https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d22Vj3MXq_A
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 continue to pray for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Allison, who were in a car wreck several weeks 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. 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 JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is healing after completing his prostate cancer treatment.
- We keep JB’s sister Debbie back into prayer as she has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma after conquering two rounds of breast cancer. From the last report, she is doing well with treatment, so keep praying that this is the final cancer challenge she faces here.
- 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 our prayers for JB and EB as they are continually frustrated with all their medical issues that are ignored or overlooked. JB has been especially sick, losing weight way too fast and no complete solution in sight at the moment. She has gotten a tentative diagnosis for what is going on with her, but her doctor has scheduled her with a specialist to verify. JB has been seriously ill this past month with several issues going on that have sent her system completely out of whack.
- 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. 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, 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 men and women and children who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, family, and more. We pray for the homeless and the helpless around this world. We pray for the victims of violence, prejudice, and terrorism in this world. 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 the soldiers lost during 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: Blessed Assurance
Sermon: Today we are continuing the eleventh chapter of 1 Corinthians. In this section that I am covering, six verses that Paul spends reprimanding the members of the church for abusing the gift of communion and the significance of it, as well as the significance of their destruction of this sacred tradition. Now, as a virtual church, we have issues with sharing the body and blood of Christ because we cannot be around the same table or altar to share. However, whenever you have the opportunity to do so, remember that night at the Last Supper with the reverence that is deserved for its sacredness. This is what Paul is reminding the members of the church of Corinth about. With that, let’s begin here.
1 Corinthians 11:20 KJV –When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
NIV –So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,
Now, the celebration of the Last Supper was performed during the time of Passover. As such, we have to listen and learn from the historical significance of this time of year that is still celebrated, just differently for Christians than for Jews. We’ll start with the Torah.
Exodus 12:14 KJV –And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
NIV – “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.
Leviticus 23:4-8 KJV – These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
NIV –“‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: 5 The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 8 For seven days present a food offering to the Lord. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’”
Numbers 9:2-14 KJV –Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.6 And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:7 And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed season among the children of Israel?8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.9 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,10 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord.11 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.12 They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.13 But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the Lord; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.
NIV
– “Have the Israelites
celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3 Celebrate it at
the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in
accordance with all its rules and regulations.”
4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5 and
they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the
first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.
6 But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day
because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came
to Moses and Aaron that same day 7 and said to Moses, “We have
become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from
presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed
time?”
8 Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord
commands concerning you.”
9 Then the Lord said to Moses, 10 “Tell the
Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead
body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord’s Passover,
11 but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second
month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and
bitter herbs. 12 They must not leave any of it till morning or
break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all
the regulations. 13 But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and
not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from
their people for not presenting the Lord’s offering at the appointed time. They
will bear the consequences of their sin.
14 “‘A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the
Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the
same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 KJV – Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. 2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there.3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.4 And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee:6 But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.7 And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.
NIV
– Observe the month of
Aviv and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because in the month of
Aviv he brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 Sacrifice as the
Passover to the Lord your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place
the Lord will choose as a dwelling for his Name. 3 Do not eat
it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the
bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of
your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. 4 Let
no yeast be found in your possession in all your land for seven days. Do not
let any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until
morning.
5 You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the Lord your
God gives you 6 except in the place he will choose as a
dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening,
when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. 7 Roast
it and eat it at the place the Lord your God will choose. Then in the morning
return to your tents. 8 For six days eat unleavened bread and
on the seventh day hold an assembly to the Lord your God and do no work.
Now we have to include the Last Supper as shared with Yeshua Ha Notzri, Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the Apostles. Along with this reference are others from the Acts of the Apostles and the Hebrew prophets.
Matthew 26:26-28 KJV – And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
NIV – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 20:27 KJV – For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
NIV – For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Hebrews 10:25 KJV – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
NIV – not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Now comes the part where Paul is scolding the members of the church there at Corinth. He portrays a combination of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Troubles. Vanity and Gluttony would be the combination described here.
1 Corinthians 11:21 KJV – For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
NIV –for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.
Paul has two Old Testament references from King Solomon and his go-to prophet Isaiah.
