Sorry, video didn’t record properly, no sound. So, today’s sermon is just written.
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form most Sundays. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love. This ministry shares the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ. 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 and voice, 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 praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings as he continues to navigate through life with all the health conditions that have held him back for far too long.
- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being. One who has just recently gotten admitted to the hospital, may the doctors get to the bottom of what is causing this continuous issue. Another pair who have had serious issues with pain levels in recent weeks and months. A third still suffering the aftereffects of COVID-19. May their pain ease sooner rather than later.
- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel.
- We pray for those who have been killed or brought to harm by acts of violence around this world during the past week.
- Be thankful for each day we live as we do not know what
tomorrow brings.
- 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.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is to have the Spirit bring healing to each of our bodies, minds, spirits, and souls. We pray for enlightenment and understanding while studying Your Word. We thank You for these amazing and awesome gifts and the many more You have brought us. May fears and pains be drawn out of us and eased. Help us to see the many gifts Your love brings and the unknown locations it might be found. May peace be brought from our hearts and shared with others. May Your gifts of love shine through us toward others. We pray for the poor, the sick, the sorrowful, the wounded, and the frightened. We pray for the soldiers, the Samaritans, the children, and the unborn. We pray in thanksgiving for every gift brought us. We pray that every tomorrow would bring good things. 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: Phil King ~ Song of Redemption ~ All Glory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEN3CD0PKFE
Sermon: We are continuing the first chapter of Colossians today. As most of Paul’s letters, they reflect on the true Word of God through the Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He does so to instruct those who read and respond to his letters so that they will recognize the gift of God’s Truth through the Word itself and this is why the basics are contained in each and every sentence of these little epistles that take up just a few pages in your Bible. We’re going to start where we left off last week.
Colossians 1:9 KJV – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
NIV – For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
The power of prayer can indeed be incredible in its reach and intensity. Those who have experienced this in the here and now often cannot describe it as accurately as they’d wish to manage. The power of prayer can cause goosebumps from head to toe. There are so many emotions and physical reactions that can come about by studying, listening, reciting, and reflecting on God’s Word. We have to reflect on the Word in all its combinations as they are preached and taught, learned, and imprinted on our minds and hearts. The words of Samuel and Paul resonate this fact.
1 Samuel 12:23 KJV – Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
NIV – As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Romans 12:2 KJV – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NIV – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 1:15-17 KJV – Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
NIV – For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
All of this study is needed daily, even if it is only a single verse, reflect on the thoughts written about so many years ago. In doing so, we imprint that small thought in our minds, our hearts, and our thoughts, our words, even our expressions will benefit from that. This is what Paul has instructed those who live in Colossae. We see his reasoning in this next verse.
Colossians 1:10 KJV – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
NIV – so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Paul reflects on his days in Rome as he preached the gospel. He does so to continue the legacy of Jesus Christ our Savior. He does so to spread the Holy Spirit in the way that Jesus taught them in the short time spent with them after He rose from the dead and reappeared before them. The moment Jesus revealed who He was as He met with the Apostles and Disciples all together that first moment is one we wish we could have seen. Paul points out that the importance of one of the most utilized parables of Jesus in his writings and teachings with the Romans.
Romans 1:13 KJV – Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
NIV – I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
The letter to citizens in Colossae evokes a moment in the life of the prophet Micah, far in the past. His words point toward the fact that humanity has the greatest opportunity to be one with God thanks to the gift of the Savior Jesus Christ, prophesied to happen all the way back to Adam and Eve. It’s significant because, especially with Jesus dying on the cross, being resurrected on HIS OWN power, is extremely important to understand.
Micah 4:5 KJV – For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
NIV – All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
You’d have to notice that Paul isn’t pulling any punches as he continues with the references throughout his letters, his voyages, and more. Here we see what he shared with the citizens of Philippi and Ephesus.
Philippians 4:18 KJV – But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
NIV – I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Ephesians 2:10 KJV – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
NIV – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Now, if you really and truly want a general map of all these locations in Asia Minor, I am sharing the map in the written sermon for you. There are a lot of miles or kilometers between these cities all over Greece, Italy, and Asia Minor. Yet, Jesus said to spread the Word to the ends of the earth. So, that is what Paul’s letters accomplished. Let’s continue with the letter to the citizens of Colossae.
