https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHNjuuIYNnY
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 add prayers for my middle son’s manager, who has been in hospital after a stroke, currently undergoing rehabilitation as he has been for three weeks. He is known by all his colleagues as JB.
- 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 JMB and ECB 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.
- 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 pray for my Mama who is here in town on vacation. We pray that her trip back will be far less eventful and stressful than her last return from vacation.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including four survivors of the disease, JMB, her sister Debbie, 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, flash floods, and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We pray for those who have died in the various plane and helicopter crashes in the past month or so, including the one in India on Friday.
- 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 bringing us together on this beautiful Father’s Day. We thank You for the gifts You have given each of us, whether in person or in memory of our fathers, today. We thank You for bringing hope, faith, peace, and unconditional love to any and all willing to share the same with those around them. We thank You for saving the lives of friends and loved ones who have suffered from deadly diseases like cancer. We pray for Your help and guidance with those who suffer from deadly health conditions including cancer, epilepsy, and so many more. We pray for Your help and guidance in caring for the orphans and homeless worldwide. We pray all this in Your holy name, through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Poem: Today, in place of music, I would bring you two separate poems written in the midst of two very difficult times of my life, yet they relate easily with the sentiment of Father’s Day and our Heavenly Father’s existence and influence in our lives.
A Father’s Reminiscing ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff © 2009
In the days of remembering when,
We would often stop to reminisce;
Some for what could have been,
Others for what they would miss.
I read all the stories of angry men,
On the news retaliation’s heard;
I wonder if any would recall when,
Love and admiration occurred.
Fatherhood changed in a blink,
Since the days where I was young;
As a girl washing in the sink,
I knew what it was to hold my tongue.
A father’s love was shown in actions,
Hugs and smiles and so much more;
And when the world’s distractions,
Took some away we kept score.
And heroes were born but ignored,
Some of them soon to be fathers true;
Perhaps if you came on aboard,
One of those would have been you.
Fatherhood isn’t something taught,
In the way you’d learn to spell;
A father’s love can’t be bought,
Or a gift found at a wishing well.
A child’s love is given pure,
To those who care the most;
And
fathers all, I’m sure,
Each wants to own that post.
So, to the fathers in our lives,
As they live each day long;
May we learn what thrives,
In their hearts beating strong.
Sermon: Today we are continuing chapter 2 of the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth. Paul is writing to the church and speaking of something that eludes far too many in this world. That would be WISDOM. Specifically, GOD’S WISDOM. It’s not easy to obtain wisdom, this amazing gift God has provided us the ability to achieve. It takes knowledge, faith, belief, hope, love, patience, prudence, compassion, understanding, and so much more to develop wisdom. Yet, still, there are levels of wisdom mankind has had all sorts of issues with, mainly because they don’t know how to discern the answers from the experience and more that they have pursued. Here is where we begin, right where we left off last Sunday.
1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV – But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
NIV – No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
God had never planned to hide the wisdom of ages, but, upon the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, that became necessary simply to keep creation going. We all experience times where we wonder why we can’t figure something out, well, Paul is providing the church at Corinth a method toward doing so in his words. He references the poetic and prophetic books of Proverbs, Isaiah, and Daniel in the Old Testament.
Proverbs 8:23 KJV – I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
NIV – I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
Isaiah 46:10 KJV – Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
NIV – I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
Isaiah 48:6-7 KJV – Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
NIV – You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’
Isaiah 64:4 KJV – For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
NIV
– Since
ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait
for him.
Daniel 2:22 KJV – He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
NIV – He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Paul adds four New Testament references from the gospel of Matthew, the Acts of the Apostles, and two from the writings of the Apostle Peter.
Matthew 13:35 KJV – That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
NIV – So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Acts 2:23 KJV – Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
NIV –This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
1 Peter 1:10-12 KJV –Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
NIV –Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
1 Peter 1:20 KJV – Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
NIV –He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
Now, in the verse before this, Paul pointed out something that can cause people to stop studying Scripture. There is a reason that we find the many twists and turns in the 66 Scrolls. God is a mystery we are meant to discover, yet, His truth is kept hidden in the meaning of what is written. It is our responsibility to unravel this mystery in order to understand what God wants for each of us in this world, and in this life. Not every story is the same. Not every path is identical. Not every understanding is on the same level. That is the mystery of Scripture and the reason so many get frustrated by it. Here’s what Paul wrote to the citizens of the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV – Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
NIV – None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
There is a phrase, “knowledge is power”, and it is one we’ve heard over and over again in many different ways. However, there are those who are absolutely terrified of that same knowledge. This is why Jesus was crucified. People were afraid of Him here on earth. They were afraid of Him, because His power usurped, took away, from their own. His power is and was greater than theirs because it comes from God. He is our foundation for ministry, for worship, for faith and understanding of Scripture and the mysteries within it. Here are two Old Testament references Paul brings.
