https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNwhl_uf_u0
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.
- My whole family would be missing our father, husband, or brother, who would have been 79 today. Daddy passed away May 14, 2021.
- My youngest brother Tony has a friend named Sammie who had surgery last week. She is doing well after having a mass removed and is recovering at this time. Pray she heals well in this next week.
- Pray for a family friend and former bus driver’s husband Bobby G who suffered a head injury on Thursday and then seizures and a broken jaw as a result. Miraculously, his jaw was reset perfectly, and he doesn’t need surgery to fix his jaw. Praise God for this miracle.
- Please continue to pray for Tyrone, who hurt his knee at work quite recently and is continuing toward healing. He’s having issues with worker’s compensation, so would appreciate prayers to get that going the way it should be.
- Please pray for Evangelist Cal Jennings who continues to have issues with pain and pain relief of late and other respiratory and circulatory issues. He has also been down with a bad case of the flu, which is not helping any of his other issues at this time.
- Please continue praying for Evangelist Cal Jennings’ sister who has been in rehabilitation after having her benign brain tumor removed.
- Pray for the war torn countries of Israel, Kuwait, and Ukraine.
- Pray for the victims and survivors of the attacks and atrocities by Hamas.
- Pray for the victims of the many shootings around this world this past week.
- Please keep several friends and other family members in prayer for their trials and tribulations. They have each requested to remain anonymous for the time being.
One who has come to me with fear and worry in their life regarding serious health issues and more going on. Pray that they find a solution to the health issues and improve their life in many ways at long last (SGE).
One cousin is having a great many issues in their family including several diagnoses that are a lot to process for them.
- Pray for our Aunt Donna Thornton and her family as they lost our Uncle Gary who passed away on Thursday after a year and a half fighting lung cancer.
- Continue praying for our aunt who has been suffering from cancer, gone through with a double mastectomy and treatment as well. She says to thank you all for your prayers.
- 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 who have lost their lives in the pursuit of faith and hope.
- Pray for our sick and wounded that they may heal.
- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.
- Pray for peace on earth and good will to men as Scripture shares.
* A friend and colleague, Jay, has his birthday today.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we are here to lift up our voices to You in quiet and solemn prayer. There are so many friends, family, and colleagues we bring to You in prayer. We pray for those who continue to mourn their loved ones due to COVID and all the other illnesses that cause epidemic or pandemic situations. We add to our list those who survived the shootings around this world over the past week. We pray for those who have suffered any form of illness or pain, that their bodies and minds return to perfect health. We pray for our leaders, worldwide, that they listen to Your voice over everything else and make good, beneficial decisions in all that they do. We pray that those who are facing winter’s chaos, including those who are not accustomed to the brutal cold, would find peace and sanity within it. We pray for all of this in Your Holy Name, through our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Alan Jackson ~ Just As I Am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFB-mxSt9Cc
Sermon: Today we are completing our study of the scroll of Romans in the tenth chapter. Paul has a very pertinent question for those who are listening to or reading this letter he wrote to the church at Rome. Listening and hearing are two entirely different, yet one needs the other in order to penetrate our memories, our learning skills, our interactions, and more. If we do not first listen and second hear, we cannot learn, comprehend, or grow in our knowledge and wisdom. This is what Paul is pointing out has happened many, many times in history, and he quotes several portions of Scripture in order to do so.
Romans 10:16 KJV – But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
NIV – But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
Isaiah 53:1 KJV – Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
NIV – Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Paul also references the Word as shared by our Savior Jesus Christ, specifically because Jesus was the one to connect Esaias to salvation then and even to this point today. Here are two gospels that portray the connections.
Matthew 13:14 KJV – And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
NIV – In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
John 10:26 KJV – But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
NIV – but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
John 12:38-40 KJV – That the saying of Esaias
the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our
report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they
could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them.
NIV – This was to fulfill the word of
Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He
has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.”
Paul is pointing out that we have a collective problem. Every human being believes differently. Every single person perceives everything differently. This goes all the way back to the beginning with Adam and Eve and the miracle of seven days of creation. God created us to have free will, which influences everything that occurs in our lives from first breath to last. It is because of free will that we are so different from one another and yet we are all of the same race, the human race. Color, size, shape, gender, age, education, career, financial status, none of that matters. Every one of us is made equal because Jesus Christ proves that through His life, ministry, death, and resurrection. What matters is faith within our belief in God and Jesus Christ, and proving that belief and faith in our words, actions, and reactions to everything that occurs on a daily basis. Paul points out that there are two things every person must manage when it comes to the Word of God. Listening and Hearing are those two things. They are similar but different. You can listen all day long, and never remember what you’ve heard after that day is done. You can’t do so unless you are actively hearing what is being said. In order to portray our faith we have to first passively listen and then actively hear what God is saying to each of us. That’s how we build our faith. It is how we create a foundation that can anchor us in any form of chaos that might come our way. Proving our faith takes work, action and reaction, and planning for the future, whatever it might be. Here’s how the Apostle Paul portrays this.
Romans 10:17 KJV – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
NIV – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Long before Jesus was born, there were several who withstood what, for some, would have left them broken or destroyed. One of those would be Job, who was an experimental case of what personally developed faith can, and cannot, perceive. Job could not understand what was going on in his life, but he also didn’t simply ask God for guidance. That is where his faith in God’s power and might failed him. He points out an important thing that all of us need. We need to see, hear, feel, act and react with our faith so it can grow. This is something it can take a lifetime to manage. Some of us have worked a little here, a little there, but have we concentrated solely on multiplying our faith? Have we worked to share that faith with those around us, no matter their level of understanding? This is why we are always finding something new in Scripture, even if we have, literally, read every single word within it, and in some cases, have done so many times. This is what Job didn’t understand. This is what Paul is trying to guard against, because lost and confused doesn’t help anybody.
