Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live 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.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube
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.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings and his dog Scrappy are thankful for your prayers.
- Pray for my daughter and son-in-law’s family members as they work through some serious family issues.
- Pray for my friend Janice who has been diagnosed with COVID 19 two weeks ago now. She is still suffering with a low-grade fever and the exhaustion. Let’s hope that she recovers soon.
- Pray for Janice’s mother who has also been sick and is still having issues after a stroke last year.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is going through a lot of emotions and more as a result.
- Pray for my employer and his wife who were not feeling all that well on Friday.
- Pray for another high school classmate of mine who just had surgery Friday, Carl, let’s pray that he heals well and gets back to his normal self.
- Continue to keep my Aunt Donna in your prayers. She is hanging on even with the cancer treatments.
- Welcome to the world my daughter-in-law’s new niece, born this past Friday.
- Pray for a friend who has had a lot of issues to deal with in their life and is working hard to straighten them out. A lot of questions in regard to their health and more have plagued this person for quite a while. They have said they appreciate our prayers.
- Pray for those who were killed in accidents and violent criminal actions this past week, and for the families who hare saying good-bye.
- Be thankful for each day as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Holy Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those
who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and
hope.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.
- Pray for peace
on earth and good will to men as Scripture shares as
Christians everywhere are
celebrating the season of Lent.
* Happy Birthday to my daughter’s sister-in-law, Shannon, who has her birthday on the 12th.
* Happy Birthday greetings on the 14th for my youngest son Lukas, and my daughter-in-law Victoria.
* My birthday is this upcoming Friday, the 15th.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many we bring to You for healing and comfort through their trials and tribulations. We pray for my friends Kelly, Ed, Joy, Carl, and Janice and her mother. We continue to pray for Cal and Scrappy as well. We pray for those who have lost their lives to war and violence. We pray for those who have been brought to harm around this world last week. We add to that those who have been falsely imprisoned and all who are being punished unjustly. We add to this with those who are fighting through their health conditions far and wide. We pray that they each hear Your voice and feel Your warm and loving presence in their lives. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
(Please think about this as though you are sitting in church with a hymnal in hand. Next week I hope to be able to bring the music into the live sermon properly.)
Opening Song: Peace Like a River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FFj_Xqimg
Sermon: Today we are completing the twelfth chapter of Romans. To say that there is a lot to cover in these final six verses is a serious understatement. Paul puts it all out there in these last verses of this chapter. In this he is echoing quite a lot of the lessons Jesus taught through His ministry on this earth. These six verses outline some of the toughest lessons we will ever need to learn. Let’s start where we left off last Sunday.
Romans 12:16 KJV –Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
NIV –Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
God wants us to think about each other the way He thinks about each of us. Remember, God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent together. What do these words mean? What does it mean for us as Christians? Remember, Jesus is with God and God is with Jesus and the Spirit is with both as well. God is everywhere and in everything and everyone. God knows everything there is in this world, seen, unseen, heard, spoken, and even knows all that is seemingly silent. God is above and beyond all that is earthly. These three together are no easy feat. We, all of us, suffer from just being human. It’s not easy to ignore the seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, or doubt. We hear it in these supporting verses from the Old Testament.
Psalm 131:1 KJV – Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
NIV – My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
Proverbs 3:7 KJV – Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
NIV – Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Proverbs 26:5 KJV – Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
NIV – Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Isaiah 5:21 KJV – Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NIV – Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Jeremiah 45:5 KJV – And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
NIV – Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’”
We have to include the words of Jesus Christ our Savior. His thoughts and instruction are powerful just like we were sitting there listening to Him beside the Apostles and Disciples surrounding him at the time.
Matthew
18:1-4 KJV – At the same time
came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
NIV – At that time the disciples came to
Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I
tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
One thing we have to be careful about includes all seven troubles in one action. That action is vengeance. Revenge is a bitter and evil consideration for us as humans, and yet, we see it everywhere in this world. It is easily broadcast on television, in movies, news broadcasts, books, magazines, and more. It’s not easy to avoid it when it is literally everywhere. Some would even say that the Bible has its share of all of these things. What are lessons if they aren’t repeated until we learn not to do things that fit the seven troubles? This is what Paul is cautioning us about here.
Romans 12:17 KJV – Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
NIV – Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
This is NOT easy. But then, the toughest lessons learned are those that transform our lives. This is something that God wants to see. He wants us to be transformed through the Word. He wants us to see that the Word as written is only part of the equation. We have to apply His Word in the things we do every day. How can we do this? It’s not easy in a world filled with seven troubles we’ve experienced too often in this world. Here are some examples of this.
Genesis 42:25 KJV – Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
NIV – Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them,
1 Samuel 26:11 KJV –The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
NIV –But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”
Proverbs 20:22 KJV – Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
NIV – Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Proverbs 24:29 KJV – Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
NIV – Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
Now Jesus had a moment in the temple with a man who held a lot of anger and angst against his brother. Because of this, Jesus shared this with him.
