not found in money or pleasure or power. It’s not even found in roller coasters or ice cream, though I love those! Listen to Jesus again.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Again, John uses the word zoe for life. Jesus came to give us life!

So What?

Perhaps the only thing worse than someone dying is someone who never really lives.

At my grandma’s gravesite, we sang an old Gaither song, Because He Lives. I often think of it as an Easter song, but it was fitting as we said “see you later” to one of the most godly women I’ve ever known. The final verse says,

And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

The chorus:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

Paul wrote,

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 2:21)

Jesus is life.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12)

My grandma had Jesus. My grandma had life. Today my grandma has life. Do you?

No Jesus, no life. Know Jesus, know life.

Pentecost, 8 June 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-06-10T14:30:14-04:00

Pentecost
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
June 8, 2025
Acts 2

Big Idea: The events of Acts 2 transformed the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-4

What is your favorite holiday? Our calendar is filled with religious holidays like Palm Sunday and Passover. We have national holidays like President’s Day and Veteran’s Day. There are “Hallmark” holidays like Secretary’s Day and Groundhog Day. Each is a day to remember, celebrate, and/or appreciate. While Christmas and Easter get most of the attention, Pentecost belongs in the same conversation, a day commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

One of the hardest things in life is saying goodbye to those we love. It may be the result of an extended vacation, a relocation, or a death. I can only imagine the horror of the disciples on Good Friday as they watched their rabbi crucified, their hopes dashed, their loss unbearable. Of course, he told them he would die, though they didn’t understand. Easter undid their grief and pain, but Jesus would leave them again on a day known as Ascension Sunday, recognized on May 29 this year. This was all part of God’s plan, of course. Jesus said,

“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth…I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you…Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:15-19)

Two chapters later, John records these words of Jesus:

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. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:7-11)

Dr. Luke recorded Jesus’ prophecy concerning the Holy Spirit in the first chapter of Acts.

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (Acts 1:7)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This is one of my favorite scriptures. It not only announces the coming of the Holy Spirit, it offers a glimpse at the trajectory of the early Church. Jesus says after the Holy Spirit comes, his friends will be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but in Judea and Samaria and the ends of the earth. It’s worth noting “witnesses” in the original Greek language is martus, also defined as martyr. Indeed, it is generally believed that the twelve disciples would all become martyrs except for…John, who would be boiled in hot oil!

Although Acts was not written to us, it is certainly for us. When I think about the flow of the gospel in the first century, I envision a similar expansion of the gospel from College First as we love, equip, and send. Where do we send? Across the street and around the world, from Findlay to Finland and everywhere in between. Contextualizing Acts 1:8 might look something like this:

Jerusalem: our home, College First Church of God
Judea: our community
Samaria: the Great Lakes Conference
Ends of the earth: our broader denominational family, the Churches of God, General Conference with ministry in about a dozen countries outside of the USA

Church family, the Holy Spirit has come on us. We are God’s witnesses and even martyrs here and around the world. We’re part of a global movement changing the world one life at a time! What a privilege. What a joy! What meaning and purpose.

If you give, serve, or pray, you’re a part of this movement, the Kingdom of God. Thank you!

In Acts 1:8, Jesus prophesied what would happen in Acts 2, the day of Pentecost.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (Acts 2:1-3)

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)

You may know the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. God confused the language of the whole world as people were trying to build a tower reaching to the heavens. Acts 2 was a reversal of the Tower of Babel. Reading on…

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. (Acts 2:5-6)

What a miracle! The Holy Spirit shows up, there’s the sound of a violent wind, they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire, people from around the world hear people declaring the wonders of God in their native tongue, and the people are “utterly amazed.”
Peter then preaches a bold sermon, calling people to repentance. The result?

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41)

The miracle of tongues captivates the crowd, but Peter’s preaching results in repentance, fulfilled prophecy (Joel 2, Psalm 16, 110), and baptisms. Many see this as the launch of the Church. 3000 people joined in one day! I’d call that revival! But this is only the beginning.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

This wasn’t the first Pentecost. It (Shavuot) was already on the Jewish calendar as a celebration of the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai. But in Acts 2, we see a new covenant formed as the Spirit is poured out on all believers.

Throughout Acts, the Spirit continues to empower the Church with gifts, fruit, and miracles. Some Christians believe certain spiritual gifts have ceased. But in the Churches of God, General Conference…

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is God.
We believe the Holy Spirit has always been engaged in God’s work.
We believe the Holy Spirit revealed himself in a new way on the day of Pentecost.
We believe the Holy Spirit can be known and experienced.
We believe the Holy Spirit endows the followers of Christ with the unity of the Spirit.
We believe the Holy Spirit enables believers to grow spiritually.
We believe the filling of the Holy Spirit is ongoing, present, and active in the lives of believers.
We believe the Holy Spirit dispenses spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.
We believe the fruit of the Spirit is the essential evidence of a believer’s filling with the Holy Spirit.

So What?

After spending years saving up for a cruise, a man was delighted to board the massive ship, eager to enjoy the views, the entertainment, and fellow passengers. He met several friends throughout the voyage. At the end of the journey, he was asked why he disappeared during the meals.

“I packed peanut butter, jelly, and bread to eat. I could barely afford the cruise. I could never afford the extravagant food on the cruise,” he said.

His friends replied, “All the food is included!” He missed the benefits that were his all along.
In a similar way, many Christians who receive Jesus are unaware of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is included!

The Holy Spirit is not an abstract force or a ghost. He is a Person—God Himself—moving among us. Like the wind, we can’t control the Spirit, but we can follow His lead.

Today, I’m praying for more love, more power, more of the Holy Spirit in my life—and in the life of College First. I’m not interested in “playing church,” entertaining, or impressing. I want to be part of a Spirit-filled movement that makes disciples of all nations.

“Go and make disciples... baptizing them... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Actions, 1 June 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-06-05T14:16:19-04:00

Actions
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
June 1, 2025
1 John 3:11-24

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Although it’s not an exact quote from the Bible, there’s a phrase I like to use. It was mentioned in 1628 by John Pym in the UK’s Parliamentary records. Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, and Dale Carnegie believed it. Thomas Mantono’s sermons 1693 refer to it. Cultures from Africa to Japan have spoken it. The phrase…actions speak louder than words.

We’re in the middle of a series on the short book of 1 John. It’s an epistle, a letter to first-century Christians. Throughout the series, we’ve seen certain words and phrases repeated including the word love which appears seven times in today's text.

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (1 John 3:11)

I know it’s not popular to “should” people, but John “shoulds” his audience. Obviously this isn’t shocking news. Jesus said, “Love one another” in John 13:34. Romans 13:8 records it. Peter said it twice in his first epistle. John mentions it in both 1 and 2 John.

It has been heard from the beginning. Amazingly, the first use of the English word “love” in the NIV translation of the Bible besides husband/wife intimacy is in Genesis chapter 20! In the NLT, it’s not until the 22nd chapter of Genesis where God says to Abraham,

“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2, NLT)

Certainly the concept of love has been expressed by God since creation in the first verse of the Bible, both God’s love for us and human love for one another. The English language uses the same word “love” to describe many different things. The love I have for my wife, sister, mom, God, and ice cream are different. John uses the Greek word agapao, agape love. It means benevolence, goodwill, pure, sacrificial love. It desires the highest good of others and is the highest form of love, demonstrated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, rooted in God’s character.

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (1 John 3:11)

We should agape one another.

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.
(1 John 3:12)

It’s obvious to say don’t murder, but the first brothers are a great example of the contrast between evil and righteousness. Murder is not love!

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. (1 Jn 3:13)

It amazes me how people are surprised when the world doesn’t embrace the Kingdom of God. The world hates it. It hates Jesus. It hates his followers. You can’t love God and the world. You must choose who will you follow. 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; Luke 16:13)

You cannot serve both God and money.
You cannot serve both God and fame.
You cannot serve both God and power.
You cannot serve both God and yourself.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:14)

Love = life
No love = death

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. (1 John 3:15)

You may be thinking, “I haven’t murdered anyone!” Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22)

Jesus always raises the bar, making it harder to achieve perfection. He knows we can’t, which is why we need him. We need the cross and empty tomb. We need forgiveness and mercy and grace, which we will remember in a few moments.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16)

“Jesus, let’s not get carried away! Die for others?” That’s what love requires. That’s what following Jesus looks like in the real world. It’s radical! It’s not just a warm, fuzzy feeling in my head. It requires action.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17)

This one might be harder! How many opportunities do we have to die for someone? But how often do we see a brother or sister in need? Probably every Sunday! Maybe every day!

I’m going to open a can of worms for a moment. There are many reasons why people are in need. Some are self-inflicted, others are what people would call “bad luck.” Some people do not want to get well. Others require professional help. Often the worst thing we can do is offer handouts instead of hand-ups. I’m grateful for Christian Clearing House, City Mission, the Women’s Resource Center, and other local ministry partners who are able to screen people and assess if they really want to get well.

I have people show up on our campus frequently asking for help. I want to love them well, but what they want and what they need may be two different things. Hancock County has a great directory of over 100 different resources available to help with housing, mental health, food, crisis, clothing, transportation, and finances, just to name a few. We have copies at our office window.

Let’s not forget our brother and sister may be on the other side of the world, which is why I appreciate the work of the Global Reach of the Churches of God, General Conference and groups like Compassion International.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Talk is cheap. Walk the talk. Actions speak louder than words. As my friends at That Neighborhood Church in Toledo say, “Love God. Love others. Prove it!” Sometimes prayer can be a way to love someone, but often people need time, labor, wisdom, money, a ride, shelter, or other things that require more than good thoughts or happy vibes.

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. (1 John 3:19-22)

I like to say God’s love language is obedience.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (1 John 3:23)

Love one another. That’s how we please God. That’s how we love God!

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:24)

We will talk more about the Holy Spirit next week on Pentecost Sunday at 10 AM before our annual picnic. I can’t wait!

So What?

Our world is filled with cultural Christians, Sunday Christians, religious Christians. The true test of our faith is a four-letter word…L-O-V-E. If you need a refresher, here’s what it looks like:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Does that describe your life, your love? I pray we would be known not for our politics, policies, or dogma, but by our love. Sacrifice. Actions speak louder than words.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Children of God, 25 May 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-05-25T16:19:24-04:00

Children of God
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
May 18, 2025
1 John 3:1-10

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: Children of God are loved beyond measure.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-6

Who are you? This is one of life’s two most important questions, I believe, the other being who is Jesus? The older I get, the more I value the importance of identity. There’s a primal dimension to self-awareness and how we view ourselves. I am pastor, husband, dad, papa, son, Findlayan, entrepreneur, musician,…but my primary identity is child of the Most High God.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’ve been adopted into God’s family (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). You are His precious son or daughter, and any identity you attach to yourself above child of God is an idol. I’ve met so-called Christians whose primary identity is their politics, sports teams, or occupations. I appreciate those affiliations, but nothing compares to being a child of God.

We’ve been studying John’s first epistle or short letter written to early Christians. Today’s text in chapter three begins with two beautiful sentences:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a)

Great love.
Lavished.
Children of God.
What we are.

If we could grasp this, our lives would be transformed. College First would be transformed. Jesus died for us while we were his enemies. That’s crazy love!

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1b)

This echoes his earlier distinction between the world’s kingdom and God’s Kingdom. The world doesn’t know God, so they don’t know us…unless we introduce them to Him!

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

John drops more zingers in what may be the best verse in today’s text:

He repeats our identity as children of God.
We have a bright, hopeful future.
Christ will appear.
We will be like Jesus.
We will clearly see Jesus.
Hallelujah!

There is so much hope in this verse! I’ve mentioned new, resurrected bodies, but a glorious future, being in the presence of Jesus…I can’t wait! As the old song says,

It will be worth it all
When we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
When we see Christ
One glimpse of his dear face
All sorrow will erase
So, bravely run the race
Till we see Christ.

All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:3)

Jesus is pure, so we must purify ourselves and become like him. That’s the goal…to become like Jesus. The word Christian was originally a term of contempt or scorn or disdain by Gentiles from the Greek word christianos. But does it describe you? Do people confuse you with Jesus? In contrast to the purity of Jesus…

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. (1 John 3:4-6)

This does not mean Christians are perfect (see 1:8-10). We all sin, but are you proud of your sin or repentant? Children of God desire to follow Jesus, though we fail, at times. Children of the world have no interest in pleasing God and live for themselves. Sin is living in a state of rebellion against God.

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:7-8)

I love that last sentence! Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work! The victory is underway, though not yet complete. But if I can skip ahead for a moment, in chapter 4 we will read,

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Hallelujah! This is good news. This is great news! This raises some questions for me:

Why are victorious Christians often so downcast and discouraged?
Why are victorious Christians walking in darkness rather than light?
Why are victorious Christians often engaging in gossip, slander, pride, and greed?
Why are victorious Christians often filled with fear?
Why are victorious Christians often duped by conspiracy theories and fake news?

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (1 John 3:9)

A true child of God does not live in habitual, deliberate sin. They know God and repent when they sin. If you struggle with sin, if you want victory over sin, that’s the sign of a true child of God. If that’s you, get help. Tell a friend. Talk to a pastor. Join a support group. There are many in our community and some here at College First. Jesus died for your sins. He wants to set you free. The power of the Holy Spirit is available to you.

Followers of Jesus are regenerated, born again. They have a new nature. They become new creations. They are justified with a new, right standing before God. They are playing a new song and even though they may play a wrong note occasionally, they have a new piece of music now, a new page, a new life. The “seed”—God’s word—is alive in them.

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. (1 John 3:10)

Are you a child of God or a child of the devil? John doesn’t indicate it’s based upon beliefs, theology, or church attendance. Do you love God and your neighbor? Prove it! What if they vote differently? What if they are here legally from another country? What if they speak a different language, lack a good education, smell different, look different? Love is the test of our faith, our identity, our adoption. It’s not religious activity, but love for God and others. There are counterfeit Christians…children of the devil.

So What?

Who are you? If you’ve said “yes” to Jesus, you are a child of God, created in His image with dignity, value, and worth. That means you are no longer of the world. You do what is right. You stop sinning. You love well.

Today, some of you need to repent. Confess your sins and turn from darkness. Jesus is waiting for you to say yes and follow him. We’re here to help you on your journey. Don’t go alone.

And if you are a child of God, be reminded of who you are…

Video: https://www.fathersloveletter.com

Antichrist, 18 May 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-05-18T16:46:16-04:00

Antichrist
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
May 18, 2025
1 John 2:18-29

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:18-22

For as long as I can remember, one of the most fascinating subjects in the church has been end times and, specifically, the antichrist. Who is it? Some thought Hitler. Others were sure it was Gorbachev. Still others announced Saddam Hussein was the antichrist. As we continue our series on the book of 1 John, I’m going to tell you who the antichrist is…or antichrists.

John, one of Jesus’ three best friends, is writing a letter to some of the first Christians. Up to this point in the letter, he has talked about light, love versus hatred, and the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of this world. Now he confronts the imminent crisis facing his congregation.

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)

The last hour. Antichrist. This sounds a bit like the book of Revelation—also written by John. Notice antichrists is plural. These are clearly enemies of Jesus, by definition.

People love to talk about the last hour, end times. How is it possible that 2000 years ago they were living in the last hour? Many believe John was talking theologically, not chronologically when he speaks of the last hour. It’s a period that began at the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Nineteenth-century pastor J.H. Newman distinguishes between history before Jesus and history since Jesus. He said history changed direction, from toward the end to along it.

I like to say God has all of the time in the world. If a day is like a thousand years to Him (2 Peter 3:8), the end was near and the end is near. The next step in history will be the return of Christ. Are you ready? Are your friends and family ready? Our mission is to get them ready, to love, equip, and send them into eternity with Jesus.

They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. (1 John 2:19)

It’s not enough that there were those opposing Jesus. Now they’re harming the church.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (1 John 2:20)

This word “anointing” has been abused by many who simply claim to be anointed. By whom? It’s a work of the Holy Spirit, and it’s not an all-or-nothing, one-time thing. It’s the result of the Spirit guiding us into truth and granting us discernment.

I would love to be able to declare to you, College First, that all of you know the truth. Today people talk about “my” truth and “your” truth and “trust is what I feel.” Pilate asked Jesus moments before the crucifixion, “What is truth?” in John 18:38. Jesus had already said to Thomas,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Do you know the truth? Truth is a person. Do you know Jesus?

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)

I love how John weaves this Greek word, aletheia throughout his writings. Truth matters.

I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:21-23)

Antichrist could refer to an opponent of Christ, but here it’s anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ, is divine, is fully God, yet fully human. They

-       Deny the incarnation (4:2)
-       Deny the divinity of Jesus (v. 22)
-       Deny the Father (v. 22)
-       Do not have the Father (v. 23)
-       Are liars (v. 22)
-       Are deceivers (2 John 7)
-       Are many (v. 18)
-       Left the church (v. 19)

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:24-25)

Remain. Abide. Stay devoted to Jesus. Remain faithful to Christ. He said,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

John continues,

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (1 John 2:26)

This is a warning. Pay attention. This is still true today. There are false teachers saying Jesus is not God…or that he’s not human. There are those proclaiming a so-called prosperity gospel that says if you’re not healthy and wealthy, it’s your faulty faith. Others view the Bible as a nice collection of suggestions rather than authoritative. Much of the early church letters addressed these issues because there were—and still are—those trying to lead others astray. This is why we need accountability, we need to know the word, we need to have a relationship with the truth, and remain in Jesus.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. (1 John 2:27)

Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you study the Bible, as you pray, as you disciple and teach others. John is addressing a heresy known as Gnosticism. These false teachers claimed they had a “secret knowledge.” Today this may disguise itself as new age, self-help, mystical experiences, or simply ignoring sin. What they needed—and what we need today—are men, women, and children committed to orthodoxy—right thinking—and orthopraxy—right living.

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)

He is coming. Soon. Are you ready?

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:29)

Sometimes John’s message is so simple and obvious, but evidently, it’s worth repeating. If you’re like me, you may be quick to automatically place yourself among the “good guys,” the righteous, those who do right. Is this true? I’m just asking! Doing right does not save us. It’s not the result of trying harder. Rather, it’s the result of the Holy Spirit transforming our lives as we seek and surrender.

So What?

There’s no need to spend countless hours searching for the antichrist. There are plenty of people eager to draw followers, deceive seekers, and lead people away from God. As we said last week, we are not to love the world because it is opposed to the Kingdom of God. The worship of self, the denial of the truth, and expressions of pride are all indicators of evil. Our world is filled with news and information, but much of it is false.

The Church is filled with beliefs and practices. I would like to think most of it—all of it—is true, though false teachers have infected congregations for two thousand years. As I often say, don’t take my word for it when I preach, but study the scriptures, fact-check me, Jesus is our authority, not me. I do my best to proclaim the truth of the scriptures, but I’m human. That’s why I’m grateful for our Elders and denominational leaders who provide accountability and support to me and our congregation.

We need to discern the truth, know the truth, know Jesus. Be alert. This requires more than a weekly sermon. Saturate your heart, soul, and mind in the scriptures. Engage in a small group to explore the Bible in community. Don’t be passive in your growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, stay on your knees in prayer, and surround yourself with godly men and women who can mentor, model, and disciple you.

We need to remain in Christ…and avoid antichrist(s).

Credits: edited by ChatGPT

Don't Love the World, 11 May 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-05-11T17:00:15-04:00

Don't Love the World
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
May 11, 2025
1 John 2:12-17

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: Don’t love the world, but rather love its Creator.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:15-17

I love to travel. I’ve been blessed to visit every continent except Antarctica—some trips for ministry, others for pleasure. I’ve encountered diverse cultures, foods, languages, music, and art. God has truly created a beautiful world for us to enjoy—alongside nearly 8 billion of our closest friends.

But this world is broken. Sin has been wreaking havoc since the Garden of Eden. So how do we live in the world but not of it?

As we continue our series on the first epistle (or short letter) written by John, we come to what feels like an intentional interruption in his message—a kind of parenthesis.

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (1 John 2:12) I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:13) I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14)

John addresses children, fathers, and young men. Are these literal or spiritual categories? Scholars disagree. Let’s unpack what John is saying.

To the Children:

Because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. (v. 12)
Because you know the Father. (v. 14)

John is likely speaking to spiritual children—early believers in Jesus. While every human is made in the image of God, scripture distinguishes between the children of God and “children of the devil.” In his gospel, John writes:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12–13)

These believers knew their sins were forgiven through Jesus' death and resurrection. They had come to know the Father in an intimate way, able to call Him Abba—Papa, Daddy.

To the Fathers:

Because you know Him who is from the beginning. (vv. 13–14)

This likely refers to mature believers—spiritual fathers and mothers—who have walked with God for a long time. It's not about physical age or gender, but spiritual depth.

To the Young Men:

Because you have overcome the evil one. (v. 13)
Because you are strong, the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (v. 14)

Youth is marked by passion, energy, and strength—sometimes lacking wisdom, which is why mentorship from spiritual parents is crucial. I'm grateful for the incredible young people at College First—some biologically young, others young in faith.

The vision of College First is to become a future-oriented church by 2028 that will see 33% of our congregation made up of kids, students, and young adults.

I’m thrilled about the direction we’re heading. Two years ago, we had one summer intern. Last year, two. This year, we’ll have six! These aren’t just helpers—they’re future pastors, missionaries, and leaders being loved, equipped, and sent out. Huge thanks to Nicky Inman and Pastor Nancy Hiser for their amazing work with NextGen.

John says twice that the young have overcome the evil one. This is already accomplished—not by our own strength, but through Christ’s victory. While the world is under the influence of Satan, believers are under the authority and protection of Jesus.

John tends to see things in black and white. I admit, life often feels more gray, but that may be more cultural than biblical. Jesus himself frequently used contrasts: light vs. darkness (John 8:12), the narrow vs. wide gate (Matt. 7:13–14), wise vs. foolish (Matt. 7:24–27), sheep vs. goats (Matt. 25:32), first vs. last (Matt. 19:30), humbled vs. exalted (Matt. 23:12).

Remember Jesus' words in John’s gospel:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. But you do not belong to the world—I have chosen you out of it. That’s why the world hates you.” (John 15:18–19)
Many people enter the U.S. as immigrants, students, or business professionals—but this is not their permanent home. In the same way, this world is not our home. We are citizens of another Kingdom—temporary residents here.
The sinful patterns of the world are in direct opposition to God’s ways. John writes:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. (1 John 2:15)

That’s as black and white as it gets. John is not telling us to hate creation, but to reject the world’s sinful systems. As the old saying goes: “Love God. Hate sin.”

