Pay Attention to His Word Because Time Is Against Us

 

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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 and sharing 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, but with His words alone.

You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com

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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 pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has a malignant meningioma and has been undergoing treatment.

- 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 is still waiting for his beloved dog to come out of quarantine after
        he arrived overseas recently.

        One who is recovering at home after a stay in the hospital due to
         COVID19.

        Two who have just recovered from a severe bout with the flu.

- Pray for the economy around this world as inflation and supply chains suffer from extremely high prices for fuel and overly high demand.

- Pray for those who have suffered from violent events, that they heal and do not have scarred psyches and that those who have lost their loved ones to violence find peace in the face of fear.

- Pray for comfort and solace to be shared with those who have said farewell to a loved one this week, known or unknown.  

- 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 those who have suffered unjustly for things they could not control. We pray for those who have lost faith and live in fear and sorrow. We pray for the homeless and the jobless in this world. We pray for the hungry and the malnourished. We pray for the poor, weak, and sorrowful people in this world. We pray in thanksgiving for all the great gifts that You have given us, even if we don’t always realize they are there. We pray in hope and patience for those things that are worrying us in our hearts and minds. 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: Johnny Cash ~ Matthew 24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1uvd0Exwk

Sermon: This week we are beginning the study of the second chapter in 2 Thessalonians. Paul is spreading a learning moment for all those in the church at Thessalonica, to help them find their way in the darkness that their church has been shrouded by.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 KJV –Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

NIV –Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,

In doing this with this second letter, Paul is working toward ensuring that our Savior’s words could be proven in truth and in life, thus preventing our eternal death and desolation. We see this through the words of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Matthew 16:27-28 KJV – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

NIV – For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Matthew 24:31 KJV – And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

NIV – And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Matthew 25:32 KJV – And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

NIV – All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Mark 13:27 KJV – And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

NIV – And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Per usual, Paul is also referencing another of his letters. In this instance it is his letter to the church at Rome.

Romans 12:1 KJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

NIV – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

When we all were children there was something we heard all the time. That would be “pay attention”. Well, in the case of Paul’s writing, he does the same with the members of the church here at Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 KJV – That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

NIV – not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.

God insisted that His prophets remind His people here on earth of what needed to be done. He did so throughout the Scriptures, but these two instances are referenced in the second letter from Paul to the church at Thessalonica.

Isaiah 26:3 KJV – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

NIV – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Micah 2:11 KJV – If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

NIV – If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!

Remember the warnings of soothsayers and false prophets. We have sayings beyond Scriptures like “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” God warns us in many ways to be wary when it comes to some views of faith and ministry. We’ve seen what can happen with false prophets, false gods, all over this world and from the earliest times all the way up to today. Paul points to “who” it is waiting to sit as judge, even though He truly doesn’t want to be in that same position. His name is Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, the gift of Eternal Salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:8 KJV –Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV –He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:26 KJV –I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

NIV –Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

1 John 4:1 KJV –Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

NIV –Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Paul wants us to “test” the spirits. Jesus insisted on the same thing. That’s what we’re being reminded of in this next verse from the letter to the church at Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV – Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

NIV – Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Remember, there have been many, many instances where prophets have brought the existence of God and Jesus up, even in early Scripture. Here we are looking at the prophet Daniel and his guidance for the king and the people of Israel.

Daniel 7:25 KJV – And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

NIV – He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

Again it leads us directly to the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The gospels of Matthew and John share this.

Matthew 24:4-6 KJV – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

NIV – Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

John 17:12 KJV – While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

NIV – While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Paul adds to the words of Jesus with more insight from his letter to the church at Ephesus and also to the words of John the Beloved.

