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
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 pray for JB’s sister Debbie, who is undergoing proton treatment for cancer at this time.
- We are thankful to know that my family member Fran got through her surgery successfully and her margins are clear.
- 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 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. Thankfully she had a relatively good vacation with me two weeks ago now and had a safe trip home.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, JB’s sister Debbie, our friend Alexis, my Aunt Donna, and my friend Kelly.
- 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.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your many great blessings and gifts given to us out of Your Unconditional Love. We thank You for this beautiful Sunday shared with all those around us. We pray for friends and family including Debbie, JB, EB, Fran, Alexis, Cal, and my Mama. We pray for colleagues and those they serve like our Outreach Ministers, Rev. Lisa, Rabbi Karen, Pastor Stephen, Pastor Simon Peter, Pastor Amir, Sister Santhi, Pastor Duke, and all the others around this world. We pray for our leaders far and wide that they make wise decisions with their people in mind. We pray for Your Peace and Your Hope and Your Unconditional Love for all who need them. We do this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, through the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Here I Am, Lord – A Capella by Rev. Laura
Sermon: We’re gonna make some people mad with this sermon, but what’s gotta be done, has gotta be done. Today we are beginning Chapter 3 in 1st Corinthians. Paul is telling everyone in the church there at Corinth that they should NOT be calling him, Apollos, or any other leaders Rabbi. Now, let’s get started to find out why.
1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV –And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
NIV – Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.
This church is newly founded through Jesus Christ, the one there at Corinth, so they could not possibly know enough to understand Jesus Christ or the intent that God has. This is why Paul is being so very cautious with them, pointing toward the proper pathway. He has a great many references to draw from. Five are from the Old Testament. There are specific roles in every Christian church society, and these are those roles.
- Christians—this is the one universal role we each play in Jesus’ church
- Men/women—some instructions in Scripture are gender-specific
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Teachers
- Others having supernatural gifts from GOD, such as miracle-workers, healers, speaking in tongues (other known languages), interpreting tongues
- Helpers
- Administrators
- Others having “natural” gifts from GOD, such as servants, encouragers, givers, leaders, those who excel at extending mercy
10. Evangelists
11. Pastors
12. Overseers
13. Elders
14. Deacons
Now we’ll get into Paul’s supporting verses for this first verse to the people at Corinth.
Psalm 131:2 KJV – Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
NIV – But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV – Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
NIV – “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there.”
Jeremiah 4:22 KJV – For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
NIV – “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
Ezekiel 16:46-47 KJV – And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
NIV – Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom. You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.
Hosea 4:6 KJV – My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
NIV – my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
Paul only includes three New Testament reference from the Hebrew Prophets, James the Just and his fellow Apostle, Peter.
Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
NIV – In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
James 3:13 KJV – Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
NIV –Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
1 Peter 2:2 KJV –As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
NIV –Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Paul continues his cautious nature with his letter here.
1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV –I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
NIV – I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
Learning about Jesus, and God, especially as newly formed Christians, it takes time to learn and understand Scripture and the things that Paul and the other Apostles knew. Again, Paul draws inspiration from the Old Testament Poetic and Prophetic Scrolls of Proverbs, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
Proverbs 9:1-6 KJV – Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
NIV
– Wisdom
has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She
has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let
all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come,
eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you
will live; walk in the way of insight.”
Isaiah 55:1-3 KJV – Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
NIV – “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Jeremiah 1:6-7 KJV – Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
NIV – “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
It is important for us as ministers of God and Jesus to pay attention to how They taught and teach each of us in continuity and eternally. We see this in the Gospel notes that Paul shares through Matthew and John the Beloved.
Matthew 13:10-13 KJV – And the disciples
came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given
unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not
given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he
hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and
hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
NIV – The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do
you speak to the people in parables?”
He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets
of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever
has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I
speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing,
they do not hear or understand.
John 16:12 KJV – I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
NIV – “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
Paul includes one from the Hebrew Prophets and from John the Beloved’s first letter to the church at Ephesus.
Hebrews 6:1 KJV – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
NIV –Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
1 John 2:12-14 KJV – I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
NIV –I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Paul utilizes a word that has often noted sin and sinfulness, carnal, here in this next verse.
1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV –For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
NIV – You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
Paul only includes one Old Testament reference from the poetic scroll written by King Solomon.
Proverbs 14:30 KJV – A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
NIV – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Paul adds this single gospel reference from the gospel written by Matthew where Jesus is speaking.
Matthew 5:22 KJV – But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
NIV – But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Paul adds three references from other Apostles and the younger brother of Jesus, James the Just.
James 3:14-16 KJV – But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NIV –But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
1 Peter 2:1 KJV –Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
NIV –Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 John 2:16 KJV –For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
NIV –For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
It is important, especially to Paul, that people understood we are to follow God through Jesus, not through the person sitting or standing in front of them sharing the Word as it should be shared. Yes, this includes me. Follow Jesus, because He is the way, the light, and the life. Here is what Paul says next.
1 Corinthians 3:4 KJV –For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
NIV – For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
We’re HUMAN. Regardless of the fact that we are followers of Jesus Christ and listeners of God’s Word, we are still HUMAN. This is why Paul shares this reference Jesus has shared warning people like me to not be considered Rabbi.
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.
Paul references two other letters written, to Rome and to Philippi.
Romans 12:3-5 KJV – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
NIV – For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 16:17 KJV – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
NIV – I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Philippians 1:15-17 KJV – Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
NIV – It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
Philippians 2:2-3 KJV – Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
NIV – then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
His final reference for this verse is from the younger human brother of Jesus, James the Just.
James 3:14-16 KJV – But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NIV –But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Now comes the reason I am known as Reverend Laura, a Minister of Jesus and God. Paul describes himself here.
1 Corinthians 3:5 KJV –Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
NIV – What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
Paul includes only three New Testament references, two from John the Beloved and the Word of Jesus Christ. He adds two references from the Acts of the Apostles written by the gospel writer Luke.
John 4:36-38 KJV – And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
NIV – Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
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.
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
Our final verse from this first letter and the third chapter of Paul’s letter to Corinth is this one.
1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV –I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
NIV – I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
Spiritual growth is very important in our faith, and this is what Paul is teaching in the letter here. He wants the people within the church at Corinth to understand that it takes time and practice and paying close attention to find and discern knowledge of truth and then put it into practice before wisdom can grow. He has two Old Testament references for this.
Psalm 127:1 KJV – Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
NIV
– Unless
the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Isaiah 55:10-11 KJV – For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
NIV – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Paul adds advice from all four gospel writers, with only one not having the Word as shared by Jesus.
Matthew 13:3-9 KJV – And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
NIV – Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Mark 4:26-29 KJV – And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
NIV – He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
John 15:5 KJV – 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 – “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.
Acts 18:4-11 KJV – And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
NIV – Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Paul proves that we have a whole lot to still learn from Jesus Christ and from God as well, this holds true, no matter how well we believe we might know Scripture. 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: Jesus Loves Me ~ A Capella by Rev. Laura
~ 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
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