https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYzg80ZhSqI
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 and sharing 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 has been in his own apartment for a couple months now and enjoying it immensely. Let’s pray that his health keeps continuing in a good lane as it has been of late.
- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has been in rehabilitation after having her benign brain tumor removed.
- Please keep praying for my father-in-law Raymond Neff, who still has some major issues with his health that are putting him in and out of the hospital far too often.
- Please pray for my son-in-law Douglas who had emergency surgery last week and is recovering nicely.
- Please pray for my friend Jeff’s former colleague Mike, who passed away early yesterday morning after a heart attack last week, for his family, friends, and colleagues.
- 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.
Several who are having money issues.
One who is continually suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.
One cousin who is having a great many issues in their family, including two suffering cancer, other family issues especially difficult include several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.
- Pray for those who have lost their homes in the wildfires around this world, including the state of Hawaii.
- Pray for those who have suffered from violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches and that those who have lost their loved ones to violence find peace in the face of fear.
- Pray for comfort and solace to be shared with those who have said farewell to a loved one this week, known or unknown.
- 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.
- Pray for family, friends, colleagues, and fans of musician Sir Tom Jones, who died yesterday at the age of 95.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today on this beautiful Sunday is to have the Holy Spirit bring each of us the gifts of spiritual strength, joy and peace to our hearts, faith to our minds, and healing to our bodies, and souls this week and always. We pray for family and friends who have serious medical issues in our families, colleagues, and friends. We pray for everyone who has had many other aggravating or untimely issues that have been causing upheaval, sorrow, fear, and more around this world. We pray for those who have suffered unjustly for things they could not control. We pray for those who have lost faith and live in paralyzing fear and sorrow. We pray for the homeless and the jobless in this world. We pray for the hungry and the malnourished. We pray for the poor, weak, and sorrowful people in this world. We pray in thanksgiving for all the great gifts that You have given us, even if we don’t always realize they are there. We pray in hope and patience for those things that are worrying us in our hearts and minds. 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: Kenny Rogers ~ Will the Circle Be Unbroken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cfIIfaw92A
Sermon: Today we are beginning the eighth chapter in the scroll of Romans. Paul is continuing his letter to the church at Rome. He, in this chapter, references some of the most powerful verses throughout Scripture, both in the poetic and prophetic Old Testament and throughout the gospels and the prophetic New Testament as well. Let’s begin here.
Romans 8:1 KJV – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
NIV – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Paul reflects first on the prophetic words of the prophet Ezekiel. Now, here are several adjectives that should jump out at you in this single verse. Deal truly, being just, surely, I’ll tell you why in a moment.
Ezekiel 18:9 KJV – Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
NIV – He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Paul pushes forward with a reference to the Word as shared through our Savior Jesus. It brings forward what Ezekiel shared. Truth and Justice Are Surely Living!
John 14:20 KJV – At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
NIV – On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
The gospel as shared by John the Beloved shows this fact several times through the Word as spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ, including this one.
John 15:4 KJV – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
NIV – Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
In all of Paul’s writings for the various churches through Greece, Italy, and the churches scattered through Asia Minor we find more and more references to the impact of what Jesus taught as it continues even to this day to influence the world.
Galatians 5:16 KJV – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
NIV – So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25 KJV – If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
NIV – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Titus 2:11-14 KJV – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
NIV – For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Now, so many people get confused about the difference between the Law of the Prophets and the Spirit of Faith. The Law is, as it always was, to love one another unconditionally. Jesus epitomizes this in every sentence He ever spoke as recorded in the gospels. He portrays love as it should be seen by one and all. Love is eternal and infinite, it is physical, mental, spiritual, conscious, unconscious, subconscious and superconscious all at once. This is what makes it “Unconditional Love”, a purely divine form of love. Paul portrays this in the destruction of the chains that hold mankind down to this earth. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior completely destroys those chains in such a way that we have the opportunity to never be held back in faith and in truth as a result. Paul portrays it this way.
Romans 8:2 KJV – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
NIV – because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Jesus shares this in the Words that He spoke to the woman at the well as portrayed by John the Beloved in his gospel.
