Good Morning and 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.
- We pray for the families of JB and EB as they mourn the loss of JB’s mother’s husband, who passed away early in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday.
- We pray for my son-in-law Douglas and the entire family after the loss of his maternal grandfather, known by all as Papa John. He passed away just hours after dawn on Thursday.
- We pray for JB’s sister Debbie, who begins her proton treatment to continue eradicating the potential for any remaining cancer on Monday. It was learned that her margins came back fully clear, which is a huge, huge blessing.
- We continue to pray for our outreach minister, Pastor Amir Aneel, who is recovering well from surgery done Tuesday week. His wound is healing very well, and he is slowly, but surely, getting back into the normal movements of life.
- Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog has asked that we pray for her mother’s health. She also asks for prayers for her brother’s attitude and also for Rabbi Karen’s stress levels.
- We continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has been for far too long. We pray that his medical needs are fully met, and he has all that he requires for comfort and peace.
- We 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.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately. Her car ended up being totaled after the fender-bender. This combined with the fact she misses my father as he passed away three years ago due to COVID-19 has made it a tough year for her.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including four survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna, and my friends JB, Alexis, and 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, as we begin this new month we have many praises to share and many more prayers to bring to You. We praise You for the blessings of health for Pastor Amir Aneel as he continues his recovery, and for Debbie as her latest treatment begins. We praise You for holding us up in our most difficult moments as we do for the families of Papa John and Eldon who have left this side of life this week. We praise You for the ability to heal so many from deadly diseases like cancer, as you have done for JB, Kelly, and Alexis. We pray that Your hand is on those who need the most help in this world, the hungry, the homeless, and the lost. We ask that Your hand be available for assisting those who have tried everything to change their situations in this world. We ask that Your protection be found for all those who face dangerous weather, or other situations around this world. We ask all this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Unshakable Faith ~ Lyrics and Music By Evangelist Cal Jennings https://suno.com/song/f2f8dc53-300a-4d1f-9e55-a365e7ebdadb
Sermon: Today we are completing the first chapter of the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Paul is pointing toward something that Jesus often said about how we should act and react when it comes to worship and faith towards our Heavenly Father, God. Being humble is much more appreciated by God than being boastfully prideful. Remember, there are a lot of things taught about the dangers of pride in Scripture. It says in Proverbs that “Pride goes before destruction”, which, in most eyes, should be a very bad thing. This is how Paul points toward this consideration in his letter to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:28 KJV –And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
NIV –God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
There are twelve separate references, split evenly between the Old and New Testaments. Here are the Old Testament viewpoints.
1 Samuel 2:8 KJV –He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.
NIV –He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.
Job 5:11 KJV –To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
NIV – The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Psalm 113:7-8 KJV – He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
NIV – He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.
Isaiah 29:19 KJV – The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
NIV – Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 41:14 KJV – Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
NIV
– Do
not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of
Israel.
Daniel 4:17 KJV – This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
NIV – “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
Zephaniah 3:12 KJV – I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
NIV – But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.
Paul includes three gospel references in Matthew and Luke’s writings.
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 20:16 KJV – So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
NIV – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Luke 1:52 KJV – He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
NIV – He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
Luke 6:20 KJV – And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
NIV – Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Paul’s last two references for this first verse in the letter of Corinth today would be from the younger half brother of Jesus and also from his fellow Apostle, Peter.
James 2:5 KJV – Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
NIV – Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
1 Peter 5:5 KJV – Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
NIV –In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Now, we spoke earlier about pride and that it goes before destruction. We see more in this regard here in this next verse of the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV –That no flesh should glory in his presence.
NIV –so that no one may boast before him.
Again Paul has five Old Testament references, most of them being in very familiar locations, specifically Proverbs, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
Proverbs 16:5 KJV – Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
NIV – The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Isaiah 2:11-12 KJV – The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
NIV – The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),
Isaiah 42:8 KJV – I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
NIV – “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.
Isaiah 57:15 KJV – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
NIV – For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV – Thus saith the Lord,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in
his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness,
in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Paul then adds five more New Testament verses, only one of which is from the words of Jesus as shared in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 23:12 KJV – And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
NIV – For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Paul includes three references to his letters for Galatia, Ephesus, and Philippi. He has a final reference for James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus.
Galatians 6:14 KJV – But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
NIV – May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
NIV – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Philippians 3:3 KJV – For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
NIV – For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
James 4:6 KJV – But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
NIV – But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Now, in this next to last verse for the chapter, Paul points toward specific qualities that learning Scripture, understanding it, and utilizing it in life properly affords us amazing things. These amazing things are “wisdom”, “righteousness”, “sanctification”, and “redemption”. This is how Paul shares this.
1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV – But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
NIV –It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
So how do we define these four words scripturally?
Wisdom – Knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just and sound judgment as to action, discernment, or insight.
Righteousness – the quality of being virtuous, honorable, or morally right. It can also refer to such behavior.
Sanctification – the action of making or declaring something holy. For example: "the sanctification of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ". It can also be the action or process of being freed from sin or purified. The process of sanctification takes deliberate action on our part, specifically the action of causing something to be or seem morally right or acceptable.
Redemption – an act of atoning for guilt, a fault, or a mistake, or the state of having atoned. In Christianity it is known as the deliverance from sin; salvation.
Here are some Scriptural references that will assist us in understanding the importance of these four states of being as Christians.
Proverbs 2:6-7 KJV –For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
NIV – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
Isaiah 11:2 KJV – And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
NIV – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
Isaiah 45:24-25 KJV – Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
NIV – They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him.
Isaiah 53:11 KJV – He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
NIV – After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 KJV – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.
NIV – “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Added to the Old Testament references are several New Testament points of view as well. One of them should be quite familiar with those who have listened to my sermons often enough, as I tend to reference this specific parable of the Vine and Branches quite often. It is important to realize and recognize all the different implications for Christians and faith within this specific parable.
John 15:1-6 KJV – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
NIV – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Jesus didn’t stop there with His directives regarding sanctification.
John 17:19 KJV – And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
NIV – For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Paul adds one final thought to this chapter and it is an important one to think about.
1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV – That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
NIV – Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Paul includes only six references, splitting them between Old and New Testaments. Four are in the Poetic and Prophetic books of Psalms and Isaiah.
Psalm 34:2 KJV – My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
NIV – I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Psalm 44:8 KJV – In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
NIV – In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Isaiah 41:16 KJV – Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
NIV – You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 45:24 KJV – Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
NIV – They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
Paul’s final references are with James the Just, younger human sibling of Jesus and Peter in his first letter.
James 1:9 KJV – Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
NIV – Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
1 Peter 1:7 KJV – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
NIV –These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
There are a great many things that Paul is teaching the citizens of the church at Corinth here in this first letter. Just in this first chapter we have seen a whole lot of what Paul sees that needs to be focused on there in that specific church. Each of us has a job to do in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Whether that is teacher, supporter, learner, is up to how each of us interprets what God is telling us through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is very 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: Faithful Forever ~ Lyrics and Melody by Evangelist Cal Jennings https://suno.com/song/073f027f-b5ca-429b-b2e4-14ee0eaed009
~ 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
Music & Lyrics written and produced by Evangelist Cal Jennings Copyright © 2025
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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