Our sermon did not record live today. Apologies, again for this inconvenience.
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 is suffering
for the second time with Shingles. Pray that they get
well soon.
Two who have
just had minor surgery to remove skin cancer from
their face and are suffering
pain from it.
One who is still
having upper respiratory and other issues due to a
recent bout with COVID19.
Two who have just recovered from a severe bout with the flu.
One friend’s
mother who is still having a great many issues with
memory and other abilities after
a stroke.
One who has
been very, very sick with COVID-19, suffering in
isolation. Family and friends
are very, very concerned for this
person.
- 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 sick, 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: The Old Rugged Cross ~ Alan Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JS9P8d2iOc
Sermon: This week we are finishing the study of the last chapter in 2 Thessalonians. Typical of all of the letters that Paul wrote, every one of them ends in basically the same format. Remember the things that have been told. Keep Jesus first and foremost in your heart and mind. Practice what these letters have taught you. We start in the last six verses of Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV –But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
NIV –And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Never be worn out while sharing His Word, this is what Paul shares. Think about it this way. Paul and the other Apostles and Disciples of Jesus worked to their dying days teaching the Word and sharing His Unconditional Love with as many as would listen. All of them lost their lives or nearly did so in order to ensure that, two thousand years later, we are still speaking about the Word of God through our Savior Jesus Christ and leading us toward the Eternal Salvation promised all the way back in the scroll of Genesis. Here is a peek through memories from Moses, David, and Isaiah.
Deuteronomy 20:8 KJV – And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
NIV – Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”
Psalm 27:13 KJV – I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
NIV – I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Isaiah 40:29 KJV – He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
NIV – He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Paul references these great theologians as he too shares his memories in the letters to Corinth and Galatia.
2 Corinthians 4:1 KJV –Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
NIV –Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9 KJV – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
NIV – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Like Jesus did so many times before, Paul is warning us to stick to the path of righteousness. It’s not an easy path to walk. There are all sorts of pitfalls ahead of us, no matter how devout we are with our study of His Word.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 KJV –And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
NIV –Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.
Paul is reflecting here back in time to the words Jesus spoke in the gospel of Matthew. These are important factors we should always include in our daily walks through life as we live it.
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.
There are the right people to be around, and the wrong ones as well. It doesn’t matter how much, or how little, they have in the realm of money, power, or knowledge. What matters is truth in faith, truth in speech, truth in thought and action or reaction. You can tell a lot about a person just through observation of these factors. This is what Jesus meant by discernment and how we should all utilize it. Paul is simply reminding his readers and followers of this very fact as we see in these verses next.
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 4:14 KJV –I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
NIV –I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
Colossians 4:16 KJV – And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
NIV – After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Titus 2:8 KJV – Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
NIV – and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
John the Beloved also wrote his share of letters in regard to this very important methodology of walking in faith and in love. This is what he shares.
2 John 1:10 KJV –If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
NIV –If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.
Remember, Jesus said many times to be inclusive, not just of our friends and neighbors, but of our enemies as well. Until we can love as Jesus loved us, we will not understand what it means to put aside our differences and face the future of eternal life together. Those barriers exist due to sin and wickedness. These conditions are imprinted on every human psyche and soul in some way, no matter age, location, education, or any similar factors. We may not look the same, speak the same language, or any of that, but we are, as Paul shares here, brothers and sisters in Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 KJV –Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
NIV –Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
Paul also includes the ancient teachings of the earliest of the Jews. He goes back into the canonical portions of Scripture, known as the Torah, the first five scrolls in Scripture. This is the center of those five scrolls.
Leviticus 19:17-18 KJV – Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
NIV – “’Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Paul also again references the words of our Savior Jesus Christ as shared in the Gospel of Matthew here.
Matthew 18:15 KJV – Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
NIV – “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
It is very important to watch how we act and react in this world. We never know what is going to knock us away from the path Jesus teaches us to take. There are many stumbling stones that can get in our way. This is something that Paul cautions everyone in the letters that he wrote. Here is one such reference.
Galatians 6:1 KJV – Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
NIV – Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Peace is something people always are fighting for. Yet, if we do not willingly share it with those around us, we will never feel at peace. This is something Jesus instilled in all of the Apostles and Disciples. There can be no peace if we do not give our personal view of peace to others around us. This makes it more than internal. It transforms us into eternal peacekeepers and eternal peacemakers.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV –Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
NIV –Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Paul reflects again far into the Old Testament, this time with a quiet sojourner, a prophetess in many ways, and someone who took care of her friends, her family, no matter what happened around them. See how they greeted each other. Paul adds to that with the predestination relayed through the words of the prophet Isaiah.
Ruth 2:4 KJV – And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.
NIV – Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they answered.
Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
NIV – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
We add the words of the prophet Zechariah before we return to the letters that Paul wrote to the citizens of the churches at Rome and Ephesus.
Zechariah 6:13 KJV – Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
NIV – It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’
Romans 15:33 KJV – Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
NIV – The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23 KJV – Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It does not matter which view of a letter we have received or written, goodbyes are always harder than they look or sound. We see in these words that Paul shares. People tend to be skeptical when it comes to authenticity in writing. This is why Paul identifies himself as the sole writer of the second letter to the church at Thessalonica.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 KJV –The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
NIV –I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
Remember what Jesus said about false teachers and false prophets. Test the spirits around you, always. These may be human spirits, or even your dreams and nightmares. Test them and you’ll be able to recognize if they are from God through Christ or from Satan and his minions.
Romans 6:22 KJV – But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
NIV –But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
1 Corinthians 16:21 KJV –The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
NIV –I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
2 Thessalonians 3:18 KJV –The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
NIV – The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Romans 16:20 KJV – And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
NIV – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Faith brings grace, which lends itself to the spreading of peace. This is the very foundation of Christianity, and we should build it up, let it blossom, and help it grow, with one voice together. 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: Here I Am Lord ~ Collin Raye ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_v9JKi4Ajo
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin
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 © 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.
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