https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-vnG7QZ-9Q
Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live 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.
You will find us in the following location: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Rev. Laura’s other sites: Facebook & Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube
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.
- We have an urgent prayer request this morning. Please pray for Uncle Gary, who has been in the hospital a few days now with double pneumonia. His oxygen levels are far too low right now, and it has been hard on his family and friends. His niece, Janice, one of my closest friends, has asked me to put him on this 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 keep several of our ministry 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 multiple money issues of varying degrees.
One who is having family issues due to a week of their new job orientation where they have to be out of town and being away from their two children that can’t go with them due to school and work conflicts.
There are a few who are having chronic ongoing health issues, and diseases including cancer for several of them.
One who is continually suffering from loneliness that keeps them from peace and patience.
Three close friends and colleagues who have lost loved ones this past week, and one who has had their grandmother in the hospital with double pneumonia.
One cousin is having a great many issues in their family include several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.
Our uncle, also named Gary, has been in the hospital in ICU and other places suffering from cancer and having issues with his lungs, breathing, and more. I still haven’t had any updates as yet.
- Pray for those who have suffered from violent events, like those in Seattle, Washington, and in Maine as well. 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 in Ukraine, Israel, those kidnapped or killed by Hamas, and the citizens in mortal danger in the West Bank, in all the battles and such 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, we are here to bring praise toward You and Your influence in our lives. We bring our sorrows to you to help us cope. We bring our wishes, hopes, and dreams to you to raise them up. We bring our deepest and darkest fears and worries to bring them out of our hearts and replace them with humble faith and steadfast determination. We pray for those on our lists, including two named Gary, who need Your strength, Your healing, and guidance. We pray for all of those suffering medical distresses to be healed in Your Holy Name. We pray for those in leadership to make good decisions to benefit the many and not forget the few. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Rock of Ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdasrHCzvO0
Sermon: Today we are continuing our study of the tenth chapter in the scroll of Romans. As this year begins to wind down, many of us end up deep in thought, often wondering what God has in store for us. Some of us find this a painful question to ask. Others simply want the pain and torment to be over and done with. In this world today, we see both of them portrayed as more than an inner thought. This is how Paul addresses those feelings and expressions to the church at Rome.
Romans 10:9 KJV – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
NIV – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
One of those difficult things for people to believe in God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit is in the fact that there is no visible representation of them that is believable. You are going to ask right now, “What about all those paintings?” Every one of them is a mind’s eye viewpoint, influenced by those around the artists. It’s the reason that no one can truly describe what God or Jesus would look like because none have seen them in the flesh, at least in the past two millennia. We can do a lot of, maybe this way or that, utilize AI, and so forth, but all that would be guessing. God and Jesus would point out that Their existence isn’t worthy of guessing games. They would point out that those who have true faith and believe in God the Father, God the Son, with God the Holy Spirit. Faith doesn’t rely on your eyesight. Faith relies on your human heart, mind, spirit, and soul. Jesus points this out in these gospel excerpts.
Matthew 10:32-33 KJV – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
NIV – “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Luke 12:8 KJV – Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
NIV – “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.
John 6:69-71 KJV – And we believe and are
sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them,
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil?
He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should
betray him, being one of the twelve.
NIV – We have come to believe and to
know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?
Yet one of you is a devil!”
(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the
Twelve, was later to betray him.)
John 20:26-29 KJV – And after eight days
again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the
doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace
be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach
hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust
it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen
me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed.
NIV – A week later his disciples were in the
house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came
and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then
he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you
have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Paul adds to these with the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
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 16:31 KJV – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
NIV – They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
I spent my teenage years as an active Catholic churchgoing participant along with my eight siblings. I went through “first communion”, “confirmation”, “confession”, and all of the rest that is traditionally done as a practicing Catholic. Approximately two years prior to my getting married, I left the Catholic faith due to a serious difference in opinion regarding Scripture. I have been celebrating the Protestant and Evangelical point of view since early 1990. I admired many ministers of different faiths over the years, including two Catholic priests, regardless of how I still feel about Catholicism. Another was a Unitarian minister. That particular minister was my paternal grandmother. She told me, in no uncertain terms, back in 2007, that my faith and belief in our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit brought that spirit back to life in hers at what turned out to be the end of her life. These are the reasons why this verse from Paul’s letter to Rome strikes a chord.
Romans 10:10 KJV – For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
NIV – For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Again, Paul is referencing the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is the first building block of Christianity. Righteousness is the practice of using our faith in Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit, the Three in One, the Holy Trinity. Faith and belief are something Jesus spoke about frequently. We see this here in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John the Beloved.
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.”
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.
John 3:19-21 KJV – And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
NIV – This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Paul adds reflections from his letters to Galatia and Philippi. Added to these are reflections from the inspired writings of John the Beloved.
Galatians 2:16 KJV – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
NIV – know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
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.