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16)

Let’s break that down:

Lust of the flesh: Desires for sensual gratification that pull us away from God.
Lust of the eyes: Coveting what we see—possessions, people, power. Eve saw that the fruit was “pleasing to the eye” (Gen. 3:6). David saw Bathsheba. These desires become idols when they replace God.
Pride of life: Arrogance about our status or success. Everything we have is a gift from God. We must live in dependence on Him.

Our culture bombards us daily with messages that distort our values—through advertising, entertainment, politics, and technology. Even well-meaning believers can get drawn into the world’s lies.

So here’s the real question: Has the world influenced us more than God?

I’m not saying we should all live off the grid. But are we Americans who happen to be Christians, or Christ-followers who happen to live in America?

If we are not of this world, why do we so often act like we are?

Following Jesus is more than wearing a cross necklace, saying a prayer, or going to church once a week. It’s about being holy—set apart, different, even peculiar. We are called to live in the world, but not of it.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)
Ask yourself, "Which of these will matter in 100 years?"

A new car
Sharing your faith
A job promotion
Befriending an international student
Having the latest iPhone

I struggle with this, too. A preacher like me gets 20–30 minutes of your attention a week. The average American watches more than 19 hours of TV a week—and that doesn’t include social media. I'm not saying throw out your TV, but we must guard our hearts.

Jesus prayed to the Father:

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:14–15)

God doesn’t zap us to heaven the moment we’re saved because He’s given us a mission: to make disciples of all nations. We are called to influence the world—not be influenced by it.

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:16)

So What?

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. (1 John 2:15)

The world says it’s all about you and your happiness.
The Kingdom of God says it’s all about Jesus and his glory.

The world says live for today.
The Kingdom of God says live for eternity.

The world says set your mind on things here below.
The Kingdom of God says set your mind on things above.

The world says only love your friends.
The Kingdom of God says love your enemies.

The world says it’s your body to do with as you please.
The Kingdom of God says your body is a temple, bought at a great price.

The world says your wealth is yours.
The Kingdom of God says everything we have belongs to the LORD.

Don’t love the world. Love its Creator.

Credits: edited by ChatGPT

Light, 27 April 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-04-27T18:20:32-04:00

Light
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Series: 1 John
April 27, 2025
1 John 1:1-10

Series Big Idea: One of Jesus’ best friends offers timeless teaching on following Jesus.

Big Idea: We need to confess our sins and step into the light of Christ.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:5-10

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

Our world is filled with contrasts, whether it’s sweet and savory, up and down, David and Goliath, or Wolverines and Buckeyes! There may be no greater contrast than light and darkness.

My name is Kirk and today we’re beginning a new series going through the first epistle—or short letter—of John. You may recall last fall we went through 2nd and 3rd John, but this one’s quite a bit longer and we needed more time to explore it together.

Most scholars believe John the apostle wrote it—along with 2nd John, 3rd John, the Gospel of John, and the book of Revelation. He knew Jesus personally, as did his brother James. It was written between 90 and 100 CE after the wrote his gospel. He likely wrote it while living in the city of Ephesus in modern day Turkey, one of the most incredible places I’ve been privileged to visit. Like many New Testament writings, the prevailing message is to avoid heresies and remain faithful to the scriptures and their subject, Jesus Christ. You will frequently see the themes of truth and love throughout.

Today we’re talking about light…and darkness. One of my favorite experiences on the subject came when I was a child at Walt Disney World. After I got over my fear of roller coasters—a story for another time—I was excited to ride Space Mountain. Who has ridden it? It’s a wild and exciting ride for one reason…it’s in the dark! By definition, you can’t see in the dark, which means you cannot anticipate the ups and downs, the zigs and zags. It clearly fits the definition of a thrill ride.

But if you were ride Space Mountain with the lights on, the thrill would be greatly diminished. Darkness can be disorienting. It can cause injury, fear, and panic. This is true for physical and spiritual darkness.

In the beginning—the very beginning—everything was dark until God said, “Let there be light” in the third verse of the Bible. Genesis continues…

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis 1:4-5)

John begins his gospel by writing,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

John’s first epistle begins somewhat similarly…

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. (1 John 1:1-4)

This is all about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the way, the truth, the life. John is writing an eyewitness account. He knew the Messiah personally, one of the King’s three closest friends. He reveals the purpose writing 1 John is complete joy. We could all use more of that!

The introduction is complete, and we now come to our scripture reading text for today.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

John heard it. Now he declares it. God is light. Total light. No darkness.

Hundreds of years earlier,

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” (Exodus 33:18)

And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:19-20)

That’s serious light! God is light, both physically and spiritually. Perhaps someday we will be able to meet God face to face as Moses desired. What is clear in our text is God is light.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. (1 John 1:6)

Just because someone says something doesn’t mean it’s true. One of my many flaws is I can be gullible. I’m getting better, but I can be too trusting, believing someone really has ocean-front property in Kansas they will sell me at a good price! And a Nigerian prince e-mailed me to say he’s giving me millions of dollars to pay for it!

People lie! They deceive others. Sometimes they deceive themselves. We can walk in light or darkness. We can know Jesus…or say “no” to Jesus. We all know the right answer on Sunday morning, but this idea of fellowship with God is not a one-and-done proposition. No relationship works like that. They need to be cultivated.

I may be married to Heather, but if I neglect her, eventually we won’t have much of a marriage.

You can call yourself a Christian, but if you aren’t regularly spending time with the LORD, you won’t experience the fellowship He desires.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Here’s a good “but!” This verse is loaded! If I wrote this, I would say, “If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with God,” but that’s not what it says. We have fellowship with one another when we walk in the light, when we follow Jesus. John also says it’s the blood of Christ that purifies us from…ALL sin. Hallelujah! Followers of Jesus are related by blood…the blood of Jesus! Again, I say hallelujah!

In case his message is not clear, John restates the contrast between light and darkness.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

You sin. I sin. We all sin. We are not to boast in our sin. That would be another sin—pride! We aren’t to shrug our shoulders and say, “What’s the use?” Sin leads to death, and death is not something we should ever pursue, even though it’s inevitable.

Think of it this way—even Michael Jordan missed shots…more than half of them, actually (he shot 49.7%). But how many did he try to miss? Zero! He knew he would miss sometimes, but always tried, always did his best.

Followers of Jesus are called to righteousness, holiness, godliness. The Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome temptation, but we have a role to play. As the late Dallas Willard said, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action.”

We sin. We need to acknowledge it. We need to admit it. And…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I urge you to commit it to memory. What a promise! Thank you, Jesus! That’s why Jesus died and rose from the dead…to offer forgiveness and purification for all of our sins. In case you missed it somehow, John says again,

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)

So What?

We all sin and fall short of God’s standard of perfection. He doesn’t grade on a curve.

We need to

a.    Confess our sin
b.    Receive God’s forgiveness
c.     Get back into the light, walk in the light, do life with Jesus

What does that look like? You’ve already taken a great step this week by devoting this hour to God…to worship, prayer, fellowship, and study of God’s Word. Will you walk in the light the rest of this week? Will you surrender your will to the LORD? Will you spend time with God? Will you reach out to others? Will you love your neighbor as yourself?

It’s a new day. It’s a new week. It’s a new opportunity to say “yes” to Jesus, to seek first his Kingdom, his glory, his righteousness. When you fall and sin, don’t let satan fill you with shame. Get up and keep running the race, keep your eye on the prize, keep following Jesus. He created the light. He is the light. Amen!

Resurrection Sunday! 20 April 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-04-20T18:43:59-04:00

The Loud Supper: Resurrection Sunday
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Chosen Suppers
April 20, 2025
John 16:20; 20:1-20

Series Big Idea: The Chosen depicts profound scenes of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Big Idea: Jesus, the Risen One, turns our deep grieving into rejoicing.

Scripture Reading: John 16:16-20

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16)

At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” (John 16:17-18)

Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (John 16:19-20)

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Welcome to Easter Sunday!

My name is Kirk, and I realize that might not have seemed like the most obvious video clip to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The Last Supper? That happened Thursday!

But leading up to that Upper Room—where Jesus shared the Passover meal with His followers—so much had already unfolded. It was there that He modeled servant leadership by washing the disciples’ feet, identified His betrayer, Judas, and taught profound truths about God’s Kingdom. In that sacred space, Jesus told His friends:

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (John 16:20)

When Jesus spoke of grief turning to joy, He was describing something God has been doing since the very beginning—and still does today.

We’ve all been there. Maybe it was the heartbreak of a close game. The sting of election results. A dreaded call from your boss—or worse, the doctor. Maybe it came in the form of a late-night phone call or an unexpected knock on the door. Grief.
I get it.
I’ve stood beside my dad and mother-in-law as they passed away. Our family has endured estrangement, mental illness, hospitalizations, and a host of other challenges. And since February, I’ve attended more funerals than I have in any other year of my life.

You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (John 16:20b)

From the very beginning, God has been in the business of turning grieving into rejoicing. We see it over and over in the Old Testament. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, God still promised that one day the enemy would be defeated (Genesis 3:15). Abraham and Sarah rejoiced with a miracle child—at age 100! Job, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, David—all of them could tell you stories of heartache turned to celebration because of God. The psalmist put it beautifully:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30:11-12)

The process was rarely instant. It often involved mystery, loss, and waiting. But throughout Scripture, God’s heart is revealed: to bring joy out of sorrow, hope out of despair.

Let’s return to that Upper Room, portrayed in the clip from The Chosen. Jesus said:

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (John 16:20)

Jesus knew what was coming. His death wasn’t an accident; it was part of God’s plan to bring us forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life.

Many of you know “the rest of the story,” as the late Paul Harvey used to say. Jesus died on Good Friday, but He conquered sin and death—and rose again on the day we call Easter Sunday.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:1-2)

The story unfolds with panic, confusion, running disciples, and an empty tomb. But then…

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). (John 20:16)

Grief turned to joy in an instant.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)

Death was defeated. Joy triumphed.
Jesus, the Risen One, turns our deep grieving into rejoicing.

I know—we all want to skip the grieving and get straight to the joy. But even in the process, in the waiting, in the heartbreak, God is at work.

Think about this:
Last year, the world celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-Day—the decisive battle that turned the tide of WWII (June 6, 1944). This year marks 80 years since VE-Day—the final surrender and total victory (May 8, 1945).

Easter is like D-Day. The decisive moment. Everything changed.
VE-Day is coming—when all grieving ends. And until then, Jesus, the Risen One, continues to transform sorrow into celebration.

Revelation gives us a glimpse of that future:

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

            “Hallelujah!
                        For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
            Let us rejoice and be glad
                        and give him glory!
            For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
                        and his bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:6-7)

This is what the future holds for every follower of Jesus—endless celebration, perfect peace, eternal joy, a loud supper filled with delight and rejoicing.

But like any invitation, you must respond.

Jesus is calling you. He’s inviting you.
He offers forgiveness, purpose, peace, and life. He’s waiting for you to say, “Jesus, I give you my life.” When you take that step—when you surrender—you begin an incredible journey of hope, transformation, and joy. You become a new creation. You experience resurrection power!

But so many people today are missing it. Either they’ve never heard the story, or they’ve chosen to ignore it.

Don’t miss it.

Jesus, the Risen One, turns our deep grieving into rejoicing.

God’s love is real. His power is real. His peace is available—right now. No matter what you’re going through, He sees you. He’s working even when you can’t see it. Easter proves that your story is not over.

The next chapter may just hold the breakthrough you’ve been praying for.

And one day, grieving will be no more. Only joy.
That’s the Victory Day we’re waiting for. And it’s coming.

So What?

No matter what you’re facing today, there is hope. Jesus turns deep grieving into rejoicing. He turned the horror of the cross into the glory of an empty tomb. He transforms death into life. He changes your name—from sinner to saint.

That’s Easter. That’s Jesus.
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Credits: some ideas from The Chosen and Outreach, edited by ChatGPT

King Jesus: Palm Sunday, 13 April 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-04-13T13:25:38-04:00

King Jesus: Palm Sunday
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Chosen Suppers
April 13, 2025
John 12:12-19

Series Big Idea: The Chosen depicts profound scenes of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Big Idea: We can kill or crown King Jesus.

Scripture Reading: John 12:12-19

Hosanna! Hosanna! Save us now!

Welcome to Palm Sunday, the day in which Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. When I was a child, it was a fun day to wave palm branches and dance around, but there’s more to this story than a parade. This is a story about kings, power, politics, expectations, and hope.

If you’ve been reading through the Bible with us this year, you encountered the book of 1 Samuel last week. Israel has been following God…or they’re supposed to be following God! Samuel is chosen by God to be Israel’s judge, not just presiding over court cases, but serving as a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20) of the LORD. Chapter 7 tells us

Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 7:15)

What a responsibility! The people are not satisfied, though. They want a king like the other nations, rejecting God as their king. Samuel warns them sternly this is a terrible idea.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:19-20)

Saul, David, and Solomon are the first three, followed by a variety of very evil kings…and some a few leaders. None could compare, of course, to the wisdom, perfection, and benevolence of God. Every one of Israel’s kings left her disappointed…just was they were warned.

Some of the Old Testament kings did bring moments of peace and prosperity for Israel, but they were all temporary. Often, the kings inspired more war, even dividing the Jews into a northern and southern kingdom. If only the people listened to Samuel and continued to allow God to lead them as king.

Every one of Israel’s kings left her disappointed. They were always surrounded by enemies, living in fear of invasion, acquainted with death. Thousands of years later, the fact remains: every king that has come along has always left us longing. The same is true for presidents and prime ministers. No matter how passionate you are about this president, the last one, or the next one, they will disappoint us. They will fail us. They will make terrible decisions. This even applies to religious leaders, pastors, Christian celebrities. This is because we are all sinners. Although many are quick to blame God for the problems in this world, they are all the result of our sin which God has given us freedom to commit

Every king that’s come along has always left us longing. Except one.
Last week we said,
We need Jesus, the bread of life. Only he can satisfy the deep hunger of our souls.
Likewise,

We need Jesus, the King of kings. Only he can win our deepest battles.

Moments ago, we watched a clip from The Chosen, an interpretation of the scene. Here it is straight from the Bible.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. (John 12:12)

It’s Passover time. It’s a little like Homecoming. Everybody’s in town. There are meals and celebrations, though this one is unique. Rumors have been spread about a miracle man who might be the promised Messiah. He has super powers, healing the sick, feeding crowds, and even raising the dead.

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

            “Hosanna!”

            “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

            “Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)

Palm branches were the nation symbol of the Jews. This language echoed Psalm 118:

LORD, save us!
            LORD, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
            From the house of the LORD we bless you. (Psalm 118:25-26)

The people wanted independence from Rome, and they were hoping…seeking… demanding that Jesus would save them.

He would save them…and us…or at least make salvation available. But they would discover days later his ambitions were not theirs. Kings ride war horses. They come with power and might. So imagine their surprise when King Jesus enters on…a donkey?

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
            see, your king is coming,
            seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:14-15)

Servants ride donkeys, not kings. The prophet Zechariah hundreds of years earlier wrote,

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
                        Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
            See, your king comes to you,
                        righteous and victorious,
            lowly and riding on a donkey,
                        on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

When King Jesus returns, he will be on a white horse (Revelation 6:2; 19:11). But the mission of his first coming to earth involved something far different than force and valor.

At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. (John 12:16)

I take great comfort in knowing I’m not the only one who can be clueless, forgetful, or just plain…dumb! But you have to admit, this is not a normal entrance for a normal king.

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. (John 12:17-18)

I can only imagine the excitement in the crowd. What will he do next? As you might imagine, there were fickle fans, devoted followers…and fearful enemies.

When King Saul learned David would someday become king, he felt threatened and tried to kill David. Repeatedly. When Roman leaders heard about the king of the Jews, there was obvious concern. When the religious Pharisees saw their followers flocking to Jesus, they were clearly upset.

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:19)

This was a political scene.
This was a social scene.
This was a religious scene.

There was not one, uniform opinion about Jesus. He was controversial then…and he’s controversial today.

The events of Palm Sunday were orchestrated by Jesus himself. Matthew’s account in chapter 21 makes this clear. He not only fulfills ancient prophecies, he will ultimately deliver a message…crown me or kill me.

So What?

As you may know, the scene changes dramatically days later. Whether the members of the crowd are the same or different, they will yell, “Crucify him.”

I want you to feel the tension of Palm Sunday. It’s not all happy. What follows won’t be, either. Here’s the challenge:

Who is your king? Who is the leader of your life? Maybe you are obsessed with American politics, crying tears of joy or sorrow every four years. Perhaps you are led by your friends or family members, trying to fit in and please those around you. Most of us understand the temptation to make ourselves king or queen, doing whatever makes us feel good, regardless of how it impacts others…or God.

If the king has come, we must say no to all others. Practically, when all is said and done, perhaps the greatest and most impactful way to hold allegiance to Jesus as the king is to create space for deep worship of him as king. It’s hard to long for other kings when we’ve busied ourselves with elevating and praising the one who truly is king. We’ve done it by examining the scriptures. We declare it through our generous giving of our finances, the volunteering of our time, the devotion to share the good news with others.

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Credits: some ideas from The Chosen and Outreach

Bread of Life: The Least Supper, 6 April 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-04-07T17:35:56-04:00

The Least Supper: Bread of Life
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
The Chosen Suppers
April 6, 2025
John 6:1-15, 25-71; Exodus 16

Series Big Idea: The Chosen depicts profound scenes of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Big Idea: We need Jesus, the bread of life. Only he can satisfy the deep hunger of our souls.
Scripture Reading: John 13:21b-30
Who was it? That clip from The Chosen doesn’t reveal it, but our scripture reading tells us.
Why did Judas do it? Nobody knows for sure. Some possibilities include financial greed, forcing Jesus’ hand at launching a political revolution, anger over Jesus’ ministry methods, the fulfillment of prophecy, and being possessed by evil and Satan’s influence.
There might be another reason, but first, we must go back… way back!
In Exodus 16, God feeds the people of Israel during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
In the desert, the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:2-3)
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.” (Exodus 16:4a)
Later, we’re told:
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:31)
This is not the only example of God feeding people with bread. One of the most famous stories in the Bible is known as the feeding of the five thousand… plus!
The people were hungry after following Jesus. Simon Peter said,
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9)
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated, as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. (John 6:10-11)
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. (John 6:12-13)
Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14-15)
We’ll see this attitude again on Palm Sunday. The Roman government was oppressive, and many hoped Jesus would seize power and overthrow it. But that was not his mission.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” (John 6:25)
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” (John 6:26)
The people weren’t interested in following God. They wanted free bread.
We all have a deep hunger for the bread of this world, don’t we? The things and the stuff of this world?
There are things we need—clean water, food, shelter, daily bread. But as we noted in our last sermon series, we often want more. More money. More recognition. More…
Jesus continues,
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27)
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
They responded,
“What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (John 6:30-31)
This harkens back to Exodus 16.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33)
The bread of God—you can’t buy this at the corner bakery.
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” (John 6:34)
Then Jesus declared,
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Are they satisfied? Are they excited? Hardly.
At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” (John 6:41-42)
The people were never satisfied. They wanted more bread. And they weren’t the only ones who rejected Jesus, the bread of life.
From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:66)
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. (John 6:67)
Simon Peter answered,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)
Then Jesus replied,
“Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70-71)
He meant Judas, who would later betray him.
Now back to our opening question: Why did Judas betray Jesus? Could it be that he was thinking only of his stomach? He wasn’t interested in the things of God but in the things of this world—bread, thirty pieces of silver. He sacrificed eternal life for the Least Supper.
So What?
What do we truly need? Our stomachs need bread and water. But what about our souls? Our souls need forgiveness—
· Forgiveness for our idolatry, greed, and betrayal of God.
· Forgiveness for our disobedience, indifference, and hypocrisy.
We need Jesus, the bread of life. Only he can satisfy the deep hunger of our souls.
The contrast between Simon Peter and Judas is stunning. Both were at the table with Jesus in John 13. Both had been with Jesus. Both betrayed him. But while Simon Peter took hold of the bread of life and was restored—over a meal—Judas’ actions led not only to Jesus’ death but also his own.
As we come to the table today, will you take hold of the bread of life? The crowds were impressed with Jesus, but they weren’t willing to follow him. They wanted Jesus on their terms, not God’s. They wanted to fill their stomachs, but only Jesus can satisfy the soul’s deep hunger.
True peace and contentment can’t be bought at Walmart… or Panera! You won’t find it climbing the corporate ladder, graduating with honors, marrying your dream spouse, or gaining fame. It is only found in Christ.
Will you follow Jesus, the bread of life?
Credits: some ideas from The Chosen and Outreach

Habits, 30 March 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-03-30T15:25:55-04:00

Habits: Five Biblical Principles
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Master Your Money
March 30, 2025
Luke 12:16-21

Series Big Idea: We can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word.

Sermon Big Idea: Our habits create our lives, for better or worse.

Habits. They create our lives, for better or worse. What are some of your good habits? What are some of your not-so-good habits?

The word habit derives from the Latin words habere, which means "have, consist of," and habitus, which means "condition, or state of being” so it makes sense that author James Clear in his bestselling book Atomic Habits declared, “You are your habits.”

Today’s we’re finishing our series Master Your Money. We began by saying there is hope for your finances, no matter your current reality. Then we talked about the heart and how our behavior follows belief. In week three, we talked about financial health and the things we can do with money. Today we’re looking at habits and five biblical principles that will help us shape our future.

There are five biblical money management habits:

Spend less than you earn
Give generously.
Avoid the use of debt.
Plan for financial margin.
Set long-term goals.

Two weeks ago, we talked about live, give, grow, and owe. I want to revisit it and look at how they can lead us to financial freedom. After all, we can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word, which includes more than 2000 verses on money and possessions. We need to develop good habits in our lives to Master our Money.

To review, the live principle is spend less than you earn. God owns it all. We are His stewards. We begin with a budget. Many believe a budget restricts freedom, but it actually creates it. If you’re in debt, this is especially important since you don’t want to go further in debt, which will always occur if you spend more than you earn. Simple.

We begin by giving generously. Many give their leftovers, spare change, whatever they have at the end of the month. I suppose that’s fine when it comes to Girl Scout cookies or supporting a child’s field trip, but I’m talking about biblical generosity. The Old Testament principle was the tithe, 10%, which is a good place to start.

I realize for those of you not used to giving, ten percent might seem like a lot. Start with 5%. Maybe you need to start with 1% but start giving. Even if you don’t think you can afford it, take God at His word.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

It can be scary to trust God, but He never fails. You can’t out give God. I’m not asking you to take a leap of faith, but a step of faith. Once you start giving and move to percentage giving, level 3 is sacrificial giving.

