Here We Are Lord! Shalom Dear Friend!

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GkNwtM8Wdk

 

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 each 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 Jesus Christ in a way that we believe embraces the ways Jesus Himself 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 and his dog Scrappy are both a little bit better and continue to thank everyone for their prayers.

-      Pray for my son-in-law Douglas who is headed for a CT scan tomorrow.

-      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 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.

-      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. 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 brother-in-law as he starts a new job at last. He thanks everyone for their prayers.

-      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 last week 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 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, 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.

 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many we bring to You on this beautiful Sunday. We pray for those in this world who have suffered great pain and sorrow that they receive comfort in Your arms. We pray for those who are ill and in need of healing through Your grace. We pray for those who have suffered incredible and unfathomed situations in their lives to the point of starting over. We pray for those who suffer from deadly situations worldwide and those who have been in accidents of all forms. We pray for the blessings of growth in Your heavenly kingdom here on this earth as Pastor Stephen Okoth and his congregation bring Your Word and Presence toward more and more people in Kenya and other places through the continent of Africa. We pray for all of our outreach ministries, that they also 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: Here I Am Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c

 

Sermon: Today we are starting our voyage into the last chapter of Romans. As I explained last week, this last chapter will be shared in three sermons. There are a lot of reasons for this. Paul, as is his typical methodology, has packed a whole lot of information into his twenty-seven verse farewell to the church there at Rome. He begins this chapter with an introduction to other ministers and their wives and congregations throughout Asia Minor where he had sent so many letters building up the church that Jesus Christ built the foundation for. With that, let’s start here.

 

Romans 16:1 KJV – I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

NIV – I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

 

Now, Phoebe is one of the women that paves the foundation for women of the church. She isn’t the first, by any means, because Mary Magdalene was the first woman, personally chosen by Jesus Christ Himself. It takes a lot of dedication for women, even today, to sometimes find their place within a church body. I have been blessed and honored to serve as minister here at Covenant of Hope Ministries, and will stay for as long as God wishes me to be, doing the will of the Father, as Jesus guides me, and leads all of us toward His path of righteousness. Here we see Jesus showing the pathway to His Apostles and disciples in the gospels of Matthew and Mark and observed in the gospel of Luke as well.

 

Matthew 12:50 KJV – For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

NIV – For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

Mark 10:30 KJV – But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

NIV – will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

 

Luke 8:3 KJV – And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

NIV – Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

 

Paul adds to this with more wisdom from his pupil, and the gospel writer, Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Acts 18:18 KJV – And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

NIV – Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.

 

Paul adds to this with his first letter to Timothy and his letter to Philemon as well.

 

1 Timothy 5:2 KJV –The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

NIV –older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

 

1 Timothy 5:9 KJV –Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

NIV –No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,

 

Philemon 1:2 KJV – And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

NIV – also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

 

The thought of “good-bye” is a tough one, even for Paul, because he wanted to do so much for all the various churches throughout Eurasia at the time. With a price on his head, and often as he sat in prison, Paul would preach regardless of the consequences, throughout his lifetime for as far as he could reach, in places he could never be. This is what the promise made by Jesus was meant to be. Look at how far the reach has become for each and every one of the letters Paul wrote. Paul continues his farewell with this next verse of further introduction to his pupils.

 

Romans 16:2 KJV – That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

NIV – I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

 

Paul references a very well-known segment of the words Jesus Christ spoke, as shared in the tenth chapter of the gospel written by Matthew.

 

Matthew 10:40-42 KJV – He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

NIV – “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

 

Matthew 25:40 KJV – And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

NIV – “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Paul then adds more references again to the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Acts 9:13-15 KJV – Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

 

NIV – “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

 

 

Acts 9:39-41 KJV – Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

NIV – Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

Paul then adds to this with a note from his first letter to Timothy.

 

1 Timothy 2:10 KJV –But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

NIV –but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

 

Paul continues his introduction of the ministers of this new church there in Rome. Priscilla and her husband Aquila were co-ministers, serving God equally for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In introducing them in this way, Paul personifies one of the most remembered verses Jesus spoke.