Colossians 1:11 KJV – Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
NIV – being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
We sing songs about the power Jesus held. The amazing gift of the power behind the Holy Spirit as it energizes and invigorates our individual and collective human spirits. We earn the human spirit upon our first breaths of air at the beginning of our life. That human spirit is added to by the holy spirit as we pray, minister, learn the Word, and experience the power of His Word upon our individual psyches, hearts, all of that. What that does is connect us to one another and to God through the Spirit as given to us in the miracle of Jesus’s resurrection. Stay strong, this is what Paul insists we work toward. It’s not easy to be strong in the midst of something we might fear. Yet, in doing so, we put our trust where it should have always been, in GOD’s hands. That’s what these two supporting verses share.
1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
NIV – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Ephesians 4:2 KJV – With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
NIV – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
What should we do when we get through those tougher moments in our lives? We should do what Jesus instructed us to manage, and if you remember your upbringing, saying THANK YOU can go a long way in this world. This is what Paul shares with the citizens of Colossae.
Colossians 1:12 KJV – Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
NIV – and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Committing ourselves to the willingness to work toward peace, eternal peace, as Jesus promised could exist if we follow Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life Everlasting. That’s what Paul is pointing us toward, even this many millennia beyond when he wrote these letters. Luke, the gospel writer, adds this thought into the mix.
Acts 20:32 KJV – And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
NIV – “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Paul also alludes to the first king of the Jews, David.
Psalm 79:13 KJV – So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
NIV – Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.
We of course, have to reflect on the source of their inspiration, Jesus. Here we have the Word as reflected upon by our Savior’s own words.
John 4:23 KJV – But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
NIV – Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Matthew 25:34 KJV – Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
NIV – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
There are phrases that is very, very important in these two gospels. The first is “in spirit and in truth”. It isn’t an either/or consideration. Truth should always be kept in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. This isn’t always an easy consideration. People have a lot of issues with speaking 100% truthfully because society tends to push for the opposite. There is a reason that I said two phrases. “Blessed of my Father”, though those exact words are not utilized in both verses it is implied that these words would be there. Now, we get back to Paul’s writing to the citizens in Colossae.
Colossians 1:13 KJV – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
NIV – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Deliver us from evil! Those four words are extremely significant in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles as they share so much about what is TRUTH and what is FAKE, FALSE, and thus EVIL. It’s the reason we all remember the words that Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer. It’s the reason so many who have been through painful or sorrowful moments in their lives recite that same prayer. Having that spiritual connection is something we all need in ways we might not understand. We hear this in the words of Isaiah, Luke, and John the Beloved.
Isaiah 60:2 KJV – 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.
NIV – See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Acts 26:18 KJV – To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
NIV – to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
John 5:24 KJV – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
NIV – “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
What this evokes is something we need to hear. Redemption. Everyone hears that word many times in Scripture. The word Redemption sounds like this in Hebrew geullah gae-ooh-lah. Redemption is only shared 24 times in Scripture. This is one of those locations.
Colossians 1:14 KJV – In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
NIV – in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
How does redemption happen? We have to be willing to put our failures, our misdeeds and more fully behind us. We have to be willing to lock them out after asking for forgiveness. We can reflect on the lessons learned, but let’s not return to that behavior or that action. In doing so we are given something even more important, confidence in our faith. If we are not confident in our faith, we have to build it up one movement, one word, one footstep, at a time. It’s very, very important to manage as both Paul and Jesus share here.
Romans 3:24-25 KJV – Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
NIV – and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
Matthew 20:28 KJV – Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
NIV – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Now our last passage from the letter to Colossae for today we see how Paul conjures up a thought that we often have issues with in this world, past, present, and on into the future, because we are always learning. God is as visible as He is invisible. God is as tangible as He is intangible. God lives and breathes, exists, because His Spirit is part of every single being on this earth. This next sentence Paul shares a reference to Genesis and the moments of creation.
Colossians 1:15 KJV – Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
NIV – The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Now, not only is he reflecting on this moment, but he is also adding to it by a prophecy brought to life through the first King of the Jews, with a promise that one day there would be a King of Kings. We all know who He would be. We see this here in these final three verses.
Psalm 89:27 KJV – Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
NIV – And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
John 1:1 KJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
NIV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 KJV – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
NIV – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We have to reflect on the premonitions, the prophecies, that were first spoken in the Scriptures, then written, and finally lived through. We have to remember those moments because they are essential building blocks of faith, of belief, of a spiritual connection that is more than our mortality, more than our fear, more than our pain, sorrow, and worry. The gift of eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ is as infinite as it is eternal, the simplest and surest method to describe what Unconditional Love would be. 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: Lauren Daigle ~ How Can It Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UXn_OuJkvE&list=OLAK5uy_lLz1r567IHpYKoHU8q5Rmvebopn3QswGc&index=2
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist 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.
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