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: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube
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 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 pray while he is mourning.
- 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 have too much red tape and confusion going on with their issues between insurance and doctor appointments. They are frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Erica, 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 to pray for my sister Emilie, who is still having family issues, job issues, and all kinds of craziness going on in her life.
- We pray for my son-in-law, Douglas, who has been suffering from unknown health issues that are still awaiting full diagnosis.
- Our prayers were answered for my daughter Deanna’s co-worker. She gave birth to a healthy baby this past week.
- 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 two survivors of the disease, my Aunt Donna and my friend Kelly.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather around this world, as well as those who are picking up the pieces after the very dangerous storms we have had over the past few months. This includes the arctic blast of winter weather and also the terrible wildfires that are consuming millions of acres of land, homes, and businesses as well.
- 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.
* Two of our outreach ministers, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji and Pastor Amir Aneel are celebrating their birthdays today.
Prayer: Dear Lord in Heaven, bring Your peace and hope to this world today. We pray for each of those who has lost everything in their individual or collective lives due to fires, earthquakes, or storms of any point of view. We pray for each of those who suffers from cancer and its devastating effects, like Kelly and Aunt Donna have both done recently. We pray for all those who have lost someone and desperately wish they were still with us including Cal and my Mama. We pray for all those who are sick with no true diagnosis or treatment like JB, EB, Autumn, and others as well. We pray for those who are facing situations they don’t want to be facing. We pray for those who have to start over again in life for whatever reason, that they recognize You are in their presence and ensuring their wellbeing is safe, secure, and blessed regardless of what it might appear to be. We know that You are with all of us even when we don’t feel it, and for this reason we pray Your blessings on everyone in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: My Hope Is Built On Nothing
Less (On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand) Sung by our Evangelist Cal Jennings
https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724358238895&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2bQUP8kovGe6Bb0ipOPI7VJxoaIZtPZHP8ADgvoWdSf06S6dWAA8gGO5g_aem_CGHPKwAOWUKJvarAlbtIZg
Sermon: Paul is again pointing toward truthfully, honestly, humbly following our Savior Jesus Christ. This is what his first line says to Timotheus here. The five verses are an obvious reiteration of the Great Commission as spoken by Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew.
2 Timothy 2:1 KJV –Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
NIV –You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
There is one element of Jesus Christ that is repeated over and over in the Scriptures, even as part of the premonition of His future birth and life. Here are just a few of those instances in the Torah, poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament.
Joshua 1:6-9 KJV – Be
strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an
inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from
it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou
goest.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou
goest.
NIV
– Be strong and
courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to
their ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses
gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be
successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on
your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do
everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 27:14 KJV – Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
NIV – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 KJV – Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
NIV – Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV – He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
NIV – He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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 insight from his letters written to Ephesus and Philippi.
Ephesians 6:10 KJV – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
NIV – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Philippians 4:13 KJV – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
NIV – I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
It’s important for us to understand that it takes help sometimes to be strong and courageous. This is why Jesus sacrificed everything, including His human life, on that cross at Golgotha. It’s important to realize and recognize that there is one person who is also divine, who would literally take on every sin there had ever been and was yet to be. That’s a whole lot of sin to take on by His lonesome. Here is what the Hebrew prophets manage to close this first verse.
Hebrews 13:9 KJV – Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
NIV – Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.
There is a lot of strength to be found in the Word as shared by the Apostles and Disciples and by both God and Jesus Themselves through the Holy Spirit. Each of us could easily tap into that Spiritual strength. This is what Paul shares with Timothy next. Remember, Christians, true Christians, should easily recognize their brothers and sisters by faith. This is what Paul points out here.
2 Timothy 2:2 KJV –And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
NIV –And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Learning is essential for anyone who wants to lead a righteous life, and it’s not going to be easy. No matter how many times you read the same verses, you will find something different, something new, each, and every time. If you were to go back through all of our sermons, you will note that this is true, because every new day brings us new and different challenges. Here are the parts of the Torah that Paul focuses on.
Exodus 18:20 KJV – And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
NIV – Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.
