Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. 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
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & LinkedIn
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.
- Please continue to pray for Elder Cal Jennings and his health issues, which are numerous. He has been having issues with his pain, vision, and memory of late. He just returned home from the hospital and is on intravenous antibiotics for two weeks.
- Please pray answers and solutions come for some of my family members and friends who are in difficult situations.
- Please pray for those who are trying to cope with losses of family members and friends.
- Please pray for all of those who suffer chronic illness, chronic pain, and chronic diseases, cancer, and all the issues caused by those illnesses and diseases.
- We are ever watchful in regard to the weather, the unrest, and the health and well-being of all humanity around the world. Let us pray for calm skies and seas, calm voices and spirits, and also healthy outcomes for those who are affected.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- Pray for all of our outreach ministries with Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Robert Nganwa, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Rev. Lisa Tyler, and all the others who have joined us.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.
- Pray for our friends and families that their tomorrows bring blessings and pray our own be the same.
- Pray for those suffering as a result of the terrors that have occurred just this past week around this world.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
- Pray that truth is revealed where falsehoods have been shared around this world.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for all the blessings brought to each of us. We ask that You please watch over all those who are sick and injured that they may heal well. We pray for those who are falsely imprisoned that they may be free. We pray for those suffering from natural disasters, mass shootings, and all that require healing. We pray for our nations and their leadership that wise decisions are made and carried out. We pray for our ministry here and out around this world, that we all are strengthened through the Spirit. We ask this in Your Holy Name through the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Just As I Am ~ https://youtu.be/PNJIhF_DY7E?list=PLE895E8C0F0009124
Sermon: We are beginning a new Scroll of Scripture today. We will be pursuing understanding of the Apostle Peter’s writing for the next several weeks. We know from prior study that Jesus ordained all of the original twelve Apostles to spread His Word to as many corners of the earth as possible. He also warned Peter that his faith needed work. Well, today we begin to learn how Peter drew upon that faith to teach others around him about the Salvation offered through the Unconditional Love Jesus portrayed for all humanity around this world even to this very day.
1 Peter 1:1 KJV – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter is introducing himself to the people of these five locations as one. Where was he when writing this epistle? Here are the five locations where Scripture places him during his time on earth teaching the Word to those who would listen and hear.
Pontus was a province in northeastern Asia Minor.
Galatia was in the central plateau of Asia Minor.
Cappadocia was surrounded by Galatia in the central plateau of Asia Minor.
Asia was much the same then as it would be now.
Bithynia was north of Galatia in the northwest portion of Asia Minor.
I have included a map in the written version of this sermon so that you can have a point of reference. Each location would be portrayed within this map. Knowing where Scripture was written and shared with the people who followed Jesus even in defiance of all the other views of faith that were oppressive and possessive in ancient times, and are not much better in today’s world. Peter taught that it was better to teach what God wants us to teach and preach than it was to simply follow blindly along with others who promise much and deliver nothing in return. Paul taught in a similar fashion as his Brother in Christ as shared here.
Philippians 2:12 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Luke the Evangelist wrote something very similar to both Peter and Paul. That’s what is shared here in this next verse.
Acts 8:4 KJV – Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Jesus asked us to share His word in a specific fashion with what is commonly known as the Great Commission.
Matthew
28:19-20 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
It is a humble honor to share the Word of God with any willing to listen. It is something Peter realized in grand fashion at the time of Jesus’s arrest, sentence, torture, and crucifixion on that long ago day. He realized it even more fully three days later when Jesus ascended as the risen Lord, resurrected to become the driving force toward understanding God’s Word fully and completely. It is something we all must learn, daily, hourly even as we live here on this earth. It is something we all must share with one another as well. This is what Peter shares here.
1 Peter 1:2 KJV – Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Those who understand what it means to be elected as one to share the peace and unconditional love of Jesus Christ know that it is a daily challenge in the world, as it has been for millennia. We work hard to share our faith and to show others how to share that same faith with those who surround us, no matter where we are in this world. Doing so will allow our peace to multiply as we give that gift of peace to anyone willing to share it. Now we’re going back to the Scroll of Ephesians to see what else can be seen in these words as Peter shares.
