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. 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. 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
Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio
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 who has been suffering greatly with his health. May the Lord bring his spirits up and help heal him.
- 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 is traveling, let’s pray they make it there safely. One who has just recently gotten out of the hospital, may they get well quickly. Another pair who have had serious issues with pain levels in recent weeks and months. 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.
- Pray also for others who have lost their lives to violence around this world, whether it be war, terror, or anything else.
- 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.
* Sending out birthday greetings to my sister, Emilie Newman. Her birthday is today!
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today is to heal the heartsick, the depressed, the sufferers of violence, accidents, and other forms of peril. We pray for those who have lost their way, and for those who are seeking theirs. We pray for those who are asking questions, that they receive answers. We pray for the soldiers who are fighting for freedom. We pray for our leaders, that they lead with honesty and honor. We pray for the economies worldwide, and for the supply chain to be repaired. We pray for those sick or injured, that they be healed. We pray for the homeless, that they receive shelter and security. We pray for our friends and families that might be traveling, that their voyage be safe and their possessions secure. 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: Here I Am, Lord ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBg-yDhM2KY
Sermon: Today we begin the last chapter of Colossians. We have spoken about slavery, bondage, servitude, many times in this ministry. There are plenty of people out there who consider Scripture to be too in depth regarding slaves, servants, and so forth. This was the way of life at the time these Scrolls of the Bible were written. The Lord speaks of freedom, and Paul says the same as we have seen in his writing many times already. Let’s begin this final chapter of the letters to the church at Colossae.
Colossians 4:1 KJV –Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
NIV –Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Paul goes back into the early Scripture Scrolls known as the Torah for this verse. It’s one that should be very familiar to all Christians and those who are studying to be Christian. Those of us who know Scripture well recognize the Ten Commandments, including this one. In plain English, “You shall not steal.” Add to that, “You shall not bear false witness.” Next, “You shall have no other God’s before me.” Last, but not least, “You shall not desire your neighbor’s possessions.”
Leviticus 19:13 KJV – Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
NIV – “’Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “’Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.’”
Leviticus 25:43 KJV – Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
NIV – Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
Deuteronomy 15:12-15 KJV – And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
NIV – If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the LORD your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
This last reminder of the Ten Commandments is simply a collection of all ten in one paragraph. Jesus and the Twelve Apostles knew well these commandments because they were taught as children to emboss them on their hearts and in their minds so that they were easily shared while speaking with anyone of all ages. The practice is a good one for all who choose to follow Jesus Christ. It helps us to open the eyes of our hearts as the song shares.
Ephesians 6:7-9 KJV – With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
NIV – Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
In everything we do, we should pray. Whether it is before a meal, as we get out of bed in the morning, as we crawl back into our beds at night. Prayer does thousands of things at once. We can focus on something within prayer. We can ease our conscience. We can forgive and pray for forgiveness. We can be thankful and hopeful, and so much more. This is why we hear so much about prayer in Scripture. Paul shares that fact right here.
Colossians 4:2 KJV –Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
NIV –Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Jesus shared this same fact with the Twelve Apostles and His other disciples. Jesus insisted that we be ready at all times.
Mark 13:33 KJV – Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
NIV – Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
Luke 18:1 KJV – And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
NIV – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Acts 1:14 KJV – These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
NIV – They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Remember, live in today and be hopefully prepared for tomorrow. Always keep trying. Always keep going forward.
Ephesians 6:18 KJV – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
NIV – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Everyone has asked this question at least once in their lives. “Is God listening to me at all?” Another question people tend to ask, “How can I know God is listening?” Prayers may not be answered the second they are sent up to His ear, but He does prove these prayers have been heard. We just have to remember, all things are done in His time, not ours.
Colossians 4:3 KJV –Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
NIV –And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
No matter what happens after a wrong decision or an unintentional accident in life, God forgives. We have to remember, everything on earth as we are alive would simply be a rehearsal for eternal life. We have to learn how to live in peace, without seven troubles and with full faith, belief, and unconditional love as Jesus taught. We see that in the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s letter to Ephesus.
Acts 14:27 KJV – And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
NIV – On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Ephesians 6:19 KJV – And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
NIV – Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
This next verse speaks about making things manifest. In today’s English that’s proclaiming His Word clearly and concisely. That’s something all of us ought to do as we share His Word with those who surround us, friend or stranger, any who will listen and hear.
Colossians 4:4 KJV –That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
NIV –Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
These words in this sentence are influenced by a conversation the Twelve Apostles had with Jesus all the way back in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus spoke about fearing what might happen in the future. This is a very important point of view that we should consider carefully as individuals and as a church congregation together.
