https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b7QGfWBvTo
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 Yeshu Ha-Notzri or in English Jesus Christ of Nazareth 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 are praying today for my dear friend JB who had a very bad fall a week or so ago and broke her hip. She is home resting after surgery last weekend and staying until the doctor is confident, she will manage. Keep her husband EB in prayer as he stays home alone until she gets back from her stay at the hospital. My husband and I have been helping with their errands along with another neighbor.
- We continue to pray for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Allison, who were in a car wreck a few months ago. They continue in recovery but are not completely healed. Please keep them up in prayer. They thank everyone for their prayers.
- We continue to pray for friends of ours in our bowling league, after they suffered devastating injuries, some of which required surgery and will require a long recovery time as well. They too appreciate the prayers and thank everyone who has lifted them up.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is currently in rehabilitation after losing his fingertips to serious third-degree burns. He is healing very slowly and has just had his stitches removed last week. Please pray for his healing and that his pain is treated like it should be treated, not as an afterthought.
- David Doyle, brother-in-law of Evangelist Cal Jennings, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. David is a preacher of the Word as well, and this is a new challenge for him and Cal’s sister and their family to experience this close to Christmas. Please keep all of them in prayer during this journey.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is still fighting cancer. She has been scheduled for a special scan to see if the cancer is gone. Please pray for this cancer to be gone forever.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and is seeking to sell things she owns 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 Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister four months ago. She has also been told not to drive any longer, which frustrates her even more right now. These anxiety issues are really devastating for her and for the family, so please keep all of them in prayer.
- 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, Jerry, 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 wildfires, storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Jared Otieno, Pastor George Ototo, 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 so much and so many to pray for. We pray for the many who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, including JB, our Evangelist Cal Jennings, our family members, and more. We pray for the homeless and the helpless around this world. We pray for the many victims of violence, prejudice, and terrorism in this world. We pray for those still under the thumb of slavery and oppression. We pray for the unjustly persecuted and prosecuted. We pray for the friends and family who have been fighting cancer including Fran, David, and Debbie. We pray for those who survived cancer, including Kelly, Alexis and many more, that they continue to remain well. We pray for the nations at war. We pray for all this in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Here I Am Lord
Sermon: Today we are beginning the twelfth chapter of 1st Corinthians. We are covering the first six verses of this chapter. There’s a lot to cover here, but there’s also something very important to realize and recognize. Paul is describing spiritual faith and the gifts that are associated through our Heavenly Father in a way that eclipses the old ways of Corinth with their multiple false gods.
1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV –Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
NIV – Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
Four New Testament verses provide some insight into this consideration that Paul is presenting to the church there at Corinth.
Acts 2:4 KJV – And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NIV – All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 19:6 KJV – And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
NIV – When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Hebrews 3:1 KJV – Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
NIV –Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
1 Peter 4:10-11 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. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Paganism is something that continues to this day. Though the Apostles, including Paul, fought to end it entirely, it was not easy, and remains difficult to this day to completely eclipse the following of paganism. Many pagan rituals and traditions have been absorbed in thousands upon thousands of ways all over the place. This is what Paul reflects on next.
1 Corinthians 12:2 KJV –Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
NIV – You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
There are eight, yes, eight, Old Testament viewpoints that Paul reflects upon with this. Added to them are two New Testament viewpoints as well.
Deuteronomy 4:28 KJV – And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
NIV –There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
2 Kings 17:15 KJV –And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.
NIV – They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”
Psalm 115:4-8 KJV – Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
NIV – But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
Psalm 135:15-18 KJV – The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
NIV
– The
idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot
see. 17 They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in
their mouths. 18 Those who make them will be like them, and so
will all who trust in them.
Isaiah 46:5-7 KJV – To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
NIV – “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? 6 Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. 7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.
Jeremiah 10:1-5 KJV – Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
NIV – Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. 2 This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. 3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. 5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.”
Ezekiel 20:32 KJV – And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
NIV – “‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen.
Habakkuk 2:18-19 KJV – What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? 19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
NIV – “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. 19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.”
