https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAHBd2vV-vo
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: Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube & Twitch & TruthSocial & Instagram & Reddit & Bluesky
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.
- One of our outreach ministers, Pastor Amir Aneel, went through emergency surgery this past week and it was very dire. The moment I learned I started praying and didn’t stop until I heard from his colleague late on Friday. His recovery is ongoing, and I’ll keep you updated. Please pray that his wound heals and his health returns, in full.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals. Currently JB is very ill with a fever, chills, and more. She is covering the entire office for us since I am on vacation this week, so pray that she can manage it.
- We pray for my sister Emilie who has been very, very sick, and they currently don’t know what is truly going on. Her blood pressure and pain levels are off the scale. Pray they find answers sooner rather than later.
- 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 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 are praising God for getting my Mama through her recent injury and helping her cope with rehabilitating her wrist after the cast was removed.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including two survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna and my friend Kelly, Alexis, JB, and her sister Debbie too.
- 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.
* My nephew Auggie turns 18 on the 24th.
Note: I have been banned from Facebook and have chosen to leave entirely. Our ministry page and my personal page are no longer accessible. This is due to the fact that my page was hacked twice in two weeks or less and they didn’t choose to believe that my photos and my legal identification were one and the same. It is my hope that, even with me gone, others will be able to keep you updated there. From this point forward I will include the blog link in the description on our ministry videos and also have a couple of new links for you to try.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are blessed to be here together in Your presence once more. We are thankful for the good news with Pastor Amir Aneel’s successful surgery. We are thankful for the good news with JB’s sister Debbie’s successful surgery as well. We are thankful for those who have survived terrible illnesses and diseases, including Kelly, Debbie, JB, Alexis, and Pastor Amir Aneel. We are thankfully blessed with the strength of spirit in our evangelist Cal Jennings and all his health issues where he continues to contribute to our ministry. We are thankful that You open doors for us when others end up being shut firmly. We pray for hope, health, peace, and patience, food, shelter, and faith for our orphans, the poor, homeless, and so many more. We bring all this to You through Your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Holy Spirit Power ~ Evangelist Cal Jennings © 2025 https://suno.com/song/ed637dca-192f-4a37-a250-9bc83db32a44
Sermon: Today we are continuing chapter one of the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Now, last Sunday we went over six verses in this chapter. The last verse covered a quote Paul had included in his letter from the writings of Isaiah. So, this particular prophet is one that Paul references quite a lot. He doesn’t stop with those you have already heard. He adds to them, a lot, which is the reason we are only covering four verses from this chapter today. There is a whole lot for us to understand here and Paul, quite literally, references half of the Bible in these four verses. With that, let’s begin where we left off last week.
1 Corinthians 1:20 KJV –Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
NIV – Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Remember, Jesus said that we had to be prepared for false prophets that would do everything possible to destroy our path toward Him. It takes a wise person to realize they are being misled, and often that is sometimes halfway down the wrong path. This can, and often does, happen to everyone in this world, past, present, and future. Why? We’re human and we’ll fall in the traps of humanity. Paul points toward a man who thought he was truly following God but didn’t realize until it was nearly too late that he hadn’t been. Nor did he realize who it was that was leading him astray. You know something, we all fall for this. All of us. Here are the Old Testament references Paul points us toward.
Job 5:12-13 KJV – He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
NIV – He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
Proverbs 1:20-25 KJV – Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
NIV – Out in the open
wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;
on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her
speech:
“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers
delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known
to you my teachings.
But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I
stretch out my hand,
since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
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 21:30 KJV – There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
NIV – There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Isaiah 29:14 KJV – Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
NIV – Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
Isaiah 33:18 KJV – Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
NIV – In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror: “Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?”
Isaiah 44:25 KJV – That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
NIV – who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
Jeremiah 8:9 KJV – The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?
NIV – The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?
Paul continues with his references, this time to the gospels and the Word as spoken by Jesus.
Matthew 11:25 KJV – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
NIV – At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Luke 10:21 KJV – In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
NIV –At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
If those of you who have known me for a good while, you’ll understand why I say the word “FOOL” is as bad as a profane four-letter word. We don’t want to be labeled a “FOOL”. Paul gives us a reason for that in this next line from his first letter to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV –For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
NIV – For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Paul points toward two Old Testament references from the writing of King Solomon.
Proverbs 1:7 KJV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
NIV – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
NIV – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Paul then adds the words of gospel writers John the Beloved and Luke to his references.
John 12:37-43 KJV – But
though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
That
the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who
hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them.
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of
the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
NIV – Even
after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not
believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the
prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been
revealed?”
For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see
with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal
them.”
Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because
of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they
would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise
more than praise from God.
Acts 17:18-31 KJV – Then
certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him.
And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a
setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the
resurrection.
And
they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this
new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore
what these things mean.
