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. 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.
- Please pray for my son and daughter-in-law as her father fights cancer for the fifth time. Pray also for my daughter-in-law’s entire family as they soldier on through this terrible disease her father is suffering from. He is suffering from serious blood clots in his legs and may end up having them amputated. May the Lord bless them with patience and courage in these darkened days.
- Pray that another dear friend gets good news in the coming weeks regarding their healing process going well.
- We continue to be ever watchful in regard to the battle for Ukraine on the other side of the world. We pray for strength and courage when we hear the news about the atrocities occurring so far away. We pray for all those who are affected by the terrible things going on there. We mourn for the families and the massive loss of life. We also pray for everything that is affected as a result of the economic issues that are occurring worldwide.
- Pray for our friends and family members that they are able to find peace, develop patience, and share love and hope with those who surround them.
- 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 the survivors of evil, disease, and all the terrible things in this world.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Spirit.
- 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 famine, fires, droughts, floods, tornadoes, and more chaos caused by the weather conditions and other 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: Father in heaven, this is our prayer for today. We continue to pray for the ones suffering as a result of shootings and unrest around this world. We pray for the citizens of Ukraine who are fighting for their sovereignty and their freedom. We continue to pray for those who have lost their lives on all sides of this chaos. We pray for those who have been sick, become refugees fighting for life, torn apart due to war or other circumstances, or are in mourning. We continue to keep Elder Cal Jennings in our prayers as well. We pray for our friend Dena who has been suffering with a grave illness and epilepsy for far too long. We pray for my father-in-law who suffers dementia and is very frail. We pray for friends like Jeff and little Everleigh’s family as they continue to mourn. We pray for those fighting for justice, peace, love, and hope in this world full of hatred, sin, and evil. 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: Mercy Me ~ Word of God Speak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8cJQMU9Q-U
Sermon: We have been focusing our attention to the various epistles, letters, written to the churches all over the place in Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, and other locations. Today we are starting our search for new Christians and their mentors. This is the story of Titus, mentored by Paul, a Gentile who was tutored in the Gospel of Christ and served as a missionary for Paul and Timothy. In this moment he is on the island of Crete, just south of Italy introducing himself as a disciple sharing the Word of God as brought to the Apostles and Disciples through Jesus Christ.
Titus
1:1-2 KJV – Paul,
a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of
God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world
began;
NIV
– Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of
God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the
beginning of time,
Titus may not seem to be an important player in Scripture, but truthfully he would be such. Like the other Apostles, he is on a mission to prove the belief in Jesus Christ our Savior and Salvation would not be a myth, nor would it be impossible for Him to manage the miracles that were viewed by so many. This is a very important task to manage because Christians were often shunned and even killed for their belief and faith in what Jesus taught, and in what the Apostles proved after the resurrection. We are taken to these supporting verses next.
Galatians 2:3 KJV – But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
NIV – Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
Numbers 23:19 KJV – God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
NIV – God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Two other interesting passages from the Old Testament share aspects of faith and hope that should be considered with these New Testament heroes of Christianity.
1 Samuel 15:9 KJV – But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
NIV – But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.
Now, Saul was not, at this time, truly following what God wanted him to do. He learned the hard way what consequences would be brought about as a result. This is also what Isaiah warned the Jews about as we see his words here.
Isaiah 1:20 KJV – But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
NIV – but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Rebels without a cause would end up failing to survive in a world without some form of spiritual guidance. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, all three combine to be our own personal Spirit Guide, together and separately within the Trinity. Here is what we learn next from the writing Paul managed for Titus.
Titus 1:3 KJV – But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
NIV – and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
This verse shared by Titus refers back to the gospels of Mark and Luke as seen here. Jesus is speaking to the people around Him.
