https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFn7SdOtSmo
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 has finally been given limited ability to travel away from home two days per week for very short distances. Please keep JB in prayer for continued therapy, and continued doctor visits after her broken hip and upper leg. Please start praying again for her husband EB as well with his health and his muscles and movement. Add to them with her sister-in-law who is suffering from cancer at this time.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is home after rehabilitation after losing his fingertips to serious third-degree burns. He is still healing very slowly and has slow, arduous therapy for his remaining fingers in their shaping and movement. Please pray for his healing and that his pain is treated like it should be treated, not as an afterthought.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of issues lately in her life. Please keep her in prayer for her anxieties, fears, and general well-being.
- 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.
* Happy birthday to my dear friend Kristy.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have a great deal of things to pray for and a great many as well. We pray for EB and JB and their health issues. We pray for their sister-in-law who has cancer as well. We pray for the survivors of the earthquakes in South America. We pray for the ones in the path of the erupting Mount Etna in Sicily. We pray for those in the path of the wildfires up north in Canada right now and for those affected by the smoke that is drifting for hundreds of miles. We pray for those who are suffering from severe flooding all over this world. We pray for the many who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, including Cal, 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. 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: Rock of Ages
Sermon: Today we are continuing Chapter 14 of 1st Corinthians. We will cover the next six verses and there’s a lot to go over with this. We begin where we left last week with this verse here.
1 Corinthians 14:23 KJV –If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
NIV –So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
This again goes back to clarification of truth and has origins in the gospels and throughout Scripture. Here are two gospel references from Mark and John the Beloved.
Mark 3:21 KJV – And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
NIV – When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
John 10:20 KJV – And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
NIV – Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
Here are three additional New Testament points of view from the Acts of the Apostles, the Hebrew prophets and James the Just, younger brother of Jesus.
Acts 2:1-4 KJV – And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NIV – When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
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.
James 2:2-3 KJV – 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:
NIV – 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,”
Prophesy is very, very important in the Scriptures. It carries far more weight than just about anything because prophecy can be proven, just as the birth of Jesus was prophetic and then proven. His return will be the same, as it has already been. This is what Paul points toward next.
1 Corinthians 14:24-25 KJV –But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
NIV –But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
Paul references two Old Testament views with this one, and one of them points toward one of the seven troubles known as envy, or jealousy. This is a dangerous state of mind and people need to be very aware of this, along with the other six troubles.
Numbers 11:29 KJV – And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!
NIV – But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
Joel 2:28-29 KJV – And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
NIV – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Now Paul shares a warning from Yeshu Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved.
Matthew 12:25 KJV – And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
NIV – Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Luke 8:17 KJV – For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
NIV – For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
John 12:48 KJV – He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
NIV – There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
John 16:8 KJV – And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
NIV – When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
Paul includes more from the younger human siblings of our Savior and John the Beloved’s Revelation.
James 2:2 KJV – 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;
NIV – 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.
Jude 1:22 KJV – And of some have compassion, making a difference:
NIV – Be merciful to those who doubt;
Revelation 7:11 KJV – And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
NIV – All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
Revelation 21:3 KJV – And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
NIV – And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Paul includes something that often gets overlooked. Every person contributes something to the church. Sometimes it is a prayer. Other times it is a petition. Still more it is prophecy, and music or poetry, or teaching in another formula. Every person has the ability to build up, or edify the church. That’s the purpose of a congregation. There are priests, pastors, preachers, teachers, evangelists, musicians, prayer leaders, listeners, hearers, doers, and so much more. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV –How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
NIV –What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
Paul shares five New Testament points of view for this one, including three from his letter to Rome.
Acts 20:7 KJV – And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
NIV – On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
Romans 4:1 KJV – What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
NIV – What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?
Romans 6:1 KJV – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
NIV – What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
Romans 7:7 KJV – What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
NIV – What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
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.
Interpretation is very, very important and everyone should have a turn in this regard. Sure, tongues can be important, and I’ve experienced this myself, but having a way to understand that tongue is equally important. Whether that is the use of a common language from the region, Sign Language, or anything else, it is vital for us to be able to understand one another so that nothing gets literally lost in translation. Yes, even English can be mis-translated. That’s one of the terrible things about the passage of time, languages get lost and people forget how to bring them together the way they are intended. That’s the most important part about prophecy and preaching and teaching Gospel and God’s Word as a whole. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 14:27 KJV –If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
NIV –If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
Here are two Old Testament references from the Torah and the Poetic Scrolls. The second of which is often featured in a favorite old song.
Deuteronomy 19:15 KJV – One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
NIV – One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
NIV – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Here are two additional references from our Savior in the writing of Matthew and also from the younger brother of our Savior, James the Just.
Matthew 18:16 KJV – But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
NIV – But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
James 1:19 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Our final verse relates to the appropriateness of speaking in tongues and the compulsion to do so and when it is time to curb that compulsion.
1 Corinthians 14:28 KJV –But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
NIV –If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Paul shares five verses that reflect on this idea including four from the Old Testament Historical, Poetic, and Prophetic Scrolls and one Gospel verse in the words of our Savior from Matthew.
1 Samuel 1:13 KJV –Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
NIV – Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk
Psalm 4:4 KJV – Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
NIV – Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Amos 5:13 KJV – Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
NIV –Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
Habakkuk 2:20 KJV – But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
NIV – The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.
Matthew 6:6 KJV – But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
NIV – But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
There is a lot to understand when it comes to prophecy and also when it comes to speaking in tongues. This entire chapter has been outlining all of those aspects of worship and faith and belief. We have a lot of work to do together to understand everything. The best way we can bring more faith and belief together with others is 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: This Little Light of Mine
~ 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.