Ephesians 1:4 KJV – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Paul shared a similar thought with the citizens of Rome here.
Romans 8:29 KJV – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
We have heard the word predestinate before. Predestination is something that some have sold as truth, when it is not as easy to get to heaven’s gates as it sounds in the definition. The definition is, in biblical considerations: to foreordain by divine decree or purpose. So, are we predestined to go to heaven immediately upon the moment of our death? It is not that easy. We have much to learn as followers of Christ. This is why we must continue studying the Word from as many viewpoints as possible. We see here what Paul has to share in Thessaly.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV – But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Be thankful for everything that God blesses each of us with. Be amazed at the amount of forgiveness that Jesus offers for those who struggle to stay on that narrow path which He created for us. Paul shares how that path can challenge us and yet comfort us as well as he spoke to the Romans and to the Hebrews.
Romans 16:26 KJV – But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Hebrews 12:24 KJV – And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
We see so much of the salvation that Jesus offers each of us who chooses to believe in Him, His life, His unconditional love, His death and resurrection. We see that there is far more involved in these actions which Jesus willingly went through to prove that He is, as He has always been, the true Son of God. This in order to ensure that we understand everything involved in what it means to be Christian. John the Beloved shared just that in his gospel.
John 1:29 KJV – The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 KJV – And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John the Beloved was one of the most prolific writers of Scripture as we know it. He worked side by side with the other Apostles both while Jesus lived and after His resurrection. John was the only one of the original twelve, and the one to replace Judas, to live until his natural death when he was beyond the age of ninety years. He saw just exactly how those who are truly devoted to the path of Jesus could experience life. He proved that much when he survived tortures none of us would realize how bad they might be. Yet, the Revelation, as given to John the Beloved is one of the most misunderstood and often hated scrolls of Scripture. Let’s see what John observed in His walk between heaven and earth with Jesus and the Angels guiding his footsteps. This is why Peter wrote to reference his fellow Brothers through Christ.
Revelation 7:14 KJV – And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Apostles and Disciples were family, as far as Jesus was concerned. Due to this, His earthly brothers also considered the Apostles the same. Judah proves that in the verse we covered last month.
Jude 2 KJV – Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Mercy, peace, and love multiplied in our hearts, our minds, and spirits as well as our souls. This is something that heals pain and sorrow of a spiritual and human nature. It’s something that all of the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ would wish everyone to realize. Now we will look at this next verse from Peter.
1 Peter 1:3 KJV – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
We proceed with slow and determined steps through Scripture, not to draw out our sermons and studies, but to fully understand what the Word truly means to each and every one of us. We share the Word in this fashion because, even as teachers and preachers of the Word, we too are learning new things through the very Word we teach. That’s why we see Paul, Peter, John, Judah, and the others sharing so much in a single sermon. Her we see Paul speaking with the citizens of Corinth.
2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV – Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
God is blessed in the same way we are. For He loves us and is blessed as our Father, and the bringer of Jesus, who taught us how to love one another, as God and Jesus love us through the Holy Spirit, the Great Comforter. This is an important element of Christian faith, something we often have to revisit in this world filled with so much hate, fear, and seven troubles running rampant. John shares more in his words before and after his time in solitude, isolation, on Patmos and then back in the city he loved, Ephesus as he reflects all the way back to the time he shared with our Savior.
Revelation 13:8 KJV – And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 2:4 KJV – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
John
3:3-5 KJV – Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How can a person be born again? Baptism. This is what Jesus was explaining. We cannot be a true child of God unless we are willing to shed the lifestyle and habits we may have pursued prior to accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. It is the way that has been practiced since John the Baptist, cousin to Jesus, began his personal journey for God’s understanding. It is one that continues even to this very day. That’s what is shared in these words through the Apostle Paul in Philippi and Corinth.
Philippians 2:9 KJV – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV – But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Those of us who live for Christ, for God’s purpose, will be there at final judgment and will be there to see what shall happen to each of us who believes, a little, or a lot, as devoted followers of our heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Great Comforter the Holy Spirit. Now, that’s something to think about as we pray in the prayer that Jesus taught us saying:
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: Alan Jackson ~ Blessed Assurance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfqYwfTqlE
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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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 © 2021 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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