Job 42:5 KJV – I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
NIV – My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
Paul brings to mind his experience with Jesus and this very same subject. Our Savior spoke about it in this way as shared by the gospel writers Mark and Luke.
Mark 4:24 KJV – And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
NIV – “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
Luke 8:11 KJV – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
NIV – “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:21 KJV – And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
NIV – He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Luke 16:29-31 KJV – Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
NIV – “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
What is Jesus doing with these words He shares with the Apostles and disciples surrounding Him? He’s repeating history that had been shared for generations before His physical existence at that time. He’s providing a verbal memory of something every Jew knew from earliest childhood as they had been taught. What is He doing differently? Humanity is hard-headed and often can’t understand exactly what faith and belief in Him contain within them. Every person who believes through faith alone, without seeing Jesus in the flesh, or having experienced God speaking from a burning bush, or as an otherworldly voice saying, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.” This last was said by God upon the baptism of Jesus by His human cousin John the Baptist. Gospel is something we should believe as soon as we hear it, see it, and practice within it. Faith and belief go hand in hand. We’ve seen and heard this through Scripture for thousands of years. The Hebrew prophets have this to share.
Hebrews 4:2 KJV – For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
NIV – For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Paul adds to his teaching in the letter to the church at Rome with this next verse. His words are specifically geared toward teaching from far in the past and how it leads to this very moment in time.
Romans 10:19 KJV – But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
NIV – Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
If you think back in history, as far back as you want to, you’ll most likely have remembered that someone taught you what it means to make the wrong person or entity mad. You most likely have had moments in time where you said, “What on earth was I thinking?” or “Why did I even open my mouth and say that?” There are many in history who have provoked the wrong person at one time or another. Doing so will have us suffer the consequences. We’ve seen that in real life, and through historical accounts as well. Recently we’ve had the chance to see forgotten towns, or civilizations that have been unearthed for centuries. Yet, we have one of the most historical documents ever written and still don’t understand everything within its pages. This document is the Bible. It takes practice to learn and understand what Scripture means to us individually and collectively. There are a lot of emotions mentioned within these pages, and these references Paul brings forth provide that quite adequately.
Deuteronomy 32:21 KJV – They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
NIV – They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.
Hosea 2:23 KJV – And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
NIV – I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
1 Corinthians 1:12 KJV –Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
NIV –What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
1 Peter 2:10 KJV –Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
NIV –Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Esaias, or Isaiah, in Hebrew, is spoken about all the way through the letter Paul wrote to the church at Rome. There is a reason that Paul points to Isaiah in his writings. It wasn’t often that a man literally lives in a lifespan long enough for four separate kings to reign in Israel. Isaiah did just that. He prophesied through the reigns of Judah’s kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahas, and Hezekiah. His wisdom was called upon many times by all four of these kings, and God trusted Isaiah, a lot. It’s something we have to learn how to manage. We all have lost trust in people, situations, and so forth. Yet, we should never lose trust in God. He provides very good reasoning throughout Scripture. Paul points out how our faith, when cultivated, can manifest many things in our lives. He points to Isaiah to prove this too.
Romans 10:20 KJV – But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
NIV – And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
Paul references the writings of King Solomon and Isaiah as well with this.
Proverbs 28:1 KJV – The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
NIV – The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Isaiah 58:1 KJV – Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
NIV – “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
Isaiah 65:1 KJV – I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
NIV – “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
If you have asked the proverbial question, “Where are you in my life, God?” You aren’t asking the right question. In fact, you should be asking the opposite. “Where are you missing in my life, God?” This is the question you should ask yourself. The answer is found in your heart, mind, spirit, and soul. We have to be willing to invite God into our lives, through accepting Jesus as who He is, our Lord and Savior. It takes practice, and lots of faith that we must learn to cultivate in our lives like the best garden ever. The only difference is that we don’t need the ability to grow a plant or crop. Spiritual growth takes a willingness to read, recite, and learn about every single word in Scripture. You have the ability to learn what God can do for you in life and what you can do for God. It’s not a one way conversation. It’s not meant to be a struggle. Faith can start in the smallest of ways, and all you have to reference is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. It is simply reiterating what God gave to the citizens of Israel. Here’s how Paul shares it.
Romans 10:21 KJV – But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
NIV – But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
Again Paul brings to mind the words of King Solomon, and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Proverbs 1:24 KJV – Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
NIV – But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
Isaiah 65:2 KJV – I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
NIV – All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—
Jeremiah 35:17 KJV – Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
NIV – “Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’”
Jeremiah 25:4 KJV – And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
NIV – And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.
Paul wanted everyone to understand the necessity in building faith and believing even without physically seeing Jesus, His apostles or disciples, in the pulpit of any church. Remember, last week I shared how Jesus Himself pointed to Thomas, who had to prove for himself that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. He wants us to believe, to have faith in that belief, even without seeing Jesus in the flesh. Faith and belief in God go hand in hand, and all of us have 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 Lord and Savior. If you are willing to do so, please leave me a note in the comments and I’ll be in touch. 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: Ocean ~ Put Your Hand In the Hand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh4Y9lT75Kw
~ 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 © 2024 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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