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Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our Sunday sermon. You will normally see us posted in written and live form on Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love and sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus taught us to manage. We bring His Word to the many as opposed to the few, in order to continue the legacy created by the ministry of Jesus Christ. 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 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 blessed and beautiful Sunday morning is for those who have suffered from injustice around this world. We pray that justice would be managed for them. We pray for those wrongfully imprisoned, that their freedom shall be granted. We pray for those in the midst of illegal wars and other evil actions. We pray for the homeless and jobless in this world, may they find shelter and work to do. We pray for those suffering all diseases that have no cures, for relief from their pain and illness. We pray for those who have suffered from violence, that they receive solace and protection from those who caused the violence. 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: Matthew 24 ~ Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1uvd0Exwk
Sermon: Today we are completing our study of the eighth chapter in the scroll of Romans. In this final section of the chapter, Paul is reflecting more and more on the prophecy of salvation and the fulfillment of it with the resurrection and ascension of our Savior Jesus Christ. There are some interesting threads that are tied in to this. So let’s start here.
Romans 8:33 KJV –Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
NIV –Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Now, one of the most troubling scrolls in Scripture would be that of the devout Job. His story is tragic because he took so long to realize that it wasn’t his fault for the happenings except in the fact that he forgot that God could deliver him if he only would ask. There is a reason Jesus told us to trust in Him. God has said that same thing many, many times, to nearly every person mentioned in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Job 1:9-11 KJV – Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
NIV – “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
Job 2:4-6 KJV – And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
NIV – “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
Paul continues his references with the prophet Isaiah and these two excerpts.
Isaiah 42:4 KJV – He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
NIV – he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Isaiah 50:8-9 KJV – He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
NIV – He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.
Paul then adds to this with the memory of the Word through Jesus Christ in the gospel of Matthew, here. There is a reason for the opening song today, and this is it.
Matthew 24:24 KJV – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
NIV – For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Paul also references the gospel according to Luke as seen here and then carries it further with reference to his letter to Galatia.
Luke 18:17 KJV – Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
NIV – Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Galatians 3:8 KJV – 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 – 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.”
Paul points to two things that was most likely confusing the members of the church there in Rome. One is about condemnation. What does it mean in ancient Rome to be condemned? It means you are at the mercy of the Emperor of Rome. There is no better view than what Jesus suffered through. This even with the judge, Pontious Pilate, refusing to persecute Him, seeing no wrong that Jesus ever did. The leaders of the Jews wanted no competition, so they condemned Jesus. Yet, He suffered so that we could be free from the totality of eternal death.
Romans 8:34 KJV – Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
NIV – Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Paul continues to draw influence from throughout Scripture. Here are two verses from Isaiah and Job to start with.
Isaiah 50:8 KJV – He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
NIV – He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!
Job 34:29 KJV – When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
NIV – But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
Paul adds to these influences with those from the gospel writer Mark and again the words of our Savior Jesus in the gospel of John the Beloved.
Mark 16:19 KJV – So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
NIV – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
John 16:23 KJV – And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
NIV – In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
John 16:26-27 KJV – At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
NIV – In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
Paul adds to this still more, this time with his pupil, the gospel writer Luke.
Acts 2:24 KJV – Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
NIV – But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 7:56-60 KJV – And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
NIV – “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Paul then cross-references with his letter to the church at Colossae.
Colossians 3:1 KJV – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
NIV – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
In his next verse to the church at Rome, Paul points to something that has often made people trip up in their walk toward Christ’s eternal salvation. That is in the fact that we individually are the only ones who can separate ourselves from Christ. No others could possibly sever our connections with Christ once we have chosen to pursue Him with all our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls.
Romans 8:35 KJV – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
NIV – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Our love for Jesus and for God should permeate every cell in our entire body. This Unconditional Love should live, breathe, shine within and surround us and project to those around us. There are no conditions to the love of God and Jesus. Their love is readily available to every person who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and God as their creator. We see how King Solomon sees our Heavenly Father in this reference.
Song of Solomon 3:4 KJV – It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
NIV – Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
We add to this with the history of the prophet Jeremiah, King David, and our Savior Jesus Christ as shared through the gospel of Matthew.
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV – The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
NIV – The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Psalm 103:17 KJV – But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
NIV – But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.
Matthew 5:10-12 KJV – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
NIV – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Paul also includes his two letters that were written to the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 4:11-12 KJV – Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
NIV –To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV – We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
NIV –We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Remember, Jesus warned the Apostles and Disciples He had that they would be condemned simply for believing in Him and His work here on earth as it is in heaven. Paul points this out in this next verse. It was a dangerous world then for Christians. To this day, that has not changed very much.
Romans 8:36 KJV – As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
NIV – As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Paul isn’t the only one to worry about the sheep without a physical shepherd. We hear this same sentiment from King David, along with the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Psalm 44:11 KJV – Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
NIV – You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.
Psalm 44:22 KJV – Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
NIV – Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Isaiah 53:7 KJV – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
NIV – He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Jeremiah 11:19 KJV – But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
NIV – I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.”
Jeremiah 12:3 KJV – But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
NIV – Yet you know me, Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
Paul adds another reference to the words Luke recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 20:24 KJV – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
NIV – However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul is a great motivator. He loves to get the congregations of Christians up on their feet, shouting hallelujah. He loves to point to each and every person who is hearing his letters telling them this is the best way to build your personal faith and also to share it with your families, friends, neighbors, and beyond.
Romans 8:37 KJV – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
NIV – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Paul continues his references with these from the history of the kings of Israel, and the prophet Isaiah.
2 Chronicles 20:25-27 KJV – And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
NIV –So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day. Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
Isaiah 25:8 KJV – He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
NIV – he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.
Paul adds to this again with the words from the gospel of John the Beloved. With that he references his letters to Galatia and Ephesus as well as John the Beloved’s Revelation.
John 16:33 KJV – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
NIV – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Galatians 2:20 KJV – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
NIV – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Ephesians 5:2 KJV – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
NIV – and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Revelation 1:5 KJV – And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
NIV – and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
The final two verses from Romans chapter eight are very important. They point out that there is nothing on this earth, or in it either one, that has more power than God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Add to this, Paul proves that UNCONDITIONAL LOVE CAN CONQUER EVERYTHING evil, wicked, bad on this entire earth. You can see it, hear it, right here.
Romans 8:38-39 KJV – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NIV – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul again draws reference to the gospel of John the Beloved with one of the most referenced verses in all of Scripture and another that links directly to it.
John 3:16 KJV –For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
NIV –For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:28 KJV – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
NIV – I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Paul adds thoughts he shared with the churches at Corinth and Ephesus, and also Peter’s words as well.
1 Corinthians 3:22 KJV –Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
NIV –whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
1 Corinthians 15:24 KJV –Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
NIV –Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
Ephesians 1:21 KJV – Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
NIV – far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
1 Peter 3:22 KJV –Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
NIV –who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
All of the Apostles, the Gospel Authors, Prophets, and Disciples of Jesus Christ taught as Jesus taught them. They offered hope to those who surrounded them, whether through letters or in person. They proved that the miracles of Christ’s Unconditional Love are visible if you know where and how to look. If you are ready to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please drop me a note on this video or in the blog comments below. And 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: Crowder ~ Forgiven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ZWEO36jok
~ 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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