https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L96TkBd8XRs
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.
- Pray for all the mothers around this world on this, their special day.
- Pray for those celebrating the memories of all the mothers who have passed away from this side of life.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is currently back home after being in the hospital for heart stent surgery, he wants to thank everyone for their prayers.
- Pray for my sister’s youngest child who is headed for scoliosis surgery this summer at the end of June. He’s also been sick for the past couple of days. Pray that he feels better, and that the surgery goes well.
- Pray for my daughter and son-in-law’s family members as they work through some serious family issues.
- 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 my employer, Ed, who has been diagnosed with skin cancer and is seeking treatment in a couple weeks. Keep his wife Joy in prayer as well as she continues treatment for chronic issues that have caused a whole lot of pain.
- 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 and she’s got quite a few more to go through before it is done.
- Continue to keep my Aunt Donna in your prayers. She is hanging on even with the cancer treatments and the many changes she is going through.
- Pray for my sister and brother-in-law as they go through the chaos of job hunting after my brother-in-law was laid off.
- Pray for my niece, Autumn, who is having a lot of health issues relative to a head injury from a car wreck. Pray that the doctors find a solution to fix everything.
- 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 now.
- 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 as
Christians everywhere.
* Sending a happy birthday for my daughter Deanna Howerton and my daughter-in-law Rebecca Neff who both have birthdays on Monday and Thursday this week!
* Sending out congratulations to my niece, Hope Bogard-Schroeder for graduating college yesterday!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many we bring to You on this beautiful Sunday. We have all the Moms in this world brought to You for assisting in raising their spirits and celebrating their achievements in motherhood. We bring those who have only memories of their mothers, that those memories be sweet and heartwarming. We pray for those who are ill and in need of healing through Your grace. We pray for those who suffer from deadly situations worldwide and those who have been in accidents of all forms. 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 Poem: Precious Memories ~ Written by Rev. Laura A. Neff 1995
Sermon: We are celebrating life and love and family today as, here in the United States, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Yet, we are only one of 94 countries around this world to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in the month of May. Paul points toward spiritual strength in this first section of chapter fifteen in Romans. Let’s get started.
Romans 15:1 KJV –We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
NIV –We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
It is not easy to bear the pains and sorrows, fears and worries of those who surround us. Yet, there is one, just one, who took those sorrows, those fears, worries, and sins included within them, and transformed them as He hung on a cross and died. Unconditional love has a name. His name is Jesus. This is something all the Apostles, disciples, and family members of Jesus Christ shared in their many letters to the Christian churches they could reach. There is strength in weakness, because we are strong because He helps us to be so. We see this in these supporting verses.
1 Corinthians 4:10 KJV –We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
NIV –We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
1 Corinthians 9:22 KJV –To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
NIV –To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 12:22-24 KJV –Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
NIV –On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV –Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
NIV –That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Galatians 6:2 KJV – Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
NIV – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Philippians 2:4 KJV – Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
NIV – not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV –Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
NIV –And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Another thing that Jesus taught the Apostles and Disciples was exactly how to remove sin from ourselves beyond following the law as written in the Ten Commandments. His three word response is noted in this verse as Paul shares.
Romans 15:2 KJV – Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
NIV – Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
What is the three word response Jesus had in those days long past? LOVE ONE ANOTHER. This is the lesson that Paul is teaching. Where Jesus shared this ideal condition of God’s eternal and unconditional love in the gospel of John chapter 15, the Twelve Apostles made many references to this very same portrayal. That’s why we have to hear it in so many ways. Paul shares this quite well in his first letter to the church at Corinth here.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 KJV –All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
NIV – “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33 KJV –Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
NIV –even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 14:3 KJV –But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
NIV –But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV –How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
NIV –What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
This work is not, repeat not, meant to be self-serving. It’s not for our enjoyment that we share the eternal and infinite beauty of unconditional love. It’s to support each other and build each other up. This is what Paul points out with this next verse.
Romans 15:3 KJV – For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
NIV – For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Remember, Jesus died for all our sins. He willingly took all the sins away from this world in His death on the cross. Think about it. There had already been millions, potentially billions, of people who died since the days of Adam and Eve. Add to them with the billions and more who have left this side of life since, and we’re talking entire mountain ranges of sins committed. Sacrifices like the one Jesus made on the cross had origins that, quite literally, died the day Jesus Christ breathed the words “It is finished.” Here are some examples of the sacrifices made to atone for sin as Paul references them.
Psalm 40:6-8 KJV – Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
NIV – Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 69:9 KJV – For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
NIV – for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
Psalm 69:20 KJV – Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
NIV – Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.
When Jesus realized what would have to happen to Him in order to ensure that the plan God has for humanity even this far into the future. Here are the words Jesus spoke at that moment.