Proverbs 22:9 KJV –He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
NIV – The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Isaiah 58:7 KJV – Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
NIV – Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Paul includes two gospel references from Matthew and Luke as well as a reference to James the Just, younger brother of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ.
Matthew 25:35-40 KJV – For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
NIV – For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Luke 14:12-14 KJV – Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
NIV – Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
James 2:15-16 KJV – 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?
NIV – 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?
Paul continues to reprimand the church membership in Corinth with this next verse. There is a time and a place for extreme hunger. The church is not that location. Here is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 11:22 KJV – What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
NIV –Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
Paul has four Old Testament references for us to look at here.
Proverbs 17:5 KJV –Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
NIV – Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Isaiah 58:7 KJV – Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
NIV – Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Malachi 1:10 KJV – Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
NIV – “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.
Amos 5:21-23 KJV – I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
NIV – “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Paul includes three New Testament references, including one from the gospel of Matthew with Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth speaking and also from the Acts of the Apostles and again James the Just, younger brother of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Matthew 21:13 KJV – And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
NIV – “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Acts 2:46 KJV – And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
NIV – Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
James 2:1-7 KJV – My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
NIV
– My brothers and
sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose
a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor
man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special
attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for
you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my
feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen
those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit
the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have
dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not
the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the
ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Now, this time I split a sentence on purpose. The reason being that there’s so much to reference that I literally could not subject anyone to the complications involved without causing confusion. So, here is this next verse.
1 Corinthians 11:23 KJV – For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
NIV –For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
In this case, we have all New Testament references. Two come from the Words of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the gospel of John the Beloved and the rest are from the Acts of the Apostles and the Hebrew prophets.
John 6:53-58 KJV –Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
NIV – Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
John 13:21-30 KJV – When
Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall
betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of
whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples,
whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask
who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is
it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to
whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped
the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus
unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake
this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that
Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the
feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it
was night.
NIV – After he had said this, Jesus was
troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I
tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which
of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus
loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to
this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one
to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then,
dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As
soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do
quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus
said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some
thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to
give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the
bread, he went out. And it was night.
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.”
Acts 2:42 KJV – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
NIV – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Hebrews 9:14-15 KJV – How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
NIV – How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Now Paul is teaching the church at Corinth the proper method for sharing Communion. In modern churches this is often taught in the same way. Some traditions need to continue to portray the lasting effect of promises and their outcomes as God promised that, should we follow these steps, our faith will lead us toward the path of Righteousness. Jesus proved that in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection. It is for this reason we need to continue to observe the proper methods toward remembrance.
1 Corinthians 11:24 KJV –And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
NIV –and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Paul has two Old Testament Torah references to start us off with this.
Exodus 12:14 KJV –And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
NIV – “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.
Deuteronomy 16:3 KJV – Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
NIV – Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt.
Paul includes two gospel references from John the Beloved and a reference from his letter written to Rome.
John 6:11 KJV – And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
NIV – Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
John 6:51 KJV – I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
NIV – I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Romans 5:8 KJV – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
NIV – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Our final verse today from the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth is this one.
1 Corinthians 11:25 KJV – After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
NIV –In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Here are four references Paul shares, one from the prophet Jeremiah, and the remaining from gospel of Luke and the Hebrew prophets.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
NIV – “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Luke 22:20 KJV – Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
NIV – In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Hebrews 8:8-13 KJV – For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
NIV – But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Hebrews 9:15 KJV – And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
NIV – For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
So, our lesson is to be respectful not just to each other while sharing time in church, no matter the style of church we attend, but also to respect the ceremony within it. It’s very important to do so. That’s not just because it has been such for thousands of years, but also because it is what God and Jesus ordained through Their Words, Actions, and Reactions throughout Scripture. We hear it in the words that Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ spoke. We read it in the scrolls and letters written by the prophets, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and John the Beloved. We see it in the Word as shared through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John the Beloved. We recognize it in the writings of the Hebrew Prophets. We know it in the literal design of Scripture and how it is shared. Each and every one of us has a mission to continue the lessons that God has insisted we share with each other. We need to work together to bring His unconditional love to the masses around 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: Wonderful Words of Life
~ 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
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