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 & Wedding Chicks
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 all those affected by the floods and earthquakes of late and especially for those who have survived to say goodbye to others. Thank the LORD the number of missing in the Texas floods was reduced to three people over the last two weeks of rescue and recovery efforts.
- 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 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. Currently we pray for JB and her mother as they are spending time together after a health scare for her mother put her in rehab.
- 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 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 have many to pray for. There are children who suffer with little to no food. There are children dying of disease and more. There are families burying their children after death and destruction around this world, especially the devastating earthquakes and floods. We pray for our sick and wounded including JB’s mother, Evangelist Cal Jennings, and others suffering cancer. We pray for those who have injuries and wounds that are healing, that they heal well. We pray for those who care for orphans and the homeless like our outreach ministers worldwide. We pray for those who are homeless and need assistance of any kind. We pray for all of this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit in Your Holy Name. Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: This Little Light of Mine ~ A Capella by Rev. Laura
Click to enlarge photo.
Sermon: Today we are completing Chapter three in 1st Corinthians. We will be learning about vanity, how deceiving this specific trouble is, one of the seven troubles, and how much of a terror this trouble can be. We also will be learning how focusing on our faith and expanding our belief will benefit us and turn us away from this very same trouble.
1 Corinthians 3:18 KJV –Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
NIV –Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
Here are five Old Testament references that Paul focuses on.
Job 5:13 KJV – He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
NIV – He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
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 26:12 KJV – Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
NIV – Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Isaiah 5:21 KJV – Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NIV – Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
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 includes only one gospel verse from the gospel writer Matthew in the words of Jesus. He adds one verse from the human brother of Jesus known as James the Just.
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.
James 3:13-18 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. 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. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
NIV –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. 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.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers
who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Paul cautioned the membership of the church there at Corinth about this world that we live in and that they lived in before us. It is as pertinent today as it was in the first century after the death of Jesus Christ our Savior.
1 Corinthians 3:19 KJV –For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
NIV – For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;
Paul only has two Old Testament references from King Solomon and the prophet Isaiah.
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.”
Paul includes only one New Testament verse, this from James the Just, human brother of Jesus.
James 1:5 KJV – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
NIV –If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Wisdom has a human view and a divine one, but they are oceans apart from each other. Those of us who believe ourselves to be wise in Scripture are nowhere close to what God would be, since He is the Author of all Scripture through Divine Inspiration. Though we do our best to keep His Word in the forefront of our thoughts and minds, this world challenges our abilities to do so, as we know from society, no matter what part of this world we live in. This is what Paul cautions us about next.
1 Corinthians 3:20 KJV –And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
NIV – and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
One of the seven troubles, vanity is described as the following: pride – lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness – something worthless, trivial, or pointless. Here are the only three references for this in the Old Testament.
Psalm 94:11 KJV – The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
NIV – The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 KJV – All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
NIV – All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”—but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound—who can discover it?
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,
Paul next points out that the only true glory comes from God and we see it through our Savior Jesus Christ, who he references here for the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 3:21 KJV –Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
NIV – So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours,
Here are six references from King David, and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Psalm 49:16-17 KJV – Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
NIV – Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
Psalm 62:10 KJV – Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
NIV – Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Isaiah 2:22 KJV – Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
NIV – Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 5:21 KJV – Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NIV – Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Isaiah 55:2 KJV – 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.
NIV – 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.
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’s final reference here is from the younger human brother of Jesus known as James the Just.
James 4:16 KJV – But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
NIV –As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
Again, Paul is speaking about who we all belong to. We are God’s sons and daughters through adoption. This is how Paul portrays that relationship.
1 Corinthians 3:22 KJV – Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
NIV – whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
Paul has three gospel references from Matthew and John the Beloved with the words of Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 KJV – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
NIV – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 16:15 KJV – All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
NIV – All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
John 17:10 KJV – And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
NIV – All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
Paul’s last reference for this verse comes from the Hebrew prophets.
Hebrews 1:2 KJV – Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
NIV –but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
We complete the chapter with this final thought from Paul.
1 Corinthians 3:23 KJV – And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
NIV – and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Paul shares three references from Jesus in the gospel of John the Beloved. All three should be easily recognized even by those new to the Word.
John 10:14 KJV – I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
NIV – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
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.
John 17:9-10 KJV – I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
NIV – I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
Paul’s final two references come from the Hebrew prophets and the words of fellow Apostle, Peter.
Hebrews 3:6 KJV – But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
NIV –But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
1 Peter 2:9 KJV –But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
NIV –But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Our understanding of Scripture grows as long as we work to nurture that same understanding. It means reading, studying, sharing, and caring about the Word. 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: Shalom, My Friends ~ A Capella by Rev. Laura
~ 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
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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