Matthew 26:39 KJV – And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
NIV – Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:42 KJV – He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
NIV – He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
Matthew 27:44 KJV – The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
NIV – In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
John 4:34 KJV – Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
NIV – “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Paul adds to these references from our Savior with two from his second letter to the church at Corinth and the church at Philippi.
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV –For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
NIV –For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Philippians 2:5 KJV – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
NIV – In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Paul points out that we have a lot to learn from Scripture. He’s right. We have a lot we can learn from Scripture, and we can learn something new each and every time we open the Scriptures. I know this from my personal experience. More than one of you who listens or reads these sermons has said as much. Every single verse in Scripture transforms depending on what is going on in our lives at the moment we read it and share it with others. This is one of the reasons this next line was written to the church at Rome here.
Romans 15:4 KJV – For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
NIV – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Scripture is the written record of all the lessons that God has taught since the first seven days of Creation. Paul references the words from King David, the prophet Habakkuk, and his letters to Thessalonica and his second letter to Timothy who was ordained by Paul and sent to preach the gospel for the church at Thessalonica.
Psalm 102:18 KJV – This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord.
NIV – Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:
Psalm 119:50 KJV – This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
NIV – My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Habakkuk 2:2 KJV – And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
NIV – Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV –Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
NIV –We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV –All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
NIV –All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Now, in this next verse of the fifteenth chapter, Paul is pointing out something else that is a gift from unconditional love. This would be patience, and consolation. These are part and parcel from sharing brotherly and sisterly love with one another. It’s important to realize that there are many facets included in the concept of unconditional love, and this is what Paul is sharing.
Romans 15:5 KJV – Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
NIV – May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
Paul goes all the way back into the Torah and the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament for clarity.
Exodus 34:6 KJV – And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
NIV – And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
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.
Jeremiah 32:39 KJV – And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
NIV – I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
Paul then adds to these with his second letter to Corinth and his letter to Philippi. With those he adds influence from the writings in Peter’s first letter.
2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV –Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
NIV –Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
Philippians 2:2 KJV – Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
NIV – then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
1 Peter 3:8 KJV –Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
NIV –Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Now, here we see that Paul is instructing the church that the members should praise and glorify God with ONE VOICE. He means that they need to be in total agreement even with their own conclusions and understanding of what Scripture and the Word as shared by Jesus is saying. We might not see eye to eye on everything, but when it comes to Jesus and His Word, God and His Unconditional Love, these need to be a unified front for us, always connecting us first to each other, and then to Jesus who brings us to God as whole, unbroken, spirits, souls, hearts, minds, and bodies.
Romans 15:6 KJV – That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The language of God’s love is one that has been written about for millennia. This didn’t just include Scripture. There are many hymns, poems, and more that portray this fact. We see it so often, it should not be difficult to find. Here we see how teaching the people to be likeminded can teach them about God’s love through the eyes of Zephaniah and Zechariah.
Zephaniah 3:9 KJV – For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.
NIV – “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
Zechariah 13:9 KJV – And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
NIV – This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
Again Paul references the Savior Jesus Christ and his colleague John the Beloved’s interpretation of teaching moments Jesus had with the Apostles and Disciples surrounding Him.
John 10:29-30 KJV – My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
NIV – My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 20:17 KJV – Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
NIV – Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Paul adds references from his letters to Ephesus and Colossae as well as John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Ephesians 1:17 KJV – That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
NIV – I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Colossians 1:3 KJV – We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
NIV – We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Revelation 1:6 KJV – And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
NIV – and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Our last verse from this chapter of Romans for today is a directive that we should receive and react toward. Listen closely.
Romans 15:7 KJV – Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
NIV – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Paul is again remembering teaching moments from the Savior Jesus Christ. Something that we all need to remember. It is also one point that often gets lost in the mishmash of life as this world experiences it over the millennia that have come and gone since our Savior walked this earth.
Matthew 10:40 KJV – He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
NIV – “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
Mark 9:37 KJV – Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
NIV – “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
This next reference is a reaction by the elders, the Pharisees and scribes and how they perceived what Jesus was doing, and were astonished, obviously, as noted by a whispered conversation that Jesus and the Apostles overheard one day.
Luke 15:2 KJV – And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
NIV – But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Add to this, remember, God knows our thoughts before we give them voice. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent all at the same time. He sees all, knows all, and is above all. Paul wants us to remember that we need to support each other, so that we can feel wanted, needed, appreciated, and accepted, no matter how different or similar we might be. This is what Paul shares in his reference to his letter to Colossae.
Colossians 3:13 KJV – Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
NIV – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Unconditional love is something we all are given freely, regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we do for a living. This is something that Jesus and God provide for us always, and why we have to remember that our thoughts, prayers, needs and desires are known to God and Jesus every day. Our faith needs to grow and gain strength for our ability to believe that which we cannot see with our eyes, or hear with our ears. That is why 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 Poem: In the Hearts Eye – Mother’s Day Poem written by Rev. Laura A. Neff ~ 2013
~ 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.
