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.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings lost a favorite uncle, Richard Wolfe, whom he aspired to be like, this past week. He is also having gastrointestinal issues which he is having a physician check out for him later this week.
- Pray for my family, especially one of my sisters, who has gone through something she never thought she would end up going through in her lifetime. She ended up doing something she never imagined she would have to do. This same sister’s youngest child is headed for scoliosis surgery this summer as well. Pray that goes well.
- Praise God that a client, Judy’s, son-in-law Ken Hagin who has had pacemaker surgery done successfully also had the source of his internal bleeding stopped.
- Pray for my daughter and son-in-law’s family members as they work through some serious family issues.
- Pray for my friend Janice who is still fighting lingering effects of COVID 19. She is still suffering with a low-grade fever and the exhaustion, but still tests negative. Let’s hope that she recovers from the lingering effects soon.
- Pray for Janice’s mother who has also been sick and is still having issues after a stroke last year and other medical issues.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is going through a lot of emotions and more as a result. Her treatments have been going on for the past few weeks now.
- Continue to keep my Aunt Donna in your prayers. She is hanging on even with the cancer treatments.
- Pray for a friend who has had a lot of issues to deal with in their life and is working hard to straighten them out. A lot of questions in regard to their health and more have plagued this person for quite a while. They have said they appreciate our prayers.
- Pray for the victims and survivors of the bridge collapse in Maryland a week ago Thursday. Pray for the families of those who lost their lives in this accident as they are informed one by one in the midst of the recovery process.
- Pray for those who were affected by the earthquakes this past week.
- Pray for those who were killed in accidents and violent criminal actions this past week, and for the families who are saying good-bye.
- Be thankful for each day as we do not know what tomorrow brings.
- Pray for our nations that the voice of God be heard through the Holy 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 all of
those who suffer from cancer and other uncurable
diseases and conditions that they be
secure in God’s embrace through
the Holy Spirit.
- 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.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many we bring to You for healing and comfort through their trials and tribulations. There are so many who are in mourning. We pray for my friends Kelly and Janice and her mother. We pray for Judy’s son in law Kenray for Cal Jennings and his family as they mourn the loss of a favorite uncle. We pray for my sister and her children who are going through their personal crises. We pray for those who have been lost to illnesses that are and were unknown to them, and their families. We pray for those who have lost their lives to war and violence. We pray for those who have been brought to harm around this world last week. We add to that those who have been falsely imprisoned and all who are being punished unjustly. We add to this with those who are fighting through their health conditions far and wide. We pray that they each hear Your voice and feel Your warm and loving presence in their lives. 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: Morning Has Broken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5D3LEjGF8A
Sermon: Today we return to the scroll of Romans after celebrating the feast of St. Patrick, Passover, and Easter. We begin with the first of two sermons on chapter 13. Something interesting about this chapter is how Paul reiterates something Jesus shared in His ministry about what is human and what is divine. People, even now, have asked that question many times in the lifetime of this world we live in. Here we see what Paul begins this chapter with. With the King James there are few titles of chapters that are often shared. However, in the New International Version there are chapter titles quite often. In the case of the first segment of the chapter is the title of “Submissive to the Authorities”. So, here we begin.
Romans 13:1 KJV – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
NIV – Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
God came before things, people, animals, plants, even the earth, sun, moon and stars. God existed before all of it, and especially money. This is something that Jesus pointed out to the Apostles and Disciples. This is what God pointed out time and time again. Paul is just reiterating that.
Here are some points of reference with the poetic books of the Old Testament.
Proverbs 8:15 KJV – By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
NIV – By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
Proverbs 24:21 KJV – My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
NIV – Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
Daniel 2:21 KJV – And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
NIV – He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Now we are going to add to this with references from the New Testament, including this first one from the Gospel of John where Jesus explains earthy and divine power.
