https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljJ5BGOsgT0
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. We wish that God’s truth will be shared within His words as brought to us by the Spirit only to be shared with my hands and voice, 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 in his own apartment for a couple months now and enjoying it immensely. He’s been having issues with pain and pain relief of late and other respiratory and circulatory issues.
- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has been in rehabilitation after having her benign brain tumor removed.
- 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.
Several who are having money issues.
One who is continually 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.
- Pray for the fans, friends, and family of those special celebrities that have been lost this week including singer Jimmy Buffet and others.
- 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 those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and hope.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
Prayer: Father in heaven, our prayer today on this beautiful Sunday is to have the Holy Spirit bring each of us the gifts of spiritual strength, joy and peace to our hearts, faith to our minds, and healing to our bodies, and souls this week and always. We pray for those who suffer pain and sorrow that their pain be eased, and tears wiped away. We pray for those who are fighting for freedom and the security of their homes and lives. We pray for those who are fighting due to medical conditions that keep them from participating in their favorite activities, or with their families. We pray in hope and patience for those things that are worrying us in our hearts and minds. We pray for those who are homeless, jobless, and in financial dire straits. We pray for those who cannot receive help for whatever reason, that they receive the assistance they need. 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: Today we are continuing our study of the eighth chapter in the scroll of Romans. As we’ve noticed, Paul has a whole lot to share with the church in the city he wanted desperately to walk through while teaching. We start where we left off with a much quoted verse in Romans that should really be taken fully to heart in our daily lives. With that, let’s begin.
Romans 8:23 KJV –And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
NIV –Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Now, Paul isn’t the only one to speak about the “firstfruits” of the Spirit. Jesus spoke of this in His parable of the Vine and the Branches. We’ve heard this in many different Biblical studies that have occurred in Sunday School and more. With the references Paul drew from, we see this teaching before us. First, in the writings of the first kings of Israel and on through the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Chronicles 31:5 KJV –And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
NIV –As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.
Luke 20:36 KJV – Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
NIV – and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
Luke 21:28 KJV – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
NIV – When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
2 Corinthians 5:2-5 KJV –For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
NIV –Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Paul also draws influence from his letters to the churches at Ephesus and Philippi.
Ephesians 1:14 KJV – Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
NIV – who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Philippians 3:20-21 KJV – For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
NIV – But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Something I’ve heard people ask me about is seeking hope in a hopeless world. One thing I remember from Sunday School as a girl is that hope exists in everything we see around us and within us. The view of the day where the New Earth and the New Heaven are being prepared for us. We see it as Paul shares this next verse.
Romans 8:24 KJV – For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
NIV – For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
Salvation is our ultimate goal. This is what Paul is teaching us, reminding us that living life through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is our ultimate ending. Living as Christ lived, simply sharing our faith unconditionally with our love as well. In this world today, it is all about material things in the media and more. We see so much chaos, hate, pain, in this world. It is the visual, physical, verbal, emotional abuse by the seven troubles that have so corrupted this world we live in. Paul points out that these are temporal, or earthly. He shares this fact with the citizens in Rome, Corinth, and in Thessalonica. He adds to that with his letter to Titus and a reference to the Hebrew prophets of the New Testament.
2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV –While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
NIV –So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV –(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
NIV –For we live by faith, not by sight.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV –But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
NIV –But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
Titus 3:7 KJV – That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
NIV – so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
NIV – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
The Seven Spiritual gifts we hear about a lot include: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Reverence of God. All of these together lead to hope, patience, and peace through unconditional love. These are the ones most churches discuss in sermons and studies. Notice how they are the exact opposite of the Seven Troubles. Those Seven Troubles include: Vanity, Envy, Lust, Enmity, Wrath, Shame, and Doubt. Paul is also referencing the Sermon on the Mount, which you will find in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5. We also need to add the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with this next verse.
Romans 8:25 KJV – But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
NIV – But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Paul references the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus and his writings in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica.
