Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Our ministry was created with twelve people around this world back in 2008. Each of us shares God’s Word in ways He guides us to utilize. 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 & LinkedIn
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.
- Please pray for Elder Cal Jennings and his family as they lost his uncle a few days ago now. Please also continue to pray for Elder Cal Jennings and his health issues, which are numerous. He has been having issues with his pain, vision, and memory.
- We are ever watchful in regard to the weather with tropical weather and with the high winds around many places. We continue to pray for those who suffer or have suffered from the COVID-19 chaos. Let us pray for calm skies and seas, calm voices and spirits, and also healthy outcomes for those who are affected.
- Pray for my sister and her boys who are preparing for a monumental cross-country move in the next month or so. Pray that her house in Arizona sells quickly.
- Pray for my family and for a set off family friends with the surname Vaillancourt as their patriarch left this earth a victim of COVID-19. They were dear friends of my mother and my father, J. Mark Newman, who left this side of life back in May. Our families and our VFW comrades are mourning this latest loss.
- Pray for those who survived the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Pray for those who were lost. Pray that the worldwide war on terror is resolved sooner, rather than later.
- 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 another set of ministers, the Rosa family, and their little ministry here in Savannah where I live. They gave me a good dose of hope this past Friday in regard to expanding our reach for Covenant of Hope Ministries.
- Pray for one of my dearest friends, that her cat, who has just had major surgery, would heal well and return to her old self.
- Pray for another of my dearest friends who will, God willing, have life-saving, stabilizing surgery done in just two weeks. Let’s pray that the bed will be available in the hospital where surgery is to be managed. The COVID-19 virus has been taking up too many beds in too many hospitals around this world and life-saving, or restorative, surgeries and procedures have been taking a back seat to this terrible virus. Help us remember to stay protected in as many ways as we can.
- 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 do the same.
- Pray for those who are jobless, homeless, no matter what might have ended up causing either of those. Pray that providence would find them and ease the suffering.
- 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. We continue to pray for the ones suffering as a result of shootings and unrest around this world. We pray those who died on September 11, twenty years ago yesterday, and for those who survived to fight another day. We pray for the families left behind by those who perished that terrible day. We pray that terrorism will never find a permanent home in this world. We pray that truth can be seen where too many lies have filled life as we know it. We pray for those whose jobs are in a scary position. We pray also for family members of colleagues and friends. We pray for the medical scientists, and physicians who battle on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus and all the other terrible diseases in this world. 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: Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning ~ Alan Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPHnadJ-0hE
Sermon: The opening song is one of two songs I keep in mind on the anniversary of one of the worst terrorist acts of war this world experienced after World War Two. We continue to explore Peter’s first epistle, beginning the third chapter today. There is quite a lot to go through in these first steps into the third chapter Peter wrote, so let’s start with the first verse.
1 Peter 3:1 KJV – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Okay, if you’ve listened to our sermons over the years, you know how much I stress the importance of recognizing what people call the seven deadly sins, or as I consider them, troubles, because they are like a pesky set of gnats or other insect if you are outside and out and about in the hot and stickiest parts of summer. Vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt, all would be present in this first verse of the chapter. It’s important to see them in all their shapes and forms. That’s why we go through these supporting verses, like this one here as a teaching point for husbands and wives.
1 Corinthians 7:16 KJV – For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
We follow this up with how we should treat one another, family, friends, colleagues, perfect strangers, all should be recognized as worth something in this world. In a world where we can be anything we ever dream of, then we can work hard to do one thing. Be Kind. This is how Paul shares that thought in Rome.
Romans 12:10 KJV – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
We add another view of Paul’s writings sharing one of the seven troubles countered by being humble in life.
Philippians 2:3 KJV – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
All of the Twelve Apostles leaned on each other, even hundreds of miles apart, on different continents even. They were each on a mission, fulfilling the Word of God, as Jesus commissioned them years before. Something that Jesus taught was that, reflecting on our children and the ability to absorb knowledge and gain wisdom, should be continued, no matter what age, something new could be learned, taught, and so forth. That’s why Peter worked so hard to spread the Word and expand the Church that Christ insisted needed to be managed, a better, stronger, more diverse church than ever existed on this earth before.
