https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIhupNC4QTQ
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 pages: 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.
- Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog has asked that we pray for her mother’s health and finances. 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 pray for EB that he listens to reason at some point in time to ensure health and wellness.
- We pray for JB who is suffering a lot of pain right now and truly needs to regain some health and wellness in order to combat it and undergo surgery to repair damages done.
- We pray for my sister-in-law Fran for her health.
- 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. He has been terribly, terribly ill over the past several months and, as noted, has not been up to singing for us.
- 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.
*My Mama celebrates her birthday tomorrow.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together here in this place. We thank You for the gift of this day and for all the blessings You provide. We pray for our family and friends who have been ill or have been suffering from diseases and treatments for those diseases, including Debbie, JB, EB, Cal and so many others. We pray for those who are combatting injuries that have lifelong repercussions like Autumn and other family and friends. We pray for those who are hungry and homeless around this world including our orphans helped by our outreach ministries. We pray for those outreach ministries with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Pastor Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Wakas Gil, and all the others as well. We pray for all of this in the name of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Serving Jesus ~ Scriptural Song for John 15:18-20 Produced by Cal Jennings © 2025 https://suno.com/song/39c4bad5-544c-47bb-b3a5-18f47e08bf9f
Sermon: Today we are completing Chapter four in 1st Corinthians. Paul is correcting the assumption of his position within the church that Jesus built. It’s important that we keep this in mind as we too pursue our faith as the body of Christ, His church upon this earth. Let’s begin with this.
1 Corinthians 4:15 KJV – For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
NIV – Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
Paul utilizes a single reference from the Old Testament here in the poetic books.
Proverbs 4:1 KJV – Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
NIV – Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
Paul continues his references with these two from Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved as well as Luke from the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 23:9 KJV – And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
NIV – And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
John 13:13-15 KJV – Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
NIV – “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Acts 18:11 KJV – And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
NIV – So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Acts 20:31 KJV – Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
NIV – Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. So be on your guard!
Paul’s final two references for this verse are from the Hebrew prophets and his fellow Apostle, Peter.
Hebrews 12:9 KJV – Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
NIV –Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
1 Peter 5:13 KJV – The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
NIV – She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
Paul wants us to learn from the examples Jesus left behind. Those are the Twelve Apostles, and His human siblings and other followers. It is vitally important that we teach as Jesus taught, speak as Jesus spoke, act as Jesus acted, and listen to God as Jesus did always. These are the most important lessons we can pass down to our children, bring to our church members, our families and our friends.
1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV – Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
NIV – Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
Paul again references the words of Jesus through the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved along with the words of Peter.
Matthew 16:24 KJV – Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
NIV – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Luke 6:40 KJV – The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
NIV –The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
John 13:15 KJV – For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
NIV – I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 15:18-20 KJV – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
NIV – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
1 Peter 5:3 KJV –Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
NIV –not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1 John 2:6 KJV –He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
NIV – Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Paul points toward a familiar face in teaching for the churches. His name is Timotheus, or Timothy, as known in English. It’s important for us to realize that Jesus taught many, so that His teachings could live on, because those who He taught became teachers themselves. This is something that must continue on, through each of us as we share His word with those around us as teachers, preachers, apostles, pastors, ministers, priests, parents, and grandparents too.
1 Corinthians 4:17-18 KJV – For
this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful
in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in
Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
NIV – For this reason I have sent to you
Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of
my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in
every church.
Some
of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
Paul returns to his standby prophet Isaiah and the poetic books of the Old Testament for reference here.
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 13:11 KJV – And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
NIV – I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
Proverbs 16:18 KJV – Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
NIV – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 18:12 KJV – Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
NIV – Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 21:24 KJV – Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
NIV – The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
Paul includes just one New Testament reference from the younger brother of Jesus, known as James the Just.
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.”
Paul does his best to promise that he will arrive at some point and be able to point out the true followers, and those who are in name only. You see, Jesus already knows this from each and every one of us who portrays themselves as Christian and teaches as such. It’s important to be authentically Christian, not just in name alone. That’s what Paul points out here.
1 Corinthians 4:19 KJV – But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
NIV – But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
Paul reminds us that we have to remember what King Solomon shares here about how God should fit into our lives and how we should respect His guidance.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV – A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
NIV – In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Paul adds a warning from Jesus through the gospels here.
Matthew 7:15-20 KJV – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
NIV – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 12:33-37 KJV – Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
NIV – “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Paul includes the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and James the Just, younger brother of Jesus here.
Acts 18:21 KJV – But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
NIV – But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
James 4:15 KJV – For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
NIV – Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
There’s not just the Word, but the POWER IN THE WORD, this is what Paul is emphasizing in his next words to the church there at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 4:20 KJV – For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
NIV – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Our words often go in one ear and out the other here on earth. God’s Word, however, has the power and strength to literally knock mountains down and turn trees into matchsticks, to have thunder roar and rain pour down, or wind howl through the trees and around houses and more. It is for this reason we should pay close attention to His Word, which came to us here on earth as a child born in Bethlehem, to live and die here and to be resurrected for absolution of our sins. This is the foundation of the indestructible, unfathomable kingdom of heaven as shared here in these Old Testament references Paul brings us.
Daniel 2:44 KJV – And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
NIV – “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
Isaiah 9:7 KJV – Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
NIV – Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Zechariah 4:6 KJV – Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
NIV – So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Paul adds to these with references from the Word as spoken by Jesus here in these gospel verses.
Matthew 12:28 KJV – But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
NIV – But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 17:20-21 KJV – And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
NIV – Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
John 3:3-5 KJV – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
NIV – Jesus replied, “Very
truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born
again.”
“How
can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot
enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can
enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Paul adds two final references from the Acts of the Apostles and the Hebrew prophets.
Acts 1:8 KJV – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
NIV – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Hebrews 12:28 KJV – Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
NIV – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
The final verse of this chapter comes next, and Paul poses an important question for the church there at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 4:21 KJV – What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
NIV – What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
Paul jumps right into the Word as shared by Jesus in these gospel references.
Matthew 11:29 KJV – Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
NIV – Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Luke 9:55-56 KJV – But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
NIV – But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.
Luke 22:42 KJV – Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
NIV – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
John 2:15-17 KJV – And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
NIV – So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 18:11 KJV – Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
NIV – Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Paul’s final references are from the Hebrew prophets and James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:6 KJV – For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
NIV – because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
James 3:17 KJV – 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.
NIV – 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.
We have so much to learn from the letters that Paul wrote. There is no possible way to learn everything from a single sermon or even a series of sermons, because, like all of Scripture, we find something new each and every time we read them. That’s why it is important to engage our minds in the Word every day, even if it is just one single verse. 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: Wonderful Words of Life ~ Sung 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
Scriptural Song: Serving Jesus: 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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