Let me say again this is not a fundraising pitch. We’re not in a capital campaign and our bills are being paid thanks to the generosity of many of you. This is about you taking a faith-filled risk and seeing how God responds.

Owe obviously speaks to debt. Ideally, avoid it at all costs…because there are costs associated with debt, and they are high.

I read recently our nation’s debt is more than $36 trillion and the interest we are paying on that debt…for fiscal year 2023 our government’s interest expenses totaled almost $900 billion! What do have to show for nearly a trillion dollars? Nothing!

I know your debt’s not that high, but many of you are paying a fortune in debt expenses. If that’s you, logically pay down the debts with the highest interest rates…usually credit cards. Repay other debts next and repay your mortgage last, if you have one. There are tax reasons for this, and the rate is usually lower than other loans.

Grow is about maintaining margin, saving for emergencies and then God-given goals. Rainy days will come…I promise! If you don’t have an emergency fund, you will someday have a financial emergency! Proverbs 30 says to pray for daily bread, but elsewhere in Proverbs 6 we’re advised to set aside some money for the future. Plus, investments can generate income through interest, dividends, and appreciation.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
                        give careful attention to your herds;
24         for riches do not endure forever,
                        and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25         When the hay is removed and new growth appears
                        and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26         the lambs will provide you with clothing,
                        and the goats with the price of a field.
27         You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
                        and to nourish your female servants. (Proverbs 27:23-27)

Pay attention. Plan. Save. Things break!

On the other extreme of debt, tragically, many hoard money. Some of you don’t have months of living expenses saved up, you have years or even decades of wealth…for what?

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ (Luke 12:16-17)

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ (Luke 12:18-19)

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ (Luke 12:20)

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)

How much is enough? You can’t take it with you! “You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead.” – Randy Alcorn

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

I must admit it can be challenging to know how much is enough. What about investments? What about leaving an inheritance? Is it wrong to have money? No, but it is a sin if your money has you!

Several years ago, I was at the National Pastor’s Convention in San Diego. The late Tony Campolo was doing a Q&A and a gutsy person asked how he could talk about serving the poor while staying in a nice hotel. I was on the edge of my seat! I’ve felt guilty for buying things like another pair of shoes when there are people who walk barefoot. Heather and I own two cars while many have only a bicycle. Tony replied by quoting the ancient wisdom of Solomon:

There is a time for everything,
            and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2          a time to be born and a time to die,
            a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3          a time to kill and a time to heal,
            a time to tear down and a time to build, (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3)

Campolo said something like, “There is a time to be with the poor and a time to be with the rich, a time to suffer and a time to enjoy comfort.

What an answer! My paraphrase is don’t feel guilty, but be grateful and generous.

Part of that generosity may be with your wisdom. Some of you need help with your finances. Some of you are able to help. I would love for you to let me or the office know if you need help or are able to help. We’re working on several projects over the next several months to help those of you in trouble get the help you need.

As I said in week one, virtually every one of us is rich…compared to the rest of the world. How will we steward and use the gifts we’ve been given for God’s glory?

So What?

When we had children in the house, we taught them the 10/10/80 principle. Give 10, save 10, and the rest is yours. At some point, that 80 may become far more than you need and you can increase your giving.

I’ve long appreciated the words of John Wesley:

Gain all you can – through honest and ethical means.
Save all you can – by living frugally and avoiding waste.
Give all you can – by using wealth to help others and do good.

It all begins with our heart. Do we really believe God owns it all? Do we trust Him to provide our daily bread? Have we experienced Jesus’ declaration that it’s better to give than to receive? Are you content? Faith-filled? Wise?

Look at your habits. What’s your next step in your relationship with God…and money?

Health, 16 March 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-03-17T17:49:54-04:00

Health: Today’s Reality
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Master Your Money
March 16, 2025
Psalm 24:1-2; Luke 16:10-11

Series Big Idea: We can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word.

Sermon Big Idea: God owns it all but allows us to steward it in this life.

God owns it all. Everything we have belongs to Him. We are merely stewards. This was announced in our scripture reading from Psalm 24. This includes our money. There are only four things we can do with money: live, give, grow, or owe. We can find financial freedom through God’s Word.

There are five things we can do with money. I know, I said four, but we’re going to look at them today and what God says about them. Thanks to the Ron Blue Institute, we have another worksheet for you in your bulletin. Fill in the bottom numbers.

Income - $
Give – $
Owe (debt) – $
Owe (taxes) – $
Grow (save) – $

LIVE = Income - (Give + Owe Debt + Owe Taxes + Grow)

Let’s unpack these together.

Give

I have repeatedly said this series is not about what College First wants from you but rather what God wants for you. When we open our hands and give, it allows God to release His resources. We don’t give to receive, but the blessings are inevitable. My friend, David Munn, is one of the most generous people I know. He loves this text:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

This is a quote from Psalm 112:9. I could talk for hours about the truth of these words in my own life. I share this with humility, not to boast about myself but about God’s faithfulness. Throughout our marriage, we have given beyond a tithe (10%), and God has provided in remarkable ways:

We were short $100 one week—$50 arrived in the mail, and $50 was given to us in cash.
I have found cash taped to my office door.
We prayed for a minivan, told nobody, and were given one two hours later!

We faced over $300,000 in uncovered medical bills and ended the year debt-free except for our mortgage.
When facing financial uncertainty, God provided unexpected jobs, housemates, and generous gifts.

Your experience may differ, but I promise that if you are faithful to God, He will be faithful to you. While it doesn’t mean immediate financial returns, God will reward our stewardship.

“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Randy Alcorn notes, “However, the cheerfulness often comes during and after the act of obedience, not before it.”

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:10-11)

I’ve heard people say, “Tithing (giving 10% of your income) is an Old Testament principle and we’re not under the old law.” Jesus always took the old law and raised the bar. For example,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

The tithe—10%—is for beginners. Some people give 90% and live off the tithe! It doesn’t matter if you earn $100 or $100,000, the principle remains the same.

Everything we have belongs to God. Not 10%. Not 90%. One hundred percent. But it doesn’t stop there. This extends beyond money to our possessions and homes. When a missionary family needed housing, we gave them our home for a year and lived with friends. We were blessed even more than they were! This shouldn’t be a surprise since…

…the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35b)

The wisdom of Proverbs declares

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

I know some of you are thinking this doesn’t make sense. I can’t afford to give. My budget doesn’t balance (do you even have one?!). Give to God first and watch God math take over! You can’t afford to NOT tithe! Give your best to God. Give Him the first fruits, not your leftovers.

Grow

Next, it’s important to save for the future.

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
            consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
            no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
            and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)

There is a 100% chance that you will need a rainy day fund because it rains! Some call it an emergency fund. Emergencies happen to all of us, and we can’t predict them. We can only prepare for them.

Next, there are two people we owe: the government and lenders.

Owe (Taxes)

They say the only sure things in life are death and taxes. I know this is radical, but God created the government. It reflects God’s provision. Whether your candidate is in the White House, Governor’s Mansion, or City Hall, we need to pray for them…and pay them!

Jesus was asked about taxes (they’re not new!) by religious leaders.

Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17)

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” (Matthew 22:18-20)

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

Pay your taxes!

Owe (Debt)

Debt is another challenge.

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7)

Credit card debt is particularly dangerous due to high interest rates. Avoid debt whenever possible. If you must borrow, do so wisely. Presuming upon the future is risky (James 4:13-16). My advice to my children—and to you—is simple: Avoid debt at all costs (pun intended). Wait. Save.

Live

Once we’ve given to God, paid off debts, and set aside money for savings, we can create a budget. This is what we live off. It may not be as much as you want, but that’s what you have. Live within your means. That means don’t spend more than you have. We call that…debt!

So What?

The Bible is so practical. It speaks to all five uses of money. What is God speaking to you today? Maybe it’s to take a step of faith and trust that God will bless you for being obedient by tithing. Perhaps you need to take time to create a budget. The formula is right in front of you, the “live” amount is what you assign to housing, food, clothes, and fun. Some of you need to declare war on debt, pay off those credit cards and then take that trip or buy that new tv.

There are only four/five things you can do with money. What will you do with yours? Remember, it’s actually God’s.

Credits: some material from the Ron Blue Institute, some edits by ChatGPT

Heart, 9 March 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-03-09T13:46:34-04:00

Heart: Behavior Follows Belief
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Master Your Money
March 9, 2025
Matthew 6:19-21

Series Big Idea: We can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word.

Sermon Big Idea: Your behavior follows belief, whether it’s faith, wisdom, contentment, or stewardship.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-21

Many years ago, I woke up early in the morning with chest pains. They weren’t severe, but they were unusual. I went into the kitchen, took some Advil, and hoped the pain would subside. It did.

Hours later, I told Heather about the chest pains, and she was understandably concerned. She insisted I see a doctor, so I did. The results? I’ll share them at the end of this sermon!

Our heart is important—arguably the most vital organ in our body besides the brain. But today, we’re not talking about the physical heart. We’re talking about the heart as the center of our emotions, inner feelings, and essence.
Jesus famously said the greatest commandment is to:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)

As we continue our series Master Your Money, the core message is simple: our behavior follows our belief. This applies to faith, wisdom, contentment, and stewardship. If you want to improve your financial life, it starts with your heart.

Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and hell combined. Sixteen of His 38 parables deal with finances. The Bible contains over 2,000 verses on money and possessions.

As I said last week, this is not a sermon about giving, nor are we launching a capital campaign. In fact, our church is financially healthy, thanks to the good stewardship of many of you. This series isn’t about what College First wants from you but rather what God wants for you.

The reality is that many of you are struggling with money, and the issue may not be your paycheck. The big idea of this series is:

We can find financial freedom through God’s Word.

And it all begins in the heart.

Rate yourself from 1 (never) to 5 (always):

Stewardship: Do I believe I am a steward of my possessions and hold them with an open hand?
Contentment: Am I content with what I have right now?
Faith: Do I seek God’s direction in my finances and trust in His provision?
Wisdom: Do my financial decisions align with biblical principles?

Stewardship: Do I believe God owns it all?

King David declared:

"The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)

Yes, you worked hard for your house, your car, your whatever. Maybe you studied hard for that degree or put in extra hours at the office. But ultimately, we wouldn’t have education, jobs, or opportunities without God’s provision.

Stewardship means recognizing that we are responsible for using God’s gifts wisely. We can hoard our resources or live with open hands, allowing God to give and take away (Job 1:21).

Contentment: Do I believe what I have right now is enough?

We are alive. We have clothes, food, and one another. Most importantly, we have Jesus! He is the secret to true contentment. Paul wrote:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."(Philippians 4:11-13)

If your happiness depends on getting something, whether it’s a spouse, a car, a raise, or a million social media followers, you may be chasing an idol. Scripture warns:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’" (Hebrews 13:5)

I’m fascinated by how the book of Hebrews connects contentment with God’s presence.

Faith: Do I demonstrate my faith through my finances?

Do you really trust God with everything? What faith-filled risks are you taking with your finances?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:16)

Last week, someone handed me an envelope of money, saying, “I believe God wants me to give this to you.” No strings attached. No request made. Just simple obedience. I don’t know if she is wealthy, but she put her faith into action, trusting God to provide.

Do you believe in God? Prove it!

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder... faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:19, 26)

We are saved by faith, not works. But our works reveal our faith.

Wisdom: Do I believe God’s wisdom is true and available?

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:16-17)

We need to be wise with our money. Many people just spend until it’s gone…and then grab a credit card. With over 2000 verses about money in the Bible, we have access to timeless wisdom regarding finances. How do we get wisdom?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5)

If you want wisdom, ask. If you want faith, ask. If you want contentment, ask.
I’m grateful to the Ron Blue Institute for this picture of our heart. Our actions begin in our brain. Behavior follows belief. God can be trusted, and the truth will set us free.

We were all horrified by the images of wildfires in California recently. Have you ever thought about what you would try to save if your home was on the verge of destruction?

Our scripture reading for today is quite clear. Jesus says,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Matt. 6:19

I’ve discovered many so-called luxury items are not only unnecessary, they’re expensive…to insure, maintain, repair, and replace. What are your greatest treasures?

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:20-21)

Treasures in heaven. No insurance necessary! No shipping, no tax, no depreciation. That sounds pretty good to me!

And heaven. Think about that for a moment. Whatever you buy in this life will be useful to you for 70, 80, maybe 90 years. But heaven? How long is eternity?

Do you have treasures…or do your treasures have you?

So What?

I was relieved when the Advil helped with my chest pains. The diagnosis? Pericarditis—inflammation of the sac around my heart. I didn’t even know my heart had a sac! The doctor said to take Advil, and I’d be fine. And I was, praise God.

But our spiritual heart is even more important. I want my heart to be healthy, filled with love, courage, compassion, and generosity. I want to love God with all of it—including my financial world.
Where do you need to grow? Stewardship? Contentment? Faith? Wisdom? Ask—and tell someone. Don’t go it alone. If you don’t have a spouse, reach out to a friend for accountability.

Next week, we’ll talk about how to use money in ways that honor God. Until then, consider your next step toward a God-honoring heart regarding money.

Credits: some material from the Ron Blue Institute, some edits by ChatGPT

Hope, 2 March 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-03-02T15:14:59-05:00

Hope: Tomorrow’s Promise
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Master Your Money
March 2, 2025
1 Timothy 6:6-10

Series Big Idea: We can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word.

Sermon Big Idea: No matter your wealth today, there is hope for tomorrow if we follow God’s wisdom.

What Comes to Mind When You Think of Money?
If you’re like most Americans, you think about money a lot. It’s nearly impossible to avoid the subject—whether it’s earning, spending, borrowing, giving, or investing. Money is the theme of countless songs. Perhaps you’ve heard some of these lyrics:

·       “The best things in life are free / But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees / Now, give me money (That’s what I want)” — The Beatles

·       "Money, it's a gas / Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash" — Pink Floyd

·       "She works hard for the money / So you better treat her right" — Donna Summer

·       "I wanna be rich / Full of love, peace, and happiness" — Calloway

·       "Take this job and shove it / I ain't workin' here no more" — Johnny Paycheck

Let me clarify: This is not a sermon about giving, nor are we launching a capital campaign. In fact, our church is doing well financially, thanks to the good stewardship of many of you. This series is not about what College First wants from you but rather what God wants for you.

Money is a complex subject encompassing earning, saving, borrowing, spending, and investing. The central theme of this series is simple:

We can find freedom in our finances through God’s Word.

Everything is spiritual—including our finances. Though often considered a private topic, we’re going there! After all, Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and hell combined. Sixteen of His 38 parables deal with finances. The Bible contains over 2,000 verses on money and possessions. That’s right—2,000!

I’m not here to replace your CPA, bank officer, or tax preparer, but I do want to point you to timeless biblical truths and practical principles to help you grow in your love for God and others. That’s discipleship.

The first question God asks in the Bible is, “Where are you?” As we begin this series, take a moment to reflect on where you stand financially.

Struggling – Surviving – Stable – Secure – Surplus

Here are a few financial benchmarks:
·       The median household income in the U.S. is about $75,000 per year.
·       The average personal income is around $59,000 per year.
·       57% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings.
·       22% have no emergency savings at all.
·       The average credit card debt per person is $6,000.
·       The average mortgage debt is $250,000 per household.
·       The average student loan borrower owes $37,000.
·       The average auto loan debt is $23,000.
·       The top 10% of Americans hold 70% of the nation’s wealth.

According to VisualCapitalist.com:
·       If you make $125,000 per year, you are in the wealthiest 1% in the world.
·       If you make $40,000 per year, you are in the top 10% globally.
·       If you own one egg, you can consider yourself a millionaire!

The Challenge of Contentment

No matter where you find yourself today, there is hope for your financial future. The goal is not for you to acquire and hoard wealth, but rather to have a godly relationship with money that allows you to flourish and bless others. As you will hear me say repeatedly,

Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.

King David asked,
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14)

Since everything belongs to God—our bank accounts, homes, cars, bodies, and retirement funds—one day, we will give an account for how we managed these resources.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns about the dangers of loving money:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

Contentment is what drives the entire advertising industry…or rather making you discontent. Are you godly today? Are you content?

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:7-8)

This morning, we all have food and clothing. This cannot be said about all 8 billion people on our planet, tragically. They are all our global neighbors who need our love, but today we have our basic needs met, thanks be to God.
Yet, the Money Monster constantly whispers, “More! Better! Now!” It wages war against contentment. But God wants us to be content.

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

How much is enough? A billionaire once answered, “Just a little bit more.” That’s the Money Monster!

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

This verse is often misquoted. Money itself is not evil, but the love of money can lead to all kinds of problems. Anything we desire more than God becomes an idol—including money, fame, power, or even family.

Do you have money…or does your money have you?

Money can be an idol, causing stress, anxiety, and broken relationships. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can find financial freedom through God’s Word.

Money is a tool. It can be a blessing or a curse. It can be an idol or a way to worship. The amount you have is not as important as your attitude toward it. Our money says, “In God We Trust” and, ironically, we often trust money more than God.

In a different letter we’ll look at next week, Paul writes,

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11b-13)

Contentment does not come from stuff—it comes from the Lord. Count your blessings, not just your cash! Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.

So What?

Proverbs offers this profound prayer:

“Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:7-8)

This reminds me of Goldilocks—not too little, not too much—just right. Daily bread. Can you think of someone else who prayed for daily bread?

“Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:9)

Where are you financially?

Struggling – Surviving – Stable – Secure – Surplus

No matter your current situation, there is hope if we follow God’s wisdom.

Credits: some material from the Ron Blue Institute.

Persecuted, 23 February 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-02-24T17:08:12-05:00

Blessed are…Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 23, 2025
Matthew 5:10-12

Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.

Big Idea: Persecution is often a part of following Jesus, but He is worth it.

Welcome to Persecution Sunday!

Today we conclude our eight-week series on the Beatitudes, the blessings announced by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. As a review, here’s what we’ve covered thus far:

Matthew 5:3    “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
                        for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4          Blessed are those who mourn,
                        for they will be comforted.
5          Blessed are the meek,
                        for they will inherit the earth.
6          Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
                        for they will be filled.
7          Blessed are the merciful,
                        for they will be shown mercy.
8          Blessed are the pure in heart,
                        for they will see God.
9          Blessed are the peacemakers,
                        for they will be called children of God.

Today’s text might seem irrelevant to us today in the United States of America, but millions of our brothers and sisters around the world know persecution…and perhaps someday we will, too.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Have you ever been persecuted…because of righteousness? Someone saying, “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” doesn’t count! I mean have you ever paid a steep price for doing the right thing? It’s been said that no good deed goes unpunished, and yet God will have the final word on Judgment Day.

The Beatitudes are not instructions to follow, but rather announcements of reality. Jesus isn’t saying you have to be persecuted in order to experience the kingdom of heaven. It seems like some people throughout history have acted like fools in order to be persecuted, as if foolishness is noble. If you stand on a street corner and yell at people, people will mock or ignore you, not because of your righteousness, but because of your lack of love.

We are not to seek out persecution, but neither are to be surprised if we genuinely encounter it due to our obedience to Jesus.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

This verse has served as a comfort to our brothers in sisters for the past two thousand years ago, those tortured and even martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus adds a bit more to his declaration.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

The words “be glad” literally mean “leap much!” I love that! We are to rejoice and leap much when we are persecuted. Does that make sense? Is it even possible?

In the decade of the 2000s, there were over 1.6 million Christian martyrs. Many predict at least one million will be killed because of their faith in Jesus in this decade. Can we put a human face on those who are suffering? God is present to those who are persecuted. That’s the blessing. Can we be present? To learn more about the Persecuted Church, go to Persecution.com.

We need to pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted.

We need to expect persecution.

Again, I’m not suggesting we should seek persecution, but we need to expect it. Paul told Timothy,

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12)

Jesus was certainly persecuted! Following Jesus means following him into death, too, whether it’s literal or figurative. It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus. He said,

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:18-20)

This is hardly the American Dream, family! We’ve been blessed with religious freedom in our nation, but that could change someday. So we need to expect persecution. Also,

We need to endure persecution.

Paul wrote,

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

This would not be a good recruiting tool for Christianity on a billboard! But this is what it means to follow Jesus. In addition to expecting and enduring,

We need to embrace persecution.

Peter set a great example for us. It is believed that when he was martyred, he was supposed to be crucified like Jesus, but he didn’t feel worthy, so he requested that he be crucified upside down! He wrote,

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:16)

So What?

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Holy troublemakers live with prophetic imagination. They refuse to go with the crowd. They take the high road, do the right thing, love well, and honor God in everything they do.

If you were on trial for following Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Stu G of The Beatitudes Project asks some great questions:

Who and what am I colluding with? The dominant powers at play in the world—or the one who shared the message of the Beatitudes?

What am I resisting?

Are there situations in everyday life where I’m being forced to go with the flow? What would happen if I said no?

Who am I speaking out for? The homeless in my town? The woman at work on the receiving end of sexual jibes? The effeminate guy at school who’s getting bullied?

If I speak out—if I resist—am I willing to suffer for it? Because it might just happen.

One holy troublemaker, Mother Teresa, had this pinned to her wall in India:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Live a life worthy of persecution. And remember, no matter what the cost, Jesus is worth it. You are blessed. God is on your side.

Peacemakers, 16 February 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-02-17T17:40:23-05:00

Blessed are the Peacemakers
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 16, 2025
Matthew 5:9

Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.

Big Idea: God is on your side when you are complete in Him and help others experience shalom.

Shalom! Shalom!

Shalom is not just a greeting; it is one of my favorite words. Many translate it simply as "peace," often associating it with images of the 1960s and 70s—Richard Nixon’s victory fingers or tie-dyed hippie culture. But shalom is much more than the absence of conflict. It signifies wholeness, completeness, mutual flourishing—everything in its right place.

The Beatitudes and the Greatest Blessing

We have been exploring the Beatitudes this year—eight invitations and declarations of blessing spoken by Jesus. These are not instructions to follow but rather proclamations of present and future realities. The greatest blessing is the presence and favor of God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Blessed are the wholeness-makers. Blessed are the shalom-creators.

What Comes to Mind When You Think of Peace?

Perhaps I have already influenced your answer by referencing the 60s and 70s! Many people equate peace with the absence of war or imagine a quiet, serene place near water. The dove is a widely recognized symbol of peace.

We have been fortunate to live in a country that has largely experienced peace in the past century, with Pearl Harbor and 9/11 being the most notable attacks on our soil since the 19th century. For many, war is a foreign concept (and to those who have served in the military, we thank you).

But peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict. True shalom means wholeness, completeness, and mutual flourishing.

Inner Peace

We often sing, It Is Well. Is it well with your soul today? Do you feel whole and at peace? Before we talk about making peace, we must start with ourselves. If you do not have peace, you cannot make peace. You cannot give what you do not possess.

Our purpose at College First is centered on Jesus. We worship a Person, not a book. We embrace a relationship, not a religion. As we saw last week, faith begins in the heart—not with a list of rules to follow. We should be known for our love, not our politics.
Christian maturity is beautifully described in Galatians 5:

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a, NLT)

How do we experience love? It begins with God. God is love. We cannot manufacture love, but we can receive and share it.

How do we experience inner peace? Isaiah wrote:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Trusting God is the key to true, personal peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Paul writes:

He himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)

Through Christ, peace has been made between a holy God and sinners like us:

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)

Making Peace

Once we have peace within, we can look at our relationships. Often, our inner turmoil stems from unresolved conflicts. Who do you need to forgive? Who needs to forgive you?

We cannot guarantee peace, but we can work toward it. Relationships require effort from both parties:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

I have spent years working to reconcile broken relationships. It is difficult and requires prayer, patience, and surrender. We can’t force reconciliation, but we can do our part—refusing to hold grudges, rejecting bitterness, and extending grace.

Peacemaking is costly but ultimately worth it. Like any form of creation, it involves risk and sacrifice. Relationships are among the most complex and rewarding things we can build. The greatest gift we can offer is ourselves.

I was introduced to The Telos Group through The Beatitudes Project. Their mission is to form communities of American peacemakers across lines of difference and help reconcile deep conflicts. They are pro-peace, pro-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian.

So What?

Your next step may not be traveling to the Middle East to make peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but that does not let you off the hook.
Begin with yourself.

Where is it not well with your soul?
Where are you experiencing conflict, tension, or anxiety?
Who do you need to forgive? What broken relationship needs mending?

Beyond yourself, where do you find conflict? At work? In your home? On social media? How can you promote listening, respect, and love—especially in a world so divided by politics and cancel culture?
As the old song says, Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

C.S. Lewis wrote,

The fingerprint of God is in the present. In this moment, we can know God and be transformed by the Peacemaking God—the God of Peace.

Shalom—wholeness and healing—takes time. It is a journey of a million miles that begins with one step. What is your next step?

Let us begin with prayer—not only asking God for peace but also for guidance in how we can participate in His work of peace.

Children of God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

There is no greater identity than being a child of God. This is the reward and promise of peacemaking.

Your identity is not in your job, ethnicity, political affiliation, or any other label. You are a child of the Most High God, created in His image. That identity is affirmed when we engage in peacemaking, becoming like the Prince of Peace Himself.

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are and your place in God’s family. (Matthew 5:9, The Message)

God is on your side when you are complete in Him and help others experience shalom.

Prayer

LORD, bring more wholeness and healing into my heart that I may live in greater harmony with others. Help me be self-giving and others-centered, just as Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was. LORD, may our hearts be filled with shalom, that we may bring Your wholeness to the world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project podcast.

Pure, 9 February 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-02-09T22:10:47-05:00

Blessed are the Pure in Heart
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 9, 2025
Matthew 5:8

Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.

Big Idea: God is on your side when you’re pure in heart, when you stop playing games and come clean with the real you.

When I was a little boy, one of my favorite things to do at my Grandma Schneemann’s house was take a bath. I know, some kids like to get dirty. It’s not that I didn’t like to get dirty, but grandma always played this little game where she’d put a wet washrag on my back and I had to reach back and try to get it off.

I can vaguely remember the sights and sounds of those interactions, but I’ve been told the most triggering sense is smell. To this day, whenever I smell Ivory soap, I’m transported back twenty—thirty—ok, more than fifty years ago to time with my grandma.

It seems like everyone in my generation had a grandma that used Ivory soap. Oddly enough, I never remember it in my house growing up, but it was grandma’s soap. Developed in 1879 by Harley Proctor (who started a little business with his friend Mr. Gamble!) it still floats and boasts that it is 99.44% pure.

What does it mean to be pure? As we continue our series on the Beatitudes or blessings announced by Jesus in Matthew chapter five, we read these words,

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

I love God! I really love God. There’s one significant challenge to a relationship with God: we cannot experience Him with our senses.

You can’t smell God, though I love to smell the beautiful flowers He has created.
You can’t touch God, though you can touch a human created in His image.
You can’t taste God, even though the scriptures metaphorically say, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Psalm 34:8)
You can’t hear God, though He speaks through the Bible and, occasionally, in other ways.
You can’t see God, though according to this verse those who are pure in heart will see God.

Would you like to see God? People saw God the Son, Jesus Christ, for thirty-three years. The glory of the Father, however, is more than our eyes could behold.

There’s a great story in the Old Testament book of Exodus where God is pleased with Moses.

Exodus 33:18           Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

Exodus 33:19           And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Exodus 33:21           Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

We cannot see God’s face in these bodies, with these eyes. I’ve often thought it would be like staring at the sun. You can physically do it, but it will have terrible consequences.

Someday, we will have new, resurrected bodies that will be able to experience God in new ways. That’s part of our hope for the next life, a deeper, more sensory encounter with our Creator.

Job, in the midst of his terrible suffering in what many consider to be the oldest book in the Bible, said,

Job 19:25         I know that my redeemer lives,
                   and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26      And after my skin has been destroyed,
                   yet in my flesh I will see God;
27      I myself will see him
                   with my own eyes—I, and not another.
                   How my heart yearns within me!

He wants to see God. He yearns for deeper intimacy with the Almighty. Do you? If you do, pay attention to this announcement from Jesus, this declaration of reality:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Let’s go back to pure. One dictionary defines purity as, “not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.” The Greek word used here, katharos, means clean or clear or pure.

Not long ago we started hearing about “clean eating.” The idea behind it is avoiding artificial ingredients and processed foods, instead eating real foods, things you can pronounce! If you’ve ever looked at the ingredients in convenience store snacks, it sounds more like a science experiment than body fuel! I must confess after exposure to clean eating, I occasionally want to nibble on some “dirty” food!

I think that leads to Jesus’ point here. It’s not always easy or natural to be clean and pure. Temptation comes our way each day, seemingly each moment. We are not perfect. We’ve all sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), His standard of perfection found only in Jesus. As we’ve noted previously, this left us hopeless until Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died for us offering forgiveness, and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death.

We cannot be pure on our own efforts. I’m not perfect. I’m not pure. But because of Jesus, we can be clean. Natalie Grant sings in her recent song, “Clean,”

There's nothing too dirty That You can't make worthy You wash me in mercy I am clean Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice Your blood flowed red and made me white My dirty rags are purified I am clean

Being clean is good. The people around us generally prefer us to be clean! We know the importance of clean hands, especially during flu season. We wash our cars, brush our teeth, and even bathe our pets because we want them clean.

But sometimes things—or people—appear to be clean, but they’re not pure. They’re not the same inside as outside. They have a divided heart. A divided heart can never be pure.

Jesus was a friend of sinners, yet he was an enemy to many of the religious. This is a very sobering reality for me as a pastor! Once when Jesus was talking to a group of pious Pharisees, he said,

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matthew 23:25-26)

Have you ever opened a cupboard and grabbed a mug or bowl…only to find leftover food inside? It might look great on the outside, but you put it in the sink and find a clean vessel.

Religion is concerned about externals, making a good impression, putting on a show, looking the part. Jesus constantly spoke of the heart. It was the center of his teaching. He never said, “Blessed are the intellectuals.” He didn’t say, “Blessed are the achievers.” His declaration was not, “Blessed are the impressive or those who look good on the surface.” He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

Dr. Michael Wilkin notes,

“Purity or cleanliness was an important religious theme in Jesus’ day. Observing all the Old Testament laws of being clean could bypass the most important purity of all, purity of the heart. Jesus declares here that a pure heart is what produces external purity, not vice versa.”

The Message translates our verse,

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (Matthew 5:8, The Message)

The pure in heart have an undivided heart. They are the same on the inside and outside. They don’t pretend on Sunday morning and live a lie the rest of the week. They are real, through and through.

So What?

Like Ivory soap, none of us is 100% pure. Someone once said pure motives is an oxymoron, a contradiction of terms. I want to be standing here today to be 100% for the glory of God, but if I’m honest, there’s at least 1% of my motivation at this moment is because I want you to like me, to feed my ego, to say kind things about me and my preaching. But I want to be pure in heart. I want to know and see God. C.S. Lewis said,

"It's safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to" - C.S. Lewis

God is on your side when you’re pure in heart, when you stop playing games and come clean with the real you.

Jesus announces that God is on your side when you’re pure in heart, when you stop playing games and come clean with the real you. We need to return to childlike wonder, admit the reality of our brokenness, and reach out to Jesus for healing, for wholeness, for shalom, for forgiveness, for cleansing. The psalmist wrote,

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Mercy, 2 February 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-02-02T14:27:11-05:00

Blessed are the Merciful
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 2, 2025
Matthew 5:7

Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.

Big Idea: Mercy is an undeserved gift to experience and share.

Thirteen days ago, the word "mercy" made headlines after it was used in a sermon in Washington, D.C. It is our subject today. While I have no political motivations, I want to warn you that mercy is not an easy topic—unless you are in a posture of surrender.
I invite you to open your hands and say this simple prayer:
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."

We have finished half of the Beatitudes—the blessings Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5. These are not merely instructions on how to live but declarations of the reality of God’s kingdom, both now and in the future. They are radical, counter-cultural, and intentionally upside down! The way of God is often the opposite of the American Dream, which some may find offensive. Jesus said,

"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

So far, we have studied these Beatitudes:

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)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Today’s Beatitude may be the simplest and most logical:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

This principle echoes the idea that we reap what we sow. Paul wrote several decades after Jesus:
"A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7b)

The concept is older than Christianity, originating in agricultural practices. But let’s take a closer look at the word "mercy."

It’s not commonly used in everyday vocabulary, and it is often misunderstood. We say, "LORD, have mercy" or hear the phrase "grace and mercy" without deeply considering its meaning.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, mercy is "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." Synonyms include leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, and charity. In essence, mercy is when you don’t receive the punishment you deserve.
The Greek word for merciful, eleemon, means "actively compassionate." The Hebrew word for mercy, rachamim, contains within it the root word for "womb," symbolizing birthing, nurturing, and deep, unconditional love. One rabbi even relates mercy to God’s "womb-love" for His people.
We all deserve eternal punishment for our sin, pride, selfishness, and rebellion. Yet, God offers mercy through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

This is why people say, "I’m better than I deserve." We deserve to pay for our sins, but Jesus took our place.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

Jesus illustrated mercy in a powerful parable:

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22, NLT)

Forgiveness is never justified, earned, or deserved. By definition, forgiveness is an act of mercy.
Jesus continued with a parable about a king settling his accounts. A servant who owed millions pleaded for mercy and was forgiven. However, this same servant later refused to forgive another man who owed him a few thousand dollars. The king, enraged by his lack of mercy, threw him into prison until his entire debt was paid.

Jesus concluded:

"That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." (Matthew 18:35)

Meditate on that for a. moment. Those are Jesus’ words. We are to show mercy. We are to forgive others.

The funny thing about human nature is we want mercy for ourselves, but justice for others. How many times have you said or thought, “That’s not fair!”? Often, it’s because someone who deserved to be punished wasn’t. But experiencing mercy feels so good.

Perhaps my favorite personal story about mercy—besides Jesus’ death and resurrection for my sins—occurred many years ago on my way to our church gathering. I was pulling out of my driveway and hit satan! Actually, I hit satan’s car! It was Halloween and someone dressed as satan was driving down my street, I didn’t see them and hit their car! Nobody was hurt and the damage wasn’t terrible, but it was real.

I knew I deserved a ticket. I knew I deserved points on my record. I knew I deserved to file a claim with my insurance company…and theirs. My car had no notable damage, but justice meant I would get their car repaired.

My friend worked for an insurance company and we discovered it was the same company that insured the other driver (satan!). To make a long story short, he was able to talk to their agent, arranged for the repairs, and I was let off the hook…no ticket, points, rate increase…it was like the accident never happened. That’s mercy!

Mercy is not fair. It is a gift. And gifts are never deserved.

But here’s the key: You can’t give what you don’t possess.

If you ask me for ten dollars and I don’t have it, I can’t give it. If you need a ride and my car won’t start, I can’t help you. But if you ask to see pictures of my grandkids, I can absolutely show you!
We can only give mercy if we have received mercy.

So What?

The message is clear: Show mercy! But we must first recognize that God made the first move. When Jesus died on the cross, he showed us mercy, declaring us forgiven and clean.
Some of you have carried guilt and shame for years. Going to church helped a little, but the burden remains. Jesus died for that! He makes us clean!

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

That is mercy! And it is available to all of us. If you are not following Jesus, surrender today. Say "yes" to Jesus! Get clean! Mercy is a free gift waiting for you to receive.

Then, express thanks to God for His mercy. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget, to get busy, to move on with life. We need to regularly pause and give thanks, not only on communion Sunday, but ideally as part of our daily rhythms. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we’ve been given so much. It’s worth celebrating. It’s one of the reasons we worship.

Then we can extend mercy to others. We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. We’ve been loved so we can love. We’ve been shown mercy so we can show it to others.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

If you call yourself a Christian, keep your "mercy tank" full so it can overflow to others. Keep your "love tank" full so it can spill onto others. If you’re not basking in God’s mercy and love—if you’re too busy to be with the LORD, meditate on His promises, and remember His goodness—you won’t have anything to give.

We all need God’s mercy. We all need mercy from others. And mercy is never deserved.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

We’ve all been shown mercy by the LORD, most significantly through the cross. Jesus took the punishment we deserve…death. He has shown us mercy, offered us the free gift of forgiveness, invites us into an eternal relationship with our Creator, and provides us with hope, peace, meaning, and joy.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

As we have received mercy, let us be quick to forgive and show mercy to others…for His glory and our benefit.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude 2)

Hunger, 26 January 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-01-27T11:50:39-05:00

Blessed…Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 26, 2025
Matthew 5:6

Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.

Big Idea: You are blessed and satisfied when your passions are for God, righteousness, and justice.

What are your greatest passions? Sure, the Sunday morning answer is Jesus, but what gets you up in the morning? What do you sing about? What do you cry about? What do you dream about?

Today we’re continuing our series on the Beatitudes—the blessings—taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in the fifth chapter of Matthew. We said blessing is not necessarily money or beauty or fame, but having God’s presence and favor.

So far, we’ve explored

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)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Our text for today says:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

If you’ve ever been hungry—truly hungry—you know how desperately you want to be filled. I experience this every time I fast. Our bodies need food…eventually! As kids, my sister and I would often complain when we were hungry, telling mom and dad that we were “starving,” though we never went a day or perhaps even a meal without food.

The same is true for thirst. Can you think of a time when you were “dying” of thirst, maybe a hot summer day on a bike trip or run, sweat gushing out of your pores, and your mouth feeling as if it’s filled with sand? Deep thirst drives our passion for relief.

Psalm 42 begins,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalm 42:1)

That’s passion!

Last week, Heather and I watched an inspiring film called Unstoppable about a one-legged wrestler who hungered and thirsted for a championship.

We’ve witnessed politicians who hunger and thirst for power, entrepreneurs who hunger and thirst for money, and addicts who hunger and thirst for their next fix.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

We often think of righteousness as doing the right thing. If we desire to be good people, we are blessed and filled? Well, that’s a start.

The Greek word, dikaiosune means righteousness and justice. It refers to equity of character or act, specifically justification. It’s the idea of being made right or making something right. In the Old Testament, righteousness and justice frequently appear together. The New Testament Greek word sees them as one. One writer says whenever you see “righteousness” in the New Testament you should add “and justice.”

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [and justice], for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Jesus said in the next chapter,

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

We are to pursue the kingdom of God, the things of God, and his righteousness and justice. Righteousness and justice flow from who God is. God is righteous. God is just. Justice is a central part of the gospel, the good news, the rule and reign of Jesus as LORD. We need passion for righteousness in a world of sin and evil. We need passion for justice in world of injustice, inequality, discrimination, racism, and hatred.

Dr. Scot McKnight writes,

“Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” are those who love God and God’s will (revealed in Torah as love and justice) with their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Because they love God and others, they are willing to check their passions and will in order to do God’s will, to further God’s justice, and to express their longing that God act to establish his will and kingdom. Their appetites, instead of being sated by the pleasures of food, sensualities, passions, and lusts, are satisfied only in communion with God, knowing and doing God’s will and seeking the welfare of others.”

Does that describe you? If I’m honest, I’d say…sometimes. I want it to describe me. I want to love God and love my neighbor as myself. I want to see heaven invade earth with righteousness and justice.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines passion as “the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death.” We think of it as a strong emotion, but Jesus’ passion was demonstrated through action. He expressed his love for you and me by sacrificing his own life, his body. He literally gave everything for us. That’s passion. It’s no wonder that he said to his followers,

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

That’s passion. It’s not a once-in-a-lifetime decision or action, but rather a daily death to ourselves, an ongoing surrender, 24/7/365 commitment.

I’m sure that’s why so many of his followers abandoned him. He wanted too much from them. He wanted everything! He still does! Hunger and thirst are not one-time desires, but appetites that occur regularly.

Likewise, the pursuit of God cannot be occasional. It’s a lifestyle. Following Jesus is more than an hour on Sunday and ten percent of your paycheck. It’s a radical obedience in the direction of Jesus. God doesn’t want to be your hobby. He wants to be your life! He wants His passion to be your passion.

About twenty-five years ago I was leading a new church in Ann Arbor and asked a friend to consult with us. I wanted to find my blind spots as a leader and do whatever possible to help the church flourish. He suggested a tool called Natural Church Development and after assessing our church, my friend shared the results with me. They revealed our greatest weakness was “passionate spirituality.” We lacked a hunger and thirst for God. I asked what I could do to increase our passion and the only response was prayer. That’s when I began praying for passion for that church…and why I pray for passion for us at College First.

I can model passion for God.
I can preach on passion for God.
But I can’t manufacture passion for God. I can’t create it in you. So I pray.

I have five prayers for College First: direction, protection, unity, fruit, and passion.

I can only imagine how different College First and other churches would be if we all had a deep, gut-level passion for God and things of God. If you want a picture of what true passion looks like, you only need to look at the origin of the word.

So What?

What can we do? Weakness forces us to look to God. He’s right here with us. We need to pause, recognize our brokenness and desperation, and seek first God’s kingdom, His power, His wisdom, His strength.

As Stu G of The Beatitudes Project says, “It’s not about trying to be super holy, but living in the famine and desperation for God’s righteousness and justice.”

God is the source of all righteousness and justice. When our passions are for God, they will naturally be for righteousness and justice, and when we see them absent, we will yearn to be present.

On a global level we see mass shootings, starvation, the greatest refugee crisis since WWII, pollution, wars, fake news, and divisions of every kind.

On a local level, we see homelessness, domestic violence, and poverty.

On a personal level, we struggle with addictions, comparison, insecurity, fear, and scarcity, greed, gossip, and pride.

There is an aching for shalom, for the broken to be made whole, for justice to prevail.

What do you ache for? What is your holy discontent? That might reveal a clue as to what He wants you to do. For each of us, it will look different. Promoting righteousness and justice might look like more quiet time in God’s Word and prayer. It could take on an activist expression that writes letters, participates in peaceful protests, or raises awareness on behalf of the poor and powerless. Maybe God wants you to use your time and talents to volunteer with City Mission, Christian Clearing House, or the Women’s Resource Center. Perhaps He is leading you to gather together some friends and serve together. If you need help, please contact our office. It might be that God simply wants you to be more generous this year with your finances.

This world isn’t what it’s supposed to be…yet. All things will be made new and restored. We can participate! God’s righteousness and justice put things in their right place. God wants to bring light to the dark places in our heart and world. It’s not going to be fixed overnight, but as we hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice, we will find blessing and satisfaction in Him.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

The Greek word here for filled means “to gorge,” to feed, to have an abundance of food.

Blessed are those who are starving for God and the things of God for they will eat and drink until they are stuffed!

What is your passion? God’s passion is people…you! He wants to be our passion.

Meek, 19 January 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-01-19T19:32:42-05:00

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.

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

user@domain.com — 2025-01-12T13:32:21-05:00

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.

Poor in Spirit, 5 January 2025

user@domain.com — 2025-01-05T14:42:27-05:00

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.

Wise Men, 22 December 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-12-23T13:16:55-05:00

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?

Shepherds, 15 December 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-12-15T13:41:51-05:00

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.

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?

Joseph, 8 December 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-12-09T15:56:31-05:00

Joseph
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 8, 2024
Matthew 1:18-25

Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.

Big Idea: God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

The Bible is not a book, but rather a library. Some books contain poetry like Psalms. Others are filled with theology and descriptions of God such as Romans. There are apocalyptic writings like Revelation. One of my favorite types of literature is story. There’s nothing like a good story, and there is no greater story than that of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Every Nativity or creche in some way tells the story of the incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus the Messiah entering the world as a baby. There are three characters in every creche…Jesus, Mary, and our character for today, Joseph.

There are few characters in the Bible more shrouded in mystery than Joseph, the step-dad, the earthly father of Jesus. We probably know more about him before the birth of Jesus than after. The book of Matthew tells us…

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:18-19)

Joseph was engaged to Mary.

Joseph was a righteous man, faithful to the law.

Joseph was willing to protect Mary and her reputation, even if that meant losing his bride. That sounds like selfless love to me.

As we said last Sunday, unwed pregnancies were not as common or acceptable as they are today. In fact, about 40% of all births in the USA fit that criterion. In the days of Mary and Joseph, it was one of the most shameful things imaginable. Joseph knew this was not his baby. He could’ve disgraced Mary, accusing her of premarital relations with another man. Under Jewish law, she could’ve been put to death by stoning, yet he was willing to quietly part ways with her.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20)

Another angel. I think it’s fascinating how the angel appeared in a dream.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua which is short for Yehoshua (Joshua) which means “God saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” His very name announced his mission, to seek and save the lost.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:22-23)

This is one of the 300 or 400 Old Testament prophecies uniquely fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. Matthew mentions Old Testament fulfillment twelve times. This quotation from Isaiah 7:14 is the first of at least 47 quotes from the Old Testament, written around 700 BCE.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

There are many names for Jesus in the Bible: Bread of life, King of kings, LORD of lords, prince of peace, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Redeemer, Son of God, Son of Man, Alpha and Omega, …but one of my favorites is Immanuel, God with us. Family, God is with us. We can’t physically see and touch Jesus today, but we will someday! His presence is here in the Person of the Holy Spirit, living inside every believer. He was here in the flesh, and soon he will return. But God is with us, and that’s a great comfort to me.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

He did what the angel of the LORD commanded. I believe obedience is God’s love language. Last week we noted how Mary’s role as mom was not easy. Joseph’s path was not picnic, either. The humiliation, the rumors, the whispers.

