Apologies, the sound is quite low and I'm still obviously having technical difficulties. Added to that, now Blogspot won't let me embed the video for some reason. I will be working on this in the days to come. Again, I apologize for the chaos with the video.
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. 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. We wish only that God’s truth will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit as it fills heart, mind, and soul to be shared with our hands and voices, 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
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio
You may donate to the ministry to keep us going. PayPal
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 pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister, who is recovering from her bout with COVID-19. May the Lord bring her spirits up and help heal her. Please keep spirits up for Evangelist Cal as well.
- Please keep several family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. My brother, who is still having major issues with his health and well-being. Pray for his wife, who is facing more surgery. My husband’s father and uncle are both in need of prayer. His father is losing blood, and all the tests that were run are not leading to answers as to how or where. His uncle has a mass on his lung.
- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel.
- Pray for a friend, Dena who is still working to discover all the mysteries to her health issues.
- Pray for my employer’s wife, who is still having issues.
- Pray for the ones who have been caught in the massive flooding throughout this world, some of which would be in my hometown.
- Pray for those who suffer from severe, debilitating drought,
forest fires, and so on around this world as well.
- 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, we bow our heads this day in prayer for those who have been ill, no matter the cause, from cancer to head colds and anything in between. We pray for those who have lost their lives or suffered from injury due to acts of violence. We pray for those who have been terrorized, tormented, and tortured in this world. We pray for the wrongfully imprisoned. We pray for an end to war and hate, pain, and suffering. We pray for an end to hunger, drought, supply chain failures, and the seven troubles that complicate all of those. We pray for peace and for a true understanding of Your Unconditional Love. 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: Leona Lewis ~ Footprints in the Sand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCsZNalcaXM
Sermon: Today we are beginning the second chapter in the scroll of Colossians. The scroll of Colossians shares a great deal of the thoughts and memories Paul was sharing of the Savior Jesus Christ, and what his understanding of the lessons he learned from Jesus could portray to others, like the citizens of Colossae. Let’s start our journey in this chapter.
Colossians 2:1 KJV – For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
NIV – I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
Anyone who believes strongly in the glory of God and the salvation of Jesus Christ wants to have those around them understand exactly the reason why. This is what Paul is focusing on in this first verse of the second chapter. He’s putting his focus to where nobody could deny his belief, his faith, his love for Christ Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Not one person could deny this passion for teaching others just what he himself wished he had known on the day of Jesus’s crucifixion, at the moment of His death, and then at the moment of revelation when Jesus was resurrected from death to life and ascended into glory. Having a first-hand perspective gave his words that much more emphasis. We see that in other letters Paul shared as well. Here is one instance for the church at Philippi.
Philippians 1:30 KJV – Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
NIV – since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Of course, Paul also has to reference his fellow Apostles, including John the Beloved, who shares the vision of a future all of us wish to be a part of as true and faithful Christians.
Revelation 1:11 KJV – Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
NIV – which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
Paul wanted to bring the faith of the twelve to life in a place that had never seen the miracles of Jesus, the devotion to humankind, to faith, and to God through the Holy Spirit. Paul needed these fledgling Christian churches to see just how important this MAN was. Jesus was, and is, God made manifest in human form. It’s a concept so many try desperately to understand. How can God be three in one? Well, for one thing, all of us are. We are flesh, bone, and soul, all of us, from the first moments of cohesive conception through the moment where we take our last breath, we are flesh, bone, and soul, as brought to life through the miracle of creation. All of us need things like food, sleep, work, to keep functioning as a thinking, breathing, moving creation of God’s hand, all of which are provided by God in one way or another. There’s a reason we have to look this far into our very existence. That is shared here.
Colossians 2:2 KJV – That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
NIV – My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
It is one thing to be in awe of everything God has managed since the very beginning of time. It’s another thing to be afraid of the sheer immensity of that ability. That’s where irrational fear can come into our conscious, unconscious, and subconscious minds. We see an inkling of that in this verse written in the days of Solomon.
1 Kings 3:28 KJV –And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
NIV –When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
King Solomon was a very revered, very wise, very loving Jewish King. He was one of the fairest, even-tempered human beings to ever walk the earth. His only request was for God to give him the wisdom it would take to rule the Jews with a steady, faithful, understanding, and wise heart, mind, and spirit. This is something that all of us have to work toward. Yes, that means having faith and believing with every part of our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls, in the Unconditional Love that God has for each and every person who believes and shares that belief. Jesus proves that with these next words in the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 13:11 KJV – He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
NIV – He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Paul also reflects on these very thoughts in these next two verses from his letters to the Romans and Ephesians.
Romans 2:4 KJV – Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
NIV – Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Ephesians 1:7 KJV – In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
NIV – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
It is very important for us to realize how amazing the gift of redemption would be. The Twelve Apostles did, they knew, and even they weren’t perfect alone. Through the gift that is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are perfect creations. It is the only way we can be such. Jesus, remember, died for all sins past, present, and future. The one thing we cannot forget, though, is that we have to have those specific moments in our minds at all times. The moments I speak of are the promise of salvation all the way back in the scroll of Genesis. The rise of the greatest kingdom of the Jews. The promise of a Savior for all. Then the Immaculate Conception and subsequent birth of our Savior. His life and ministry came next. His unjustifiable arrest, imprisonment, and execution followed. His resurrection and ascension into heaven at long last proved everything God had promised to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to David, Solomon, and all the rest. Paul reiterates this in these next words.