(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in
nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I
perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this
inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him
declare I unto you.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing
he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of
the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of
their habitation;
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find
him, though he be not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own
poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent:
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
NIV –A group of Epicurean and Stoic
philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this
babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign
gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and
the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a
meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new
teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some
strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All
the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing
but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul then stood up in the
meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way
you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked
carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this
inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you
worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and
earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he
is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself
gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one
man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he
marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find
him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we
live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have
said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine
being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In
the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people
everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge
the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this
to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Paul, in this passage, points out that there are vast differences between how the Jews and Greeks view Scripture. Unfortunately, even Christians today would prove this to be a stumbling block in their faith and belief in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV –For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
NIV –Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
Now, this specific issue with humanity has been around for about as long as life itself has existed. It is the direct result of seven troubles. For memory purposes, those seven troubles are vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame and doubt. All of them have been seen throughout Scripture in multiple points of view. Here are just a few of them in the Old Testament.
Exodus 7:9-10 KJV – When
Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt
say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a
serpent.
And
Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had
commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants,
and it became a serpent.
NIV – “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a
miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before
Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron
threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a
snake.
Deuteronomy
13:1-2 KJV – If there arise among
you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying,
Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
NIV – If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,”
1 Kings 13:3-5 KJV –And he gave a sign the
same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord hath spoken; Behold, the
altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God,
which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from
the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against
him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to
the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.
NIV
–That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has
declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured
out.”
When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at
Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the
hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it
back. Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out
according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:8-11 KJV –And Hezekiah said unto
Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go
up into the house of the Lord the third day?
And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do
the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go
back ten degrees?
And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten
degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten
degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
NIV – Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be
the sign that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the
Lord on the third day from now?”
Isaiah answered, “This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he
has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten
steps?”
“It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps,” said Hezekiah.
“Rather, have it go back ten steps.”
Then the prophet Isaiah called on the Lord, and the Lord made the shadow go
back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.
Paul then references the words of our Savior Jesus Christ on this same subject. He does so with all four gospels, though John the Beloved doesn’t speak of His words, but His actions.
Matthew 12:38-39 KJV – Then
certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would
see a sign from thee.
But
he answered and said unto them, An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to
it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
NIV – Then some of the Pharisees and teachers
of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation
asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet
Jonah.
Matthew
16:1-4 KJV – The Pharisees also
with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a
sign from heaven.
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening,
ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and
lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not
discern the signs of the times?
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no
sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left
them, and departed.
NIV
– The Pharisees and
Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from
heaven.
He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will
be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be
stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the
appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A
wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it
except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus
then left them and went away.
Mark 8:11-12 KJV – And
the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign
from heaven, tempting him.
And
he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth
this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign
be given unto this generation.
NIV – The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”
Luke 11:29-30 KJV –And when the people were
gathered thick together, he began to say, This is
an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but
the sign of Jonas the prophet.
For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the
Son of man be to this generation.
NIV – As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.
John 2:18 KJV – Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
NIV – The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
John 6:30 KJV – They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
NIV – So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
Another thing people sometimes cannot grasp is the idea of resurrection. Crucifixion is something we know from history, including archaeological proof of the practice done by the Romans, who were amazing record keepers during their reign in this world. Yet, regardless of the records on the resurrection of Jesus from four main points of view, and more besides, this idea that Jesus stepped out of His tomb as an entire being, resurrected out of death and into eternal life still has people in this world say “not possible”. That’s the problem right there. EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD. That’s our stumbling block as Paul shares here.
1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV –But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
NIV – but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Paul goes back into the writings of the prophet Isaiah, who shared the promise of a Savior, the prophecy that a Savior would be born. This Savior would return us to the throne of God with the ultimate sacrifice. This is what is described in these two references.
Isaiah 8:14 KJV – And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
NIV – He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.
Isaiah 28:16 KJV – Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
NIV – So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
Paul references the Word of Jesus as shared through the writing of Matthew, Luke and John the Beloved as well.
Matthew 11:6 KJV – And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
NIV – Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Luke 2:34 KJV – And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
NIV – Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
John 6:60-66 KJV – Many
therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard
saying; who can hear it?
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto
them, Doth this offend you?
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man
can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
NIV – On hearing it, many of his disciples
said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you
see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit
gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they
are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some
of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which
of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to
say, “This is why I told you that no one can come
to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
John 12:37-41 KJV – But
though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord,
who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been
revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them.
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
NIV – Even
after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not
believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the
prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our
message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
“He has blinded their eyes and
hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand
with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.”
Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
Acts 13:41 KJV – Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
NIV – “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”
Acts 17:32 KJV – And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
NIV – When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
We need to remember that there are stumbling blocks everywhere in this world because they are “of this world” and not “of God”. It is the reason Jesus allowed Himself to be born a helpless baby here on this earth, so He Himself could experience everything that evil, wickedness, and the sin from which they stem had wrought upon this earth and the people living here. His sacrifice of His humanity was so that our spirits and souls could be restored to that which should always have been. 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: The Shepherd’s Lantern ~ Evangelist Cal Jennings © 2025 https://suno.com/song/0ebfc948-8f27-4db9-b2fe-3de5fa133c3a
~ 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 © 2025 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Music Melody and Lyrics composed by Evangelist Cal Jennings The Shepherd’s Lantern and Holy Spirit Power Copyright © 2025
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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