Ephesians 5:6 KJV – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

NIV – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Revelation 17:8-11 KJV – The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

NIV – The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come. “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

Paul is again warning about “false prophets”. Yes, even in those days there were a great many. Too often we see this same issue in the world today. It’s why we have to be as clarified as possible when speaking the Word and ensuring that it is the “true” way to share the Word as Jesus and God insist still to this very day that the truth of Scripture should be shared.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV – Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

NIV – He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Many of the prophets warned humanity of what their “mightier than you” thoughts could end up costing them. The sad part of it is, there are still far too many who have this “God complex” part of their psyches. Here we see warnings from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and both Luke and Paul alluding to this very big concern.

Isaiah 14:13-14 KJV – For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

NIV – You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

Ezekiel 28:2 KJV – Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

NIV – “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “’In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.

Acts 17:23 KJV – For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

NIV – For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

1 Corinthians 8:5 KJV –For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

NIV –For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),

Paul is, of course, warning the members of the church at Thessalonica that they had to clean up their act, again, and get back on the true path toward righteousness. We all fail at staying on that path. We all have some obstacles that can take a while to tear down. This is what Paul warns them about, paying attention to the path, not to what can interrupt your journey on that same path.

2 Thessalonians 2:5 KJV – Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

NIV – Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

There’s a reason Paul points out our failures in faith like this. He had an up front, and in person, view of what Jesus was seeing while He lived here on this earth. It is what God sees even in heaven all these millennia that humanity has dwelt on earth. It is the reason He sent a Savior to deliver us from evil and wickedness that we could not recognize or realize as “normal” human beings. We see this in the words our Savior shared in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew 16:19 KJV – And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

NIV – I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Mark 8:18 KJV – Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

NIV – Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?

Luke 24:6-7 KJV – He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

NIV – He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ “

John 16:4 KJV – But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

NIV – I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,

Salvation is the way, the truth, the life and light of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the path He created in His life here on earth so that we could pursue that path and reach the paradise that awaits us when time on earth is done. This is the “work” we all have to do as Paul points out in these next two verses.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 KJV – And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

NIV – And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

The hardest part of keeping the faith that paves your path toward heaven is staying away from those distractions that constantly bombard our minds and hearts. It’s easy to fall off the path of righteousness, of faith, because sin and wickedness have so many temptations to draw us from that path. This has been so since Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit. Jesus was given to us as a beacon of hope that expands upon faith. Remember, faith isn’t seeing the path as plain as day. Faith is believing that the path we are on can and will lead us toward salvation. Paul points out that faith is more than we could possibly understand fully in human terms. He shares some insight with his words to the Romans and through the words shared with Timothy as well. Add to that with the words of the Revelation as brought to us by John the Beloved.

Romans 1:18 KJV – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

NIV – The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV –And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

NIV –Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Revelation 17:5-7 KJV – And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

NIV – The name written on her forehead was a mystery: babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

If the warning pointed toward us here in these words from Paul and John the Beloved isn’t recognized, then doom is destined. That’s why there are these warnings in the many letters written. Paul again points this out in this middle verse from the second letter to Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV – And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

NIV – And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

Paul is reminding us that the path isn’t easy, but worth every moment we take the time to walk it. It’s worth everything we ever dreamed of to take this path of righteousness toward everlasting and eternal life. That’s why there are so many warnings in both the Old and New Testament scrolls. We see proof of these warnings from Job, Isaiah, Daniel, and the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

Job 4:9 KJV – By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

NIV – At the breath of God they perish; at the blast of his anger they are no more.

Isaiah 11:4 KJV – But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

NIV – but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

Isaiah 30:28 KJV – And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

NIV – His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.

Daniel 7:25 KJV – And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

NIV – He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

Daniel 8:25 KJV – And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

NIV – He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Daniel 11:36 KJV – And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

NIV – “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.

Matthew 16:27 KJV – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

NIV – For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

That day, that moment when He comes to judge the living and the dead is closer every second we live on this earth. This is why we have to study His Word. This is why we have to write His Word in our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls. It is more and more imperative to do so because the signs and symbols of revelation are seen everywhere. 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: Living By Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svdizJKXUPY

 

 

Rev. Laura A. Neff

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Evangelist Calvin Jennings

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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 © 2023 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.