“It’s not your kid? Right! Immaculate conception? Give me a break!”

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:25)

Clearly, Joseph was a man of character, righteousness, obedience, integrity, …and self-control. Marrying a woman carrying a child that’s not yours is challenging in any context.

We don’t know much about what happened to Joseph. He was Jesus’ earthly father, but he doesn’t appear in scripture after Jesus is 12 years old. We’re told he was carpenter (Matthew 13:55) or skilled craftsman. The Greek word used for carpenter, tekton, indicates he probably worked with wood, stone, or other materials. As carpenter, he was likely Jesus’ mentor. It almost sounds funny to think Jesus had a mentor, but while fully God, he is fully human. Paul wrote,

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

By the way, it’s believed crosses were made of wood, perhaps crafted by a…carpenter.

Back to Joseph, we know from the book of Mark Joseph had other children.

“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. (Mark 6:3)

Matthew’s parallel passage says,

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56)

After Jesus was born, Joseph obeyed the angel and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to avoid danger during social and political tensions that included Roman occupation and Herod’s massacre of baby boys (Matthew 2:13-18).

It seems obvious that God the Father not only chose Mary to be Jesus’ mother, but Joseph was carefully selected as a surrogate dad for His son. God the Father trusted Joseph because Joseph trusted God.

So What?

Although Joseph was a descendent of King David (Matthew 1:1-16), there’s nothing that suggests he was royalty, famous, or wealthy. In fact, the sacrifice of birds at Jesus’ presentation to the LORD in Luke 2 indicates they were unable to afford a lamb. He was a humble, righteous man who God used to raise the Messiah.

Going back to the video, you might say Joseph was unqualified. He was unlikely to play such an historic and important role, and yet God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Why? So He gets the glory. Consider this:

NOAH got drunk.
ABRAHAM was too old.
ISAAC was a daydreamer.
JACOB lied.
LEAH was ugly.
JOSEPH was abused.
MOSES was a murderer and couldn’t talk.
GIDEON was afraid.
SAMSON had long hair and was afraid.
RAHAB was a prostitute.
JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young.
DAVID was a murderer and adulterer.
ELIJAH was suicidal.
ISAIAH preached naked.
JONAH ran from God.
NAOMI was a widow.
JOB went bankrupt.
JOHN THE BAPTIST ate bugs.
PETER denied Christ.
The DISCIPLES fell asleep while praying.
MARTHA worried about everything.
MARY MAGDLENE was demon possessed.
The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced…more than once…
ZACCHEUS was too small.
PAUL was a murderer.
TIMOTHY had an ulcer.
and LAZARUS was dead!

Joseph was engaged to a pregnant virgin and said yes to the LORD despite the painful consequences. Following Jesus is never easy, but He’s worth it!

God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

You are the kind of person God desires to use to bring Him great glory this Christmas.

What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it? Say yes!

Mary, 1 December 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-11-30T08:50:06-05:00

Mary: Let the Good Shepherd Carry You
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 1, 2024
Luke 1:26-38

Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.

Big Idea: Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

Skit Guys Video Link: Mary

Welcome to Advent, the season of preparation for the arrival. It’s a time of waiting and anticipating Jesus. We celebrate the first arrival of Jesus the Messiah while anticipating his second coming. Today we begin our series The Glory of Christmas. Each week we’ll look at another character in this Christmas pageant and today we begin with Mary.

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

Here we are at the most wonderful time of the year, at least according to Andy Williams. As we’ll observe this evening at our Blue Christmas gathering, for many it’s the most difficult time of year, whether it’s the empty chair at the table for Christmas dinner, the mountain of debt accumulating on your Visa card, the volatile conversations about politics, the jam-packed calendar of holiday events, the endless preparations for guests coming over, the task of finding the ugliest sweater,…or maybe simply the sheer loneliness of watching everyone around you get party invitations while you celebrate alone with your cat. For many, Christmas is heavy. Perhaps for all of us there are aspects of the season which are stressful, chaotic, and heavy.

As I mentioned, this series is called The Glory of Christmas. The Hebrew word for “glory” is “kavod,” means not only glory but also weight. It’s funny watching a soccer mom on a video dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, but this is obviously a realistic scenario, and one Mary embodied perhaps more than any mother in history. After all, we know where babies come from, so no pregnancy should be a total surprise…except when a virgin conceives!

I’m grateful for the Women’s Resource Center across the street and the fine work they do serving expectant moms and dads. Having a baby is a really big deal, especially when it’s a surprise. I often say the greatest change in my life occurred in 1992 when our first child was born. It was an incredible moment that I will cherish the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to see her, now all grown up and recently married! She’s a little bigger now than when I held that 9 pound, 3 ounce bundle of joy in my arms!

But having a baby wasn’t easy. It was more than worth it, but it wasn’t easy. Just ask my wife who delivered without any pain meds! I remember freaking out at the medical bill. There were sleepless nights. Parenthood is not for the faint of heart.

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

Mary is a fascinating character in the Bible, yet many Protestants seem almost afraid of her, worried they might appear to be too Catholic! I dare say she’s the most underrated person in the Bible among Protestants. Let’s look at Dr. Luke’s introduction to her.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)

Can you imagine being told you are highly favored and the LORD is with you? By an angel?!

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:29)

Can you blame her? Angels are real. I’ve met people that are quite certain they’ve encountered an angel, often helping in a time of need and then disappearing. But angels in the Bible often show up unannounced, scaring the living daylights out of people!

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30)

This is the second mention of God’s favor in three verses! Mary was not randomly chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. She didn’t win a beauty contest (like Esther) or demonstrate great leadership skills (like Deborah). She wasn’t commended for her devotion to family (like Ruth). Most likely she was just a teenager, yet God chose her to give birth to His Son.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:31-33)

Wow! This is amazing news! The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for the Messiah, and she’s going to be his mama. This even fulfilled a prophecy from 2 Samuel chapter seven when God said to King David…

When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

This is one of the 300 or 400 Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled.

But there’s one little problem.

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

It’s a simple fact that virgins don’t get pregnant. It’s impossible…but God.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:35-37)

Two angelic visits. Two miracle pregnancies. Two astonishing sons. Don’t miss the timeless promise.

For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37)

God has made a lot of promises to us throughout the scriptures. You can bet your life on them! Mary’s response to the heavenly messenger:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)

This may be the single reason God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus—her servant’s heart. Everyone likes the idea of being a servant…until they are treated like one! Mary said “yes” to the LORD throughout her life. This is what it means to have a LORD. Tragically, there are many vampire Christians today…who just want Jesus for his blood! Jesus is our Savior, but he wants to be LORD, which means we submit, say yes, and obey. An hour on Sunday doesn’t make you a disciple of Jesus, though plays a role in spiritual formation. Are you the LORD’s servant? If so, buckle up and get ready for the greatest adventure imaginable. I promise it won’t be easy, comfortable, or maybe even safe, but you will never regret fully surrendering to Jesus, experiencing the thrill of God moving in and through you to make disciples, love others, and bless the nations.

There’s a certain paradox when Mary in the video tells herself, “Let the Good Shepherd carry you.” After all, she carried the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Messiah, for nine months in her womb. Mary was given an incredible assignment. Sure, it must’ve been amazing to show up with her Son and watch him turn water into wine. What a party trick! I imagine hearing him preach and teach made her feel so proud. When kids win awards, they always begin by thanking their mom, right?!

But make no mistake, Mary did not have an easy life. People today generally frown on teenage pregnancies and unwed mothers, yet there was no tolerance for such things back in the day. I can just imagine the rumors, the gossip, the estrangement. “She seemed like such a nice girl, and now…”

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

But the pregnancy was just the beginning. The delivery of the baby was anything but comfortable, most likely occurring in the animal quarters of the home of a family member. Joseph was probably the fill-in midwife (I don’t know you gentlemen, but I would’ve probably fainted!). A concrete manger [like this was probably] used for his crib. No epidural. No morphine. She didn’t even have a baby aspirin!

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

None of that compared to the horror of watching her son publicly executed in the most painful and humiliating way imaginable. It’s been said the hardest thing in the world is losing a child, and this was no ordinary child and no ordinary loss.

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

To think this was all prophesied. Mary was warned days after the birth of Jesus that her burden would be heavy. At the dedication of Jesus,

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35)

Let the Good Shepherd carry you.

So What?

Throughout this month, you’ll see images of Mary, wearing a blue robe, silently with sweet little baby Jesus. But there’s so much more to Mary than that. She was highly favored by God. Her faith was rugged. She had other children, possibly a single mom as many believe Joseph long before her. Throughout her life, she let the Good Shepherd carry her. She trusted her son. She believed the promises of God.

Do you?

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, invites us today to follow, to trust, to believe.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Let the Good Shepherd carry you…today, this Advent season, and for the rest of your life.

Give Thanks, 24 November 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-11-24T13:51:18-05:00

Give Thanks
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 24, 2024
1 Chronicles 16:34-36

Big Idea: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

What’s your favorite holiday? My friend, Scott, is almost famous for declaring Thanksgiving his favorite holiday. It’s not as commercialized as Christmas and Easter. You don’t have to buy gifts. Most people get a bonus day off on Friday. There are special things to eat and football games to watch. Oh, and it’s a day to give thanks!

On this Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, we’re going to explore the biblical theme of gratitude and, perhaps, help you prepare for not only Thursday, but also the rest of your life.

Gratitude is popular these days. It’s on bumper stickers and greeting cards. I’ve seen people make gratitude posts on social media. My friend Thomas recently moved to South Carolina where he makes Facebook posts beginning with “SC Thankfulness journal.” There are even paper journals designed to help us give thanks. But obviously gratitude did not begin with the start of Hallmark or even the pilgrims. It’s an ancient command from scripture.

If we go back a few thousand years to the book of 1 Chronicles, King David writes a psalm of thanks. It begins,

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)

This is really the heart of our mission, the Great Commission, to love, equip, and send, to go and make disciples of all nations. The known world was much smaller in the 5th century B.C. than it is today, but we have greater access, transportation, and technology to make the LORD and His actions known among the nations. After all, God so loved the…world! One of the things I love about Findlay—and College First—is we have people from around the world…Japan, India, Haiti, Ghana, …even Pure Michigan!

As I have said, many in our world have never heard the name of Jesus. They haven’t experienced the gospel, the good news, that Jesus is LORD. They don’t know they are loved and seen by their Creator. Family, we’re on a mission from God…to seek and save the lost.

People all over the world know the names of Putin, Trump, Biden, Taylor Swift, but none of them will save, heal, cause demons to tremble, or offer lasting hope, meaning, and purpose. The only name that can do that is…Jesus!

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)

David continues,

9          Sing to him, sing praise to him;
                        tell of all his wonderful acts.
10         Glory in his holy name;
                        let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11         Look to the LORD and his strength;
                        seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:9-11)

The following verses are beautiful, like many found in the book of Psalms. They declare God’s goodness, faithfulness, glory, and worth. Jumping down to verse 34,

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

The verse speaks about God’s faithfulness in the past.

Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
            gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
            and glory in your praise.” (1 Chronicles 16:35)

This is clearly about the present, asking for God’s intervention with a promise to give thanks upon deliverance.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
            from everlasting to everlasting. (1 Chronicles 16:36a)

This addresses our need to celebrate God’s presence in the future…forever!

Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 16:36b)

The NIV translation of the Bible contains 29 uses of the phrase “give thanks” including this one:

Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Give thanks in all circumstances? It doesn’t say for all circumstances, but even in our most dire situations, there are blessings to acknowledge. Someone always has it worse. God is good…all the time, even when we’re not comfortable or happy.
During our nine-year trial with a sick child, I remember driving our daughter from the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House each day to outpatient therapy at Cleveland Clinic. It was a horrendous season of life, to say the least, but as our girl transported on crutches, I remember seeing a younger boy in a wheelchair, severely deformed. There was hope for our child to someday be “normal,” but it was obvious the birth defects of this little masterpiece were permanent. I began to give thanks for what I had rather than complain about what I wanted to change in my situation. Here are some things we can all be grateful for, regardless of our income, housing status, or health:

1.    Life. Every breath is a gift. You did nothing to deserve today.
2.    Freedom. The USA is deeply broken, but we have freedoms many envy.
3.    This church family. God is doing something special right here, right now.
4.    Clothes. I remember meeting a boy in Africa whose entire wardrobe was a t-shirt!
5.    Food. It’s hard to be truly hungry in Findlay with so many paid and free options.
6.    Health. You are here, aren’t you?!
7.    Transportation. You are here, aren’t you?! Unless you’re online!
8.    Shelter. Even the unhoused among us have access to temporary shelter.
9.    Safety. No place is perfectly safe, but we are not living in a war zone.

You probably know what I’m saving for last! The very best!

10. God! He knows you, sees you, and loves you…unconditionally. He’s why we’re here. He’s worthy of our thanks and praise…always…forever!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

This same phrase appears in Psalm 106, 107, 118 (twice), and 136. Whenever there is repetition in the Bible, pay attention. They didn’t have bold or italics or colored fonts to emphasize writings on scrolls so repetition was often used to make an important point.

So What?

I want to offer three simple next steps for you.

First, give thanks to others. Write a thank you note. Send an encouraging e-mail of appreciation. Express gratitude face to face. So many people are starving to hear, “I’m glad you’re my friend” or “you have a great smile” or simply “I appreciate you.” Give thanks to others.

Second, give thanks to yourself. No, I’m not saying send yourself a thank you card, but begin a gratitude journal…digital or paper. List the blessings in your life. I gave you ten to get you started!

Third, give thanks to God. Jesus’ half-brother wrote,

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

You can pray it, say it, sing it, dance it, play it, write it, however you want to express your thanks to God, do it!

One more thing…

Growing up, Thanksgiving was by far my favorite day of the year. We would have up to 100 Schneemanns gather at a church fellowship hall for a day of food, music, sports, and gratitude. Generations of Christ-followers would share how God had been faithful to them, we would form a choir and orchestra and sing and play to the LORD. Thanksgiving was more than a day or meal, it was an event. I deeply miss those family reunions, making me thankful for those precious memories…and inspiring me to create new ones for my biological and spiritual families.

On Thursday, Heather and I will be participating in the Turkey Trot to benefit the Women’s Resource Center and then we’ll be here for the College First Thanksgiving Meal. I can’t wait!

Let’s not limit giving thanks to a Thursday in November. Let’s make every day Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Mercy, 17 November 2024, Jude

user@domain.com — 2024-11-18T06:40:08-05:00

Mercy
Little Letters: Jude, part 2
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 17, 2024
Jude 17-25

Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.

Big Idea: Mercy begets mercy so we are to experience and share God’s mercy.

When I was a kid, we used to place this two-person game called Mercy. Essentially, you would try to torture the other person with your hands until they yell, “Mercy!”

Mercy is one of those words people use, but don’t always understand. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We all deserve God’s wrath, but praise the LORD Jesus came and died to offer forgiveness and mercy.

Today we conclude our series on Little Letters, finishing the short book of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible before Revelation. Last week we read the first part of this letter written by Jesus’ half-brother to the early church, likely Messianic Jews. He warned about false teachers and said some harsh things about their destructive actions. Now we pick up with verse 17.

A Call to Persevere

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 17-19)

Remember what the apostles—the true teachers—said (and forget the words of the false teachers who scoff, live ungodly lives, and divide.

We live in a divided culture, a divided country, a divided world. This is hardly news to any of us. It has been this way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. What is harder for me to grasp is how divided the Church, the Bride of Christ, has become.

In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for unity, that we would be one—not divided. We can all find differences if we look hard enough, but we have more in common than not. We’re all united at the foot of the cross. Only pride and ego keep us from truly loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.

Jude says these leaders “do not have the Spirit.” This is an important remark. There’s a big difference between gifting and anointing. It’s possible to have talents and abilities, but it’s another thing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, utilizing spiritual gifts for God’s glory.

I’m not here to impress or entertain you, but simply to point you to Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill me every time I preach and that you hear from God, not me. I also pray that I would always practice what I preach. This was hardly the case with the false teachers Jude critiques.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)

He says to build themselves up in the faith. Grow!

He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Align your will and desires with God’s.

He says to remain in God’s love. Develop your relationship with Jesus.

He says to wait. Don’t you love waiting? Ugh! People have been waiting for two thousand years for Christ to return. Next month we’ll enter the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, a season of anticipation.

I’m sure there was an expectation then—as there is today—that Jesus’ return was close at hand. He’s coming back, family! Soon! Get ready! Get your friends and family ready! Followers of Jesus will experience mercy on Judgment Day, not getting what we deserve.

Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)

This is a beautiful phrase. One translation states, “Be compassionate to those mentally wavering.”

Doubt isn’t sin. I don’t think it’s even a lack of faith, depending upon your definition. It is a struggle, a wrestling. The Bible is filled with godly people who wrestled with God, with faith, with belief. They need compassion, support, and understanding…never condemnation.

This past week I read an article about a woman who struggled with doubt for two decades. Michelle DeRusha offered these four suggestions in the midst of doubt:

1.    Acknowledge it. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is from a man whose son was possessed by a spirit. While seeking healing from Jesus, he exclaimed,

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b)

We all have our moments of doubt. There’s no need for shame or embarrassment, but tragically many suffer in silence thinking they’re the only one. Family, we need to get real and share what’s really going on inside. Chances are, those around you are experiencing or have experienced the very same thing. When we hide, things can only get worse. I have questions. There are things about the Bible I don’t understand. In fact certainty can actually be an obstacle to faith rather than evidence of it. Jesus’ disciple Thomas was famous for doubting, yet God used him in powerful ways. Most likely his doubts tested and strengthened his faith over time.

2.    Connect with Your Community. Henri Nouwen wrote, “In times of doubt or unbelief, the community can ‘carry you along,’ so to speak…It can even offer on your behalf what you yourself overlook and can be the context in which you may recognize the Lord again.”

3.    Lean into Your Practice. Spiritual rhythms or habits can keep us going even when we don’t “feel” like it. Prayer, Bible study, small group, and Sunday mornings are just a few ways to feed your faith. Sometimes it feels like you’re just going through the motions, but don’t give up. Author Kathleen Norris writes, “It is in acts of repetition that seem senseless to the rational mind that belief comes, doubts are put to rest, religious conversion takes hold and feels at home in a community of faith.” One of the best spiritual practices is to serve others, getting the focus off of yourself.

4.    Live the Questions. Catholic priests during Eucharist say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” If we fully understood God, we would be God! Paul wrote to a church in Greece:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

We need to embrace our limitations, the questions, the doubt, and take them to the LORD. He can handle anything we throw at Him. Anything!

I want to declare today this is a safe community where questions are welcome. I love questions, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I want to do whatever I can to help you on your journey. Doubt is a ladder to climb, says writer Brad East, not a home. Questions and discussions and prayer can deepen our faith and trust in God.

Returning to our text in Jude,

Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)

You may be tempted to judge, condemn, teach, shame, or preach to doubters, but they need prayer, a listening ear, an encouraging friend, and empathy. Jesus himself said,

“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

I hope this is always a safe place to doubt, to ask questions, to wrestle with faith. Let’s give one another “the benefit of the doubt.”

23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 23)

There’s another likely reference to hell which we mentioned last Sunday. We need to redirect people from harmful behaviors which will burn them, but do it lovingly and wisely. No one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet fear because the teaching of false teachers is contagious and corrupt.

Jude closes with a doxology.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)

This is a beautiful expression of praise to God. He is able to keep us from being deceived by false teachers. He can lead us away from the lies of our culture. He is our firm foundation. He is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve, which is great news! He forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and loves us unconditionally. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the Father “without fault and with great joy.” That’s amazing!

He has all glory, majesty, power, and authority. I love that this declaration is timeless, too, reaching all the way to 2024! Our God is awesome and worthy of praise! Hallelujah!

So What?

Mercy is more than a painful game played with friends. It’s a gift from God we are to receive, experience, and share with others. The merciful are slow to judge. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They relieve the burdens of others, serving, often out of the limelight.

Our community is filled with desperate people in need of mercy. While some gloat about the election results, others are scared about the future. We have dozens of unhoused people in our city, albeit some by choice. Hunger is real for some of our neighbors. My wife was hospitalized for a day last week and I was reminded of the sick around us. One writer (Johnathan K. Dodson) defined mercy as “expressing God’s kindness to someone with a name.”

Can you do that? Can we do that? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)

False Teachers, 10 November 2024, Jude 1-16

user@domain.com — 2024-11-11T11:21:50-05:00

False Teachers
Little Letters: Jude, part 1
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 10, 2024
Jude 1-16

Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.

Big Idea: False teachers and religions and cults are real, so we need to know and follow the truth.

Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe? Humans tend to be trusting, which means we can be deceived if we aren’t careful. Today is week one of a two-part series on the little letter of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible. The theme: false teachers.

Today there are millions of people involved in cults in the United States alone. These groups—often started by a charismatic leader—may present what sounds like the truth…with variances, some rather small but significant. There are those who deny the deity of Christ and those who deny his humanity. Some people believe Jesus never died and some that he never resurrected from the dead. Others preach a prosperity gospel driven by greed. Some promote cheap grace: do what you want and ask God for forgiveness. It’s very sobering to say this as a faith leader, but not all faith leaders are godly. Many are corrupt. This little letter offers important warnings for then—and now.

The author of this letter, Jude, is one of Jesus’ four brothers, or actually half-brother to be technical! These men did not believe in Jesus, at first, but they became disciples after the resurrection. I suppose if I saw my dead sibling walking, I might consider something supernatural was involved! This letter is likely written to Messianic Jews, Jews who recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: (Jude 1)

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude 2)

I pray that mercy, peace, and love would be abundant in your life, church family.

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3)

This is arguably the key verse in this book. Contend for the faith. The original Greek word means to struggle for the faith. Wake up!

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 4)

A 2022 study by Arizona Christian University concluded 37% of Christan pastors in the US have a biblical worldview. These are the people leading churches today. That means almost 2/3 of pastors don’t have a biblical worldview! How is this even a thing?!

