Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ. 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 & Linkedin
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio
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 Evangelist Cal Jennings who is healing well over the past year but is still suffering from his dementia and pain levels. He, and his family, would still be having money issues as well. Please keep them in your prayers.
- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being. One who is facing quite a lot of surgery for their wellbeing, may they get through these surgeries safely and recover well quickly. Another has a definite need for surgery and is waiting for time and date for that surgery to take place. A third has been healing from food poisoning. Another who has had serious issues with unusual and elusive symptoms in recent weeks and months causing a great many issues. And yes, another who is in desperate need of surgery on their knees. May their pain ease sooner rather than later.
- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel.
- Pray also for others who have lost their lives around this world last week.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- 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.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is for comfort in those who face medical issues of various forms. We pray for the homeless that their situations can be changed. We pray for the sick, that their illness will be removed from them. We pray for the survivors of violence that their fear be eclipsed by their faith in You. We pray for those lost from this life this past week. We pray for those who mourn all forms of loss. We pray for those who need comfort, that they feel our prayers in their hearts. We pray for those who have nothing. We pray for those who were injured, killed, or frightened by the various weather events occurring around this world. We pray for those who are suffering terrorist regimes. We pray for our leaders that they listen to the many over the few. 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 Little Things https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grVECQfdlL4
Sermon: We are beginning the third chapter in Colossians this week. Paul is sharing so much in these short letters sent to the fledgling Christian churches all over Italy, Greece, Sicily, Asia Minor, and beyond. This third chapter gets deeper into the real essence of being Christian for these fledgling churches. Let’s get started with this first verse.
Colossians 3:1 KJV – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
NIV – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
We are all human, uniquely so, in fact. God knows this. Jesus knows this. It is for this very reason that Jesus was born by Immaculate Conception and then lived thirty-three years, to die on the cross for all our sins, past, present, and future. We have the Holy Spirit for comfort and solace. Just listen to what Paul says in this supporting verse from his letter to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:6 KJV – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
NIV – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
With this, Paul is also referencing the gospel of Mark, his thoughts sparking a memory. All of us have the opportunity to reflect on the Word of God and how certain occurrences in our lifetimes have an impact later on in our lives.
Mark 16:19 KJV – So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
NIV – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Mark’s words are an inner thought, as noted by the italics in the New International Version. There is so much to learn in the Word as shared by the Apostles, Gospel Writers, and prophets in all directions. Here is another link to Paul’s writings, this time in the letter to the citizens of Philippi.
Philippians 3:21 KJV – Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
NIV – 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.
Everything, from the smallest molecules to the largest masses found here on this earth, human, animal, bird, mountains, continents, oceans, all of these things have a purpose, a reason for existence. Yet, even the most beautiful and awesome of all creations are not as valuable to God as we ourselves would be. This is one of many reasons we are cautioned not to bow down to usury, a form of lust, greed, a form of both vanity and envy, along with enmity, wrath, shame, or doubt. In days of old, these seven conditions are considered seven deadly sins. There are so many methods to bring those seven into life as we live it this is truthfully something we all fall into, unfortunately. Paul understood this because of being called out by our Savior Jesus Christ on the afternoon of the day when He was arrested. Paul’s words take that moment and project it to the people he is writing to.
Colossians 3:2 KJV – Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
NIV – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
It is no surprise that Paul is sharing these memories with those whom he converses with everywhere that these memories can be shared. One such memory is in the words Jesus spoke as he rebuked Peter.
Matthew 16:23 KJV – But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
NIV – Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
These words Jesus threw at His Apostle are like going three rounds in a boxing ring and being on the receiving end of a mean uppercut. However, this was needed for Peter to realize his error in judgement. It would be just one moment in time where Peter felt the sting of that particular vocal punch to the gut and smack in the face. Paul and the others were there at the time. Paul is warning the church members in Philippi, Colossae, and all the other churches the twelve would visit or write letters to each of them.