 

Romans 16:3-4 KJV – Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

NIV – Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Now, if you haven’t listened to or read my sermons over the past nineteen years, you would not know that the reference here has been part of my life since I was eighteen years old. The significance of “The Vine and Branches” parable as shared in the gospel of John the Beloved chapter fifteen has far reaching, and ever growing meaning in the path of Christianity. We all are connected, to Jesus, to God, and to each other. This is what Paul is sharing with the members of the church there in Rome, reminding them that we are all connected one to another through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

John 15:13 KJV – Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

NIV – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Paul adds to this with the insights of his pupil Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Acts 9:31 KJV – Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

NIV – Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

 

Acts 15:26 KJV – Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV – men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 18:2 KJV – And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

NIV – There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

 

Acts 18:26 KJV – And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

NIV – He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

 

Paul then reflects on his letter written to the church in Philippi.

 

Philippians 2:30 KJV – Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

NIV – because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

 

Paul continues to prove how hard it is to say farewell in any formula as he continues to name others at the church there in Rome and across Asia Minor, which is where this next introduction hails from.

 

Romans 16:5 KJV – Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

NIV – Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

 

Now comes another familiar set of words that Jesus Christ shared with His Apostles and Disciples. It is one that brightens hearts, even if all we do is connect through a written sermon or the video as it plays, or, if we’re fully blessed, seeing this sermon live as well. There is a reason to share the combined formats and formulas for these sermons we participate in together.  Jesus said it best as shared here in the gospel of Matthew.

 

Matthew 18:20 KJV – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

NIV – For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 

Paul then adds to this with his pupil’s words in the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Acts 2:9 KJV – Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

NIV – Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

 

Acts 16:6 KJV – Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

NIV – Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

 

Acts 18:12 KJV – And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

NIV – While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment.

 

Acts 18:27 KJV – And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

NIV – When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

 

Paul completes the thought for the verse with reference to James the Just, human brother of Jesus, and John the Beloved as well.

 

James 1:18 KJV – Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

NIV – He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

 

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.

 

Paul did so much to introduce others to the grace of Jesus Christ. He had help, including the rest of the Apostles and disciples, who spent their lives spreading the Word as Jesus had requested.  Paul is commending each of them in these next verses, even if it is only a few at a time.

 

Romans 16:6-7 KJV – Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

NIV – Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

 

We all know that Paul was quite fond of referencing the prophet Isaiah, which he does in these next references.

 

Isaiah 45:17 KJV – But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

NIV – But Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

 

Isaiah 45:25 KJV – In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

NIV – But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him.

 

Spreading the Word isn’t just for Christians speaking to other Christians. It is meant to spread to those who have not yet chosen Christianity in their life. Sometimes, that is not an easy process. It depends on everything in your life. This is how Jesus put it and how the gospel writers recorded it.

 

Matthew 5:47 KJV – And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

NIV – And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

 

Matthew 27:55 KJV – And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

NIV – Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.

 

John 6:56 KJV – He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

NIV – Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.

 

Paul adds to this with his thoughts toward the church at Thessalonica and also to Timothy.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12 KJV –And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

NIV –Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

 

1 Timothy 5:10 KJV –Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

NIV –and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

 

Again Paul is addressing the role women should have in the church, as greeters, teachers, and ministers. Now we see further in yet three more introductions. Yes, it takes many to hold up the walls and ceilings of any church created through Christ. So it is important to recognize all those who help keep the ministry united and strong in that unity.

 

Romans 16:8-9 KJV – Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

NIV – Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

 

Paul references his second letter to Corinth.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV –Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

NIV –Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

2 Corinthians 12:2 KJV –I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

NIV –I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.

 

He adds a reference from his letter to the churches at Galatia and Philippi.

 

Galatians 1:22 KJV – And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

NIV – I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

 

Philippians 4:1 KJV – Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

NIV – Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

 

Paul ends this section with a reference from John the Beloved’s first letter to Ephesus.

 

1 John 3:14 KJV –We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

NIV –We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

 

The Vine and Branches parable in John 15 is very important for Christians everywhere. The meaning behind it needs to be studied on a regular basis with all Christians. This will build our faith the way it needs to be built, with a foundation that is forever strong. Our foundation cornerstone is Jesus Christ. HE IS OUR FAITH and 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 Song: Shalom My Friends – Shalom Chaverim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_NwVK8tpYk

 

 

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

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Evangelist Calvin Jennings

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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

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created through fear together as the bringers of the

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