Psalm 118:22 KJV – The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
NIV – The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
Zechariah 12:10 KJV – And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
NIV – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Paul includes six gospel references from Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved as well as one from the Acts of the Apostles.
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.
Matthew 13:15 KJV – For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
NIV – For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
Luke 23:34 KJV – Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
NIV – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
John 1:10 KJV – He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
NIV – He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
John 7:28 KJV – Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
NIV – Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him,
John 16:3 KJV – And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
NIV – They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
Acts 13:27 KJV – For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
NIV – The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
For many, the unseen can be a little scary. The unknown can be the same. Yet, even though we might not see everything that Jesus and God see, or understand and know everything the same, it is important for us to learn to discern what these unknowns are, so as not to be afraid of them. Fearing God’s wrath is one thing. Showing reverence toward Him is the fear that people need to continue. This is why, so often, both Jesus and God were frustrated with the Apostles, with the leadership of the Jews, with all that was happening here on earth throughout Scripture. This is why the plagues, floods, and famines occurred in the ancient times. The problem isn’t in the design of humanity. It is in the one part of us that is identical that causes such rifts. Free will is something that we often hear about, and often can be as much a blessing as it is a curse. This is what Paul is speaking of next.
1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV – But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
NIV – However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Like all human fathers, God wants and has always wanted, us to believe, to have faith in His Word, and in His greatness and faithfulness toward each of us. Yet, we often forget to remember this. Paul pulls references from the poetic books, and from his go-to prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament.
Psalm 31:19 KJV – Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
NIV – How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
Isaiah 40:5 KJV – And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
NIV – And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 64:4 KJV – For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
NIV – Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 65:17 KJV – For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
NIV – “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Paul then adds two gospel references from Matthew and John before adding in the Hebrew prophets.
Matthew 13:17 KJV – For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
NIV – For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
John 14:2 KJV – In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
NIV – My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
Hebrews 11:16 KJV –But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
NIV – Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
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.
Our last verse from the second chapter of the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth is this.
1 Corinthians 2:10 KJV – But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
NIV – these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
In this verse, Paul points out how important the Holy Spirit is to our faith and belief in God and Jesus. This hasn’t changed since the very beginning, but people still have issues understanding the impact of the Holy Spirit as a whole. Paul’s first references are from King Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel.
Proverbs 20:27 KJV – The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
NIV – The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
Isaiah 40:13-14 KJV – Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
NIV – Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
NIV – ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Daniel 2:22 KJV – He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
NIV – He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Paul adds four references from John the Beloved.
John 3:34 KJV – For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
NIV – For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
John 14:26 KJV –But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
NIV – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13 KJV – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
NIV – But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
1 John 4:12-13 KJV –No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
NIV –No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
No human being, past or present, has seen God in all His glory. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t know Him. It doesn’t mean we can’t learn about Him. That’s why God gave us Jesus, to learn about all the mysteries of God and to solve them within our faith, and sharing unconditional love as Jesus taught. 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 Poem: The Lion Comforted Amidst the Lamb’s Fleece © 2013 ~ Rev. Laura A. Neff
click to enlarge
The heart shares the gift of love.
The spirit brings faith from above.
Our soul soars on wings of a dove.
Peace remains always a part of.
Give to each of those surrounding.
A free spirit still bent on discovering.
See it in the earth and skies hovering.
Feel it through each life’s covering.
Peace a gift for each person’s heart.
It’s living through the spirit to start.
Bubbling from the soul as a lost art.
All gifts for us to share, each their part.
The four greatest gifts of life will always be.
Found heart, spirit, soul with peace to see.
Yet our minds would fail to set this part free.
Where the gift was truly was meant to be.
The spaces shared heart, spirit, and soul.
Linked and still striving for just one goal.
Find peace to fulfill that awesome role.
In doing so realize your being is whole.
Faith lives forever within our sight.
Hearts are sharing with all their might.
Souls are stirring beyond fear or fright.
Spirit together with these three held tight.
These are the elements of a special gift.
All four can make the whole world shift.
Each blessing would bring us all a lift.
Peace within and shared across the rift.
Heart, spirit, soul, together provide peace.
Free and given, so love and life never cease.
The one gift we can continuously increase.
The lion comforted amidst the Lamb’s fleece.
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & Twitch & USAlife
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
Poetry Copyright © 2009, 2013 Laura A. Neff
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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