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 and his housing situation. May the solution that has presented itself be a beneficial one in many ways.
- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has had a benign meningioma removed and has been undergoing rehabilitation. The family is overjoyed to learn that the tumor was benign.
- Please keep praying for my father-in-law Raymond Neff, who is still recovering from his severe chemical burns, but is thankfully home. He is improving some, but there are still issues with his health as a result of the burns.
- 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.
Please continue to pray for the friends and relatives of my friend Mary.
Several who are having money issues.
One who is suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.
One cousin who is having a great many issues in their family, including two suffering cancer, other family issues especially difficult include several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.
- Please continue to pray for my friend Jeff’s close friend Buddy who had a heart attack a week ago this past Friday.
- Please continue to pray for a sibling who has again injured his back badly enough to require more surgery.
- Pray for the graduates, no matter their education level, as they pursue other goals and dreams as a result of their individual and collective graduation ceremonies.
- 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 on this blessed Sunday is to have the Holy Spirit bring the gifts of spiritual strength, joy and peace to our hearts, faith and hope to our minds, and healing to our bodies, and souls this week and always. We pray for family and friends who have health and other issues that are causing upheaval, sorrow, fear, and more around this world. We pray for those who have had serious medical issues in our families, colleagues, and friends. We pray for those who have suffered unfairly for things they could not control or contain. We pray for those who have lost faith and live life in paralyzing, debilitating, 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: What A Friend We Have In Jesus ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XRmGEbH0qs&list=PLjqk9ptmQMmPPquJ2UtNSd4F_CVZK2dhH&index=6
Sermon: This week we are beginning the fourth chapter of Romans. In this chapter Paul brings forth the memory of Abraham’s eternal faith in his letter to the church at Rome in order to provide an integral and intimate connection in faith toward Jesus Christ and the church. Let’s get this started here.
Romans 4:1 KJV –What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining
to the flesh, hath found?
NIV –What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?
Remember, one of the considerations of the seven troubles, the seven deadly sins, is that they are “fleshly”, whereas things like perseverance, patience, grace, hope, and all those good elements of true Christian faith are considered fruits of the spirit. There are a lot of points of view that connect these elements together. We start with the prophet Isaiah’s thoughts, the gospel writers Matthew and Luke, along with the Hebrew prophets.
Isaiah 51:2 KJV – Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
NIV – look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.
In this next verse, John the Baptist is speaking to the assembly surrounding him at the time.
Matthew 3:9 KJV – And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
NIV – And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
In this pair of verses from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, the one speaking is John the Baptist. Remember, He and Jesus were cousins born just months apart. The pair of them were the impetus to transforming traditions from darkness to the light of God, which was the intention God had in mind when He promised first Adam, then Abraham, then David, and so many others that there would be born a Messiah to take away All the sins of the world. John the Baptist and Jesus often spoke of repentance. This is one of the first steps in faith. We have to do as Jesus did while He was alive. Here is a second view of John the Baptist’s teaching before Jesus was the leader of the transformation.
Luke 3:8 KJV – Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
NIV – Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The Hebrew prophets add these thoughts to Paul’s reflections in this chapter.
Hebrews 12:9 KJV – Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
NIV – Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
Paul continues the thought with more information regarding Abraham’s life of godliness, as a friend of God. Remember, Jesus said long before this that works are and were not what would bring us to and through the gates of Heaven. Faith is the cornerstone of Christianity. Faith is the foundation of God’s Unconditional Love. Though Abraham was part of the scroll of Genesis, a lot of history had occurred, and yet, people were directed to behave as Abraham had. Yet, time changes everything, even perspective regarding righteousness. This is evident in how Paul writes this next verse.
Romans 4:2 KJV –For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
NIV –If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
Paul brings further historical reference with the words of the prophet Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 8:9 KJV – And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.
NIV – And he said to me, “Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.”
Paul draws still more points of reference with the letters he wrote to the churches at Corinth and Philippi in Greece.
1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV – That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
NIV – Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Philippians 3:9 KJV – And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
NIV – and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
The story of Abraham is decidedly Jewish, as they avoided all of those who were not of the same faith with few deviations from this custom. However, it was Jesus who said this division was not intended to be eternal. In fact, it was meant to only be a temporary condition. The view of man versus man, man versus nature, and man versus society, and so forth is a conflict based view of humanity. In the mind and heart of Jesus, these conflicts had no business being part of humanity at all. Yet, it is not the first time this thought has manifested. Abraham proved it long, long before Jesus was ever born.
Romans 4:3 KJV –For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
NIV –What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Faith and belief are NOT identical twins, even though they feel and sound like they used to be. The definitions of each, both biblically and dictionary wise, are as follows:
Faith – Dictionary – Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Biblical Faith – Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Genesis 15:6 KJV – And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
NIV – Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Belief – Dictionary - An acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.
Biblical Belief – Proven when faith is seen in action.
We see this in many ways. Paul portrays it this way in his letter to the church at Galatia.
Galatians 3:6-8 KJV – Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
NIV – So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
Our most accurate portrayal of the relationship between
faith and belief was written by James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus.
It is extremely important that we exercise our faith in as many ways as humanly
possible.
James 2:17-23 KJV – Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
NIV – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
Faith in action, the portrayal of true belief, allows us to not only see the path that Jesus created with His Word, but walk on it, even run toward the ultimate destination, eternal and infinite peace with God, through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. Paul pointed out the very distinct difference with what was taught and learned here in his next verse to the church at Rome.
