Brothers and
Sisters,
Today there
would not be a normal sermon. Granted, there will be a verse or two sprinkled
within this letter, more than likely. Though we are taught to love one another
unconditionally through Scripture, it doesn’t mean we must condone actions of
anyone. We forgive those actions. We don’t support them. It doesn’t mean we
can’t share our time with you. That’s not the reason behind these changes.
At the end
of this letter will be the new layout for each sermon from this point forward.
You will note at least four changes within the wording. You will also note that
it doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten Jesus’s mandate.
John 15:12-13 KJV – This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Scripture,
as many have often said, would condemn the many actions shared this past week.
Freedom is a right shared all through both Scripture and many other views.
However, freedom does not mean everyone has to think alike. Elder Cal Jennings
offered a sermon on the very subject after the decision brought down last week
from the Supreme Court of the United States. Yesterday there was a motion to
give exemption for those Christian ministers who, for ethical reasons, could
not in good conscience support the agendas brought into being. Please click the
link below to read what potential, and hoped for, protections we ministers
have.
As an
ordained minister over the last eight years I have seen so many things in this
world. Now, I don’t hate the people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I just
don’t believe that their actions would fit the ideals of pure Christianity.
Note, I said pure Christianity. There are those Christians who would
have absolutely no issues with the decision made. There are others, like
myself, who do. For this reason and many others my Elder and I have determined
it to be in the best interests of Covenant of Hope Ministries to change our
terminology as previously shared. It doesn’t mean we won’t offer the same
message God brings us. That would be very un-Christian of us. Truth in
Scripture is just as important as loving one another. See this here.
Romans 1:26-32 KJV – For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did
change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Note how
many things are unrighteous within God’s kingdom. What does it mean to be
unrighteous? It means that even if we say we love God, our actions show that we
don’t always do so. This is why God forgives our sins through Jesus. Yet, we
have to ask that forgiveness and be willing to change. Many would argue that
they can’t change, they were born to be such as they are. This isn’t so. It is
shared in Scripture as just that. For that reason our wording has changed, both
in the greeting as well as our closing. Should this offend anyone here is a
website that provides several verses in Scripture to support the decision I, as
a Biblical Christian Minister, and our Elder, would change our policy, our
mission statement, and more.
Now, this
doesn’t mean you’re not welcome to read or respond to our sermons. All types of
people do so, no matter their beliefs. The fact that these sermons would be
read is far more important. Yes, this is a letter, an open letter, and I
welcome your critique. Certainly you may challenge our reasoning. That is quite
alright. It would bring a necessary conversation toward true Christian faith.
That’s what is important. Here below is shared the major changes made.
Here you
will find the greeting, the closing, and the mission statement with their
differences. This will be used from this point forward in all sermons.
------------
Welcome to
Covenant of Hope Ministries and our sermon or midweek study. You will normally
see us posted on Sunday and Wednesday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry
was built on the truth of God’s love. It doesn’t conform to society’s wishes.
This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Those who
know me well will recognize that there are definitive differences in the
creation of every sermon from this point forward. It is God’s will that has
brought this to be. We wish only that God’s truth will be shared within His
words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills my heart, mind, and soul to be
shared with my hands, but with His words alone.
You will
find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Elder 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 © 2015 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.
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