1 Peter 3:2 KJV – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Now, remember, Jesus wanted His Apostles and Disciples to teach ALL of the citizens of this earth, Jew and Gentile. He wanted them to do so, no matter what might happen. All of the Apostles and Disciples did just that. They did so with eager hearts, willing minds, and strong spirits. It is something we Christians have to remember. Though we are to be enthusiastic in the Spirit, we are also to share His Unconditional Love with humble hearts. It takes a lot to be truly Christian, and Peter knew that it would take a lot of work. We should recognize that fact too. That’s what we see here with Peter’s first epistle back in the second chapter.
1 Peter 2:12 KJV – Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
There is so much, so very much, we have to learn about the nuances, the tiniest of details found in Scripture. Those tiny little blessings are worthy of exploring for a great multitude of reasons. Only a few of them would bring our faith higher than it was yesterday, and perhaps help it be even greater tomorrow. Grace, faith, love, hope, peace, all come from patience, understanding, wisdom, belief, in what we are learning through our Savior Jesus Christ. That’s what Peter shares here as well.
1 Peter 3:3 KJV – If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Word of God is meant to be consumed, absorbed, physically, mentally, spiritually. The Word, our Savior, shared so much through His life, death, resurrection, and direction, for over two millennia now. We remember from the Last Supper, that the Bread of Life, is SALVATION. That is something more powerful in imagery, in expression, in collectively enjoying the Spirit flowing through us as we preach, pray, teach, and stay in the Word as Jesus taught so very long ago, and as God shared since the beginning of time. This is what the prophet Isaiah shares.
Isaiah 3:18 KJV – In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
Remember, Jesus told the rich man, give away all your possessions, take up your mat, and follow me. Leave behind those things that tie you down, and live in Christ. That’s a huge step for us to manage individually and collectively. It’s something that takes a great deal of bravery, because it is leaving those things that tie us to a place, and heading forward toward the great unknown. It’s not meant to be easy, to take up our mats and follow Him. It’s not meant to make you cry or worry. It’s meant to keep you focused on HIS WORD. Let’s go far back into the Old Testament and this is where we find this.
Proverbs 16:7 KJV – When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Jesus insisted that we work toward Eternal Life, sharing peace, patience, faith, hope, and all the other parts and pieces of Unconditional Love with those who surround us. That’s what makes us real and true Christians. It is something amazing and awesome to realize when you listen and hear the Word as it should be heard. Paul shares this to connect us even further to the Word.
Romans 8:28 KJV – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Many times I have shared a song that states this very consideration. That song is Turn, Turn, Turn. It is a series of verses from Ecclesiastes that should always, always be part of our experience in this world. To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. That is the opening line for the song. Jesus and the Twelve spoke of “living stones”. This is what Peter shares.
1 Peter 3:4 KJV – To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
So, what exactly is a “living stone” supposed to be? Living stones are the people, the spirits, and souls of those who work hard to build the church, no matter where they are, or what type of work they do. True Christians are these “living, lively, stones” part of the walls, the very basic structure of the Church that Christ would be the foundation of, as Peter and the others are the cornerstones and first level above the foundation. Sanctuary, the ultimate protection from evil. This is something promised to Isaiah and other prophets and kings throughout Scripture. We see that in these verses from Isaiah.
Isaiah 8:12-13 KJV – Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Isaiah 51:12 KJV – I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
Add to those words with some of King David’s writing.
Psalm 111:10 KJV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
King Solomon, son of King David, shared his experiences as well.
Proverbs 24:21 KJV – My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
Peter’s thoughts combined these words with the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ here in the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 6:31-32 KJV – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them.
There are many reasons to testify our faith. Sometimes it is to prove how much faith we have, because testimonies of faith aren’t just for others to hear, but for ourselves to hear the words spoken aloud that are written on and in our hearts, and our minds, absorbed in our earthly spirits and souls to portray our faith, something we should do every day we live on this earth. That’s how this final verse, words of wisdom shared by King David proves what faith can be, and how we can prove it to be just that.
Psalm 119:46 KJV – I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
We are full circle, because we see the belief in our thoughts, our hearts, our spirits, our actions and reactions. Let’s remember the mission before us, and take up our mats to follow the path toward eternal life. Now, that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us.
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: Turn, Turn, Turn ~ The Byrds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcrddV5N9Xs
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Elder Calvin Jennings
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
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2021 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
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.
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