Covenant
of Hope Ministries Sunday Sermon_5_11_2014
Good
afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I
am Rev. Laura A. Neff. The ministry knows me as the Rainbow Minister. Find us
posted on Sundays and studies on Wednesday. Our locations are online only:
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
We
have email (instant messenger if you need me) through Facebook every day. These
are now extremely variable. We’re still working this out between the two of us
as to what will happen, our Elder, Cal Jennings and I. I will inform you further
regarding changes. These changes were made due to health reasons. The sermon
length has shortened dramatically. We are unsure as to when there might be
video presentations.
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 has grown from last week. This is our current prayer list for this week.
- Please keep Elder Cal Jennings in your prayers as he is very
sick spending most of his weeks extremely weak and in bed. His ability to view
all that is written through Christ and the music that is bringing further
meditation in the Word as it is brought to us through the Spirit.
- Please pray for my friend Theresa’s sister who is in stage
four cancer. Now it has been learned that two of her sisters are suffering from
cancer or other issues related to it. One of those sisters has been given
antibiotics for an infection and is coming home. Pray that she continues to get
stronger.
Please add to her prayer as she is suffering a great deal of
pain and sorrow in the financial view. A miracle is needed to keep shelter over
her head and more.
- Please keep our member Wayne Bartosh in prayer for his trials
and tribulations that he may receive mercy and hope in Jesus.
- Please keep others known by any of us up in prayer for
whatever they might need.
- Please keep my friend Heather in prayer for patience and safe
haven.
- Please keep my whole family in prayer for the pain, suffering,
and chaos we are going through. My physical being continues as it has been.
Those who have seen pictures have said so. We have been given an avenue, pray
that the avenue opens to a larger path toward all the relief we need as a
family. One of those avenues is opening wider and the second on its heels.
Praise God for that, and we give thanks to all who have prayed for us.
- Pray also for guidance in relation to one member of the
family, that our frustrations be soothed in His grace.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
- Remember those who have been lost either violently or
peacefully this week.
- Pray that I may be able to get in touch with all of our
membership, even with the shortest of notes, just to say hello and I’m thinking
about each of you.
- Keep the ministry in your thoughts, each member, no matter
their location, their circumstances, because a group of friends, a ministry,
should support one another.
- There are many in our ministry who are searching for more in
regard to our presence with my health, and with the health of others. We pray
that there would be health found once more, and that we have answers to all and
for all.
- Please keep a friend, Debby, in your prayers for a swift
recovery after major cancer surgery.
- Continue your prayers for Phoebe Fair’s family as they
continue to grieve her loss.
- Pray that the adversity and the pain we have seen around the
world would be relieved, and swept away. May we find common ground in many
ways, even if we start with just one step.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for this day and for these
who are here to share it with us. We bring to You this day our gratitude in the
gift of our mothers. We bring to You this day the gratitude in the gifts of our
children. We pray that You watch over each of them, mothers and children, and
fathers too. That they no longer see famine, war, or strife, and are all able
to enjoy their life. We pray all these things in Your Holy Name through Jesus
Christ our Savior, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall
be.
Opening
Song: When
Mama Prayed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95YBY1TVT24
Sermon:
During
this day in the United States we celebrate our mothers. In truth, everyone
celebrates, or should celebrate their mothers. We should do so in life as we
should in death. They did bring us into this world and stayed with us even as
we grew up and went away, if only in our hearts. This morning I was drawn to
the mothers of the Old Testament. The Lord wants us to see where the first step
toward salvation was made. So, of course, we must start at the beginning. That
beginning is Adam and Eve.
Genesis 4:1-2 KJV – And Adam knew Eve his wife;
and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Now
we’ll skip forward a little bit in Scripture as God has chosen specific women
who were mothers in the beginnings of the world. This time it would be Sarah,
the wife of Abraham.
Genesis 21:1-3 KJV – And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
Genesis 21:1-3 KJV – And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
Now, at the time when Sarah conceived she actually
laughed at the thought she would bring a child into the world at her age. Well,
some of us wonder about that even now. There are still those who would bring
their first, and sometimes their last, child into the world at an age that isn’t
typical for childbirth. Think about how old Sarah was. She was ninety years
old! Yet she brought forth a baby boy named Isaac. That baby would grow to
bring his own wife home. Here we see when Isaac’s first two children are born.
Note that brother against brother is viewed in living color here in Genesis
25:21-26 KJV – And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she
was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife
conceived.
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
Two nations God promised, and that’s what they got. The eldest would one day serve the youngest God said. Brother against brother seen yet again as it was with Cain and Abel, just both at once in place of one after the other.
