Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our day after Christmas Sunday sermon. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Our ministry was created with twelve people around this world back in 2008. Each of us shares God’s Word in ways He guides us to utilize. 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.
- We are ever watchful in regard to the weather with the high winds around many places. We continue to pray for those who suffer or have suffered from the COVID-19 chaos. Let us pray for calm skies and seas, calm voices and spirits, and also healthy outcomes for those who are affected.
- Pray for a friend of a friend whose daughter Everleigh is fighting Leukemia.
- Pray for my friend Jeff and his wife and granddaughter, who have tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days ago.
- Pray that another friend gets good news in regard to their healing process in the hope that all is going well.
- Pray for my employer’s wife who has been getting better, and is going through physical therapy that is helping with her sleep and comfort.
- 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 who are jobless, homeless, no matter what might have ended up causing either of those. Pray that providence would find them and ease the suffering.
- 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.
- Pray for all of those who were stranded in the traveling snafus over the Christmas holidays and pray that they make their destinations and returns home in safety and health.
Prayer: Father in heaven, this is our prayer for today. We pray for those who have traveled long distances to share the holiday with family. We pray for those who have gotten ill with any illness, or disease, that they feel hope and faith in their hearts and minds. We pray that truth can be seen where too many lies have filled life as we know it. We pray for those whose jobs are in a scary position. We pray also for family members of colleagues and friends. We pray for those traveling back and forth across this country, including our family members who have traveled here for the Christmas. We pray for the other travelers around this world so they remain healthy. We pray for the medical scientists, and physicians who battle on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus and all the other terrible diseases in this world. For each of these we pray in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Mary Did You Know ~ Kenny Rogers & Wynonna Judd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivxf3q-k6ds&list=PLLDVfSPfze0uUXilP0jZgcb1kSqVeS_oI&index=31
Sermon: We are here to celebrate the birth and early life of our Savior Jesus Christ as told through the writing in the Gospel of Luke. As was shared on Christmas Eve, it was a shocking moment when Mary found herself pregnant by Immaculate Conception and her cousin also pregnant by miraculous means to bring about the beginning of salvation, fulfilling the promise to Adam and Eve, Abraham and Isaac, Noah and his family, King David, his son King Solomon, and so many others. It is something that fulfills so many promises made over the centuries. Yet, even today, there are those who do not believe this miracle occurred. There are those who don’t see how He was born in this world and that His birth changed anything at all. This is where we begin.
Luke
2:1-5 KJV – And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house
and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
We have so much to go through in this second chapter. If you recall in the Old
Testament, and most of your world history, this scene spoken about regarding
the taxes and having to return to the city of their birth was something
everyone did, Jew or Gentile, while under the rule of Rome. At this time Mary and
Joseph are worried because she is heavy with child and travel, even today,
would have been quite difficult for someone as far along as they did.
Matthew 1:18 KJV – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Traditions are something all of us have in one fashion or another. Whether we have a Christmas Tree, a Wreath, or any of those things that consist of some traditions. One law that continues clear up until this time, is the need to pay taxes annually. Even then, taxes were a necessary expense for all citizens considered as adults. This, even with the imminent birth of a baby, both Mary and Joseph complied with. We see these supporting verses show this.
Genesis 17:1 KJV – And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Psalm 71:21 KJV – Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
Psalm 119:9 KJV – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalm 126:2-3 KJV – Then
was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they
among the heathen, The Lord hath
done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things
for us; whereof we are glad.
Ephesians 3:20 KJV – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Now we get to the moment where they are relieved just to have a location to stop for the night. Joseph and Mary were thankful that they had shelter from the weather, and a secure location to give birth to Jesus.
Luke
2:6-7 KJV – And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
It is such a miracle to consider this moment. Knowing today how hard it is for any woman to go through the birth process, we have it far easier than they did. We all should be feeling blessed by the fact that our Savior was born healthy and secure with his earthly parents. Imagine the awe and amazement that Joseph and Mary felt at that moment.
Luke 2:8-16 KJV – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger.
Imagine, you hear voices singing praises and glorifying God coming out of nowhere. This especially if you are in the middle of a huge field with no people anywhere around but these three shepherds. Add to that, it’s the middle of the night, and it has been lit up like midday. Scary thought, right? Yet, in the midst of all this, they are calmed and reassured they are not suffering delusions or any of that. “Fear not!” is what the angel shouts to them. “Fear not!” Just as they had said to both Mary and Joseph. We see this foretold here through the words of Isaiah and David.
Isaiah 9:6 KJV – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Psalm 148:2 KJV – Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Daniel 7:10 KJV – A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
We add to this with the knowledge of what will be in the future.
Revelation 5:11 KJV – And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
We see again the moment Jesus was born, this time in the words of the Gospel writer Matthew.