1 John 4:15 KJV –Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
NIV –If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
Revelation 2:13 KJV – I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
NIV – I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
Paul’s next words point to the seven troubles yet again. In this case, it would be the trouble known as shame. We should never be ashamed of our faith. We should celebrate it. Sure, we don’t all share the exact same views of faith, unconditional love, or any of that. Sure, we can’t always portray our specific view of faith to where others would understand it. That’s okay. God knows. Jesus knows. Each of you would know as well.
Romans 10:11 KJV – For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
NIV – As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Paul is reflecting on these words from the prophet Isaiah and also in the words of Peter’s first letter.
Isaiah 28:16 KJV – Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
NIV – So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
Isaiah 49:23 KJV – And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
NIV – Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
1 Peter 2:6 KJV –Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
NIV –For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
Paul tends to put the Jews and Gentiles together quite often. This is because Jesus pointed out that no one is exempt from the unconditional love of God. NO ONE. It doesn’t matter what color our skin might be. It doesn’t matter our age or size, or gender. In God’s Unconditional Love, everyone is equal. There is a reason for this. God created each and every one of us out of unconditional love, with hope and faith that we would be able to carry on, in faith, in love, and in righteousness until the end of time as we know it. We see that in this next verse.
Romans 10:12 KJV – For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
NIV – For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
Paul reflects on King David’s words and also on those of Isaiah with this verse. Listen to these and see how they connect with the letter Paul wrote to the Roman Church.
Psalm 86:5 KJV – For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
NIV – You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 145:18 KJV – The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
NIV – The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Isaiah 55:6 KJV – Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
NIV – Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Paul also reflects on the writing of his pupil, and gospel writer Luke here in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 7:59 KJV – And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
NIV – While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts 10:36 KJV – The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
NIV – You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Paul adds to this with his letter to Colossae and his first letter to Timothy.
Colossians 3:11 KJV – Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
NIV – Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV –For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
NIV –For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
There is a song many think about when it comes to faith and hope in Christianity. That song is the first song listed here in our sermon, Rock of Ages. Most times we hear this and recognize the reason it was written. The author of this song wants us to remember several parables as shared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Another song that is often considered is Amazing Grace. This song was written for one reason alone. The original author was praising God and Jesus for their survival after a particularly dangerous ocean voyage for them. These songs both tie in with this next verse Paul shares with the church at Rome.
Romans 10:13 KJV – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
NIV – for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Paul reflects on this through the inspired words shared by Joel in the Old Testament and the gospel writer Luke as well, again in the Acts of the Apostles.
Joel 2:32 KJV – And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
NIV – And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.
Acts 2:21 KJV – And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
NIV – And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Our last verse from Romans today speaks specifically on belief and its need to be soulfully deep, heart, mind, and spiritually deep. Belief is reliant on faith even with the fact that none of us has laid eyes on Jesus Christ, or on God the Father. Yet, we believe, regardless. This is something that is most important when it comes to Christianity. That’s what Paul shares here.
Romans 10:14 KJV – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
NIV – How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Paul references the gospel of John the Beloved and the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
John 9:36 KJV – He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
NIV – “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Acts 8:31 KJV – And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
NIV – “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Paul then also references his letter to the church at Ephesus and his letter to the Greek missionary Titus.
Ephesians 2:17 KJV – And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
NIV – He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
Ephesians 4:21 KJV – If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
NIV – when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
Titus 1:3 KJV – But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
NIV – and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
Jesus wants us to realize how strong faith can be. He wants us to recognize our connections to God through His teaching and His unconditional love. This is what Paul is pointing out in his letter to the church at Rome. Each and every person has the opportunity to walk in the faithful steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The ability to do this requires us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. If you wish to do so at this time, please feel free to leave a note in the comments or by private message. 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: Amazing Grace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdvReNKKuk
Thirty years ago, we lost my youngest sister to a fast moving infection, her favorite song was, as it is, our closing song, Amazing Grace. I wrote the following addition to that most often translated song and shared it at the memorial service for my mother-in-law seventeen years ago. Yes, I included all the original verses. Here are those words.
A dream of love, I hold it here, hidden deep within my soul. Found in a heart of gold so dear, with life its only goal. May life itself be found to be, as much a dream as true. If only I were blessed to see, the blessed sight of You.
They fit in the song before the last verse, which was actually added to the original song. Amazing Grace was written by John Newton after he survived an ocean voyage in 1772. Here are the lyrics of his original version.
1. Amazing grace! (how sweet
the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
2. T’was grace that taught my
heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
3. Through many dangers,
toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good
to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Less familiar, though, are the two verses Newton used to conclude the song which would be verse 5 and verse 8 and the ones I wrote are 6 and 7:
5. Yes, when this flesh and
heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
6. A dream of love, I hold it here,
hidden deep within my soul.
Found in a heart of gold so dear,
with life its only goal.
7. May life itself be found to be,
as much a dream as true.
If only I were blessed to see,
the blessed sight of You.
8. The earth shall soon
dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
~ 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.