I know it’s old school to say this, but in a world of gray there are some things that are black and white, right and wrong. The motivation must never be to judge or condemn, but rather to point people to Jesus. He perfectly modeled what it means to be human. Only Jesus died for you. Only Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead and lives today. Only Jesus declared himself to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Paul warned Timothy,

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

I want to tell you it’s ok to do whatever makes you feel good, but it won’t be good for you. I want to tell you it’s all about you, but it’s not! I want to encourage, affirm, and tolerate everything you do so you will like me, but it will destroy you. As I used to tell my kids in moments of discipline, “I love you too much to let you do” whatever it is that is ungodly.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. (Jude 5)

These are sobering words, and there’s more.

And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 6)

Wow! Angels are real. Fallen angels—demons—are real and will be judged someday.

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Family, it’s unpopular to say, but judgment day is coming. Hell is real. I don’t want you there! Sodom and Gomorrah were just a foretaste of what is to come for the unrighteous, those who are not followers of Jesus.

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. (Jude 8)

God can speak through dreams, but they are never more important than God’s word.

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. (Jude 9-10)

Their pride overestimates their own power, taking matters into their own hands.

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. (Jude 11)

Three biblical stories are mentioned in one verse that involve envy, greed, and rebellion. For further reading, visit Genesis 4 (Cain), Numbers 22 (Balaam), and Numbers 16 (Korah).

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 12-13)

Jude is not happy with these false teachers! What a list…six dark metaphors!

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. (Jude 14-16)

Five more phrases! I’m glad we’re stopping here because this is getting intense!

So What?

False teachers and religions and cults are real, so we need to know and follow the truth. Eternity is at stake. Heaven is real. Hell is real. My simple definitions (get ready!) are

Heaven is where God is present.
Hell is where God is absent.

I can’t guarantee that heaven is up. How would that impact people in Australia?! I’m not sure we’ll wear halos and play harps on clouds all day.

There are moments when heaven kisses earth, where God’s Kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Heaven is where God is present, and if you can imagine heaven without God, you might have already created hell.

Hell is where God is absent. There are debates about whether the fire is literal and if people will be tormented for eternity or eventually are annihilated. It will be worse than anything you can imagine. Although God is omnipresent—everywhere at once—I believe hell is the exception, the one place God is absent.

Over the years people have sung about being on a “highway to hell” and said, “See you in hell, my friend,” but it’s no joking matter.

If this subject has you concerned, you’re probably ok. God is not out to get you. Quite the opposite.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

God doesn’t “send people to hell” so much as he gives us the choice to follow Him now and forever or reject Him now and forever.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.” – C.S. Lewis

Apart from Jesus, none of us stand a chance on Judgment Day, but praise God He sent His son to die for us, that whoever follows Christ will not perish but have eternal life…with God.

False teachers and religions and cults are real, so we need to know and follow the truth, contending for the faith, speaking the truth in love. Judgment Day is coming. Are you ready?

One More Thing

Don’t be a false teacher, but rather proclaim truth…in word and deed. Judgment Day is coming. Are your friends and family ready?

Hospitality, 3 November 2024, 3 John

user@domain.com — 2024-11-03T19:26:18-05:00

Hospitality
Little Letters: 3 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 3, 2024

Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.

Big Idea: Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil.

When is the last time you were socially in a new place? Maybe it was a restaurant, a new country, the first day of class, or starting a new job. How did it feel to be a stranger?

We’re in a pre-holiday series called Little Letters. Last week we examined the book of 2 John and today we’re looking at another letter attributed to John the Apostle…3 John. Let’s dive in!

The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. (3 John 1)

If you were here last week, there were two words John used repeatedly—love and truth. You’ll see them in this letter, too.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 2)

This is a common prayer, even today. Notice John is not only concerned with the spiritual condition of his friend, Gaius, but also his physical body. Jesus set a great example of this by feeding large crowds while teaching them spiritual truths. Our bodies matter. They are God’s temple. Caring for our bodies is important since we can’t do much without them!

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 3-4)

There he goes again, talking about truth…twice. John’s speaking of spiritual children, not necessarily biological sons and daughters. As a dad and papa, I can tell you there really is no greater joy than seeing my kids and g-kids doing well, in every sense of the word. Many of you can relate…and others of you will someday!

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. (3 John 5)

This is the definition of hospitality: welcoming the stranger. Gaius is being commended for loving these strangers, missionaries who were traveling through, delivering the good news of the gospel about Jesus. Gaius is a good, faithful friend serving strangers for God’s glory. This is arguably the key verse in this little letter.

They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. (3 John 6)

Gaius is filled with love, the hallmark of the Christian, the follower of Jesus, especially toward traveling missionaries.

As the gospel was spreading from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), it required men and women to travel to unreached places with the good news, the message of Jesus Christ. Back then, you couldn’t check into an Airbnb, VRBO, or Holiday Inn! You relied on the help from others.

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. (3 John 7)

The Name…Jesus. Even today, some Jews refer to God as Ha-Shem, “The Name.” These missionaries would travel to tell people about Jesus. Their audience was not helping them, obviously, so they needed fellow Christians to provide encouragement, food, money, lodging, prayer…hospitality.

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. (3 John 8)

In the previous letter, John says don’t welcome wicked deceivers. In contrast, here he encourages hospitality to those proclaiming the truth.

Go back to my question. How did it feel to be a stranger in a new place? Maybe it was your first Sunday at College First. Perhaps you recently checked into a hotel or visited a new restaurant. Hospitality is a lost art in our culture today. Have you noticed? There’s one big exception, and it’s going to get me in trouble because it’s the one business that should never mentioned on a Sunday…Chick Fil-A. I’m sorry! Many of you have Chick Fil-A stories. Here’s mine.

On March 22, 2016, Heather and I wanted to throw an engagement party for our daughter, Rachel, and her fiancée Mark. After discovering Mark had never been to Chick Fil-A, we decided it was in our budget to throw them an engagement party—just the four of us—at a Chick Fil-A in Toledo.

Mark enjoyed the food very much, but about midway through the meal, Heather was about to get another order of fries. An employee came by and insisted he get them for her, during which we explained this was not only Mark’s first time at Chick Fil-A, but also their engagement party to which he said, “free milkshakes on the house. What flavor do you want?”

Mark’s jaw nearly hit the ground. Free fries with delivery to our table was one thing, but a round of milkshakes, too? He couldn’t believe the service, the generosity, the love. That’s hospitality…welcoming the stranger.

Family, that’s how Gaius was treating traveling missionaries, and it’s how we are to treat the stranger.

Hospitality is a big deal in the Bible. It is a requirement for church leaders according to 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8. Peter wrote,

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)

In one of the most fascinating verses in the Bible, we’re told,

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

Wow! I wonder…!!!

This is a letter from John to the hospitable Gaius, but there’s two other characters to meet.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. (3 John 9)

How would you like to be remembered forever as one who loves to be first and the one who fails at hospitality? Perhaps you’ve heard Jesus’ take on this. Matthew records three such references.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:30)

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)

and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— (Matthew 20:27)

Other gospel writers record similar quotes from Jesus. Suffice it to say, Diotrephes is not a good dude!

So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. (3 John 10)

He’s the opposite of love, hospitality, welcoming the stranger. He’s evil.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 11)

These are strong words, but so true. Can we pause for a moment and meditate on that verse? It would be a good one to memorize.

Evil is real. People are not the enemy, but our enemy uses people, deceives people, and the sin of people is arguably the source of all of the problems in our world. It’s not God’s fault that people drive drunk, abuse children, lie, steal, and all the rest. Satan is real. Demons are real. But God is greater! Now here’s the other guy.

Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. (3 John 12)

How would you like to be forever remembered in the Bible for this? What an honor, Demetrius!

I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

This is similar to what he wrote in 2 John. Face to face is, indeed, better than a letter.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. (3 John 13-14)

So What?

Welcome the stranger, extend hospitality, do good, and avoid evil. It’s simple, but not always easy. Can I offer two simple applications?

First, we can assist missionaries by praying for them, supporting them financially, welcoming them into our homes when they are here on furlough or home assignment, writing them letters of encouragement, or even taking a trip to serve alongside them in their community. Our church website has a page devoted to our local and global partners.

Second, let’s welcome the strangers around us. This might be an international student, a family from Haiti, a new neighbor, or simply someone looking for the bathroom in the lobby! One of my dreams for College First is we would be more welcoming then Chick Fil-A. People have told me we’re a friendly church—and they like the donuts!—but people aren’t looking for a friendly church. They’re looking for friends. I urge you to go out of your way today—and every day—and smile, say hello, and make everyone feel like they’re home…because they are!

Truth, 27 October 2024, 2 John

user@domain.com — 2024-10-27T06:53:56-04:00

Truth
Little Letters: 2 John
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 27, 2024

Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.

Big Idea: In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.

When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter…with paper…and pen? For decades now I’ve been using electronic mail most every day, but occasionally I’ll search for a pen and stationery and handwrite a note or letter. I must confess my penmanship has declined from lack of use!

We’re spending the next four weeks leading up to the holidays looking at three little letters, small books contained within the library we call the Bible. They are often overlooked in favor of larger works such as the gospels, Romans, or Hebrews, but they are obviously important or they wouldn’t be included in what is known as the canon of scripture.

The book of 1 John is longer and may be examined next year, so we’re beginning with 2 John. All of these letters are at the back of your Bible, right before the book of Revelation.

This is a common first-century letter, probably written on a single piece of papyrus with one main theme, in this case truth.

What is truth? Pilate asked this question during a conversation with Jesus in John 18:38 and I think it’s brilliant! Like many words, truth has multiple meanings. It’s a complex idea that has been debated for generations. The Enlightenment in the late 17th and 18th centuries was the Age of Reason, emphasizing science and rational thought. Modernism followed in the 19th century with ideas of universal narratives and objective truth. Postmodernism philosophy challenged such ideas in the 20th century questioning truth itself leading to relativism.

I always liked the postmodern declaration, “There’s no such thing as absolute truth.” Is that true?!

Today it seems many define truth as whatever I feel, which is more than a little disturbing. People talk about “my truth” and “your truth,” but is everything truly subjective? What if I feel differently tomorrow? Is it any wonder our society is so broken and confused? We can’t seem to agree on anything because we’re drowning in lies, opinions, and emotions.

Before we look at today’s letter, I want to share with you my favorite definition of truth from the lips of Jesus.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Truth is not a bunch of propositional statements but ultimately it’s a person, Jesus! He’s the one we worship. He’s our authority. He’s the reason we’re here, not me, not College First, not the Churches of God, General Conference. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

The little letter of second John begins…

The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: (2 John 1-2)

The elder is likely John the Apostle. The “lady” is likely a house church or the female leader of a house church, with “her children” being its members or a daughter church. Notice the three mentions of the truth in these two verses.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 3)

The original Greek word for truth, aletheia, appears yet again, this time alongside his favorite theme of love. John is obviously offering words of introduction and blessing.

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. (2 John 4)

There it is again…truth. John says only “some” of the church members are walking in the truth. Are you? The question is not do you know truthful things. It’s not can you win a Bible trivia contest. We’re not speaking of even intellectual assurance of the reality of Jesus. Even demons believe in Jesus. They used to work for him!

The question is are you walking in the truth? Are you following Jesus? Does your lifestyle resemble his?

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. (2 John 5)

Love one another (Mark 12:28-31; John 15:17; Romans 13:10; 1 John 2:7-11). This is so simple yet challenging, at times. It’s easy to love the loveable. It’s not hard to love someone who agrees with you. Jesus said plainly,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

It’s no secret that Christians in our nation have not done this well, especially in the midst of cancel culture. For some, this political season is a real test. Democrats, can you love Republicans? They’re in the room! Republicans, can you love Democrats? They’re in the room, too. Let me declare emphatically both parties are deeply flawed, as are their representatives. I have preferences and opinions like everyone else, but contrary to what some have said, there is no perfect, godly party. We need to worship the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, not an elephant or donkey.

I encourage you to take advantage of the privilege of voting, not only for president but also other candidates and issues. Study carefully, which is challenging given the lack of truth in our media and candidates. It’s important to vote, but far more important to love, especially within the Church. This includes social media!!!

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 6)

I believe obedience is Jesus’ love language, and that obedience is first and foremost to love. In one conversation,

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:23-24)

How did we get so distracted, so easily offended, so divisive and judgmental?

Now after talking about truth and walking in love, the purpose of the letter is announced.

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 7)

Jesus is fully God and fully human, something of a mystery, but clear from scripture. Throughout history some have said Jesus is God but not human, while others believed Jesus was human but not God. He is both!

Wake up, Church! There were deceivers then. Many! There are deceivers now. This is why we need to study the scriptures. We need to know what it says…and what it doesn’t say. I want to establish trust with you, but always fact check my words with scripture. The Bible is our final authority, not me. I’m human, sinful, and capable of error, though I have committed to preaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God!

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. (2 John 8)

Watch out! I must confess throughout my life I’ve been trusting…to a fault. I’ve been naïve, believing everyone has pure motives, good intentions, and speaks the truth. I have grown in this area, praise God, but I still have growing to do. I need to be vigilant, think critically, examine the fruits, and protect the flock that God has entrusted to my care and that of the Elders (that’s you!).

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

It’s sad this has to even be said, but this is how cults have been started.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 10-11)

We want to promote hospitality (more next week!). We want to welcome anyone who is seeking after God, but deceivers who deny the scriptures are not welcome here, especially if they have an agenda to influence others. False teaching is contagious!

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 12)

This little letter is meant to tide them over until they can be together in person.

The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. (2 John 13)

Sister might refer to a woman or likely a sister-church.

So What?

In a world where truth is often based upon feelings, Jesus is the truth.

Know Jesus, know truth.
No Jesus, no truth.

Honesty & Contentment, 6 October 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-10-07T08:58:23-04:00

Honesty & Contentment—Commandments 9-10
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
October 6, 2024
Exodus 20:16-17

Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.

Big Idea: Contentment and honesty honor God and bring us satisfaction and peace.

If the legend is true, the first billionaire in the USA, John D. Rockefeller, was once asked, “How much is enough?” to which he replied, “Just a little bit more.”

Today we’re concluding our five-week series on the Ten Commandments through the eyes of Jesus. Throughout history, many have tried to obey God’s Top Ten List perfectly, though only Jesus has been successful. They contain four commandments—not suggestions—relating to loving God:

No other gods
No idols
Don’t misuse the name in word or deed
Delight in sabbath rest

The final six related to loving others, which can sometimes be more challenging than loving the LORD.

Honor parents
No murder
No adultery
No theft

and todays two

no lying
no coveting

or put another way, honesty and contentment.

I want to take them in reverse order so we will start with contentment.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17)

This is clearly a heart issue, but that’s how sin starts. Temptation is not sin, but sinful deeds begin with sinful desire. I like Rob Lacey’s rendition in The Street Bible:

No. 10: You won't drool over your mate's wife, his house, garden, staff, equipment, gadgets or anything he has and you don't.' (Exodus 20:17, The Street Bible)

On average, USAmericans encounter between 4000 and 10,000 advertisements every day, including tv, billboards, online, and product placements. That’s a lot of marketing! Is it any wonder our brains are filled with impulses to buy more? I have a degree in marketing, and I’ve discovered many commercials are designed to make us discontent! How’s that for messaging? Add to that the highlight reels people post on social media and it’s no wonder some of us feel like we need “just a little bit more.”

Obviously, this isn’t a new struggle since the commandments were written thousands of years ago.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27)

Do you worry? I do! I’ve struggled my entire adult life with a scarcity mentality, yet God has provided. Heather had to put a sign in our bathroom that said, “Pray about everything. Worry about nothing” from Philippians 4:6.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:28-33)

Jesus doesn’t say we’ll get everything we want, but if we seek first his kingdom and righteousness, He will provide for our needs. Another time he said,

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

Do you have possessions or do your possessions possess you? Paul wrote to friends and said,

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)

This was written in prison! If you can be content in prison…and the secret was Jesus. Christ gave him strength. God was his provider, his source, his life.

Maybe the greatest solution to discontent is to count your blessings. What do you have? Don’t wait until next month to give thanks.

Greed is not good. It can lead to theft. It violates the tenth commandment. Don’t covet. It can even lead us to lie.

The 9th commandment says,

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

The specific context seems to indicate a trial during which someone testifies. In the culture, you were guilty until proven innocent, you could be convicted on the testimony of one witness—except among the people of Israel—and the death penalty was in play.

Since 1989, there have been over 3000 exonerations of wrongfully convicted individuals in the U.S. and according to the outstanding movie Just Mercy, for every 9 people who have been executed in the U.S., one person on death row has been proven innocent and released, a shocking rate of error. False testimony is a factor in around 60% of exoneration cases.

False witnesses were brought into Jesus’ trial!

But the command is not limited to a courtroom where we are to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In place of the Hebrew word for “false testimony” found here, “shaqar,” Hosea used a word, kachash, which applies to any lie when we listed several of the commandments in Hosea 4:2. Your lie might not result in the wrongful death of someone, but it can do tremendous harm…to you and/or others.

Nobody likes to be lied to, but more than the momentary tension it creates between two people, trust is shattered, something that can take years to build and seconds to destroy. To make matters worse, lies often compound. It sometimes takes a lie to cover a lie to cover a lie to…who can keep track of all the lies?!

Why do people lie? I submit to you that they want something and see deceit as the path…toward something they want, whether it’s a person (adultery), a product (stealing), the absence of a person (murder), or simply wanting to save face.

I believe there is only one time I lied to my wife in more than 34 years of marriage. She asked me not to reveal some confidential information which I shared with a friend. I denied revealing it before fessing up. I felt terrible…more for the lie than spilling the beans.

It has been said that honesty is the best policy, and the 9th commandment would agree. Is there ever a time to lie? The subject has been debated, but there’s nothing like the truth…even when someone can’t handle the truth!

Maybe you’re thinking, “I never lie.” Is that true or is it a contradiction?!

Do you gossip? Do you listen to gossip? Have you ever told a “little white lie?” There’s no such thing! People lie on resumes, nearly 50% of the time according to a survey of nearly 3 million job applicants. They lie on their tax returns. I even heard a rumor that presidential candidates are capable of false statements!!!

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Jesus always spoke the truth, but he even claimed to be the truth.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Truth is not only the absence of lies, it is more than statements of fact, it is a person!

So What?

Contentment and honesty honor God and bring us satisfaction and peace. This is what happens when we play by the rules, when we obey the LORD, when we focus on others rather than ourselves, when we have an attitude of gratitude, and when we follow the Golden Rule. Perhaps the final six commandments can be summarized in Jesus’ vision for his followers.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

The Ten Commandments were difficult for the Israelites to follow, yet Jesus raised the bar and made them virtually impossible to follow, reminding us of our need for a Savior. How has Jesus loved us? He gave us everything, even his own life. He died in our place to offer us reconciliation with the Father, forgiveness of sins, freedom of peace, hope for the future, and the joy that comes from being clean and right with our Creator.

Faithfulness & Generosity, 29 September 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-09-30T09:59:11-04:00

Faithfulness & Generosity—Commandments 7-8
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 29, 2024
Exodus 20:14-15

Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.

Big Idea: Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always be generous.

We’re a few weeks into the football season now, but I often think about the late Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl trophy is named after him, and he said a curious thing every year at the beginning of training camp: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” (I know more of the world would disagree!)

In many ways, I feel like the Ten Commandments are that basic, that simple, that “duh!” But in a world with new gadgets and gizmos, trends, changes, and innovations, there’s nothing like going back to basics.

This is not an ordinary series on God’s Top Ten, but rather Jesus’ reflections on it. Jesus is fully God, but also fully human. He models for us how to live an exciting, abundant life that no Hollywood actor, thrill seeker, or billionaire could touch. We’ve noted in previous weeks how the Ten Commandments boil down to just two: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (which includes your enemies!). Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment.

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

The first four commands are about loving God. No other gods. No idols. Don’t misuse God’s name—in word or deed. Indulge in sabbath rest.

The final six are about loving others. Last week we looked at honoring parents and the murder prohibition. Today we’re looking at faithfulness and generosity. The two commands are short and simple:

Ex. 20:14                  “You shall not commit adultery.
Ex. 20:15                  “You shall not steal.

I want to pause for a moment and highlight one of Jesus’ greatest teachings. It is quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike. Allegedly the Golden Rule can be found in most ethical traditions in some way. God spoke in the Old Testament and said,

“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)

Jesus is quoted in the book of Matthew as saying,

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

and in Luke simply,

Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)

Paul affirms this in Galatians 5:14 and Romans 13:8-9.

The Golden Rule is so basic. It’s almost too simple, like NFL players being taught by their coach the name of the ball they use every day in their profession.

Why is it so hard to practice? In a word, pride. I want to suggest that pride is the original sin, the one that got satan kicked out of heaven, the one that was used to lure Eve and then Adam to rebel against God in the Garden of Eden, and the one which destroys relationships. Let’s be honest, we are naturally selfish creatures. You never have to teach selfishness to children! Thomas Jefferson enshrined our personal pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence, and today I think it has replaced “in God we trust” as our national motto.

So when we look at these two short verses—don’t commit adultery and don’t steal—consider how you would feel if you were the victim of adultery or theft. Many of you know the feeling from experience, tragically, and I’m very sorry.

Adultery is a subject related to faithfulness, or rather unfaithfulness. Marriage was God’s design, a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman. Jesus affirmed the sacred institution when he was tested by some Pharisees—religious leaders—about divorce:

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)

Adultery—becoming one flesh with a married person who is not your spouse—may be the greatest form of unfaithfulness, the greatest destroyer of trust, the greatest threat to a marriage, and for good reason. It violates God’s design.

I mentioned this last Sunday. God designs things perfectly and we are prone to do things “our way,” to ignore the user manual we call the Bible, to live in rebellion toward our Creator. How’s that working out for us?! Our sexuality is a beautiful gift from God to be used exclusively in the context of marriage. I once told our son it’s like fire in our fireplace. In the fireplace, fire is wonderful, warm, and useful. If it strays even a few inches, it could be destructive and even deadly.

Jesus always raised the bar on the Old Testament law, not making it easier, but making it more challenging, thus emphasizing our need for his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In the most famous sermon in history, Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

Well, that knocks out most of us, if not all of us. Jesus is saying you can keep your pants on and still commit adultery! Contrary to popular opinion, intimacy is not just a physical thing, something you just do. It involves the union of two people in mind, body, and soul. This is why so-called emotional affairs are real…and become a real problem. Jesus gets at the heart, what is on the inside…and he can see what’s on the inside!

Single people, embrace your marital status. Paul said it is better not to marry (1 Corinthians 7:8). Jesus never married (contrary to some pieces of fiction!). Honor God with your body, keeping yourself pure.