Colossians 2:3 KJV – In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
NIV – in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Of course, all the wisdom and knowledge of God is hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ and distributed to all who believe through the Holy Spirit. It’s there for the partaking, all we have to do is have willing hearts, open minds, and that fighting spirit to keep the evil and wickedness away. This is something the prophet Isaiah shares as well as the gospel writer Luke and the Apostle Peter.
Isaiah 11:2 KJV – And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
NIV – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might,the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
Luke 11:49 KJV – Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
NIV – Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’
2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV –And
beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in
you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV –For this very reason, make every effort
to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to
perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you
from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Sin and sinfulness happen all the time. A lot of the time people don’t even realize they’re watching it, experiencing it, or doing it at any point in time on the clock, calendar, and so forth. Sin occurs in so many points of view our minds have become numb to it. This is yet another reason we need salvation through Jesus Christ. He is our Light, our Salvation, our Redemption, and our proof of Eternal Life. It’s easy to get led astray. That happens before we have the chance to blink or even time to realize we are being led away from the path. That’s what Paul shares here.
Colossians 2:4 KJV – And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
NIV – I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Paul shows this also in his other letters to the churches at Rome and Corinth as well. One thing that can definitely be said of Paul and his writing, he sticks to the path that is straight and narrow in his teachings. However, people often misconstrue his meaning behind his letters. This occurs in past history and will most likely continue to do so in the future. It’s pertinent to pay attention and think carefully about what Paul is sharing in these two verses.
Romans 16:18 KJV – For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
NIV – For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV –And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
NIV –My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
There are those who have to “see to believe” like Doubting Thomas when Jesus was resurrected. He himself said that he would have to see the wounds, touch them, to believe it. That’s why the phrase “don’t be a doubting Thomas” would exist. The Twelve Apostles could not be in every city as quickly, or as often, as they would like to have been. This was simply put, impossible for a normal human being. That’s why letters were shared back and forth between the Apostles and the churches far from Rome, Jerusalem, and other locations where the men were teaching and preaching. Paul continues his letter with these next words.
Colossians 2:5 KJV – For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
NIV – For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
We all have heard the words shared in the Gospel of Matthew 18:20 KJV – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
NIV – For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
This is the exact reason for the letters to each of the churches. Paul knew that the letters written would be read to where two or more would easily hear them. The spread of the Word of God, the Truth of Salvation through Jesus Christ was such that the old ways were fading, little by little, bit by bit, all around the world far outside Jerusalem and all of Israel. It is important to see how others wrote in this regard, including the gospel writer Luke, Paul, and Peter too.
Acts 20:21 KJV – Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV –Let all things be done decently and in order.
NIV –But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
1 Peter 5:9 KJV – Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
NIV –Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
There is so much to learn in short paragraphs and verses throughout the Bible that it would take an army of theologians a very long time to teach every nuance of God’s Unconditional Love for each person on this earth here and now, in the past, present, and future. All of us have the opportunity to imprint this knowledge on our hearts, in our minds, and allow that to grow beyond just words and knowledge to implementation and then gaining wisdom. This is part of what Paul is sharing in this next verse.
Colossians 2:6 KJV – As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
NIV – So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
Paul is saying, “alright everybody, you’ve been introduced to the Savior, now follow Him just like I did with the other Apostles and disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just because we are not there in the flesh beside you does not mean we don’t recognize you as fellow Christians, as brothers, sisters, extended families to each of our own. This is a concept all of us need to learn, to recognize, and then to put that knowledge to good use for the benefit of the many, and the few. The Prophets Isaiah and Micah share the same thoughts from even further back in Scripture.
Isaiah 2:5 KJV – O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
NIV – Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Micah 4:2 KJV – And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
NIV – Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
That’s something Jesus shares as well in the Gospel of Matthew. All of us should remember this, no matter how crazy our lives have been, how sick, or how inconvenienced life has led us to become. All of us should remember there is a path and a way to follow that path. It is never identical for every person, but it always leads in the same direction. Jesus knew full well that many would fall off the path and then get lost trying to find it again. That’s why others around us should encourage rather than discourage our individual and collective paths in life.
Matthew 10:40 KJV – He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
NIV – “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
We return to the words of John the Beloved. This is the reminder that we all need to pay attention to. Jesus gave us the power to be “children of God” once more. This is the fulfillment of the promise made to Adam and Eve, to Noah and his sons, to Moses and Aaron, to Abraham, to David and Solomon, and so many more. It’s one thing to promise it. Jesus did more than that. He proved God’s Word was more than just words on paper, or traditions passed down. This is what John the Beloved portrays here.
John 1:12-13 KJV – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
NIV – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he
gave the right to become children of God—
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
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 ~ First ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbWQV3OiRqA
~ 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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