Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon, which is normally broadcast every Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love, sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ 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.
- Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog has asked that we pray for her mother’s health. She also asks for prayers for her brother’s attitude and also for Rabbi Karen’s stress levels.
- We continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has been for far too long. We pray that his medical needs are fully met, and he has all that he requires for comfort and peace. We pray that his new pet helps him, and that he helps this new pet’s understanding of Cal himself.
- We pray for my sister-in-law Fran who has developed a mass that is being checked as to what it is, whether cancer or something else.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers that they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately. Her wrist is still bothering her, and it is still healing for the next three weeks or so.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna and my friend Kelly, our friend Alexis, and also JB’s sister Debbie.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather, and other dangerous conditions, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Sister Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Duke Moenga, and others in Kissee, Nairobi, and other places in Kenya, Pakistan, and India.
- We pray also for our American outreach ministries, including Rev. Lisa Tyler on the other side of Georgia from where I am and Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog with her ministry, Way Maker Messianic Jewish and Christian Center – USA as well.
* Happy birthday to my niece Kimberly today.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are so blessed to be gathered here worshiping you on this beautiful Sunday. We have so many things to be thankful for. We are thankful that You watch over us through the Holy Spirit and our Savior Jesus. We are thankful for answers to our personal mysteries when it comes to our health, like JB and EB, Fran, and so many others. We are thankful for Your guidance in all situations, like those of Alexis and others we know. We are blessed by Your presence while all who are injured or sick over the past few weeks like Evangelist Cal Jennings, Mama, and my niece Autumn. We bring each of these people and their situations up to You in prayer. We add to this with Rabbi Karen Hertzog and all of our outreach ministers, that their work to bring more people to You be fully and truly blessed. We ask this through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: The Old Rugged Cross ~ sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings
Sermon: Today we continue with Paul’s first letter to Corinth. This segment of Scripture is titled “A Church Divided”, and is a subject that still, to this very day, comes up in churches, ministries, all over the world. We end up seeing some of it in the news and that’s not a good thing. With that, let’s begin where we left off.
1 Corinthians 1:7-8 KJV – So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul is speaking to the leadership of the church at Corinth regarding the gift of ministry. This is an extension of the Great Commission as he heard from Jesus and as shared in the gospel of Matthew. The gift of Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is a gift that Jesus left behind here on earth so that we have a direct line to God’s ear through His Spirit. That is just one of the many gifts that Jesus delivers to us even to this very day. We see the point of view Jesus had through three of the gospels here.
Matthew 24:30 KJV – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
NIV – “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27 KJV – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
NIV – At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
John 10:28-29 KJV – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
NIV – I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Paul adds to these views of the Word as spoken by Jesus with the writing of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 1:11 KJV – Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
NIV – “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Paul adds references from his letters to Rome and Philippi.
Romans 8:19 KJV – For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
NIV – For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Philippians 3:20-21 KJV – For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 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 – But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.
Paul adds information from the Hebrew prophets, and John the Beloved’s first letter to Ephesus.
Hebrews 9:28 KJV – So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
NIV – so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
NIV –Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
1 John 2:28 KJV –And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
NIV –And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:2 KJV –Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
NIV –Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:20-21 KJV –For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
NIV – If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Now we’re going to reference my favorite segment of the gospel of John with this next line of Paul’s first letter to Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV – God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
NIV – God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
This references the Vine and Branches in the fifteenth chapter of the gospel of John the Beloved. This specific parable tells us how we are each connected to one another, and also to Jesus, thus being constantly connected to God as well. It’s very important for us to remember that we are all supposed to be the children of God, adopted through the sacrifice Jesus made for us. So here we learn this. I suggest you read the entire parable on your free time and then come back and look at what Paul shares in this segment of the first chapter of the first letter to Corinth that he wrote.
John 15:4-5 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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
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. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:16 KJV – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
NIV – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Paul adds references to his letter to Rome and also reference to his fellow Apostle, Peter here as well.