Matthew 5:24 KJV – Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
NIV – leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Honesty, humility, they are not easily maintained as a result of the troubles we know as vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. God knows this, but He forgives because Jesus suffered and died, taking all of our sins and destroying the chains that held them around us. He proved this by resurrecting Himself on the third day and ascending into heaven before the astonished eyes of His apostles and disciples nearly two millennia ago now. Paul adds to this with one verse from his second letter to the church at Corinth here.
2 Corinthians 8:21 KJV –Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
NIV –For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
Peace, remember the gift of peace as shared by Jesus. He said “Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I GIVE YOU, not as the world gives…” (John 14:27)
This is the sentiment Paul is sharing next. Peace isn’t easy. It isn’t because, in order for any of us to feel at peace, we have to give it to those who surround us. That’s not a simple thing because, in this world today, oftentimes we have no idea who our neighbors are. We are so absorbed by technology, the glamor we often forget to literally, and figuratively, look around us, smell the flowers, enjoy the rain falling outside the window, the sunshine, moonlight, rainbows, or any of that. Being peacemakers is something that Jesus wants us to be. This is what Paul shares next.
Romans 12:18 KJV – If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
NIV – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Yes, it’s a challenge. Paul wants us to feel challenged. It means we’re human. It means we’re alive and it exercises our minds, our hearts, our emotions, spirits, and souls all at once. These things should be part of our everyday life. It’s no easy thing to avoid evil and wickedness. It’s not easy to project peace, faith, hope, and love, either. We see this challenge made again and again through Scripture. Here are some examples.
Psalm 34:14 KJV – Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
NIV – Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Proverbs 3:30 KJV – Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
NIV – Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.
2 Samuel 20:19 KJV –I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?
NIV –We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”
Jesus had this to say regarding preventing boredom and adding spice to our daily lives.
Mark 9:50 KJV – Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
NIV – “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
There’s another phrase we often use incorrectly. The phrase is “Vengeance is mine.” Paul cautions us that this mindset is not ours to utilize, but for God alone. This is how Paul shares it.
Romans 12:19 KJV – Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
NIV – Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Paul has five, out of many other verses, that influenced his writing in this letter to the church at Rome. They range through the Torah, the historical and the poetic books of the Old Testament scrolls.
Leviticus 19:18 KJV – Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
NIV – “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:35 KJV – To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
NIV – It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”
1 Samuel 26:10-11 KJV –David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
NIV –As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”
Psalm 94:1 KJV – O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
NIV – The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
Proverbs 24:29 KJV – Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
NIV – Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
One thing that Paul reiterates has to do with enemies. It’s something Jesus spoke of with the Apostles and Disciples. This is how Paul portrays that same thought.
Romans 12:20 KJV – Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
NIV – On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Other portrayals of this include Joseph, the son of Jacob, after his brothers came looking for sustenance and supplies of all forms due to the famine that was afflicting the area. We see this in the historical and poetic scrolls as well.
Genesis 42:25 KJV – Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
NIV – Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them,
2 Kings 6:22 KJV –And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
NIV – “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
Proverbs 25:21 KJV – If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
NIV – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Adding to this, Paul reflects on the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5. Here is what Jesus shared on that day as seen in both Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 5:44 KJV – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
NIV – But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Luke 6:27 KJV – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
NIV – “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Good can defeat evil. How do we know this? Look at the fact that Jesus overcame temptation on the mountain as He spent time with Satan. Look at the fact that Jesus pointed out, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”
Here is what Paul shares in that regard.
Romans 12:21 KJV – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
NIV – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul wants us to celebrate the best part of what is good and true about ourselves. He wants us to reflect and remember the miracle of the resurrection and ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He wants us to understand just how much it means to those who believe as we continue to celebrate Lent until the end of March 2024. Pray, and profess your faith, share it with those around you, and you will have the peace that Jesus promised filling you to overflowing and causing you to share it with everyone around you. Here are some virtues included in sharing your peace with others.
Proverbs 16:32 KJV – He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
NIV – Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Jesus had this to say in regard to peace. It is a challenge for everyone in this world to understand His words even to this moment in time.
Luke 6:28-30 KJV – Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
NIV – bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Paul references his fellow Apostle, Peter, with this last verse today.
1 Peter 3:9 KJV –Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
NIV –Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Evil, wickedness, we see those everywhere around this world. Whether it is wars and the crimes that occur within them, murders, and all the rest, it’s on display everywhere. It’s unfortunate that good doesn’t sell like evil and wickedness would. That’s where we have our challenge, as true Christians. Even if it is only one small action, we each can do something to transform the world around us with faith, hope, and unconditional love. Believe in His Word and your life will be forever changed from this moment forward. Faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. 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: Jesus Paid It All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_b83T2Subg
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin
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 © 2024 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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