Philippians 3:19-20 KJV – Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
NIV – Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
We have to be aware of our errant thoughts, our foolish actions, and reactions to what each day might bring. Sure, we get angry at things that occur. That’s one of those things we always tend to have issues with. Sometimes that anger is misplaced. Others, it’s an expected reaction. It is when we fly off that handle that we must remember the thoughts, actions, and reactions of the first kings and some of the most amazing prophets in Scripture.
1 Chronicles 22:19 KJV –Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.
NIV – Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.”
The Shepherd of shepherds, Jesus, Himself, reminds us that greed is as much part of vanity as covering up all the body flaws we perceive in ourselves. Work on the heart and the rest will follow. Work on peace and patience, faith, and love in your heart, your mind, through your spirit to soothe your soul. This is what Jesus says in His words regarding treasure on earth and what we should be looking for instead.
Matthew 6:19 KJV – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
NIV – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Paul reinforces this thought with the words in his letter to Colossae.
Colossians 3:3 KJV – For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
NIV – For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
The death of sin is an important image. We cannot always visibly see what this “sin” would be. It’s something that everyone has to learn to discern. Our ability to discern will either grow as we age and gain knowledge or will get ignored. Those who ignore this, though, are setting themselves up for failure in an accurate portrayal of God’s Unconditional Love. Paul shares that here in his letter to the citizens of Rome and Corinth.
Romans 6:11 KJV – Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
NIV – In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV –For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
NIV –For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
Paul adds insight on our “new man” point of view, after baptism, after confirmation of faith, and our pursuit of godly knowledge to gain wisdom in our experience. That’s what Paul is pointing out to the members of the church. If you’re going to talk the talk, you have to also walk the walk, diligently, attentively, carefully. This is a sentence we have probably heard over a billion times in our lifetimes, no matter the length. It’s a phrase we heard from our parents, grandparents, teachers, and yes, God’s Word is included there. Jesus shared that thought and Paul refers to it here.
Colossians 3:4 KJV – When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
NIV – When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Of course we have to actually have the Word as spoken by Jesus in the Gospels of Luke and John the Beloved. This is a fact that Jesus shared in regard to His very existence and what it meant to any and all who believed in Him and His parentage, His being the human form of God, manifested into life here on earth. This is what Luke and John have to share.
Luke 17:30 KJV – Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
NIV – “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
John 11:25 KJV – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
NIV – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
Paul furthers this memory of the Savior and reiterates the importance of our spiritual lives. It is very, very important to remember the great sacrifice Jesus made when He died on that cross at Calvary. We cannot allow His death to be in vain. For every one of us who chooses to lift our personal cross and carry it in His footprints, on His path to righteousness as Paul again shared with the citizens of the church of Galatia as well.
Galatians 2:20 KJV – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
NIV – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The next sentence in the letter to Colossae often confuses people when they read the King James version of the verse. For this reason, it is imperative that we focus and give as clear an understanding as possible.
Colossians 3:5 KJV – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
NIV – Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
The New International Version doesn’t shade the meaning with worthless words. It’s straight to the point and hits you right in the gut. Throw it out, if it is something you have just to have, then it is excessive. In a world that thrives on excess, it’s difficult to really gauge what is necessity with what is frivolity. This is another thing that Jesus often had issues with. It’s why He always said take up your bed, chair, mat, and follow me. Paul reiterates this over and over again in his letters to the churches. Here we see it in the letter to the citizens of Rome.
Romans 8:13 KJV – For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
NIV – For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Jesus’s younger mortal brother, James the Just, also had sucker punch passages to share with us in this regard. Here is one of those that we have seen quite a few times in the lessons that God has asked me to teach and preach.
James 4:1 KJV – From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
NIV – What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
Why do we fight so much? What point is there in all this bickering? Who benefits from all the wars and the rest? Do any of us benefit from this? Sure, the rich get richer, the powerful get more powerful, the weak and the wayward fall ill or die. That’s not what Jesus wants to see. It’s not what God wants to see. God and Jesus asked us to do one thing, JUST ONE THING! What is this one thing? It is one that is many and has three little words to voice. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Again Paul warns us in the letter to Colossae.