Married people, be faithful. Love one another. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Serve one another. Celebrate your marriage. This does not mean endure abuse of any kind. If that’s you, get help. If your marriage is in trouble, get help. There are great resources available. Contact the church office for more information.

One more thing: if your marriage is in trouble, I want to encourage you. Our God is a god of miracles, and I’ve been witness to them. The most amazing marital miracle I saw involved very close friends of ours. The husband had lied for decades about layers of infidelity with many people including some “professionals,” if you know what I mean. The wife was devastated, trust was shattered, they had children, and they presented as the perfect family each Sunday at church. Watching the horror of adultery right in front of me was exceeded only by the miraculous healing of the marriage. True repentance—turning away from sin—occurred and today our friends are thriving together. They are wounded healers, helping others in serious marital trouble. So I have hope for your marriage, no matter how hopeless it may seem today. Your story is not over. Our God is awesome!

Finally,

“You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) or to quote The Street Bible

“You won’t thieve, nick, life, blag, fleece, half-inch, swipe or get sticky-fingered.” (Exodus 20:15, The Street Bible)”

Have you ever had something stolen? How did it make you feel? Violated. Insecure. Fearful. Angry.

I love sports. I’m too slow to be very good in playing them, but I follow several and trading cards peaked my interest in several, including baseball. As a kid, I would bring cards to school and trade with friends during recess. One day I discovered the cards I put in my tote tray had been stolen. I was upset, and knew who did it. He was a neighbor and when I visited his house, I saw my cards in his collection! I told the teacher and she gave me some of the worst advice I have every received:

“Why don’t you mark your cards with a dot or something to identify them as yours?”

Do you know how many valuable cards I destroyed with a ballpoint pen? A double loss for me!

There are, of course, many ways to steal, to cheat someone materially. One of my late father’s favorite painters, Norman Rockwell, depicted two people trying to get what did not belong to them. Stealing may involves robbing a bank, cheating on taxes, or a host of other things.

The opposite of stealing is…generosity. Every good thing we have is a gift from God. We are merely stewards…of our health, our wealth, our education, our freedom, our relationships, our stuff. Do you have possessions or do your possessions have you?

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 seems we always want more, and many are willing to steal to get more, whether it’s robbing a bank, hacking an account, or simply shoplifting a pack of gum.

The secret to destroying the money monster that says you need more is to simply be generous. Here’s Jesus on generosity:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

I can tell you from experience it really is more blessed to give than to receive…or steal! My favorite monthly payment is not to the credit card company or the electric company, it’s to College First Church of God! This isn’t a pitch for money, but an invitation to invest, to declare war on the money monster that says you don’t have enough when God owns it all!

So What?

Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always and be generous. Doing so will bring joy and contentment to you…and glory to God.

Family & Love, 22 September 2024`

user@domain.com — 2024-09-30T09:55:52-04:00

Family & Love—Commandments 5-6
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 22, 2024
Exodus 20:12-13

Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.

Big Idea: God created the family—along with the government and the Church—and instructs us to value life in all of its forms.

I love design. I’m not necessarily gifted in designing things, but I appreciate good design. Jony Ive designed some iconic products for Apple. IKEA is world-renown for their innovative designs (and manuals that show you how to actually assemble them!). The worlds of fashion, automobiles, architecture, and computer systems are filled with design. The greatest designer, of course, is our Creator God. He not only spoke the universe into existence, He designed three institutions to allow more than 8 billion people to flourish on our planet today—government, the Church, and the family. Tragically, all three are broken because they are filled with sinners. Government is…a mess. The Church has permeated cultures around the world, despite its many splits and scandals.

As we continue our series on Jesus’ response to God’s Top Ten, we’ll see God’s design for the family and life itself.

Jesus summarized the entire Old Testament law with two commands.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Love God. Love neighbor.

The first four commands deal with loving God.
-       No other gods
-       No idols
-       Don’t misuse God’s name
-       Keep the sabbath

Today we are looking at two of the six that deal with loving others: honor parents and don’t murder. Exodus 20 verse 12:

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

I realize it may not be politically correct to say this, but it would be biblically correct to say God designed the family such that a man and a woman could make a lifetime commitment to one another through marriage, reproduce, and form a trinitarian unit—dad, mom, child—that resembles the Father, Son, Holy Spirit Trinity.

Because of sin, we have many broken families, dysfunctional families, and alternative families. God had a perfect design and we messed it up, just like we’ve messed up our beautiful planet, our relationship with money, the aforementioned government, and virtually everything else! Choosing to violate a design doesn’t mean the design is flawed. My car is designed to take gasoline. It is my right as the owner of my car to put Dr. Pepper in the gas tank. When my car has issues, it’s not the fault of the car designer or manufacturer, but rather what we call user error.

It's important to note this because family should be a wonderful word denoting safety, flourishing, intimacy, challenge, and growth. Some of you have had this experience, while others have only read about such a reality. If I had a nickel for every time someone has told me about a wayward child or grandchild, an abusive father, an addicted mother,…No family is perfect, but we should never intentionally violate God’s design for it…or anything else. We see the results of disobedience every day.

The context for this and the other nine commandments—not suggestions—is the Jews in the wilderness on a 40-day journey to the Promised Land. In addition to the command to honor parents is a promise. Paul notes this as he echoes the command in the book of Ephesians.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Honor is a word becoming increasingly uncommon in our vocabulary. It seems nothing is sacred or treated with dignity these days (boy I sound old!). Honor means high esteem or high respect. This is how children are to treat their parents. Parents, of course, have responsibilities, too.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

Too often I see parents being led by the whims and desires of their kids rather than the parents training and disciplining their children to have respect…for them and those in authority. I love sports and the arts, but it seems like some parents promote physical training more than spiritual instruction (kudos to all of you who brought kids with you today! We have great NextGen ministries, not only on Sundays but also throughout the week).

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

Jesus certainly obeyed this and the other commandments, but he put it in context.

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 21:37)

Family is important, but it must never become an idol. Your mom, dad, grandparents, or children must never become more important than God.

Heather and I have one living parent between us—my mom—and while we seek to honor her (hi mom!), we can honor our deceased parents through stories, photos, and kind words. No parent is perfect, but there are ways to honor even the most absent or abusive mom or dad, if for no other reason than they are partially responsible for your life.

Speaking of life, the sixth commandment says,

“You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)

It’s actually just two words in the original Hebrew, the subject being “ratzach.” This is a command concerning love. Life is precious, in all of its forms. Psalm 139 details how we were known by God in the womb, fearfully and wonderfully made.

The command is not actually “thou shall not kill.” It is acceptable throughout the Bible to kill animals for food. We don’t say “murder” animals because murder is “the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.” There are accidental deaths, wars, and self-defense instances involving death but not murder.

Life is sacred, from the womb to the tomb. It is a gift from God, and while it may seem obvious, murdering another human does not fulfill the command to love your neighbor as yourself!

I’m guessing most of you have not committed murder, but this is not merely a series on the Ten Commandments, but rather Jesus’ view of them. As we will see during these final three weeks, he never “lowered the bar” and made them easier to follow. Instead, he deliberately raised the standard, making perfection impossible and grace indispensable.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22)

Those are Jesus’ words, not mine! “Raca” means empty-headed. A few verses later, he adds,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45)

I think this may be the most challenging teaching in the entire Bible. Love your enemies. Don’t murder them. Don’t hate them. Don’t slander them, gossip about them, spew on social media about them. Love them.

That’s an impossible command…apart from God’s power.

Someone once said forgiveness is easy…until you have someone to forgive!

Loving enemies is easy…until you have an enemy to love. This means Republicans, Democrats, Buckeyes, Wolverines, Haitians, members of the rainbow community, followers of other religions, prison inmates,…

So What?

God created the family—along with the government and the Church—and instructs us to value life in all of its forms. I wonder how different our world would look if we followed God’s design. If every child had a dad and mom, if the murder rate was zero, if parents raised their kids to honor God and others, if life was valued from conception to natural death, if authority was executed appropriately and elders were respected. When we follow the instructions, when we pay attention to the design and designer, things just work. We can rationalize anything, try new things to be “edgy,” or simply live in rebellion against God, but He gets the last word. We will reap what we sow. Judgment Day is real, and it’s coming for each of us. Are you ready?

The good news about this and all of the commandments is that when we fall short, when we miss the mark, when we sin, forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ. That’s why we praise him. He is God and we’re not. He is worthy of our praise. His grace is amazing, His love is steadfast, and His mercies are new every morning. That doesn’t mean we can ignore God’s Top Ten, do what we want, and seek cheap grace. God’s design is for our flourishing. Loving God and loving others as ourselves is the path to true peace, contentment, and satisfaction. Family, let’s love well…for His glory.

Integrity & Rest, 15 September 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-09-15T17:27:25-04:00

Integrity & Rest—Commandments 3-4
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 8, 2024
Exodus 20:7-11

Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.

Big Idea: Our words—and actions—re-present God…and we need rest.

Last Sunday we began to look at Jesus’ response to God’s Top Ten list, the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai and recorded for us in Exodus chapter 20 as well as in Deuteronomy 5. The first two dealt with faith and trust—no other gods and no idols. These are surprisingly challenging to follow with so many people and things vying for our attention, affection, and affluence.

Today we’re tackling two subjects—integrity and rest—which seem to be increasingly rare and, therefore, counter-cultural in our society today.

What’s your name? Do you know its origins? My name, Kirk, means “church dweller” which is rather prophetic, don’t you think?!

Your name might be the single word that gets your attention more than any other. Although many children today are named after celebrities, movie characters, or even brands, in biblical times one’s name was usually very significant. There are even examples of God changing someone’s name to better reflect their character or destiny, such as Abram to Abraham. The third commandment—not suggestion—says,

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7, NIV)

Some of you may recall it in the King James Version:

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7, KJV)

Some have interpreted this to mean don’t swear or don’t use God’s name with a swear word. I keep waiting for someone to stub their toe and say, “Oh Buddha!” or “Oh Taylor Swift!"

If we are flippant about the name of the LORD, we violate this command. The abbreviation OMG seems to stem from such a remark, unless one is truly praying. Anytime we diminish the respect or personhood of God, we break this commandment. It could even convey we doubt who He says He is since the names of God reflect His character.

We are not to speak God’s name when taking an oath. Jesus said,

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37)

If only politicians could answer questions with a simple yes or no!!!

The third commandment can be translated “you shall not pronounce the name of the Lord.” As a result, Jews generally refuse to speak the original Hebrew name, Yahweh. It literally means, “I am who I am” or “He who causes to be,” reflecting God’s self-existent and eternal nature. Jews usually substitute the holy name Yahweh for Adonai (Lord) or HaShem (the Name).

We need to take God seriously, including the use of His name. You wouldn’t like your name slandered, the subject of gossip, misquoted, or associated with lies. If you call yourself a Christian, you need to re-present Jesus well. We’re not perfect, but when we sin, we need to own it and seek forgiveness. It’s an issue of integrity.

Our words matter, but the third commandment involves much more than speech. Followers of God take His name with them wherever they go. It’s like the speedster going 90 on I-75 with a Jesus bumper sticker on their car. It’s not a good reflection of God. Everywhere Christians go, they re-present Jesus to the world, for good or bad. The literal translation of this verse says we are not to carry the name of the LORD in vain. Jesus said,

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (Mark 7:6, quoting Isaiah 29:13)

The high priest back in the day would carry on his breastplate the names of the sons of Israel and on his forehead the holy name of God. He was identified with God, and his actions were connected to God. The third commandment is about verbal blasphemy, but perhaps even more about the hypocrisy of our actions. To misquote Bon Jovi, some of us “give God a bad name,” and that’s not ok.

Now for what is probably the most radical of the ten commandments in our culture…

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. (Exodus 20:9-10)

Why?

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11-12)

This is a command to rest.

The Hebrews had been slaves in Egypt, possibly working every day. Some of you know the feeling! It seems like the most common response when I ask people how they are doing is…busy! Everyone is so busy! I must admit things in Findlay are a little slower than in Toledo (I’m still not used to going 25 miles per hour on my commute which used to include a stretch of 50 mph!). But we are so busy…work, soccer, show choir, band practice, class, tutoring, volunteering, …throw in a few hours of social media and binge-watching tv and who has time to rest?

Since COVID, I’ve seen some small improvements. Meijer used to be open 24/7. Black Friday used to bleed into Thanksgiving, giving employees no rest.

In a moment, I want to hear from you and answer questions you may have. I’m not an expert in this, but I have learned a thing or two over the years. Here’s the radical challenge. Are you ready?

Take 24 hours each week for nothing but joy and delight.

Sabbath or shabbat is a day without work of any kind. It’s a day to rest and be present with God. It is a holy day. Some of you may remember when most businesses were closed on Sunday…like Chick-fil-A still does. From a business perspective, I think they’re doing ok!

Sabbath is trusting God can do more with six days than you can with seven.

There are mountains of research showing the value of rest…stress reduction, improved sleep, mental clarity, emotional well-being, and increased productivity (sharpen the saw). Even the earth needs rest, which is why many farmers practice fallowing, leaving a field unplanted for a season.

The sabbath—originally Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown, now commonly Sunday because of the day of Jesus’ resurrection—is to be a holy day, a day set apart, a different day. Because my vocation involves work on Sunday, Saturday is my sabbath. With very few exceptions, I do not work on Saturday.

Am I tempted? Sometimes.
Do people understand? Most of the time.
Did I make an exception to speak at the men’s retreat last night? Yes.
Could my sermon use some polishing? You be the judge!

The purpose of the sabbath is not to be legalistic. The Pharisees were critical of Jesus, not for breaking the sabbath, but rather their interpretation of the sabbath. Jesus said,

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

In other words, sabbath is not to be a burden, something on your checklist, or a religious activity to inspire pride. It’s a gift. It’s God saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” The joy of the LORD is to be our strength, and devoting 24 hours (not just one!) to delighting in our Creator and His creation is something we need. I can only imagine how quickly burnout, anxiety, and heart attacks would decline in our culture if we would simply begin our week with a day of rest.

Did you catch that? We often work in order to rest, but God rested on the seventh day, meaning Adam and Eve’s first full day of life was the sabbath. They worked after resting rather than the other way around.

Can I garden? If it brings you joy and delight.
Does it have to be Sunday? It’s not for me!

Sabbath is practiced around the world. When we were in Germany, we were told to do all shopping on Saturday since most every business is closed on Sunday. The entire nation has a day of rest (like maybe we used to in this country).

Israel shuts down during shabbat. It wouldn’t surprise me if only the ER was open.

One more thing…the penalty for breaking the sabbath in the Old Testament? Death by stoning (Exodus 31:14-15, Number 15:32-36)!!!

So What?

Our words—and actions—re-present God…and we need rest.

Faith and Trust, 8 September 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-09-12T07:06:27-04:00

Faith and Trust—Commandments 1-2
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 8, 2024
Exodus 20:1-6

Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.

Big Idea: God is God…and we’re not!

Today on our fall kickoff Sunday we’re starting a new series looking at the Ten Commandments…through the eyes of Jesus.

Context is critical whenever we examine the scriptures. Many of you know the story of the Exodus. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, Moses went to Pharaoh repeatedly and said, “Let my people go.” After ten plagues, Pharaoh relented and the people took what should’ve been a short journey to the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the place known as Israel today. Because of the disobedience of the people, the journey that could’ve been completed in a matter of weeks took forty years! Can you imagine a 40-year road trip…without a car…in the desert? Many [some] of you haven’t even lived 40 years!

During the journey, God invites Moses to Mt. Sinai for a forty-day visit that included the presentation of the Ten Commandments inscribed on two stone tablets. These formed the basis for their lifestyle and society and have great relevance for us thousands of years later. God’s top ten was first introduced in the 20th chapter of Exodus and repeated in Deuteronomy chapter five. We’re going to look at two commandments each week in this series. Let’s dive in:

And God spoke all these words:

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Exodus 20:1-2)

This sets the scene perfectly. God has been good and faithful to the people, despite their whining, complaining, and rebellion.

The two most important questions in the world may be

-       Who are you?
-       Who is God?

They are not the same question, though some people act like it! God has given us a library of 66 books to reveal Himself to us. If I could describe Him in one word, it would be love. He is not a weak, frail grandpa in a rocking chair, nor is He a mean, hateful Creator out to get you. He’s a good, good Father who loves His children and wants nothing more than an intimate relationship with us. He loves you, and has gone to great lengths to prove that, most notably sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, paying the penalty of our sin and pride. This is the Creator of the universe, and although He owes us nothing, His grace, mercy, and forgiveness are simply wonderful. His first command states,

“You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)

A god is anything that receives your attention, affection, allegiance, your worship. Everyone worships. It may not involve a gathering with songs and a sermon, but we devote ourselves to things, we are influenced by people, we give our time, talents, and treasures to our gods. It could be sports, politics, their career, even their family.

I believe most people worship themselves, doing whatever is necessary to ensure their comfort, happiness, and pleasure. Money, sex, and power are three universal gods. This may be the most difficult command to obey. The greatest threat is the person I see in the mirror. Here’s the big idea: God is God and we’re not!

Hopefully this isn’t news to any of you, though I’ve met a few people in my life who might disagree! Today many are angry with God or disappointed with God. That’s ok, because in each instance there is an awareness of God. There is a relationship with God. As we saw in the series on the Psalms, we can be real with God. What’s not ok is placing ourselves above God, telling Him what is right or just. There’s a fine line between questioning and judging. We can ask “why” or “what are you up to,” but condemning God declares we are god, we know best, we are wiser than the Almighty and that’s a precarious place to be. It also violates the first of the ten commandments.

“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)

You cannot serve both God and money, God and pleasure, God and power, God and hobbies, God and…anything or anyone else. Jesus said a few verses later,

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

The context of “these things’ is food and clothes and the things of this world.

When we pray

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

we are declaring God’s will, God’s plan, God’s instructions, God’s desires are more important than our happiness, pleasure, power, or comfort. This is a radical slap in the face to the American Dream, family, which is why true Christians live the ultimate alternative lifestyle. We are not to live like everybody else. If you follow Jesus, you have no rights, you become a slave, you die to yourself, your pride, your dreams. Try putting that on a billboard or bumper sticker! But here’s the great thing: God’s ways are always better than our own. Daddy knows best. He can be trusted. He’s not out to get you. He’s out to love you. The path is not always easy, but it is filled with contentment and joy.

Jesus said to his friend Martha,

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

That’s God talk right there! He told his friend Philip,

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9b)

Jesus is 100% God and 100% human, a mystery known as the hypostatic union. The book of Hebrews declares,

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3)

If Jesus wasn’t fully God, worshiping him would violate the first commandment!

At one point the devil confronted Jesus while he was fasting for forty days in the wilderness.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:8-10)

No other gods…but Jesus is God. There is one God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a mystery known as the Trinity. Now let’s look at the second commandment.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (Exodus 20:4)

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6)

We could do an entire sermon series on these three verses! For thousands of years, people have been creating idols, worshipping objects rather than God. Some worship the sun or nature while others worship objects carved in wood or stone. Examples can be found in virtually every corner of the globe.

We are not to worship other gods, or objects. To many USAmericans, the second commandment might seem irrelevant. We don’t build idols. We don’t worship other gods. Right?

Years ago, a woman from India was visiting with a pastor here in the States and remarked about how we have so many idols. The pastor was rather confused since most Hindus recognize multiple deities. The woman said, “You build these huge monuments to consumerism and spend billions of dollars buying products” referring to shopping malls. Then she said, “You construct temples of worship to athletes” referring to sports stadiums. If we define worship as that which gains our attention, love, or admiration, she makes a good point!

Jesus summarized not only the first two commandments, not only God’s entire Top Ten list, but the complete Bible when he said,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)

So What?

God is God…and we’re not! Every day we are tempted to be in control, to do things our way, to love things rather than people, to bring glory to ourselves. Our God is greater and stronger and wiser and more powerful than any god, object, ideology, philosophy, religion, political party, athlete, movie star, social media influencer, or celebrity. He must be the one—the only one—we worship.

Work, 1 September 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-09-01T14:23:50-04:00

For the LORD: Finding Purpose in Your Work
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 1, 2024
Matthew 25:31-46; Colossians 3:23-25

Big Idea: Whatever we do—including work—can be an act of worship for the LORD.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Tell your neighbor.

How many of you actually became that? Around 50% to 70% of college graduates work in jobs directly related to their field of study. Students, that doesn’t mean your degree will be useless, but you might be doing something different twenty years from now than you expect today.

That’s certainly my situation! In high school, my plan was to be a professional musician. I went to business school to avoid becoming a starving artist. Today I’m a pastor! Go figure! By the way, I’m delighted to serve as your pastor, even though it was not in my imagination when I was in college.

On this Labor Day weekend, we’re talking about work and the Bible has a lot to say about it.

To many, work is a bad word. It’s a four-letter word! It conjures up images of an angry boss, low pay, dangerous conditions, or long hours. The first thing I want you to understand is work was God’s idea and we will work in heaven.

“Work in heaven? Are you kidding me? I thought heaven was going to be wonderful?”

One definition of work states, “Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.” The opposite of that would be…social media!

The reason I know we work in heaven is because there was work before Adam and Even disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit in the first pages of the Bible, an event we call the Fall. What was their work?

So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. (Genesis 2:19-20a, NLT)
I know naming animals might not sound like an awful job, but it certainly fits the definition of work. It might not describe toil. There’s a difference.

There will be work in heaven, but not toil. Toil is work which involves drudgery, pain, fatigue, and/or exhaustion. It entered our world as a result of the Fall, punishment for sin. God said to Adam,

            “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
                        whose fruit I commanded you not to eat,
            the ground is cursed because of you.
                        All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
18        It will grow thorns and thistles for you,
                        though you will eat of its grains.
19        By the sweat of your brow
                        will you have food to eat
            until you return to the ground
                        from which you were made.
            For you were made from dust,
                        and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19, NLT)

That’s toil. If that describes your work, I’m sorry, though it surely has a purpose…even if it’s to get you to search for a better job!

We all work. We might not receive a paycheck for our work. We might have to pay others—such as universities—in order to accomplish our work! We may be underpaid for our work. But we all work. Here’s the big idea:

Whatever we do—including work—can be an act of worship for the LORD.

Paul wrote to a church in modern day Turkey and said,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. (Colossians 3:23-25, NIV)

Wow! There’s a lot there. But I want to you see the context. The previous verse says,

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. (Colossians 4:22, NIV)

Paul is not promoting slavery—and this was not identical to the slavery in this country—but was saying even their work should be done for the LORD. Let’s go back—or forward—to verse 23.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

Whatever you do. Work for the LORD. Play for the LORD. Study for the LORD. Vacation for the LORD! Eat ice cream for the LORD! There’s no moment when a follower of Jesus is to take a break from God. We are to pray without ceasing. We are pick up our cross daily and follow Christ.