Romans 8:28-30 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. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
NIV – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 11:29 KJV – For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
NIV –for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
2 Peter 1:3 KJV –According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
NIV – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
The single most important thing for all clergy, all church leadership, from pastors to teachers and back again.
1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV – Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
NIV – I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Remember, we have to be careful when we mete out judgment. If you judge on a whim, or out of anger, then you’ll just be hurting yourself. You have to teach, preach, and judge, keeping to the letter of the Word, not including stuff that can incorrectly influence us, thus making us stray from the path of Jesus. Unity is important, and this is what King David portrays here in this Old Testament reference.
Psalm 133:1 KJV – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
NIV – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
There is a direct quote to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew that links us directly to this idea, “A House Divided Cannot Stand”. It’s important that we have unity in our thought processes when it comes to ministering through the Word as Jesus taught. This is what Jesus says in reference to unity.
Matthew 12:25 KJV – And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
NIV – Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Jesus doesn’t share this just once. In fact, he shares it two other times here.
Matthew 18:19-20 KJV – Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
NIV – “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
John 17:21-23 KJV – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
NIV – that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Paul adds to this with reference to three of his fellow Apostles, James, Peter, and John the Beloved.
James 3:17-18 KJV – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
NIV – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
1 Peter 3:8 KJV –Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
NIV –Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
1 John 4:7 KJV –Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
NIV – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Arguments occur all the time. Church is not one of the locations that should ever have arguments unless they relate to heresy or blasphemy, then your entire church has issues.
1 Corinthians 1:11 KJV – For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
NIV – My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
Paul references the writings of King Solomon with this.
Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
NIV – There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Proverbs 13:10 KJV – Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
NIV – Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 15:18 KJV – A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
NIV – A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 17:14 KJV – The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
NIV – Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 28:25 KJV – He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
NIV – The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
Paul continues with his references to the Word as Jesus spoke. In this case, we are discussing the most famous of Jesus’s words, known to many as the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:9 KJV – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
NIV – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Paul then adds this as the naming of the Apostle Peter, from his original name, to one chosen by Jesus. This is a tradition that started with God and Abram, when God changed his name to Abraham.
John 1:42 KJV – And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
NIV – And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
Paul’s final reference for this verse is one shared by the younger biological brother of Jesus, known as James the Just.
James 3:16 KJV – For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NIV – For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Our final verse for the first chapter of the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth is this.
1 Corinthians 1:12 KJV – Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
NIV – What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Now, Paul is reprimanding the leadership of the church there in Corinth. He’s correcting their attribution of whose church they are part of. It isn’t Peter’s church. It isn’t Paul’s. Church doesn’t belong to any one specific person here on this earth. Church, Synagogue, Temple, all are subject to Jesus Christ who is our envoy from God, period. This is what Jesus said to the Apostles in this regard as shared in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 23:8-10 KJV – But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
NIV – “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
This is why we are Pastors, Preachers, Reverends, Priests, Apostles, Deacons, Evangelists, Sisters, or Brothers whenever we are part of a church. Now, Paul only adds two other excerpts from Scripture in this regard. He speaks of the writing done by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 18:24-28 KJV – And
a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in
the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the
spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the
baptism of John.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla
had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly.
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the
disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had
believed through grace:
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the
scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
NIV – Meanwhile
a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned
man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been
instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught
about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He
began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him,
they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more
adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers
and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.
When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he
vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
Acts 19:1 KJV – And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
NIV – While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
Everyone has a position in the church that Jesus built. Whether it is preacher, teacher, pastor, reverend, apostle, evangelist, brother, or sister, each of us has something important to contribute to the ministry of Jesus Christ here on this earth. We just have to work on our discernment to figure out exactly what that might be. It is important to remember the reason for our being here. His name is Jesus Christ, who comes from the great Jehovah God our Heavenly Father. It is through the life death, and eternal legacy of Jesus Christ that we are here today. Now, let’s show each other how 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.
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: Just As I Am ~ Sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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 © 2025 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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