Mark 1:15 KJV – And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
NIV – “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
It was quite unusual, what Jesus was doing, as He traveled through Jerusalem, Galilee and other cities. People were quite drawn to His method of teaching. Again and again Jesus would push the facts that God’s Word was being mutilated and twisted to suit the purposes of seven troubles that have, and had, a tenacious hold on humanity. Repentance is something we all have faced in this lifetime. With that, we can learn to rejoice even with all the work we still have to do. This is what Mary, the mother of Jesus, has to say.
Luke 1:47 KJV – And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
NIV – and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
We are all sons and daughters of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, upon full acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and God as our Heavenly Father. Mary realized the importance of her son as she waited to bring Him into this world. She knew that something amazing was just beginning. Beginnings can be amazing, or fraught with too many issues to count. This is why we all need encouragement in our study of the Word. This is why Paul speaks this way in his letter to Titus. We have a lot to learn in these letters, as the fledgling Christians find their way toward the path Jesus walked.
Titus 1:4 KJV – To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
NIV – To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
He references these passages in the New Testament. All of them point to one thing, how much of a challenge it was to bring people fully into the teachings of Christ and the traditions within that faithful teaching. One of those is translated from ancient Jewish faith, which concerns circumcision. There were many whose lives before their transformation into Christians, were still very wary of such practices. This is seen even to this very day.
2 Corinthians 2:13 KJV – I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
NIV – I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
Galatians 2:3 KJV – But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
NIV – Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
2 Timothy 4:10 KJV – For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
NIV – for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Notice all the different cities and countries mentioned, Galatia, Thessalonica, Dalmatia, Crescens, Crete, Macedonia, all of which are quite a distance from Jerusalem and all of Israel at the time. It was an arduous journey to get to these locations in what was known as Asia Minor in those years. It was not all that difficult for some things to get lost in translation at that time. In fact, this still occurs to this very day. Let’s hear what Paul shares next for his friend and brother through Christ, Titus.
Titus 1:5 KJV – For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
NIV – The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
It’s not always easy to have faith and believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, for those who are not born into the faith and belief. This is something we see far too often in this world today. Even those who grew up as “Christians” didn’t always gain the knowledge and understanding of exactly what Christianity would include. This is why ordination often was withheld from the Gentiles. Many of them failed to understand the connection between circumcision and full faith and trust in the Holy Word from our Savior Jesus Christ and God our Heavenly Father. There are those who do not immerse themselves in the Word, and have no inclination to even consider doing so. Then there are those who are strictly going by what Scripture says. Most of us are somewhere in the middle of these extremes. Let’s take a look at a couple of corresponding verses to what Paul shared with Titus.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 KJV – And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
NIV – Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
Wisdom takes knowledge and experience to achieve. Learning processes are different for every human being on the planet, then and now. However, not everyone wants to learn, and then, those who are willing to learn will not always wish to share what they have learned or experienced in the process of gaining their knowledge. With that, these next verses testify to a yearning, a desperate need, to find meaning within the Word, and anyone’s purpose within the Word and expression of it. That’s what Paul shares in the city of Corinth.
1 Corinthians 11:34 KJV – And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
NIV – Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
What is Paul asking the fledgling Christians to do? Remember, in the Old Testament, there is mention of Manna, which is food from God in Heaven, a Spiritual feast, not a human one. This Manna feast of knowledge allows us to gain in understanding and in growing our Spiritual selves. That’s something very important for each of us to work toward in our lifetimes. What is Manna? This is what Scripture shares from the memories of Moses in the midst of the Exodus from Egypt.
Exodus 16:15 KJV – And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.
NIV – When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
Exodus 16:31 KJV – And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
NIV – The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
The true knowledge of God is very important to a fulfilling Christian life. This manna is a Spiritual Blessing which all of us should work toward partaking beyond sitting in Church once a week. It is something to consider throughout our days and nights for each of us to see where Jesus truly fits in our individual and collective lives. 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: Amy Grant ~ Thy Word https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LC8cu03Ig
~ 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 © 2022 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.
Thank you Rev. Laura!
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