Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted every Sunday live and written on our blog page. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love. It doesn’t conform to society’s wishes. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Those who know me well will recognize that there are definitive differences in the creation of every sermon from this point forward. It is God’s will that has brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my heart, mind, and soul to be shared with my hands, but with His words alone.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter
Prayer List: We have many on our prayer list. Some wish to remain anonymous, and others only wish to have their first names mentioned. Our prayer list grows or changes every week. This is our current list.
- We are ever watchful in regard to the weather, the unrest, and the virus and response to that virus. Let us pray for calm skies and seas, calm voices and spirits, and also healthy outcomes for those who are affected.
- Please pray for three family members who have had medical mysteries and issues over the past several weeks. Please pray in thanksgiving that four other family members are doing well after a health scare right before the Christmas holidays.
- Please pray for my niece, whose cat has been given a grim diagnosis. Also pray that her future baby is born happy and healthy later this year.
- Pray for a calm and beautiful New Year in 2021.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- Pray for all of our outreach ministries with Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Robert Nganwa, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Rev. Lisa Tyler, and all the others who have joined us.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those suffering as a result of the terrors that have occurred just this past week around this world.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
- Pray that truth is revealed where falsehoods have been shared around this world.
Prayer: Father in heaven, this is our prayer for today as we start this brand new year with Your Word in our hearts, minds, and spirits as well. We pray for all those who have been affected worldwide by the virus and the tensions due to that very same virus. We pray for peace and for faith to fill the hearts of those who have been in conflict of any sort. We pray for good health and faith throughout this world, because many of us need that hope in our hearts, minds and spirits. Pray for those who reach out one to another regarding ministry of Your Holy Word, no matter where they would live around this world. May their efforts of outreach in Your Holy Name find even more peace and faith and love. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: The Armor of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxPa2dsgDcg
Sermon: We are about halfway through Chapter 6 in Ephesians at this time. We took a break for the Christmas Eve and the Sunday after Christmas to focus on the reason we are here to preach and teach God’s Holy Word. Today we will complete the scroll of Ephesians as we begin here:
Ephesians 6:12-13 KJV – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The powers that be have often stepped in when they should not in regard to religion and practicing whatever religion we wish to participate within. We have seen this with every culture, in one way or another, whether they would be Christian or not. This was evident even from the earliest times of human life and continues to this very day. The darkness, the sinfulness, is often overlooked, even if we are staring right at it. This is something God warned everyone about long before Jesus was born. At the end of every year we return to the roots of Christianity, the moment Jesus Christ, in true Hebrew, Yeshu’a Hamashiach, translated means Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is our weapon against sin, evil, and wickedness as shared here.
2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV – (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
We spoke back two weeks ago about putting on the armor of God. This is another verse that refers to that very armor of our Father in heaven. The most important parts of the armor that is God would be truth and righteousness. That’s what Paul shares in this verse as he guides the Ephesians through God’s Word.
Ephesians 6:14 KJV – Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
He brings forward several verses that coincide with this thought process as we see here in these two verses.
1 Peter 1:13 KJV – Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV – But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Note, be sober, it doesn’t mean not drinking anything. It means watch how much you drink, so you can keep your faculties intact. Here we add the next portion of the armor we should wear as true Christians to protect us from evil and wickedness.
Ephesians 6:15 KJV – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
God’s armor covers us from the top of our heads to the soles of our feet. That’s something many people may not recognize or realize. God’s love surrounds us, fills us, protects us, from anything and everything evil, wicked, and sinful we would find in this world. We find some of this truth in the prophet Isaiah’s words.
Isaiah 52:7 KJV – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
This is referred to again in the New Testament through the words of Paul to the Romans. It’s quite important that we see this through several points of view, because it shares the harmonious quality of all Scripture.
Romans 10:15 KJV – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
When we read the gospels and hear about Jesus washing the feet of His Apostles, Disciples, and other followers, we do not often recognize the significance of this action. It’s very important to realize the symbolism in this action. It is as symbolic as baptism and confirmation for any and all who choose to be Christians. That’s also part of the shield of faith that Paul speaks of here.
Ephesians 6:16 KJV – Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield of our faith is stronger than we might realize. It’s also shared as to its spiritual strength, not just literal strength. I know many of us are thankful for that shielding from the evil and sinfulness of this world. Let’s see what John the Beloved shares in this regard.
1 John 5:4 KJV – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Faith is something we gain through belief, through practicing that belief. It can overcome worry, fear, and all those earthly sins that keep us in the muck and mire of the Devil Satan’s hold on this world. It’s pursuing our faith and passing that pursuit on down the line that helps all of us stay on steady, solid, ground.
Ephesians 6:17-18 KJV – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
The Holy Spirit, the Sword of God, the Word that became Flesh, our Savior, that’s who is speaking through the writings and teachings of Paul. We have to remember, it was not easy in any place on this earth for the Apostles and Disciples of Christ to preach His Word, His life, His truth, no matter where they went. That’s why they were ever watchful, and also why so many of us who preach and teach the Word would also be ever watchful. While we are doing so, we should be showering praise and joy toward our heavenly Father, God in Heaven. That’s what this supporting verse shares.
Colossians 1:3 KJV – We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
The citizens of Ephesus were more than happy to learn what Jesus had taught each of the Apostles when it came to teaching about God and Jesus. They would come from far and wide to experience the teachings and preaching that Paul would share. This is what is shared in these three verses of Paul’s writing.
Ephesians 6:19-21 KJV – And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
As bringers of God’s faith, the truth of the Salvation offered to each of us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we should, all of us, continue to pray to and to offer praise to, our Father in heaven and the Savior who was crucified, died, buried, and then rose from death to eternal life to pave the way for each of us who believe in His Holy Word and the eternal Salvation that is offered. Titus, the son of Paul, shares this.
Titus 3:12 KJV – When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
Titus normally was traveling with his father, Paul, through the various cities in Greece, Italy, and what is near the Aegean coast of Turkey today. Like many early cities of Christian faith, it was overrun by Muslims and Turks. Yet, we are fortunate to have these teachings from the Apostles and their descendants. That’s why it is so important to end as we begin, praising God for giving us the Word which became Flesh in our Savior Jesus Christ. This is how Paul closes out his epistle to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:22-24 KJV – Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
It was important to share the knowledge of Unconditional Love wherever any of the Apostles were able to teach in the years that followed the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. As we have seen, heard, and experienced in this world today, that fact is still as important as it was thousands of years ago. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying:
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Closing Song: A Prayer for Battle “the Armor Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sVGLKGGZR4
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Elder Calvin
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright ©circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA, USA
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is created through fear together as the bringers of the light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.
Good sermon, especially for these times.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was crazy to wait two weeks to finish Ephesians. That is, until it was written and then shared. God knows and things happen in His time, not our own.
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