You were made by God.
You were made for God.
You were made for God’s glory. This includes your labor.

Many years ago, my mentor, Dieter Zander, introduced me to a small book read by millions. Sales are unknown because it’s been in the public domain for centuries, continuously in print for over 300 years and now available in many languages. Nicholas Herman took the religious name “Lawrence of the Resurrection” when he joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites monastery in Paris where he worked in the kitchen and later repaired sandals. The book Practicing the Presence of God is a collection of his writings while doing menial tasks, all for the glory of God. He said,

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

He was devoted to loving God through his work. Work as worship. He understood what it means to “pray without ceasing.”

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.

Surely it was that conversation with God that centered him, brought him into alignment with his Creator, and oriented his life to serving God rather than humans. To quote our own pastor David Welker,

If God has a claim on your life, he has a claim on your work. - David Welker

I wonder what would happen if we washed dishes for God, mowed the lawn for God, went to class for God, rested on the Sabbath for God, taught children for God, played music for God, ate and drank for God, …

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

I’m afraid too often we do things for ourselves. We work for a paycheck, volunteer for recognition, go through the motions to please others, …

I’m not saying settle in an abusive situation, but I am saying ultimately “it is the Lord Christ you are serving” each day, including our work. Actually, I’m not saying it. Paul said it!

Jesus once told a story about the sheep and the goats, timely during this county fair weekend!

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-33)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (Matthew 25:34-36)

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ (Matthew 25:37-39)

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

The verses that follow tell the opposite story, that of those who did not serve the needy, concluding

…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (Matthew 25:45)

So What?

God is with us peeling potatoes. He is the one we are serving when we volunteer at City Mission. He’s the one watching us when we go back to work or school on Tuesday.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

How would you behave if God was next to you this week? He is! He’s watching. Others are watching. They’re paying attention to our attitude, our effort, our concern for others, our language, and our character. How are we doing?

One More Thing

Shortly after beginning a part-time job as music director at a church, I went to my dad to ask his forgiveness. He asked, “For what?” I said, “I used to think real Christians were pastors and you worked in the marketplace. I now realize it would be just as wrong for you to become a pastor as it would be for me to enter the marketplace. We are called to different things.”

It’s not about one job being more spiritual or special, but obeying God and working for the LORD, whether it’s as a musician, a student, in business, or as a pastor. For the LORD!

Hope, Psalm 42, 25 August 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-08-25T06:55:40-04:00

Psalm 42: Hope
Restoring Your Soul: Psalms
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 25, 2024

Series Big Idea: The Psalms are filled with passionate expressions of the soul.

Big Idea: Our world and emotions can feel out of control, but hope can always be found in God our rock.

What do you need this morning? Someone has said humans can go 40 days without food 3 days without water 8 minutes without air 1 second without hope

Today’s we’re concluding our series on the Psalms with a look at Psalm 42. This is our sixth psalm, and we’ll surely cover more in the future. I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey as much as I have, following the highs and lows—the ups and downs—of the songwriters who penned these song lyrics contained in the hymnbook of the Bible.

I love roller coasters, but when life feels like one, it can be distressing, to say the least. I’ve spoken with many former coaster riders who simply can’t stomach them anymore. Similarly, I’ve met countless people who have grown weary from the motion of emotions in life, and I know the feeling! Let’s dive in.

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. (Psalm 42:0)

This was not written by David, but rather by Korahites, first mentioned in Numbers 26:58 as one of the chief Levitical families, gatekeepers and singers at the temple. A maskil is a contemplative poem. They write,

As the deer pants for streams of water,
            so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalm 42:1)

This is quite an image. We all know what it’s like to pant for water, especially on a hot day, perhaps after mowing the lawn, taking a walk to the mailbox, or for the most radical among us, engaging in a triathlon. What’s wrong with these people?! Just kidding! I can tell you after I do my two-mile jogs, I’m panting all right! My body cries out for water, and that’s the kind of passion and desperation described here for God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
            When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:2)

Last week we saw In Psalm 103 David speaking to his soul, telling it to bless the LORD. This Hebrew word for soul, nephesh, is referring to the self, not the immortal soul found in the New Testament. It means life. The writer’s entire living being thirsts for God.

Do you? Have you ever been excited, even anxious to meet with God? When God’s presence dwelled behind a curtain in the temple in the place called the holy of holies, it was a big deal for the priest to go and meet with God.

But we can do it anytime we want! What a tremendous gift (one I take for granted).

My tears have been my food
            day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
            “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3)

What a description of sorrow and abandonment. It’s one thing to cry. It’s another thing to cry non-stop, day and night with people mocking you about your faith. He’s losing hope. Can you relate?

These things I remember
            as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
            under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
            among the festive throng. (Psalm 42:4)

The writer is remembering the good old days, but more than that, they felt protected, surrounded by a festival of joy and praise to the LORD. Maybe he was thinking about gatherings like this, filled with people and praises. Family, it is good for us to be together. We need to sing and worship together. It’s contagious! If COVID taught us anything, it’s that we need one another…in person, not just on a screen. Laughter, hugs, singing, conversations, …donuts! Sunday mornings together are precious, and many of our brothers and sisters around the world can only imagine the joy of public praise.

But nostalgia is a curious thing. Our minds don’t always recall the past accurately, more than that being skeptical about this account, I want to suggest today is tomorrow’s good old days. What if today is as good as it gets? I know that’s a depressing thought, but let’s pause for a moment and count our blessings in this moment. They are many.

We need to pause and remember God’s faithfulness. That’s one reason we gather here each week. We so easily forget His goodness. The word “remember” is found over 150 times in the scriptures, including Jesus’ words to come to the table and remember his death and resurrection through communion or Eucharist. Although He is always doing new things, God never changes. The God of past miracles is present here and now.

The psalmist continues,

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
            Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
            for I will yet praise him,
            my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5)

Perhaps the best way to deal with problems in life is to look upon something greater. What do you have after a loss? What opportunities surround you? What people have your back? Or most of all, instead of looking at your circumstances, look up to God’s strength which is always greater than anything we face.

My soul is downcast within me;
            therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
            the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. (Psalm 42:6)

What’s the therefore there for? Because his soul is downcast, he will remember God. When you reach the bottom, there’s only one place to look…up! Look at what happens when he shifts his focus to God.

Deep calls to deep
            in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
            have swept over me. (Psalm 42:7)

He feels overwhelmed by his troubles…but returns to God, the Creator of the waterfalls, waves, and breakers (“your”).

By day the LORD directs his love,
            at night his song is with me—
            a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8)

This would almost fit on a Hallmark card! What a beautiful and comforting sentiment. But like a roller coaster, he shifts again.

I say to God my Rock,
            “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
            oppressed by the enemy?” (Psalm 42:9)
He acknowledges God as rock but feels forgotten by God. Have you ever felt forgotten by God? We need to acknowledge our emotions and express them constructively. Prayer is one way to do that. But our feelings are not always trustworthy. I love the honesty as he pours out his heart to God. We can be honest in prayer, too.

My bones suffer mortal agony
            as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
            “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:10)

It’s not clear whether there is physical pain or if this is a metaphor, but those around him are no help, taunting him. We finally come to the end of this song, this prayer, this cry to the LORD.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
            Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
            for I will yet praise him,
            my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
Author Lewis B. Smedes put it this way: Hope is to our spirits what oxygen is to our lungs. Lose hope and you die. They may not bury you for a while, but without hope you are dead inside. The only way to face the future is to fly straight into it on the wings of hope…hope is the energy of the soul. Hope is the power of tomorrow.
Who could use a little more hope? The key to hope, of course, is its object. You can hope for anything…a new car, a perfect spouse, a wonderful job, 80 degrees and sunny! In the business world, it has been said that hope is not a strategy…”I hope we start to make some sales so we don’t go bankrupt.”
But prayer is powerful. We worship the God of miracles. The stock market will fail, our relationships will fail, our physical bodies will fail, but when our hope is in the LORD, we can expect great things. They’re not always instant, and they’re not always the way we could plan them, but God can be trusted. He can handle whatever has you down today, whatever is weighting you down, whatever is causing fear, worry, or anxiety.

I’m preaching to myself!

So What?

As we conclude this series on the Psalms, we’ve read song lyrics about being rooted, the power of God as a mighty fortress. We saw Jesus portrayed vividly as the crimson worm centuries before his birth in Bethlehem. We examined the value of brokenness and repentance following sin, and were reminded the value of praise and the worthiness of God.

We all need food, water, and air, but when our world and emotions feel out of control, hope can always be found in God our rock. Hallelujah!

For extra credit, read the continuation of Psalm 42 in Psalm 43!

Praise, Psalm 103, 18 August 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-08-19T12:18:17-04:00

Psalm 103: Praise
Restoring Your Soul: Psalms
College First Church of God
August 18, 2024

Series Big Idea: The Psalms are filled with passionate expressions of the soul.

Big Idea: The praise we lavish on the LORD should far exceed that of human heroes.

Who is the first person you think of when I mention the word…hero? Turn to your neighbor and tell them. A week ago, I joined millions around the world watching hundreds of athletic heroes at the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics. Although I didn’t watch much of the games, I was fascinated by their locale having visited Paris two months ago (where we saw most everything setup for the Olympics).

I’ve witnessed great applause, fanfare, and attention given athletes, whether it was at the 1996 games in Atlanta, the NCAA national championship game at Ford Field, or NFL games.

Others have made heroes out of musicians. I’ve been to concerts in arenas and stadiums and heard the deafening roar of the crowd while people sang and played instruments.

I think we’d all agree that teachers and first responders are everyday heroes who don’t get enough recognition (though my son used to play with a remarkable set of toys called Rescue Heroes which my grandchildren now enjoy!).

But the praise we lavish on the LORD should far exceed that of human heroes.

As we continue our series in the book of Psalms, our text today, Psalm 103, is another written by King David, perhaps the most powerful man of his day, yet he knows Who deserves all glory, honor, and praise.

Praise the LORD, my soul;
                        all my inmost being, praise his holy name. (Psalm 103:1)

I love how David sings to his soul! Have you ever spoken to your soul? It’s not uncommon for people to talk to themselves, but speaking to your soul? This is more than a chat, though. He’s telling all of his inmost being to praise the holy name of the LORD.

Notice the word LORD is in all caps. It’s not an accident. It’s a special word, the most special word in the Hebrew language. It’s so special Jews will not speak it aloud for fear of mispronouncing or profaning it in some way. I was once talking about it with a Messianic Jewish friend of mine and I said, “Is it pronounced Yahweh?” He said softly, “That’s very close!”

We live in a world where seemingly nothing is sacred, but God’s Name is holy. David tells himself to praise the LORD. The Hebrew for that is familiar to all of us…hallelujah!

It’s not enough to know about God.
It’s not even enough to love God.
The scriptures repeatedly tell us to,

‘Love the Lord your God…with all your soul…”

(Deuteronomy 6:5, 11:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27)

and with all of our heart, mind, and strength. God wants it all, because God gave His all…His only son, Jesus. You can’t be a part-time lover of God. Following Jesus is not something you do for an hour a week. He wants all of us, 24/7/365 (and a quarter!).

2          Praise the LORD, my soul,
                        and forget not all his benefits— (Psalm 103:2)

The same Hebrew word for praise in verse one, barakh, is repeated here in verse two (yes, it’s the same word used to name a former US president, with origins in Swahili and borrowed from Arabic). It can mean praise but also blessing or bless. Bless the LORD. Praise the LORD. Don’t forget his benefits. What benefits?

3          who forgives all your sins
                        and heals all your diseases,
4          who redeems your life from the pit
                        and crowns you with love and compassion,
5          who satisfies your desires with good things
                        so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:3-5)

How can you resist that? This is our God, family! For some of us, this is old news, and familiarity breeds contempt. We need to pause and be reminded of who it is we praise. For others, this is the gospel, good news, fresh and exciting news to be forgiven, to be loved, to be seen, to be known. For me, this never gets old, especially in a word always enticing me to worry and fear. And, yes, as I age, I love the idea of my youth being renewed like the eagle’s!

6          The LORD works righteousness
                        and justice for all the oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)

I love this promise, especially in a world filled with injustice, with more slaves globally than ever in human history, with millions of people living under oppressive governments and systems. We can’t always see it, but God is working righteousness. Things would be much worse without Him!

7          He made known his ways to Moses,
                        his deeds to the people of Israel:         (Psalm 103:7)
8          The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
                        slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8)

Here’s another statement repeated throughout the scriptures, including Exodus, Numbers, Nehemiah, Joel, Jonah, Nahum, and elsewhere in the Psalms. When you see repetition in the Bible, take notice. It’s not accidental. It’s there for emphasis.

Were your parents slow to anger and abounding in love?
Is your boss slow to anger and abounding in love?

Doesn’t that sound good? That’s our God! I want to zero in on another Hebrew word here, the one translated love. The original word is hesed. Love hardly does it justice. It’s goodness, kindness, devotion, favor, loyalty, mercy, or unchanging love. It is steadfast and devout love. This isn’t just candy heart valentine kind of love.

God is madly in love with you! There’s more.

9          He will not always accuse,
                        nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10         he does not treat us as our sins deserve
                        or repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:9-10)

I’m going better than I deserve, and if you are a follower of Jesus, the same is true for you. Are you a spiritual seeker? I challenge you to take a faith-filled risk and surrender to Jesus. Experience the thrill of forgiveness. Discover the reality of peace, meaning, and purpose. Encounter the wonder of a relationship with the Creator of the universe.

King David continues with a text we briefly examined last Sunday, highlighting the true and lasting cleansing and forgiveness available to us.

11         For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
                        so great is his love for those who fear him;
12         as far as the east is from the west,
                        so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:11-12)

There’s even more!

13         As a father has compassion on his children,
                        so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14         for he knows how we are formed,
                        he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14)

Let me add He is a good father. I know father is not a positive image for some of you, tragically, but God is good. All the time. When God rescued His people out of Egyptian slavery, He called Israel His “firstborn son” in. Exodus 4:22. Gentiles have been adopted into His family through Jesus, so even if you’re not Jewish, these promises apply to us, too.

15         The life of mortals is like grass,
                        they flourish like a flower of the field;
16         the wind blows over it and it is gone,
                        and its place remembers it no more. (Psalm 103:15-16)

Life is so fragile. I have a friend in Toledo whose son was playing basketball last week and was shot and killed by a random drive-by. My heart breaks for this man, preparing to bury his 15-year-old son. None of us know our expiration date. You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die. Are you?

17         But from everlasting to everlasting
                        the LORD’S love is with those who fear him,
                        and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18         with those who keep his covenant
                        and remember to obey his precepts. (Psalm 103:17-18)

Are you catching all of this?

19         The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
                        and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:19)

If anyone knew about thrones and kingdoms, it was King David, the author of this song.

So What?

Psalm 103 ends by answering this simple question.

20         Praise the LORD, you his angels,
                        you mighty ones who do his bidding,
                        who obey his word.
21         Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
                        you his servants who do his will.
22         Praise the LORD, all his works
                        everywhere in his dominion.

            Praise the LORD, my soul. (Psalm 103:20-22)

Praise the LORD.
Bless the LORD.
Honor the LORD.
Sing to the LORD.
Worship the LORD.
Pay attention to the LORD.

Jesus is greater than any athlete, actor, rock star, rescue hero, teacher, scientist, or political leader. He is the ultimate GOAT: the greatest of all time. He deserves more than applause and admiration. He deserves our lives!

Love the LORD with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength.

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!

Brokenness, Psalm 51, 11 August 2024

user@domain.com — 2024-08-11T15:19:21-04:00

Psalm 51: Brokenness
Restoring Your Soul: Psalms
College First Church of God
August 11, 2024

Series Big Idea: The Psalms are filled with passionate expressions of the soul.

Big Idea: Our faithful God is merciful to those who are broken and repentant.

Have you ever done something bad? Really bad? Can you think of a time when you were ashamed? Maybe you tried to cover it up, hoping nobody would notice. One of the greatest, most godly persons in history did more than a bad thing. His series of sins included lust, adultery, premeditated murder, possible rape, and lies…and he was still called a man after God’s own heart. That says a lot about King David, but even more about our merciful God.

Today we’re continuing our series on the Psalms, the songbook of the Bible. There are five sections in the psalms, and if you’ve been with us during the series, you may have noticed each psalm is quite different from the others. Those within the five groupings are similar, but thus far we’ve examined psalms about being rooted in God, a declaration about God as our fortress, and last Sunday a prophetic psalm with multiple, blatant references to Jesus the Messiah who would arrive hundreds of years later. Today’s text is quite somber, one of confession after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, got her pregnant, and had her husband murdered. Not a good sequence!

If you don’t know the story, you can read it in 2 Samuel chapters 11-12. Suffice it to say, David was in soapy bubbles, as my late mother-in-law used to say! He sinned badly, covered it up, was confronted by Nathan the prophet, and finally came clean.

Clean. That’s an appropriate word. I’m not sure if the cool kids say it today, but there used to be dirty words. One popular rock group sang of “dirty deeds done dirt cheap.” We’ve all experienced mud puddles, paint spills, playground activities, and other things that made us physically dirty. There’s nothing like a hot shower or a nice bath and that feeling of being clean. The same can be said spiritually. If you get nothing out of what I say today, please remember this:

Our faithful God is merciful to those who are broken and repentant.

Nothing you can do can make God love you more than He does right now.
Nothing you can do can make God love you less than He does right now.

Our relationship with God and our eternal destiny is not based upon how “good” we are, but rather how “great” He is! It’s not about what we do, but about what Jesus has done on the cross. You’re not good enough to earn God’s favor. He doesn’t grade on a curve!

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9, NLT)

If God can forgive a liar, murderer, adulterer, and likely a rapist, He can forgive us, too. Hallalujah! Here’s the intro:

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. (Psalm 51:0)

We don’t actually know the background and context of many of the psalms, but this one’s explicit. Now the song begins:

Have mercy on me, O God,
                        according to your unfailing love;
            according to your great compassion
                        blot out my transgressions. (Psalm 51:1)

There’s some confusion around mercy, grace, and justice. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is unmerited favor. Justice is getting what you deserve. Let’s pretend you drive distracted and you smash my car. Justice would be you pay to fix my car. That’s what is deserved. Mercy would say don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it, you deserve to pay but I forgive you. Grace would be me saying you deserve to fix it, but forget about it and, instead, let me buy you Dietsch’s ice cream! Isn’t grace amazing?!

David is pleading for mercy, knowing God’s love is unfailing, He is compassionate, He has the ability to forgive. This is great news!

Wash away all my iniquity
            and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:2)

Here’s the first reference to clean, cleansing, washing. Psalm 103:12 says,

He has removed our sins as far from us
            as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)

How far is that? Infinity! This doesn’t mean God ignores all of the sins of all people. The context is those who love Him, who follow Him, who repent and turn away from their sin. The verse prior says,

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
            is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. (Psalm 103:11)

This is speaking of those who fear God, who make Jesus not only Savior, but LORD. There are a lot of vampire Christians who just want Jesus for his blood! The invitation is not to pray a magic prayer to obtain a Get Out of Hell Free card. It’s to follow Jesus. None of us do it perfectly, but that’s the desire of our heart. When we fall, we get back up. When we mess up, we own it, confess, and get back on the path.

Perhaps some of you need to start the journey. You’ve been living for yourself, doing everything your way. How’s that working out for you? It’s tragic to see so many people pursuing “their” truth, only to be drowning in anxiety, loneliness, and fear. The invitation of Jesus is one of freedom, joy, peace, meaning, and satisfaction. He’s not out to ruin your life or restrict your fun. It’s exactly the opposite! Are you following Jesus today?

For I know my transgressions,
            and my sin is always before me. (Psalm 51:3)

Years ago, there was some research done on guilt. Do you know the number one reason why people feel guilty? It’s because they’re guilty!

There is such thing as false guilt, but usually when we feel guilty, it’s legitimate…and often it won’t go away. I’ve heard stories of people who have lived with guilt for years, even decades. That will not only mess with your mind, it will affect your body, too.

Against you, you only, have I sinned
            and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
            and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:4)

This does not mean the characters in the story were not victims, but David is acknowledging only God is holy and perfect and justified to judge. Sin is not simply a bad thing we do because of an arbitrary rule. It’s anything that separates us from God…and others.

Surely I was sinful at birth,
            sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:5)

We’re all born with a selfish, sinful nature. You don’t have to teach a child to say, “No!”

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
            you taught me wisdom in that secret place. (Psalm 51:6)

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
            wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)

That’s a good feeling!

Let me hear joy and gladness;
            let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8)

David’s poetic imagery is beautiful. He knows the LORD and His ability to extend mercy and forgive the repentant.

Hide your face from my sins
            and blot out all my iniquity. (Psalm 51:9)

Remember, David has come clean about his sin. The hiding is over. He owns it and seeks forgiveness.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

This verse was put into a popular song many years ago. It’s a beautiful prayer.

Do not cast me from your presence
            or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11)

David knows God and wants God. He knows the agony of separation from a right relationship with God caused by sin and he wants to return to intimacy with the LORD.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
            and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:12)

There’s more to his plea.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
            so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51:13)

He’s a wounded healer. He wants to help others. In AA, the best sponsors are often former addicts. They’ve been through it. They know the path. David’s song is not just for him, but he has others in view. For the sake of time, let me read through the conclusion:

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
            you who are God my Savior,
            and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. (Psalm 51:14)
Open my lips, Lord,
            and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
            you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. (Psalm 51:16)
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
            a broken and contrite heart
            you, God, will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
May it please you to prosper Zion,
            to build up the walls of Jerusalem. (Psalm 51:18)
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
            in burnt offerings offered whole;
         then bulls will be offered on your altar. (Psalm 51:19)

What that really means is we can’t impress God. We can’t be religious enough to earn His approval. All of our good works, the Bible says, are filthy rags (and the literal meaning is used feminine products). What God wants is our heart. He wants us, humble, broken in order to receive healing. He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That should be the natural response to our faithful God who is merciful to those who are broken and repentant.

So What?

Getting right with God—and others—feels great, but it begins with action on our part. Let me say it again:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

It begins with confession. Some of you need to get on your knees and say

Have mercy on me, O God,
                        according to your unfailing love;
            according to your great compassion
                        blot out my transgressions. (Psalm 51:1)

And then receive His cleansing, His forgiveness, His love. Hallelujah!