Deuteronomy 4:9 KJV – Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
NIV – Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV – And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
NIV – These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13 KJV – Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
NIV – Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
This all leads up to Paul repeating something that Jesus taught while He was in the presence of His Apostles and Disciples after the resurrection. This is one of the most quoted Scriptures especially among those who minister over their congregations, and those who are missionaries in places that don’t know God. The Scriptures call this the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Now, why would Paul include the Great Commission? Like his fellow Apostles, and Jesus, Himself, he knew that he was working on borrowed time. Others who were working on that same borrowed time include the gospel writer Luke, who Paul refers to here and then adds writings from the Hebrew prophets as well.
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 5:12 KJV – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
NIV –In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Paul now instructs Timotheus and the congregation to remember to be humble in our perseverance even in the hardest types of suffering. This is something we should all feel, because there are days when we’ll be jobless, homeless, filled with some form of sickness, and so on. It’s important to realize and recognize that our prayers are heard. We might not get the answers as quickly as we’d like them. Prayers might be futile, or at least seem to be, but everything happens for a reason, and the more we can withstand the seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt, the better we are as Christians. It’s important for us to realize that there are things we can’t change because that’s the way life works. Life wasn’t meant to be easy. If it were to be too easy, we’d be bored, lazy, and wouldn’t care about anything in life. That’s exactly the opposite of what we should be, and this is what Paul means as he shares this next verse with Timothy.
2 Timothy 2:3 KJV – Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
NIV –Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
We see all kinds of suffering in this world today. Whether it is the loss of homes in wildfires like those that are burning on the West Coast of the USA, or the fallout from the bombings and other terrible things in the midst of war, as we have seen in Ukraine and other places over the years. We see homeless people on many street corners in the USA and other places as well. We see poverty, famine, and more around this world. Paul points toward a warning that Jesus provided for the Apostles in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 10:22 KJV – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
NIV – You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Paul adds a reference to the writings of the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. He also has references from the Hebrew Prophets, James the brother of Jesus, and John the Beloved’s Revelation as well.
Acts 14:22 KJV – Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
NIV – strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Hebrews
12:1-3 KJV – Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
NIV – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1:2-4 KJV – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
NIV – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Revelation 2:10 KJV – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
NIV –Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
As Christians, we must realize and recognize our loyalties can either be a blessing or our downfall. It’s not easy to recognize the wolves that hide amid the sheep in this world. Our Shepherd is Jesus Christ. He helps us navigate through those difficult decisions in life. This is why we need to remain soldiers for Christ, no matter what might happen in doing so. This is what Paul shares with Timotheus and his congregation.
2 Timothy 2:4 KJV –No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
NIV – No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
Paul points toward the Proverbs of King Solomon along with the gospels of Matthew and Luke for reference. These also point toward the path of righteousness as taught by God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 4:25-27 KJV – Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
NIV – Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Matthew 6:24 KJV – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
NIV – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Luke 9:62 KJV – And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
NIV – Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Much like Jesus in the verses before this, His younger human brother James shares words that are quite similar. This is added to by insight from the Hebrew prophets as well.
James 4:4 KJV – Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
NIV – You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV –Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our last verse from the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy speaks of winners of races. Christianity and the teaching of it is often compared to a race against time itself. This urgency continues to be necessary for the ministry. Each of us has been given a path to take and a method toward following. This is what Paul points toward with our last verse from Timothy today.
2 Timothy 2:5 KJV –And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
NIV – Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
Paul references the story of a master and his servants as shared by Jesus in this parable as shared by Matthew. He adds to this with a reference to the straight gate as Jesus shared in the writings of the gospel writer Luke.
Matthew 25:21 KJV – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
NIV – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Luke 13:24 KJV – Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
NIV – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Paul again references the half brother of Jesus, James. He adds still more from John the Beloved in two verses as well.
James 1:12 KJV –Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
NIV –Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
1 John 2:28 KJV –And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
NIV –And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
Revelation 3:11 KJV – Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
NIV – I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
We each have a path that can lead us straight to Jesus and God. We just must leave all the distractions behind to follow it. That is not easy, and we know it without a single doubt. It is important to continue our voyage on the path that Jesus blazed for us. 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 can 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: Rock of Ages as sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724358245992&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1_NfyuDk_dhk_3GCB60RXhwcaTnOy77xux36RQZI0mMo8s4N2thsvuYak_aem_NY24z-B17kJerDcdookn4A
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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.
