https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSvIw5mbzsw
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
*NOTE: I apologize for the technical difficulties in last week’s live sermon. For whatever reason it only recorded the first 8 minutes or so of the entire 31 minute sermon. Hopefully, prayerfully, we are able to get the entire sermon on tape today.
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.
· Friend and Colleague Erin lost her father yesterday. We pray for her family and his friends and colleagues who are mourning at this time.
· Evangelist Cal Jennings is still having a little bit of an issue with his recovery, but his dog Scrappy is doing much better and both continue to thank everyone for their prayers.
· Pray for my sister’s youngest child who is headed for scoliosis surgery tomorrow the 24th. Pray that the surgery goes well. It has become an absolutely necessary and vital for his wellbeing at this time.
· Pray for my daughter and son-in-law’s family members as they continue to work through some serious family issues.
· Pray for my Mama. She’s having a hard time right now, still mourning my father, who passed away in May 2021 and her life hasn’t been easy as she spends most of her time alone now. She is also set to travel east to help my sister with her son’s care over the next week.
· Pray for Janice’s mother who 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 has had the cancer removed, let’s pray that it doesn’t return. Keep his wife Joy in prayer as well as she continues treatment for chronic issues that have caused a whole lot of pain. Joy fell on Thursday and injured her arm. Pray for pain relief. The two have been feeling a lot of different aches and pains this past month or more.
· 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 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. She returned home two weeks ago to find her husband had cleaned out all of his things and left. Pray for her as she picks up the pieces. (SGE)
· Pray for Pastor Stephen Okoth as he helps a brand new church establish its presence. Pastor Stephen is in Nakuru, Kenya and has been one of our outreach ministers for fifteen years. He and his congregation have done amazing work there in Kenya. God has been with them and the prayers we bring help as well.
· 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 incurable 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, because peace needs to be shared or it cannot exist. This is the gift Jesus gave to all of us when he sent His peace out into this world.
*Sending out a birthday greeting for my son Royce Neff,
who is 31 today.
*Sending out a happy anniversary to my eldest son Royce and his wife Victoria
who have been married six years as of yesterday.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have quite a few friends, family members, and colleagues that we bring to You on this beautiful Sunday. We pray for the blessings of growth in Your heavenly kingdom here on this earth as all of us are here to play a role toward reaching that blessed and beautiful Kingdom of Yours. We pray for those who have died needlessly, the victims of violence in so many ways. We pray for the family and friends who are in pain of all sorts and their need for relief, spiritually, mentally, physically. We pray that they also continue to spread Your Unconditional Love in the way Jesus taught. 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: Victory In Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGq0J9IGmxQ
Sermon: Today we are completing our voyage through the last chapter of Romans. Paul is making a spiritual pledge for the church there in Rome. He sends blessings and thankfulness for the ones who serve as elders and leaders of the church in Rome. He blesses them by repeating the Great Commission as shared in the gospel of Matthew 28:16-20, which will be recited for your memory process later on in this sermon. For Paul, it is important to remind himself, as well as the church, who we each serve as ministers, pastors, elders, evangelists, and just as members of the holy congregation, and more. Everything leads us back to where we should be, with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our guide while we live here on this earth until the End of Days. So, with that, let’s begin where we left off last week.
Romans 16:19 KJV – For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
NIV – Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Defiance is something Jesus often portrayed while He walked with the Apostles and Disciples that followed Him. This is a trait that often ruffled the feathers of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which led to His crucifixion and death only to defy those same officials by resurrecting and ascending to His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father. Understanding the importance of good, strong, and holy judgment is one of the most important traits we need to learn. You see, I have often said judge not, lest you be judged. These five words have a very important role in the Scriptures because we often screw up when it comes to judgment. That’s the human part of us. What it means is we should exercise care when delivering judgment in everything that is important in this world, and even in those things we don’t feel are very important because every step we take while existing on earth will either get us a step closer to Jesus or a step farther away. This is what these supporting verses share.
1 Kings 3:9-12 KJV –Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
Behold, I have done according to thy words:
lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none
like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
NIV –So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Psalm 101:2 KJV – I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
NIV – I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.
Jeremiah 4:22 KJV – For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
NIV – “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
Paul had to reference the words of Jesus as well as his letters to Corinth and Thessalonica.
Matthew 10:16 KJV – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
NIV – “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV –Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
NIV –Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 KJV –For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
NIV –The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
In the days of Paul and the Apostles and Disciples, danger was at every turn as they preached the Gospel. Even in this world today there are places on earth that are dangerous to share the Gospel as Jesus taught. Yet, like Paul and the Apostles, Disciples and even the family of Jesus preached anyway. It is, as it was, more important to spread the Gospel of Jesus the Word of God than life on earth would be. Paul didn’t mind being in the lion’s den, nor did he cower in fear from any risks he was taking. Like those of us who preach in this world today, we’ve got Jesus and God in our corner. With this, Paul is referencing a very old portion of the Torah, the Scroll of Genesis.
Romans 16:20 KJV – And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
NIV – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Here is his reference point.
Genesis 3:15 KJV – And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
NIV – And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Paul adds more lessons that need to be learned. Every person in this world has a time in their life where they can equate life with the plight of Job. The fight to spread the Gospel is fraught with all the same pitfalls Job encountered in his tumultuous life.
Job 40:12 KJV – Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
NIV – look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.
Paul, as is his usual consideration, references the writings of the prophet Isaiah and adds Zechariah as well.