John 19:11 KJV – Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
NIV – Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
This response was spoken of last Sunday during our Easter sermon. It is Jesus speaking to Pilate when Pilate realizes that Jesus knows and understands where Pilate is coming from, and why. Sinning occurs every moment of every day, and often we do not realize that we are sinning. Those seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt are well hidden in this world, usually in the things that occur every day. Paul draws further reference from the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles here.
Acts 2:41 KJV – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
NIV – Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Here’s a question for you. Do you know what the seven troubles are all about? Do you know how to define them? Do you recognize them? Well, in order to know the enemy of faith and unconditional love we have to know how to define them and remove them one by one from our lives.
Vanity – Often thought of as “greed” this is an obsessive desire for material wealth or possessions, also thought of as idolatry. The chief Old Testament understanding that human life apart from God, even at its best, has no ultimate significance and consequently is valueless.
Envy – Sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others, especially the spiritual enjoyment and advance of the kingdom of Christ freely and graciously bestowed upon the people of God.
Lust – A strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature. The word is never used in a positive context; rather, it is always seen in a negative light, relating primarily either to a strong desire for sexual immorality or idolatrous worship.
Enmity – A deep rooted hatred as God assigned between mankind and the serpent in the expulsion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Wrath – Defined as an uncontrolled, intense, and vengeful anger.
Shame – While there are many aspects to shame, two classifications are comprehensive as subjective and objective. Subjective is likened to the response Adam and Eve felt when they hid themselves after taking of the forbidden fruit. Objective is a component of divine judgment on sin. It is thusly a dreaded consideration on the part of humanity.
Doubt – in Scripture can be seen to be characteristic of both believers and unbelievers. In believers it is usually a weakness of faith, a wavering in the face of God's promises. In the unbeliever doubt is virtually synonymous with unbelief. Scripture, as would be expected, does not look at doubt philosophically or epistemologically. Doubt is viewed practically and spiritually as it relates to our trust in the Lord. For this reason, doubt is not deemed as valuable or commendable.
All of these “Troubles” are “Human” in nature. They exist, and have done so, since the first two humans assisted in creating them thanks to Satan disguised as a serpent in the Garden of Eden. They are spoken of often by the Apostles and Disciples of Christ. Paul’s descriptions of humanity being pinned down by these seven troubles would be no surprise with this next verse.
Romans 13:2 KJV – Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
NIV – Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
The seven troubles are the path toward eternal destruction for those who become ensnared within them. Paul shows references from the Old Testament that point toward the path that avoids this potential.
Exodus 16:8 KJV – And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.
NIV – Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”
Isaiah 58:2 KJV – Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
NIV – For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
Jeremiah 23:8-17 KJV – But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
NIV – but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
Lying Prophets
Concerning
the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones
tremble. I am like a drunken man, like a strong man overcome by wine, because
of the Lord and his holy
words.
The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land
lies parched and
the pastures in the wilderness are withered. The prophets follow an evil course
and use their power unjustly. “Both prophet and priest are
godless; even
in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the Lord.
“Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be
banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in
the year they are punished,” declares the Lord. “Among the
prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led
my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something
horrible: They
commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them
turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; the people of
Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter
food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread
throughout the land.”
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying
to you; they
fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from
the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness
of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
Jeremiah 44:14-17 KJV – So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
NIV – None
of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in Egypt will escape or survive
to return to the land of Judah, to which they long to return and live; none
will return except a few fugitives.”
Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods,
along with all the women who were present—a large assembly—and all the people
living in Lower and Upper Egypt, said to Jeremiah, “We will not listen
to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord! We will certainly do everything we said we
would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink
offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did
in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty
of food and were well off and suffered no harm.
Jesus often pointed out when His Apostles and Disciples missed the mark by allowing the Seven Troubles into their thoughts, actions, and reactions. Here we see that in the Gospel of Matthew and Mark.
Matthew 23:14 KJV – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
NIRV – “How terrible it will be for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter. And you will not let those enter who are trying to.
Mark 12:40 KJV – Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
NIV – They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Paul then adds references to his friend Titus and also with the Apostle Peter.