Luke 8:15 KJV – But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
NIV – But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV –Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
NIV –We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we are weak, then we are strong. We’ve heard these words in Scripture throughout the New Testament scrolls. However, Paul also draws influence from the entirety of Scripture, not solely from our Leader, Jesus Christ. We see this factor into this next verse.
Romans 8:26 KJV – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
NIV – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
One of the misunderstood Scrolls of Scripture would be Job. It is so misunderstood that a great many avoid even sharing it in sermons or studies. Certainly, Job is a tragic soul in Scripture. However, that’s where his story, in its own way, meets with our Savior. Jesus Himself was a prophecy come to life, only to die in a tragic manner to prove that God’s love is unconditional. This is why Paul brings up this comparison and the foretelling of King David and Zechariah’s words as well.
Job 37:19 KJV – Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
NIV – Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
Psalm 6:3-9 KJV – My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
NIV – My soul is in deep anguish. How long,
Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims
your name. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from my
groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with
tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my
foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my
weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my
prayer.
Psalm 10:17 KJV – Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
NIV – You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
Psalm 42:1-5 KJV – As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
NIV – As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Zechariah 12:10 KJV – And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
NIV – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Paul adds to this with the words and actions of our Savior Jesus Christ in the gospels.
Matthew 20:22 KJV – But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
NIV – “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.
Luke 11:1 KJV – And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
NIV – One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
John 14:16 KJV – And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter. That he may abide with you forever.
NIV – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
Paul adds still more connections with his second letter to Corinth and his letter to Ephesus and influence from James, the brother of Jesus, and the Hebrew prophets as well.
2 Corinthians 12:8 KJV –For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
NIV –Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
Ephesians 6:18 KJV – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
NIV – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
James 4:3 KJV – Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
NIV – When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Hebrews 4:15 KJV – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
NIV – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Paul draws a great many influences from all throughout Scripture. Our last verse from the eighth chapter of Romans today proves this with hints from three Old Testament kings and prophets just to start. Let’s see what Paul shares next.
Romans 8:27 KJV – And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
NIV – And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Intercessory prayer is something many don’t realize they participate in. When we pray with each other, for each other, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, that is known as intercession. This is what Paul is sharing. We need to remember to pray for each other, no matter what happens in life, to ensure that our voices are heard by God, equally to everyone else surrounding us. We see this in the chronicles of the kings of Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV –And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
NIV –“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
1 Chronicles 29:17 KJV –I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
NIV –I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
We add to this with the prayers shared by King David.
Psalm 7:8 KJV – The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
NIV – Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.
Psalm 38:9 KJV – Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
NIV – All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 66:18-19 KJV – If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
NIV – If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
Psalm 139:1 KJV – O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
NIV – You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
Added to these we hear the prayers and petitions managed by the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 17:10 KJV – I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
NIV – “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV – Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
NIV – Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
The gospel writers Luke and John the Beloved share the Word as spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ regarding intercession. It is important to portray humility in our prayers. This is emphasized well in the word our Savior Jesus Christ shares.
Luke 16:15 KJV – And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
NIV – He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.
John 14:13 KJV – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
NIV – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Paul adds influence from the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and the letters he wrote to the churches at Ephesus and Thessalonica. He adds to them with influence from the half-brother of Jesus, James the Just.
Acts 1:24 KJV – And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
NIV – Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
Ephesians 2:18 KJV – For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
NIV – For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV –But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
NIV –On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:5-6 KJV – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
NIV – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 5:16 KJV – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
NIV – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Intercession for each other is something important because it can help bring up the spirits of those who have had a rough day, week, or longer. It is the one thing that can draw others toward Jesus. If you feel the desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please feel free to leave a comment. I hope that all of you have a blessed and beautiful Sunday and week. 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: Michael W. Smith ~ Grace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLLj_xo2Jkc
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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Evangelist Calvin Jennings
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Scripture Excerpts: The New Open Bible Study Edition: Copyright © 1990: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright © 1982: E. E. Gaddy and Associates, Inc.
Scripture Excerpts: Holy Bible: Copyright ©circa 1890-1910: International Bible Press, The John C. Winston Co.; Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sermon or Study Copyright © 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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