https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4rZVdwKwoM
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 still praying today for my dear friend JB who had a very bad fall a little over a month ago and broke her hip. She is home resting and doing physical therapy after recovering from surgery and staying until the doctor is confident, she will manage, which has been updated for another month from now. 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.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is currently still in rehabilitation after losing his fingertips to serious third-degree burns. He is healing very slowly and has just had his stitches removed two weeks ago now. Please pray for his healing and that his pain is treated like it should be treated, not as an afterthought.
- We have an urgent prayer for the family of my sister-in-law Francine, Fran, to all of us, who currently is on life support with several brain tumors. Her family is preparing to lose her soon after the cancer spread from her skin to her brain. It is devastating to all of the family, so please keep every one of them in prayer, especially her husband and two adult children as they prepare for her final moments and memorial service at this time. If you would like to help, please let me know and I’ll pass on that information as well.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who had a small scare two weeks ago involving a short fall. She has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister almost a year 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.
- Please pray for one of my sisters, who has a need for something new right now in regard to her career after frustration with a job she is currently within that did not turn out to be anything like it was portrayed to her.
- 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 all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including several survivors of the disease, Evangelist Cal Jennings’ brother-in-law David Doyle, 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, smoke from those wildfires, storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide like those in South America earlier this past month.
- 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 a great deal of things to pray for and a great many as well. We pray for our dear sister-in-law Fran who is in dire need of Your comfort and care. We pray for her husband, children, and extended family as they prepare for the worst and hope for Your miracles. We pray for the victims that were lost in the earthquakes last month. We pray for those in the path of the wildfires up north in Canada right now. We pray for the many who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, including JB, our family, 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, and others. We pray for those who survived cancer, including Kelly, Alexis, David, and Debbie 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: His Name Is Wonderful
Sermon: Today we are discussing the first six verses of 1st Corinthians Chapter 13. Paul speaks about love, unconditional love, as Jesus taught. It is incredible how difficult this simple concept contained within three little words could be so complicated for anyone and everyone to master the way Jesus mastered them. There is a lot to dive into here in these first six verses, and a lot of reference material for us to think about as well. You have to understand. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Yeshua Ha Notzri, knew without a single second thought, just how hard it would be for anyone to love one another as He loves us. This is how Paul portrays that directive for the church there at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
NIV – If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If we don’t share love within the Word as spoken in the languages of those who surround us, all we are doing is creating noise, and not joyful in content. This is the exact opposite of what we should be doing as preachers and teachers of the Word. Paul is working to portray this fact with the Scriptures to prove it. He does so with these Old Testament references.
Genesis 11:1-9 KJV – And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
NIV
– Now the whole world
had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved
eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake
them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then
they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to
the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be
scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the
people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people
speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan
to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and
confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and
they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called
Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From
there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Isaiah 29:13 KJV – Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
NIV – The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Amos 5:23 KJV – Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
NIV – Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Paul then includes three New Testament references from our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth and from the Apostle Peter as well.
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV – Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
NIV – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 13:34-35 KJV – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
NIV – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
1 Peter 4:8 KJV –And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
NIV –Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
There is one factor a pastor, preacher, priest, or minister, must possess while they are teaching Scripture. That one factor is spoken of here in the words that Paul shared with the church there at Corinth. This specific factor is important and has proven to be such for millennia. Here is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 13:2 KJV – And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
NIV – If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
This time Paul shares one Old Testament point of view in the prophetic words of Daniel.
Daniel 2:22 KJV – He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
NIV – He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Paul includes three New Testament references from the gospel of Matthew with the parable of the Mustard Seed, his letter as written to Rome and also John the Beloved’s first letter as well.
Matthew 17:20 KJV – And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
NIV – He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Romans 12:6 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;
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;
1 John 4:8 KJV –He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
NIV –Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
There is something important that many people miss in the words of Jesus Christ, and that’s what Paul points toward next. It’s very important to realize and recognize exactly what Paul means here as he shares this.
1 Corinthians 13:3 KJV – And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
NIV – If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Paul shares three gospel references from Matthew, adding a reference from his letter to Rome and also two references from James the Just and John the Beloved. It is important for us to recognize and realize what Jesus taught within what each Apostle and sibling of our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth brought forward.
Matthew
6:1-4 KJV – Take
heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have
no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore
when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of
men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But
when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That
thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall
reward thee openly.
NIV
– “Be
careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by
them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy,
do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on
the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received
their reward in full. 3 But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, 4 so that your
giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you.
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto
them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
NIV – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 19:21 KJV – Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
NIV – Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Romans 12:1 KJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
NIV – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
James 2:14-17 KJV – What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
NIV – What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:16-18 KJV –Hereby perceive we the
love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have
need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love
of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; but in deed and in truth.
NIV – This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Next, we see a very important verse that shares exactly what Love should always be. This isn’t just the point of view that Paul has, it is the point of view that Yeshua Ha Notzri portrayed even to the moment of His death and resurrection, and something that we should all strive toward even to this very moment and on into the future.
1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV – Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
NIV – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Paul goes to the words of King Solomon first with his references here.
Proverbs 10:12 KJV – Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
NIV – Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs 23:17 KJV – Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
NIV – Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
Paul includes a reference to his letter for Rome and also three more from James the Just, younger human sibling of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Romans 12:12 KJV – Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
NIV – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
James 3:14-16 KJV – But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NIV – But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
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.”
James 5:7-8 KJV – Be
patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience
for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of
the Lord draweth nigh.
NIV – Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Paul continues with his description of what true unconditional love would be. It is important for us to recognize and realize all these facets of unconditional love and apply them within our daily lives. It isn’t easy, and never was intended to be easy, because easy is boring, but anything worthwhile takes work to manage. Here is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 13:5 KJV – Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
NIV – It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Again, Paul utilizes the writing of King Solomon with these two Old Testament views.
Proverbs 15:18 KJV – A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
NIV – A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 16:32 KJV – He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
NIV – Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Paul adds three New Testament points of view from the words of our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth and His human brother, James along with Peter’s first letter.
Mark 10:45 KJV – For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
NIV – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
James 1:19-20 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
NIV –My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
1 Peter 2:17 KJV – Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
NIV –Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Our last verse today points to an eternal truth regarding unconditional love. Yes, it is an eternal truth, not just a temporal one. Time has no effect on love, but love does have an effect on time. This is something that Paul points toward here.
1 Corinthians 13:6 KJV – Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
NIV – Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Paul focuses mostly on the Old Testament with references to King David, King Solomon, the prophet Zechariah and one final reference to the writings of John the Beloved in his third letter.
Psalm 97:10 KJV – Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
NIV – Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 119:111 KJV – Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
NIV – Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:162-163 KJV – I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
NIV – I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
Proverbs 12:22 KJV – Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
NIV – The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
Zechariah 8:16-17 KJV – These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.
NIV –These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
3 John 1:4 KJV –I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
NIV –I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Love One Another is more than three words. It is more than a simple concept. It is the ultimate view of what being truly God’s children would be. It is the ultimate portrayal of everything that Yeshua Ha Notzri, Jesus Christ of Nazareth portrayed from the second He could speak and teach and preach through His thirty-three years of life on this earth. It is something that He continues to preach and teach through the Word as shared in Scripture. All of this learning about what should be, how we should act, who we should portray in our words, actions, and reactions, allows us the ability to bring hearts, minds, and spirits together so that we might grow in faith and belief through the hope and unconditional love that Yeshua Ha Notzri 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: How Great Thou Art
~ 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.
