Are We Ready for the Final Reckoning?

 

Our live video would not record after attempting twice. We will try again next week. Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday! 

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

 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 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 who is recovering at home after a stay in the hospital due to
         COVID-19.

        One who is recovering after back surgery.

        One who has just been diagnosed with COVID-19.

        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.  

- Help us 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 for those who must make big decisions in their lives that they utilize Your guidance wisely. 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: People Get Ready ~ Crystal Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REc6uRQRnV0

 

 

Sermon: This week we are beginning the study of the third chapter in 2 Thessalonians. Now, Paul is reminding the church at Thessaloniki, or Thessalonica, as the Romans would say, that they need to focus their efforts in pursuing faith with pure hearts and open minds. He is also pointing out that there are correct ways to pursue faith and incorrect ones. Let’s start here.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV –Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

NIV –As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

Paul is requesting prayer as they continue to forge the path Jesus gave them to pursue. It was not easy in those early years. There were roadblocks aplenty, in the form of laws, kings, emperors, and more. Changing traditions from the ones met in these cities, towns, and countries was not easy then. It’s not much easier now, as a matter of fact. This is something Jesus wanted His Apostles to do, to tear those boundaries away, because they do not belong in the world as God intended it to be. We reflect back on His words to see His point of view.

Matthew 9:38 KJV – Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

NIV – Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:2 KJV – Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

NIV – He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Paul too reminds them that there is something to work toward that is more beneficial than money, or any other earthly consideration. This is the point of transition in the letter, from blessings and support to a promise of peace and comfort through faith in Jesus. We see this in Paul’s words to the church at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV –Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

NIV –Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Everyone rejoices whenever things are beautiful, and all are happy. This is a typical emotional reaction. However, we should also rejoice in our faith as it builds, and rejoice in the lessons our faith can bring us. This is what we see in Paul’s words in the next verse in this chapter.

2 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV –And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

NIV –And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.

The first reference to follow with this verse is actually part of the Lord’s Prayer we say every Sunday at the end of the sermon. However, even those words as provided by our Savior Jesus, have roots. We see them here in the words of Moses.

Deuteronomy 32:20 KJV – And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

NIV – “I will hide my face from them,” he said, “and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful.

All of this is proving that we must be careful with our words and thoughts, as well as our actions. Otherwise, we’ll hear a repetitive reprimand from our Savior Jesus Christ. This would be one of those times as shared in the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 17:17 KJV – Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

NIV – “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

Matthew 23:23 KJV – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

NIV – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

Paul adds to this memory with letters he had written to the churches at Rome and Corinth.

Romans 15:31 KJV – That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

NIV – Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there,

1 Corinthians 15:32 KJV –If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

NIV –If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 KJV –For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

NIV –We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

Faithfulness goes both ways, from us to God and from Him toward us. This is proven through the lifetime of Jesus Christ our Savior and method toward Salvation and through the memories of the Twelve Apostles, and the gospel writers as well. We see that here in this next verse.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV –But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

NIV –But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

God can, will, and does intend for us to reach salvation, no matter how often we stumble and fall from the path Jesus created for us. He has worked hard to provide that path for us since the very beginning. Even Abraham had his failings, and yet, his very name “Abraham” means “friend of God”. This is a reflection on the gracious gifts of God’s unconditional love.

Genesis 48:16 KJV – The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

NIV – the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.”

Mercy is one of the most creative gifts God brings. It is something that people often do not realize or recognize as a gift in the first place. In the Chronicles of the kings of Israel, we see this particular view of mercy. We also see it in the words of King David.

1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV –And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

NIV –Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Psalm 19:13 KJV – Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

NIV – Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

Watch your words, that’s what Paul reminds us about. He is simply putting the words that Jesus shared into much simpler context. These are the words that Jesus shared in the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 5:37 KJV – But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

NIV – All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Our faith and God’s faith in us would be intended to always be intertwined, part and parcel of each other. We’re all in this together. That’s what Jesus taught, and what God has often said as well throughout Scripture. This is what Paul shared with the church at Corinth as well.

1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV –God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

NIV –God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Building faith is something that we should have confidence in toward ourselves as well as toward God. Our Heavenly Father, God, is a faithful and hopeful being that gives every single entity on this earth life and the ability to bring more life to this place where we each live. He made the ultimate sacrifice by having His only begotten Son Jesus be born into this world and transform it from what it had become to what it should always have been. This is something Paul points out here.

2 Thessalonians 3:4 KJV –And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

NIV –We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.

Each person who is working their faith, no matter how large or small the amount, has something to work toward. When we learn something significant in our faith and belief, then we should teach those around us that these moments are worth the time, the pain, and the pursuit toward righteousness. We see that in the words our Savior spoke in the gospel as shared by Matthew.

Matthew 28:20 KJV – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

NIV – and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Paul again shares this throughout his many letters, including the ones to Rome, Corinth, and the first letter to the church at Thessalonica.

Romans 2:7 KJV – To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

NIV – To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

 

2 Corinthians 2:3 KJV –And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

NIV –I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:10 KJV –And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

NIV –And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

 

Paul reminds us to listen to God, to spend time thinking about His Word, and learning the extents of how His Word affects our very lives on a moment to moment basis. This is one thing he worked hard to impress upon the citizens of these churches scattered all over Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy as well. 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV –And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

NIV –May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

 

Paul is again referencing the early days of the kings of Israel including David, Solomon, and twenty-one others. The kingdom of God’s people in Jerusalem and all through Israel was, and still remains, a significant part of all that God and Jesus taught then and continue to teach now. Let’s reflect on the words written about the kings of Israel and the history of their reign. 

 

1 Kings 8:58 KJV –That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

NIV –May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors.

 

1 Chronicles 29:18 KJV –O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

NIV –LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.

 

Psalms 119:5 KJV – O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

NIV – Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

 

Psalms 119:36 KJV – Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

NIV – Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

 

We will add to these thoughts with more from the letter Paul wrote in the first letter to Thessalonica. 

 

1 Thessalonians 3:11 KJV –Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

NIV –Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

 

Another view is added to with John the Beloved’s thoughts as he was given the gift of Revelation as he shares here. 

 

Revelation 1:9 KJV – I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

NIV – I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

 

The intention of these letters that Paul wrote would be to get people to change their ways as to living and worshiping. Each of us has the free will to take the time to learn, to practice, and to share what the experience does in their transformation. That’s what Paul is doing in this last verse of the third chapter being shared today. 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV –Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

NIV –In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

 

Paul is again referencing the Word as shared by Jesus found here in the first of the four Gospels. 

 

Matthew 18:17 KJV – And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

NIV – If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

 

Paul is also reflecting and referencing on his letters to Rome, Corinth, and the first letter he wrote to the church at Thessalonica. 

 

Romans 16:17 KJV – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

NIV – I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

 

1 Corinthians 5:4-11 KJV –In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

NIV –So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

 

1 Corinthians 11:2 KJV –Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

NIV –I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV –Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

NIV –And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

 

In this world today, it is much harder to recognize the soothsayers, the false teachers, those who we should avoid at all costs. This is something our Savior warned us about all those centuries ago. It is up to us to practice our discernment and lean on the promises of God and Jesus our Savior. The time for a reckoning is coming faster than we might believe. That moment when Jesus knocks on our door is something we should be waiting to hear and well prepared for. 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: Blessing Offor ~ Brighter Days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6lp1Oxb9L4

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin

Evangelist Calvin Jennings

Facebook & Twitter & Blogster

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.