Acts 17:22-23 KJV – Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
NIV – Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
1 Peter 4:3 KJV –For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
NIV –For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
The divine blessings of God transform those who preach His Word. That’s something that even Jesus knew. It is why His Word is so very important for us to watch how we preach, teach, and worship Him. We have to listen to the Holy Spirit before we speak the Word. Now, I myself pray before I even open my Bible. I pray before I start the process to document where each sermon, prayer, even Bible study, would go. The reason for that is to ensure that His will is done, not my own. That’s a directive from earliest Scripture. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV –Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
NIV – Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Paul utilizes all New Testament references for this, including the Gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved, along with the Acts of the Apostles and John the Beloved’s letters.
Matthew 16:16-17 KJV – And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
NIV – Simon
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by
my Father in heaven.
John 14:17 KJV – Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
NIV – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:26 KJV – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
NIV – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:26 KJV – But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
NIV – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
Acts 2:36 KJV – Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
NIV –“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
1 John 2:22-23 KJV –Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
NIV –Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
1 John 4:2-3 KJV –Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
NIV –This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
1 John 5:1 KJV –Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
NIV –Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
Now, not every person who serves God and Jesus does so in an identical fashion, that’s why we have pastors, reverends, apostles, deacons, evangelists, sisters, brothers, and all the rest. We might all have similar education, but that doesn’t mean we are destined to teach or preach the same Scripture the same way. Every talent is different, and that includes preaching the Word. Some of us manage it through prayer. Others may use Sign Language or music. Still more teach Scripture in an educational environment, others as missionaries, and then there’s the pulpit preachers, pastors, reverends, and ministers. Yes, there are even those like me who preach online alone to reach those who cannot travel to these other locations where normal churches contain the faithful. Everyone has the right to hear the Word of God through His Holy Spirit, wherever they might be. Now, I’ve heard from several of my outreach ministers saying it is so expensive to be able to do this kind of work, but I promise you, if it is meant to be, God will provide. Our gifts have all sorts of benefits, and that’s what Paul shares with these next two verses in this chapter of the first letter written to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5 KJV –Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
NIV – There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There is only one, just one, Old Testament point that Paul reaches for. This specifically shows how the Holy Spirit works within specific people. This is the reason it is the one that Paul focuses on in the Old Testament. It comes from the second Scroll of the Torah.
Exodus 31:2-6 KJV – See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
NIV – “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:
Here are five verses from the New Testament, including two from the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved where Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth is speaking and Luke is also writing in the Acts of the Apostles. Added to these three would be references to Paul’s letters to Rome and Ephesus.
Matthew 23:10 KJV – Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
NIV – Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
John 14:16 KJV – And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
NIV – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
Acts 10:36 KJV – The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
NIV – You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Romans 12:6-8 KJV – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
NIV – We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
NIV –There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Sure, we Christian ministers, Christian teachers, may operate differently, may teach the same Scriptures in different methodologies, but we’re all pursuing the same Scripture the way God intends us to manage. It’s different for a reason, for each and every one of us. No single person is identical, even if they are “identical” twins. We might be all humans, but that doesn’t mean we think, act, react, learn, preach, teach, or do anything remotely the same. This is what Paul shares in our last verse in 1st Corinthians today.
1 Corinthians 12:6 KJV –And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
NIV – There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
There are four verses that coincide with Paul’s thoughts here. Three are from the Old Testament in the Prophetic and Poetic Scrolls of Job, Daniel, and Malachi.
Job 33:29 KJV – Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
NIV – “God does all these things to a person—twice, even three times—
Daniel 4:35 KJV – And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
NIV – All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
Malachi 2:10 KJV – Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
NIV – Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?
Paul utilizes the writing of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles for a New Testament reference here.
Acts 17:28 KJV – For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
NIV – ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Paul points out something interesting. We are God’s offspring, both physically and spiritually. We are His children because He created us. We became the Sons and Daughters of God through the sacrifice that Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth made on the cross two millennia in the past. Learning and understanding Scripture in as many ways as possible allows us to grow in faith and belief through the hope and unconditional love that Yeshua Ha Nozri Jesus Christ of Nazareth brings us. We do that by showing 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: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
~ 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 © 2026 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.