Matthew 21:9 KJV – And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
It is important to understand this moment, from all points of view. We have the angels, God, three shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and their baby Jesus, the Savior. It is a monumental moment for them all, because all the covenants and promises made have managed fruition. This is the ultimate test to see how humanity either embraces the potential for salvation or shuns it entirely. Let’s read further into this chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
Luke
2:17-20 KJV – And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Now, we’re going to step back as we look at this wondrous moment. The shepherds sharing what they had seen and heard with those who they met in their travels. Mary is worried about this moment, fearful for the tiny baby she had delivered into the world. Remember, Gabriel, the angel that spoke to her upon the knowledge she was expecting, told her to “Fear Not”. It’s hard, really hard, when you see an infant and, of course, any mother would worry for fear that mankind would seek him out to destroy him as had been seen before. Luke shares that their worries would be comforted and eased away.
Luke 1:66 KJV – And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Now, tradition falls into view yet again. Jewish male infants were circumcised after their eighth day of life. This was something that was managed all the way back in the beginning, and is still worked with even to this very day. While the ceremonial action was managed, an offering had to be made. The offering that Joseph and Mary had was quite small, and we know them with a line from a familiar Christmas carol, two turtledoves.
Luke
2:21-24 KJV – And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the
child, his name was called Jesus,
which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(As it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the
Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
We go back into Scripture and share the verse that mandated this action of the offerings.
Exodus 22:29 KJV – Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Jesus, being Mary and Joseph’s firstborn son, was a gift of God and also a gift for God. This is why the offering was made. This is why tradition was satisfied. Now, when they got to the temple there was a man who was there at the same moment. His experience seeing Mary and Joseph with Jesus is shared next.
Luke
2:25-30 KJV – And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;
and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel:
and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
It was a great and glorious moment for Simeon. This was a moment promised him, that he would see the birth of salvation before his final moment on the earth. Fulfillment of this prophecy for him made his heart swell with joy and his face beam with the wisdom of this greatest gift of all. “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” he said. How amazing that moment would be for anyone who had waited for this enormous promise to be fulfilled. Faith can be built with the smallest of actions. This we know from far back in Scripture. We see a remembered action that brings this in focus.
Hebrews 11:5 KJV – By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Death, that is something everyone often has had fear over. It’s hard to say goodbye to family, friends, and simply have to exist after they are gone. All of us have suffered some form of loss in our lifetimes, no matter the length. It is a very hard time on occasion to celebrate such amazing things, including the birth of a Savior two millennia plus twenty-one years in the past. With the pandemic that we have suffered for two years now, we have seen far too much death in this world. Rejoice, God is with us. Fear not, for He is great and strong and with you always. This is the hope we should all carry, no matter how small that hope might seem.
Luke
2:31-35 KJV – Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is
set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall
be spoken against;
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.
Remember the prophesy shared with David, with Adam even? One day Salvation Shall Be Ensured. We see that premonition brought forward by the prophet Isaiah here in these four passages.
Isaiah 9:2 KJV – The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isaiah 42:6 KJV – I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isaiah 49:6 KJV – And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Isaiah
60:1-3 KJV – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:
but the Lord shall arise upon
thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy
rising.
We add to that the words in the Gospel of Matthew here.
Matthew 4:16 KJV – The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
We continue with the story of Jesus as a young boy growing up in Nazareth in Galilee.
Luke
2:36-45 KJV – And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven
years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from
the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of
him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had
performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into
Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace
of God was upon him.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of
the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried
behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and
they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Jesus was a very inquisitive young man and knew what needed doing even at a very young age. Yet, even Jesus could be sidetracked, as His earthly parents realized after three days’ journey without Him being together with them. Any parent would be worried if they could not find their child for even an hour, not to mention the three days Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus.
Luke
2:46-52 KJV – And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them
questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why
hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee
sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:
but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
It must have been really tough for Jesus to understand human strictures, like staying with His earthly parents in close proximity as a very young child. He held so much wisdom already, far beyond the number of years He lived as a child. He had the knowledge of God, because He was, as He is, the Only Begotten Son of God. Here are John’s insights on the life of our Savior Jesus.
John 9:4 KJV – I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
This is a warning for mankind. Yet, did the people hear it then? Do they recognize it now after two millennia and more have passed? It is very important to realize that the birth and life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was specifically to teach us what humanity has forgotten, to bless us and save us from our own faults and frustrations in life. This is where the last supporting verse leaves us.
Daniel 7:28 KJV – Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
What does the word cogitations mean? Cogitations consist of concerted thought or reflection; meditation; contemplation: In other words, reflecting on the Word of God, through prayer, contemplation, and meditation. In this time fraught with disease, death, destruction, and so much more, perhaps we all should cogitate on the true meaning of Christmas. 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: Born On Christmas Day ~ Brad Paisley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQpZE7uni1g&list=PLLDVfSPfze0uUXilP0jZgcb1kSqVeS_oI&index=61
~ 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 © 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.