John 4:10 KJV – Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
NIV – Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:14 KJV – But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
NIV – but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 6:63 KJV – It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
NIV – The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
John 8:36 KJV – If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
NIV – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Freedom, that’s something people dream of in places around this world. There are varying degrees of freedom, depending on what people view to be the same. In the case of our Savior Jesus Christ this freedom is spiritual in every respect. This amount of freedom is something Paul reflects upon quite often. We see it in just about every chapter of Romans as we have noticed thus far. Paul points out that the Law of Moses could not cover bases quite like the love of our Savior manages. He points this out here.
Romans 8:3 KJV – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
NIV – For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
The flesh is weak, it is powerless to avoid all that is sinning, and sinful, in this world we live in. This is something that we see in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are several that Paul references Moses, the gospel writer Mark, our Savior Jesus Christ, John the Beloved, his second letter to the church at Corinth, his letters to Galatia and Philippi as well as the Hebrew prophets.
Numbers 28:22 KJV – And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.
NIV – Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.
Mark 15:27-28 KJV – And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
NIV – They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with the lawless ones.”
John 3:14-17 KJV – And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
NIV – Just as Moses
lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted
up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
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. For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 9:24 KJV – Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
NIV – A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV –For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
NIV –God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 4:4-5 KJV – But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
NIV – But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Philippians 2:7 KJV – But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
NIV – rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Hebrews 2:14 KJV – Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
NIV – Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
When God created the Law of Moses, writing them with His holy hand on those stones, He knew that His people would not be able to connect them to two words that encompass everything God went through to ensure that humanity continued on even after all the terrible things humanity had managed up to that point. Righteousness is the ability to connect faith in God through Jesus with the Holy Spirit together with pure unconditional love in every possible way while leaving the seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt back in the dirt sin creates, where they belong.
Romans 8:4 KJV – That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
NIV – in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Paul connects this verse with the words of the gospel writer Luke, along with his second letter to the church at Corinth as well as the church at Galatia including the most treasured parts of the Spirit.
Luke 1:6 KJV – And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
NIV – Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV –Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
NIV –So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Galatians 5:16 KJV – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
NIV – So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22-26 KJV – But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one
another.
NIV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Ephesians 5:26-27 KJV – That he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
NIV – to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Colossians 1:22 KJV – In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
NIV – But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Like all the Apostles and the human brothers of Jesus, Paul points out that the flesh is an earthly condition that we can put behind us and live truly spiritual lives for our Savior Jesus Christ to shine through us as we walk through life with Him at our side. We see this in these next words.
Romans 8:5 KJV – For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
NIV – Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
One of the most significant directives Jesus managed was one that most likely shocked every Apostle and Disciple He had here on this earth at the time. It was a direct rebuke, and Peter, the “rock” upon which Jesus built the church, felt it worse than a one-two punch to the jaw.
Mark 8:33 KJV – But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
NIV – But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Paul adds a reference to how Jesus pointed out the distinct difference between earthly and spiritual. He does this through the gospel of John the Beloved. With this reference is another one from Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth.
John 3:6 KJV – That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
NIV – Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV –But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
NIV –The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:48 KJV –As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
NIV –As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.
Another word that we hear a lot through scripture is carnal. Paul pulls this word out here in his next words. In this point of view we are seeing him referencing the trouble known as “lust”.
Romans 8:6 KJV – For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
NIV – The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Again we see Paul reference the gospel of John the Beloved.
John 14:6 KJV – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
NIV – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:27 KJV – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NIV – 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.
His final reference for today is from the letter written to the church at Galatia.
Galatians 6:8 KJV – For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
NIV – Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Paul points out a great many things in his letters to the churches all over creation. He wants to emphasize that we need to be active in living in the Spirit in as many ways as possible, thus portraying the “fruits of the Spirit” in ways that Jesus wants us to manage. If you find it within you to give your heart to Jesus today, please feel free to leave a message in the comments. 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: Chris Rice ~ Rock of Ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuYhZS7zlhM
~ 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 © 2023 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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