Colossians 3:6 KJV – For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
NIV – Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
The wrath of God is coming. That’s no small feat. That’s a massive reckoning we're headed for. It is one that was foreshadowed thousands upon thousands of years ago. We see it all the way back in the Old Testament in the words of the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 57:4 KJV – Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
NIV – Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?
We have to take these moments of learning and connect them to our hearts, our minds, whether in memories, in actions, in reactions and reflections. We have to fit them into our lives like we fit pieces into a puzzle. Every human being has the opportunity to extend their understanding of the Word by focusing on each tiny piece and placing it in the location where it fits the most. That’s how puzzles are completed, it’s how a book is written, and on and on. We are, each of us, books that are in the process of being written. We’ve been born, raised in our families, and living our lives. The end is somewhere in the future, and that future should be worked on with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our spirits and souls. Add to that, we shouldn’t get discouraged, waylaid, or distracted by the evils that still wrestle with our faith. Paul points that out with the citizens of Ephesus and John the Beloved shares his vision in the Revelation that time, at some point, will end.
Ephesians 5:6 KJV – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
NIV – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Revelation 22:15 KJV – For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
NIV – Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Paul cautions the citizens of Colossae in his next words. He reflects on the evils that exist in this world and did so as far back as Adam and Eve. He also points out that we can recognize them if we pay attention. The thing is, people won’t often recognize them as exactly that, the evil and wickedness that torments our very existence. Paying attention to the truth is more important than spreading lies and gossip. JESUS IS TRUTH. GOD IS TRUTH. That TRUTH IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. It’s right there for us to see it, touch it, believe it, exist within it. That’s what Paul shares here in the next verse.
Colossians 3:7 KJV – In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
NIV – You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
Paul’s words to Titus also come into play. All of us goof off at one point or another. All of us forget, we fail, that’s just part of being human. It is those times when we have to turn to God and pray, ask forgiveness, and then keep that in mind. Those seven troubles are right in front of your face at every turn. This is something all of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ were warned about over and over again. We see it here with Titus and with the citizens of Rome.
Titus 3:3 KJV – For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
NIV – At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Romans 7:5 KJV – For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
NIV – For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.
Paul’s letter to Colossae shares that we can shove them out of the way, those seven troubles that torment us. Shove them out of our lives and away from us. That may mean sacrifice. It may mean doing something you really were not expecting to have to do in life, whether personally, professionally, consciously, or unconsciously. All of us will go through this at some point.
Colossians 3:8 KJV – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
NIV – But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
An old phrase comes to mind when reading verses similar to these. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” People have their own ways of saying this, and it’s true, very true, in fact. The only bad thing is, even if all you do is think it, God knows you did just that. Remember, God knows us to the last hair on our heads. It’s why we have to learn not to fly off the handle angrily, because all that does is hurt us in the long run. We see that in these words from David.
Psalm 37:8 KJV – Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
NIV – Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Jesus reinforces the thought of His ancestor, the first King of the Jews, David.
Mark 7:22 KJV – Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
NIV – adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
The Apostle Peter also points out similar thoughts.
1 Peter 2:1 KJV – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
NIV –Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
We’ll end the lesson for now with the words from James the Just.
James 3:4-6 KJV – Behold also the ships, which though they be so great,
and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small
helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little
member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among
our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of
nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
NIV – Or take ships as an
example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are
steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise,
the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider
what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The
tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts
the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set
on fire by hell.
James points something out that is very important. Sure,
the big things might be important, but it’s those tiny details that are even
more so. The reason is simple: those tiny details take care of holding
everything else together. Love One Another might just be three little words,
but there’s a whole lot to be found in between those words, through those
fourteen letters. That’s something we have to work to understand, to enhance
our faith and belief in God through Jesus Christ our Savior and the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 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 Little Faith ~ Riley Clemmons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i3VgYYRfTE
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist 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 © 2022 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.