Isaiah 25:8-12 KJV – He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
NIV – he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
The hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain; but Moab will be trampled in their land as straw is trampled down in the manure.
They will stretch out their hands in
it, as swimmers stretch out their hands to swim. God will bring down their
pride despite the cleverness of their hands.
He will bring down your high fortified walls and lay them low; he will bring
them down to the ground, to the very dust.
Isaiah 63:3 KJV – I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
NIV – “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
Zechariah 10:5 KJV – And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
NIV – Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.
Paul again portrays a warning through the words of our Savior as they were directed toward Peter.
Matthew 4:10 KJV – Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
NIV – Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Paul again references the leadership of the church there at Rome, so that they would realize what it means to pursue the path of righteous faith in this next verse.
Romans 16:21 KJV – Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
NIV – Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
Paul references four excerpts of the Acts of the Apostles as shared by the gospel writer, and pupil of his, Luke.
Acts 13:1 KJV – Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
NIV – Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
Acts 16:1 KJV – Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
NIV – Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
Acts 17:5 KJV – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
NIV – But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.
Acts 20:24 KJV – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
NIV – However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
The relationship of teacher and student is one that is often shared through the entire set of gospels. We see it in the actions of Jesus Christ and then it is passed down to the Apostles and Disciples through the Great Commission. That is something Paul references within his writings in his letter to Rome.
Romans 16:22 KJV – I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
NIV – I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Paul references five of his letters with this verse. They are Corinth, Galatia, Colossae, Thessalonica, and his student Philemon as well. There is so much to learn in just a simple salutation as this was for the letter to Rome.
1 Corinthians 16:21 KJV –The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
NIV – I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Galatians 6:11 KJV – Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
NIV – See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
Colossians 4:18 KJV – The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
NIV – I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 KJV –The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
NIV –I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
Philemon 1:19 KJV – I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
NIV – I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
Paul didn’t reserve his respectful salutations to the members of the leadership of the church, but also of those city leaders that promoted the gospel of Jesus as well. This is what he shares in this next verse.
Romans 16:23 KJV – Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
NIV – Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
Paul again references the gospel writer of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 19:22 KJV – So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
NIV – He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
Acts 19:29 KJV – And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
NIV – Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.
Acts 20:4 KJV – And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
NIV – He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Notice how Paul’s references to the people of the church extends from both himself, and his pupil Luke as well. Paul adds to this with the memory of baptism and what it means to be baptized into the Christian faith as shared in his letters to Corinth, Timothy, and John the Beloved as well.
1 Corinthians 1:14 KJV –I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
NIV –I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
2 Timothy 4:20 KJV –Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
NIV –Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
3 John 1:1 KJV – The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
NIV –The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Now I connected these next two verses for a reason. He again references the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wants to reinforce the need to lead through Jesus Christ, and God’s love would envelop those who have faith and believe. That’s what he shares next.
Romans 16:24-25 KJV – The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which
was kept secret since the world began,
NIV – May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
Storytelling is an obvious theme throughout Scripture. It is something that has been popular for many millennia here on this earth with humanity. There are no doubts that everyone loves a good story. This is why he pulls from the works that Jesus managed and also references the writings of Luke.
Matthew 13:35 KJV – That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
NIV – So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Acts 9:20 KJV – And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
NIV – At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Paul adds still more by referencing his letters to Corinth and Thessalonica.
1 Corinthians 2:1 KJV –And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
NIV –And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV –But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
NIV –No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV –Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
NIV –This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 KJV –The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
NIV –The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The last two verses of the Scroll of Romans is something that offers hope to the church membership there in Rome. Paul wants to give them confidence in the work ahead. He wants to let them know that God is with them, and Jesus leads the way.
Romans 16:26-27 KJV – But now is made
manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment
of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
NIV – but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
It is important to connect the church membership to the unconditional love of God and Jesus in this way, so that they will always have a bright light leading the way toward salvation, no matter how long the journey might be. It's still important, to this very day, to keep that beacon of hope ahead of us. In doing so, Paul also connects them to the Torah as well, because we all need roots, and those roots begin where God created this earth and everything and everyone living on, in, or around it.
Genesis 21:33 KJV – And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.
NIV – Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.
Paul adds that we all have safety and security in the existence of our faith through the love of God and Jesus as shared here in fourth Scroll of the Torah.
Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV – The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
NIV – The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’
Paul adds to this with reference to the “Great Commission” that was spoken about in the beginning of today’s sermon. Those words are very, very important for all those who teach and preach the Scriptures. It is a daily pursuit for those of us led by the Spirit to do so. That’s why we have His words to remind us of the special mission we all have as children of God, as Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 16:15 KJV – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
NIV – He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Luke 24:44-47 KJV – And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
NIV – He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He
told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will
suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the
forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem.
Paul’s final references from Romans reach into the letter he wrote to Timotheus, or Timothy. It is a reminder of what it means to be godly Christians.
1 Timothy 3:16 KJV –And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
NIV –Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
2 Timothy 1:10 KJV –But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
NIV –but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
This entire scroll of Scripture, the book of Romans, has been a voyage of hope in the building of faith in a church that was so far from Paul’s reach, and yet, also so very near. His passion for sharing the Word as Jesus asked the Apostles and Disciples to do within the Great Commission is more than obvious in his farewell to the church at Rome. Our next voyage of faith in Scripture will be through Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Let’s show each other how 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: Rock of Ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw
~ 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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