Good Morning! Apologies, there will not be a live sermon today. I am not feeling well enough to provide a live sermon right now. Hope you have a blessed and beautiful day!
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 & Facebook
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 JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is facing prostate cancer treatment.
- 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 was released from the hospital late last week.
- We pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is fighting cancer.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers that they need in both of their health issues. They are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash, though, according to her mother she is doing better these days.
- 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.
** Birthdays! **
Happy Birthday to my Niece Autumn and also our Uncle Larry, who both celebrated
their birthdays Friday.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much and so many to pray for. We pray for those all those who have been displaced due to war and destruction, natural disaster, and more. We pray for those families that have had hostages released in Israel. We pray for peace to fill this world at long last. We pray for those who have lost loved ones to violence, accidents, and more this week. We pray for those who have been sick with cancer, including Jerry and others. We pray for those who have survived cancer, like Debbie, J.B., Alexis, Donna, and others we know. We pray in thanksgiving for those who have healed from sickness around this world. We pray for the orphans, refugees, and missionaries around this world. We pray for our outreach ministries that they continue through even in the face of adversity in Your Name. We pray all this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Peace in the Valley
YouTube Version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMD8d7oUjxw
Sermon: Today we are continuing Chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians. We continue to discuss the place of marriage in the church and also the place of godliness. It’s hard to keep ourselves godly and cut off sin in its tracks. It’s really hard because man is, unfortunately, prone to sinfulness. This is why Jesus was born, lived with humanity, was sacrificed, died, was buried, and resurrected so that the atonement for original sin could be made one hundred percent and we could each achieve salvation as a result. We’ll start here where we left off last week.
1 Corinthians 7:13 KJV –And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
NIV – And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
Paul starts his references in the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament.
Proverbs 31:10-12 KJV – Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
NIV – A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Malachi 2:15-16 KJV – And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
NIV – Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
Paul continues with reference to the Word of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew. He adds insight from his own letter to Titus and also Peter’s first letter.
Matthew 5:32 KJV – But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
NIV – But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Titus 2:4-5 KJV – That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
NIV –Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
1 Peter 3:7 KJV –Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
NIV –Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Now, Paul adds some clarification regarding sanctification for believers and non-believers who are married to each other. This is an interesting consideration, and even today there are those who have had their concerns here for spouses that are either Atheists, or other Non-Christians. It is not always easy to convert from one faith or lack of faith to Christianity and God knows this, as did Jesus while He was alive. That’s why Paul offers this advice to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 7:14 KJV –For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
NIV – For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
Paul goes all the way back to the Torah for reference here.
Genesis 17:7 KJV – And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
NIV – I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Leviticus 11:44-45 KJV – For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
NIV – I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
Paul adds to his references with insight from the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, his own letter written to Timothy and also fellow Apostle, Peter.
Acts 16:31 KJV – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
NIV –They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
1 Timothy 4:5 KJV –For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
NIV –because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV –But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
NIV – But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Now, if an unbeliever feels that they are no longer welcome and wishes to leave the family, Paul points out that they should be allowed to leave and have the marriage dissolved. This is far different than others would have thought it to be with what Jesus said about marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:15 KJV –But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
NIV – But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
Paul points to a single Old Testament verse for reference.
Malachi 2:16 KJV – For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
NIV – “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
Now Paul is pointing toward the Word of Jesus in the gospel of Luke here and also that Jesus didn’t come here to bring peace to this world as it is, but to actually cause division and chaos. Paul adds to this with writings from Peter and John the Beloved as well.
Luke 12:51-53 KJV – Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
NIV –Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
1 Peter 3:15-16 KJV –But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
NIV –But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 4:12-14 KJV –Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
NIV –Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 John 4:18 KJV –There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
NIV –There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We, as human beings, do not know what eternity has for either ourselves, our spouses, or any of our children, and on through the generations. Only God knows that answer. So, we cannot guarantee anything for any single member of the family. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 7:16 KJV –For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
NIV – How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Paul turns to two verses from the prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament for reference.
Ezekiel 3:19 KJV – Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
NIV – But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Ezekiel 33:9 KJV – Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
NIV – But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
Paul includes insight from the Savior Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew as well.
Matthew 5:13-16 KJV – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
NIV – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:15 KJV – Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
NIV – “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they lis en to you, you have won them over.
Paul adds two other references, from the Acts of the Apostles and James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus.
Acts 16:31 KJV – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
NIV – They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
James 5:20 KJV – Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
NIV – remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Now, Paul adds a rule to this letter with each of the believers. This is something we need to pay attention to even today.
1 Corinthians 7:17 KJV –But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
NIV – Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Paul brings references from the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles as well as Paul’s letters to Thessalonica and also the Apostle Peter.
Acts 17:26 KJV – And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
NIV –From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 KJV – For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
NIV –For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV –Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
NIV – With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
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.
1 Peter 4:10 KJV –As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
NIV –Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Our final verse from the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth is this one.
1 Corinthians 7:18 KJV –Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
NIV – Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
What does Paul mean in reference to circumcision here? He’s not talking about the ritual that has become commonplace in this world for baby boys at birth. He’s talking about removing sin as a whole from life. It’s not an easy task. In fact, it can often be a daily exercise for us. Paul references the Torah here as well as the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 10:16 KJV – Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
NIV – Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
Jeremiah 4:4 KJV – Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
NIV – Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it.
Paul’s final reference is from Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 21:21 KJV – And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
NIV – They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.
Paul is not teaching us to walk away from the Old Testament. He’s teaching us to embrace the entirety of all that Jesus taught. He’s teaching us to embrace faith, hope, peace, and love, and to teach them to each other. True Peace and Love have a name and 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: It Is Well With My Soul
https://starmaker.onelink.me/v4ei/w5xeppze
~ 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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