https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbE7oorvg4Y
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 with her. 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 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 had a small scare earlier this week 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.
- 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, storms, flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide like those in South America earlier last week.
- 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.
* My nephews Anthony and Aaron have either had their birthday or will be having their birthday in the next few days. Anthony’s was Friday. Aaron’s is Tuesday.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have a great deal of things to pray for and a great many as well. We pray for the victims that were lost in the earthquakes who are still being located and excavated after the earthquake two weeks ago. 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 Christians around this world. 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: Doxology (Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow)
Sermon: Today we are discussing the final five verses in chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians. Now, this first verse that we’re discussing references only one gospel verse in the Gospel of John the Beloved and the rest would be from Paul’s letter to Ephesus and Peter’s first letter as well. Here is that first verse for today.
1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV –Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
NIV –Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Again, Paul is sharing what the church consists of and how each and every person has a specific place within it. This is an important point to make when it comes to the body of Christ as the Church. We all have a place within the church and each of us has a specific task to bring forward. We have musicians, preachers, teachers, pastors, priests, evangelists, elders, sisters, brothers, apostles, and the list goes on and on. Each of us has an important piece of the puzzle that is the church and Jesus pointed out that we are all connected, not just to each other, but to Him and through Him to God Himself. These are the references Paul provides us.
John 15:5 KJV – I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
NIV – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Ephesians 1:22-23 KJV – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
NIV – And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
NIV – Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 4:12 KJV – For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
NIV – to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Ephesians 4:16 KJV – From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
NIV – From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:25 KJV – Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
NIV –Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
1 Peter 2:5 KJV –Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
NIV – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Now, Paul did as his mentor and teacher, our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri, Jesus Christ of Nazareth did. He named each role within the church body, and even some of the events that are and were to take place, including miracles, healing, help, government, diversity, and speaking in different tongues, or languages. Now, this one is interesting because speaking other languages within the church was something very important for bringing more people to Christ. This remains very, very important. If we cannot communicate faith in any and every language possible, then we cannot build the church the way God and Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth taught us to. Now, I’m not fantastic with other languages. I have greetings in Spanish, French, German, and Sign Language. I know a few phrases in ancient languages like Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. I can sing in both Spanish and English. I am fluent in English only. However, the fact that I can recognize these languages for what they are is significant within the church according to Paul’s writing as shared here.
1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV –And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
NIV –And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Paul shares one gospel verse from Mark and more writing from Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, and one passage from James the Just, younger brother of Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Mark 3:14-15 KJV – And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
NIV – He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.
Acts 1:2 KJV – Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
NIV – until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Acts 11:27-28 KJV – And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
NIV – During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
James 5:14-15 KJV – Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
NIV – Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Now Paul continues to enumerate the divisions within the church, and emphasizes that there are significant roles and responsibilities within them, but that some of the seven troubles, specifically vanity and envy, should remain outside of the church at all times. Though this isn’t stated specifically, it is implied within the words themselves.
1 Corinthians 12:29 KJV –Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
NIV –Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Paul takes the time to reference the Twelve Apostles within this specific verse, which is interesting. From what the rest of the verses share, it should be taken as a warning. There is always the potential for betrayal within the church, just as there was within the original Twelve Apostles through Judas Ischariot. This is why we, to this day, find corrupt pastors, priests, and more. Here are the references Paul produced for this one.
Matthew 10:2-4 KJV – Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
NIV – These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Luke 6:13 KJV – And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
NIV – When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Acts 1:21-26 KJV – Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
NIV
– Therefore it is
necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the
Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s
baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must
become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also
known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you
know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to
take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then
they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven
apostles.
Hebrews 5:12 KJV – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
NIV – In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
James 3:1 KJV – My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
NIV – Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Now, Paul continues to point out that nobody has the exact same gifts when it comes to the Church. Nobody can do a different person’s job. Nobody can mimic the same job identically to another person’s work. There’s a simple reason for this. God gave us many gifts when He brought humanity to life. One of those is Free Will. It is because of this unconditional gift that we are as unique as it gets when it comes to ministry and serving within the church. This will prove to be more and more important as we continue the study of Paul’s writing as well as the others within the New Testament, and even some of the Old Testament points of view as well.
1 Corinthians 12:30 KJV –Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
NIV –Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Paul checks in with the writings of the gospel writers Mark and Luke in the Acts of the Apostles as well. He follows them up with the writing of the Hebrew prophets.
Mark 16:17 KJV – And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
NIV – And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
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 3:6-8 KJV – Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
NIV – Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Acts 9:34-35 KJV – And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
NIV – “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Acts 19:11-12 KJV – And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
NIV – God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Hebrews 2:3-4 KJV – How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
NIV – how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
There is only one thing that Paul requests in this final verse for this chapter. The desire for good, this is what he wants us to pursue. The desire for both being and doing good. This is vital for Christian faith, because faith is all about goodness and the sharing of it.
1 Corinthians 12:31 KJV –But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
NIV –Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
The greater gifts include unconditional love, something that Yeshua Ha Notzri, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, portrayed with every single moment of His human existence and beyond that as well. It is something we all can achieve if we work hard at keeping the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Troubles out of our lives as often as humanly possible. Paul references the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved before diving into the words of the Hebrew prophets and his fellow Apostle Peter.
Matthew 5:19 KJV – Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
NIV – Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 22:36-40 KJV – Master, which is the
great commandment in the law?
37 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 – “Teacher, which is the greatest
commandment in the Law?”
37 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 KJV – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
NIV – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 15:12-13 KJV – This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
NIV – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Hebrews 6:10 KJV – For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
NIV –God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
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.
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: 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
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.