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
Two nations God promised, and that’s what they got. The eldest would one day serve the youngest God said. Brother against brother seen yet again as it was with Cain and Abel, just both at once in place of one after the other.
Genesis 30:22-25 KJV – And God remembered Rachel,
and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son.
And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
Joseph was the youngest son of Jacob. His mother, like Sarah, thought to be barren, and yet there he was. It was a sign from God for Rachel, as it was the same for Jacob. It was time for Jacob to take his family to the land he knew was his through God’s gifts. The birth of a child certainly shares quite an interesting view of home. Some of us see home as family alone. This is what Jacob saw. He knew that the place where they were dwelling was only temporary and that bigger and better things waited. Well, he was right. Here even later in Scripture we leave the Scroll of Genesis behind and find another woman, a mother who loses so much, yet gains even more than she would expect. Here we find the story of Naomi and Ruth as we read the story of their lives.
Ruth 1:2-22 KJV – And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Does this sound familiar? Naomi and Ruth together for as long as Naomi would live. There is another pair, a mother and son, who lived through quite a lot, and one would bring another son to that same mother. Their names were Mary, Jesus, and John. When Jesus was on the cross and dying, he called out to John and his mother. John 19:26 KJV – When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
It was very difficult for Joseph to believe in the gift that God gave through the Holy Spirit, and yet, he trusted that gift, and welcomed his son, Jesus. Being His earthly father Joseph learned much through Him and the Spirit of God’s love. When Joseph died, the care of Mary, the mother of Jesus, fell to Jesus. When Jesus knew He was dying, he passed that trust on to the one He knew could do the best for Mary, and would go to the ends of the earth to manage it. Why did He choose John as opposed to the younger brothers He had? They were just that, younger, in fact far younger. So, what is learned between Eve, Rebekah, Sarah, Rachel, Naomi, and Mary? Well, devotion toward family would be, even in the worst of circumstances. There are many reasons to honor our mother. One of them is in the fact that we’re brought into the world. A second is that they helped us get through the early years, and are there for advice through those when we’ve left her side to marry or whatever life may bring. We remember them with all our hearts when they leave our sides until next we would see them. Love them as they love us. Jesus said to love one another as He loves us. It may seem difficult to view in this world today, but there are still those who appear as good role models, whether they begin as your birth parents or not. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)
And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son.
And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
Joseph was the youngest son of Jacob. His mother, like Sarah, thought to be barren, and yet there he was. It was a sign from God for Rachel, as it was the same for Jacob. It was time for Jacob to take his family to the land he knew was his through God’s gifts. The birth of a child certainly shares quite an interesting view of home. Some of us see home as family alone. This is what Jacob saw. He knew that the place where they were dwelling was only temporary and that bigger and better things waited. Well, he was right. Here even later in Scripture we leave the Scroll of Genesis behind and find another woman, a mother who loses so much, yet gains even more than she would expect. Here we find the story of Naomi and Ruth as we read the story of their lives.
Ruth 1:2-22 KJV – And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Does this sound familiar? Naomi and Ruth together for as long as Naomi would live. There is another pair, a mother and son, who lived through quite a lot, and one would bring another son to that same mother. Their names were Mary, Jesus, and John. When Jesus was on the cross and dying, he called out to John and his mother. John 19:26 KJV – When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
It was very difficult for Joseph to believe in the gift that God gave through the Holy Spirit, and yet, he trusted that gift, and welcomed his son, Jesus. Being His earthly father Joseph learned much through Him and the Spirit of God’s love. When Joseph died, the care of Mary, the mother of Jesus, fell to Jesus. When Jesus knew He was dying, he passed that trust on to the one He knew could do the best for Mary, and would go to the ends of the earth to manage it. Why did He choose John as opposed to the younger brothers He had? They were just that, younger, in fact far younger. So, what is learned between Eve, Rebekah, Sarah, Rachel, Naomi, and Mary? Well, devotion toward family would be, even in the worst of circumstances. There are many reasons to honor our mother. One of them is in the fact that we’re brought into the world. A second is that they helped us get through the early years, and are there for advice through those when we’ve left her side to marry or whatever life may bring. We remember them with all our hearts when they leave our sides until next we would see them. Love them as they love us. Jesus said to love one another as He loves us. It may seem difficult to view in this world today, but there are still those who appear as good role models, whether they begin as your birth parents or not. Now that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us saying: After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 KJV)
Closing
Song: A
Mother’s Prayer ~ Keith & Krysten Getty, Moya Brennan
~Shalom~
Covenant
of Hope Ministries
Our Main Video Feed: Covenant_of_Hope
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 © 2012 http://covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com/
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries and
Poetic-Expressions is not to exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all
that is created through fear together as the rainbow in the darkness.
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