Titus 3:1 KJV – Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
NIV – Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
1 Peter 2:13 KJV –Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
NIV –Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
Paul adds to this with his thoughts on rulers and how the pursuit of good will keep them away from our doorsteps. The power of true, godly, goodness is far greater than the ordinary strength of any governor or government.
Romans 13:3-4 KJV – For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
NIV – For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Paul references the Torah and the Poetic Books in this.
Deuteronomy 25:1 KJV – If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
NIV – When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
Proverbs 14:35 KJV – The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
NIV – A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 KJV –That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
NIV –and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.
He adds to this with a reference to the writings of the Apostle Peter.
1 Peter 2:14 KJV –Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
NIV –or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
There are reasons we must listen to those in authority. This is a form of self-preservation on this earth, and also it is something that deters us from allowing the seven troubles from attacking our spiritual, conscious, and unconscious minds. This is important for far more reasons than staying alive and out of harm’s way. A clear-minded person understands how faith and righteousness affects them far sooner than one who is preoccupied by this world and its affliction within the seven troubles. This is what Paul reminds the members of the church at Rome about.
Romans 13:5 KJV – Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
NIV – Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Rules exist to help us keep this world in order. Often, those who break the rules suffer consequences. It just depends on where we are in this world as to what those consequences will be. Much like they were in the times of Jesus and long before in the times of the earliest Israelites. It’s very, very easy to get yourself on the wrong side of the line, unless you know what you’re looking for. King David had his share of issues with staying on the right side of that line. We see this in his thoughts here.
1 Samuel 24:5-6 KJV –And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
NIV –Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”
David’s son Solomon also had his issues with wisdom, faith, and more. We see some of that realization here.
Ecclesiastes 8:1-2 KJV – Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
NIV – Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.
Obey the King
Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.
The gospel writer Luke adds to this with the writings in regard to the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 24:16 KJV – And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
NIV – So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
Paul adds the viewpoints of Titus and Peter to this thought of right and wrong in a divine point of view and earthly authority.
Titus 3:1-2 KJV – Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
NIV – Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
1 Peter 2:19 KJV –For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
NIV –For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
Our last two verses had to be kept together for clarity sake here in Paul’s letter to Rome in the thirteenth chapter. He speaks of taxes much like Jesus spoke of them. Here is what Paul shares.
Romans 13:6-7 KJV – For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
NIV – This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Taxes existed back further than the Romans. We’ve seen them in different forms and formulas through most of Scripture. Paul draws inspiration from the Torah, prophetic and poetic books as well.
Exodus 18:13-27 KJV – And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
NIV – The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”
Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.
Deuteronomy 1:9-17 KJV – And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
(The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do.
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.
And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
NIV – At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”
You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”
So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
Ezra 4:13 KJV – Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
NIV – Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.
Ezra 4:20 KJV – There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
NIV – Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.
Nehemiah 5:4 KJV – There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
NIV – Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
Proverbs 3:27 KJV – Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
NIV – Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Again Paul adds to these with the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in three of the four gospels.
Matthew 17:25 KJV – He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
NIV- “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
Matthew 22:21 KJV – They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
NIV – “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Mark 12:17 KJV – And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
NIV – Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
Luke 20:22-25 KJV – Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's,
and unto God the things which be God's.
NIV – Is it right for us to pay taxes to
Caesar or not?”
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show
me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is
Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Luke 23:2 KJV – And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
NIV – And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”
We have a job here on earth as true Christians. Our job is to find the true path of faith as Jesus shared. We are ordered to teach any who are willing to give up that which is earthly and ungodly and train them up into how they can discern these seven troubles of vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt, and steer clear of them while pursuing faith and hope within Unconditional Love as delivered to us through the greatest sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. If we want to be truly Christian, we must follow Him and leave the earthly chains and shackles behind. Believe in His Word and your life will be forever changed from this moment forward. 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: Great Is the Lord ~ Michael W. Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdqfAkHCZnA
~ 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 © 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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