Matthew 10:26-27 KJV – Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
NIV – “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
How many times have we heard God and Jesus command us to “FEAR NOT”? In Scripture from Genesis to Revelation there are 170 mentions of these two words together. This makes them more than words written on a page, shared as we speak. The importance of not being afraid of anything on earth is something we all have to learn how to manage. Yes, there are things we can fear, like war, death, crime, all those kinds of fears. It is perfectly natural to have those kinds of fears. What we have to remember is that God is here with us to help us see beyond our fears, to be calm and patient as we work toward solving the situation at hand. That’s what Luke shares here.
Acts 4:29 KJV – And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
NIV – Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
The one defining moment of true Christian faith is when we are able to combine our walk on the path with our hearts, minds, and spirits. This is the point where everything we’ve learned benefits us in that we can teach those around us how to get on the path of Christ and stay there, even if we wander outside that path once in a while.
Colossians 4:5 KJV –Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
NIV –Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Paul is reminding the church at Colossae that Jesus has a mission for everyone who takes up their personal cross, as He did with His, and pursue faith, gain that knowledge, put it into practice, and then share it with each other. Not with fire and brimstone. Not with loud and obnoxious voices. But with patience, persistence, compassion, faith, understanding, and hope. Of course, Jesus warns us that there are all kinds of traps out there waiting as He shared in the gospels of Matthew and Mark here.
Matthew 10:16 KJV – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
NIV – “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Mark 4:11 KJV – And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
NIV – He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
Paul remembers these moments well. He reiterates them often in his various letters to the churches all around at the time. Here he reminds the people at the church of Ephesus.
Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
NIV – Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Quiet your soul. Lower your voice. Close out all the hubbub. Listen to God’s voice in your subconscious, conscious, and unconscious mind. Then speak carefully as Paul shares here.
Colossians 4:6 KJV –Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
NIV –Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
This verse references back to the earlier Scrolls of Scripture, including this one here where Solomon shares his personal knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 KJV – The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
NIV – Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
Add to the words of one of the wisest kings of the Jews to the Savior King of the Jews, Jesus, who shares this.
Matthew 12:35 KJV – A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
NIV – A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
The first head of the church, Peter, shares this with all who listen.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV –But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
NIV –But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Being reverent is something all of us need to practice. It’s not easy, because there is so much in the view of seven troubles, vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt are literally everywhere in society today. Bow your heads and fold your hands together when you pray. Raise your hands toward heaven when you sing psalms and songs for His love to fill your life. This is what being reverent is all about. Here we find another person Tychicus, as a new Christian learning to be a faithful minister. Paul is so confident in the work that the head minister at Colossae is doing that he sends others, like Tychicus, to learn first hand what it is to be truly faithful and embracing the teachings of Christ.
Colossians 4:7 KJV –All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
NIV –Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
These thoughts are supported by Luke as he writes in the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s letter to the citizens at Ephesus as well.
Acts 20:4 KJV – And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
NIV – He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Ephesians 6:21-22 KJV – But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
NIV – Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Paul continues with his explanation for sending Tychicus
to the church at Colossae. Like all of his other ministerial appointments, this
one too bears significance in the spread of Christianity in the early church.
Tychicus, like Paul, had been a prisoner of the Romans. He chose Christianity,
because of what Paul taught while they were imprisoned. This happened several
times with more than just Paul as the witness of it. Paul’s confidence in
Tychicus is obvious with him sending the former prisoner to help out at Colossae.
Colossians 4:8 KJV –Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
NIV –I am sending him to you for the express
purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your
hearts.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit down to earth to comfort those
who needed it. Paul adds to this comfort with a bit of the human form of the
same. Sometimes we just have to have the physical view of comfort as well as
the spiritual. This is something not lost on Paul’s radar at the time. Paul
shares from other letters he wrote, including these two to the citizens of
Corinth.
1 Corinthians 4:17 KJV –For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
NIV –For this reason I have sent to you
Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of
my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in
every church.
2 Corinthians 12:18 KJV –I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
NIV –I urged Titus to go to you and I sent
our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the
same footsteps by the same Spirit?
Paul adds another faithful and beloved brother, Onesimus,
to the missionaries that went to Colossae. Again, Paul refers to Onesimus as a
faithful and beloved brother. He also identifies him, through Philemon’s
letter, as another former prisoner like he was.
Colossians 4:9 KJV –With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
NIV –He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful
and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is
happening here.
Philemon 1:10 KJV – I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
NIV – that I appeal to you for my son
Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
We all have a mission from Jesus. Listen to, Learn it
well, and Share the Word as Jesus taught, as God commands, every day. There’s
always something new to learn about in Scripture. All you have to do is look. 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: Randy Travis ~ Open the Eyes of My Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViLeVseua0Q
~ 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.