Romans 4:4 KJV –Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
NIV –Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
Again he is drawing influence from the Word as spoken by Jesus. We see this in the Gospel as shared by Matthew.
Matthew 20:1-16 KJV – For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
NIV – “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He
agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
All work we do in God’s Name and in the pursuit of the grace of Jesus Christ is worthy of note. It doesn’t matter the size of the job we are doing. What matters is that we work our faith and portray a true belief in God through the teaching that Jesus managed and the allowance of the Holy Spirit as we embrace the Holy Trinity as we should in our faith and belief, woven together into an unbreakable view of what Christianity is intended to be. We see this in these next words from Paul to the church at Rome.
Romans 4:5 KJV – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
NIV – However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Works only go so far. Faith carries us further. This is why people who accept God and Jesus as the Savior and our Ultimate Salvation, at the last minute of their lifetimes will be given the opportunity to see Jesus on the last day, as those who have been faithful for their entire lives. The reason this is so is portrayed in several ways. We see this in the words of the prophets Joshua and Habakkuk.
Joshua 24:2 KJV – And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
NIV – Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.
Habakkuk 2:4 KJV – Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
NIV – “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness —
We add these views as shared in the gospels of Mark and John with our Savior Jesus Christ speaking.
Mark 9:23 KJV – Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
NIV – “’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
John 6:29 KJV – Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
NIV – Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Everything is possible for those who believe. We see further proof of this in the words Paul shares in this next verse.
Romans 4:6 KJV – Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
NIV – David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
We see early versions of this in the words as recorded by Moses and King David.
Deuteronomy 33:29 KJV – Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
NIV – Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.”
Psalm 1:1-3 KJV – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
NIV – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
Paul adds to these with the Word as shared by Jesus in these words written by the gospel writer Matthew.
Matthew 25:19 KJV – After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
NIV – “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
Paul adds his reflections in letters he wrote to the churches at Ephesus and Timothy as well as what is shared by James the Just.
Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
NIV – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Timothy 1:9 KJV –Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
NIV –He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
James 2:18 KJV – Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
NIV – But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
It is important that you really and truly absorb the Scriptures, visually, orally, physically, every single day. Pray the Scriptures as well. There are many, many, passages that equate with prayer in Scripture. Much like the Our Father we share together every Sunday, there are a great many which end with specific wording indicating they are prayers recorded by some of the greatest prophets, theologians, apostles and disciples. This is what Paul shares next.
Romans 4:7 KJV – Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
NIV – “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Paul draws inspiration through the wisdom shared by King David in these three excerpts from the Scroll of Psalms.
Psalm 32:1-2 KJV – Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
NIV –
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in
whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 51:8-9 KJV – Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
NIV – Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Psalm 85:2 KJV – Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
NIV – You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
Notice how he uses the word “Selah”. This single word means “Stop and Listen”. The biggest issue with building faith and belief would be in the fact that we must listen, hear, and exercise the Word. Otherwise, words are just words. They need an action beyond reading them, writing them, and saying them. Put the Word to work in your life. Paul gives a good example in this reasoning next.
Romans 4:8 KJV – Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
NIV – Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
Paul continues to draw inspiration from ancient theologians, prophets, including Isaiah. He adds to this with references to his second letter to Corinth and his letter to Philemon.
Isaiah 53:10-12 KJV – Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
NIV – Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 KJV – To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
NIV –that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Philemon 1:18 KJV – If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
NIV – If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
One of the traditions still pursued is “circumcision” which is a celebrated event for the Jews to this very day. However, in this world since Jesus’s resurrection, isn’t one hundred percent necessary. We see this point of view in the next words Paul wrote.
Romans 4:9 KJV – Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham righteousness.
NIV – Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Faith is universally achievable. God proved that with Abraham and his obedience, even at the very real risk of his eldest child’s life, no matter how much pain it caused Abraham to even think it, much well prepare to do as God had insisted. Through this, Abraham proved that he was a definite friend of God as his name proved then.
Genesis
15:5-6 KJV – And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven,
and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So
shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
NIV – He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Paul pointed out this factor in his letter to Galatia.
Galatians 3:14 KJV – That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
NIV – He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Faith and its twin Belief are necessary as it has been proven throughout Scripture. We see this in our final verse in the fourth chapter of Romans for this week. Giving credit where credit is due is something that we all should observe, portray, and convey as well. This is part of what Paul shares here.
Romans 4:10 KJV – How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
NIV – Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!
The seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt will always exist in this world because they have always been part of it, all the way back in the Garden of Eden where they were first sown. This is warned about in the words of Moses as shown in these five excerpts from Genesis.
Genesis 15:16 KJV – But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
NIV – In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
Genesis 16:1-3 KJV – Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
NIV –
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian
slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having
children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”
Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan
ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her
husband to be his wife.
Genesis 17:1 KJV – And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
NIV – When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.
Genesis 17:10 KJV – This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
NIV – This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
Genesis 17:23-27 KJV – And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
NIV – On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.
Faith and belief are connected always together. Abraham and Sarah were not the first to prove this, but they are the ones that are often noted as being pure faith and belief, even in the direst of situations. Each of us can build our faith in belief and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior right here, right now. Remember, faith as tiny as the mustard seed is enough to gain a foothold into salvation. Now you should also count your blessings. 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: Count Your Blessings ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNYHIvcFeuQ
~ 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment