https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTsWzEw8NfI
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 his cousin Carolyn Tribe-Henry Friday and he and Scrappy are still healing up a bit after being sick two weeks ago. Cal is having worrisome issues with healing up after his last procedure.
- Friends and family of former honorary member Deborah P. Bolton met at the fountain in Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia to honor her by spreading her ashes around the fountain and releasing balloons yesterday. Debbie, a very good friend of mine, died in July of 2023 at the age of 65.
- My friend Faith’s beautiful dog Ace crossed the rainbow bridge last night, he was a very faithful friend of hers and died of cancer.
- 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 son-in-law’s grandfather who was in a wreck earlier this week, not his fault. He didn’t get hurt, but it scared the family pretty badly.
- Pray for my friend, and member of Covenant of Hope Ministries, 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 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. Ed put his foot down wrong on Thursday and is suffering some serious pain as a result, so keep the prayers coming.
- 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 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.
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 suffer from deadly situations worldwide and those who have been in accidents of all forms. We pray for Cal Jennings and his family who have lost loved one this week and those who remember our honorary member Debbie as she was memorialized here in Savannah yesterday at the fountain in Forsyth Park. We pray for the families of disaster victims like those from the landslides and earthquakes that have occurred around this world. We pray for those who have lost their lives while on duty wherever they were sent. 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: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yZVweZ2Cvg
Sermon: Today we are completing our voyage through the fifteenth chapter of Romans. In three weeks beyond this day, we will have completed our study in the scroll of Romans. I am considering the remaining scrolls of Paul’s letters for us to continue our voyage into Scriptural wisdom through the knowledge that Paul imparts in his letters to the many churches around the world as he knew it. So, this is the closing of another chapter of his writing to the Romans.
Romans 15:27-28 KJV –It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
NIV –They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
Now, Paul has mentioned the Gentiles many, many times in his letters. There is a specific reason for this. Jesus taught the Apostles and Disciples who worked with Him to appreciate every person, regardless if they were Jew or Gentile, to Him there are no divisions between skin tones, belief systems, homes, wealth, poverty, none. Each and every person has common ancestors, to this very point in time, we all originated from Adam and Eve several millennia in the past. Everyone does, not just myself, or yourself, but all of us, worldwide, all of us. Paul wants people to believe in the work Jesus did on this earth, and the fact that He suffered, died, and was resurrected to save each and every one of us. Paul draws reference from all over Scripture to support this belief. He starts with a reference from King Solomon, Jeremiah, and our Lord and Savior Jesus as recorded by Matthew, Matthew himself, and the gospel writer John the Beloved.
Proverbs 19:21 KJV – There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
NIV – Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Lamentations 3:37 KJV – Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
NIV – Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?
Matthew 6:12 KJV – And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
NIV – And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 27:66 KJV – So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
NIV – So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
John 3:33 KJV – He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
NIV – Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
Paul adds to this with the wise words of his pupil Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and also Paul’s letter to Corinth and Galatia.
Acts 19:21 KJV – After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
NIV – After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”
1 Corinthians 9:11 KJV –If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
NIV –If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
Galatians 6:6 KJV – Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
NIV – Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Paul, as we know from earlier sermons in this Scroll, had a deep wish to visit Rome and preach to the citizens in person. It is the reason he wanted to share Christian blessings in his teaching about Jesus. It gives more and more credence for the Catholic Church to begin in this city just a short time later. We all deserve this blessing as we listen to Paul’s words here.
Romans 15:29 KJV –And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
NIV –I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
No matter what, Paul truly desired to get to the church of Rome. In actuality, he felt the same for all the churches, believing in the thought that more people would have faith and believe, and they too would be able to spread the story of our Savior Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus told the Apostles and Disciples as recorded by John the Beloved in John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, “I am the Way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” How was this “way” prophesied? It started with King David.
Psalm 16:11 KJV – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
NIV – You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
It was added to with the prophetic words of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 34:26 KJV – And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
NIV – I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.
It was reflected on by the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 19:21 KJV – After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
NIV – After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”
Paul then added a reference to his second letter to Corinth.
2 Corinthians 1:15 KJV –And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
NIV –Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice.
Paul was a prolific minister for Jesus. Yet, like the other Apostles, he knew he was living on borrowed time. In this, he was correct. Yet, he still had enough bravery, enough drive, to get the letters out to the various Christian Church strongholds that endured regardless of the hate. This is seen in his next verse here.
Romans 15:30 KJV –Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
NIV –I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Fear invades our thoughts, actions, and reactions, regardless of the fact that we want to portray strength and hope in all that we do. These words prove that Paul was still subject to this very human condition. There are a great many views of how man could learn how to defeat this debilitating condition of fear. Here Paul goes back to the story of Jacob and also to King David.
Genesis 32:24-29 KJV – And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
NIV – So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
Psalm 143:10 KJV – Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
NIV – Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Paul then adds advice he shared with the church at Corinth in his second letter to them.
2 Corinthians 1:11 KJV –Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
NIV –as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV –For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
NIV –For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 4:11 KJV –For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
NIV –For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.
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.
Paul adds more through his references from the letters written to Galatia and Colossae.
Galatians 5:22 KJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
NIV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Colossians 4:12 KJV – Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
NIV – Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Again Paul references his physical safety. All of the Apostles had this same concern. They were right to be concerned, and especially after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every one of them was a marked man, or woman, who believed in Jesus Christ to the point of giving their lives for His glory. This is again pointed to in this next verse.
Romans 15:31 KJV –That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
NIV – Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there,
Unbelief is something we have spoken of before in Paul’s writings. It’s something that Jesus brought up and often accused His Apostles and Disciples of portraying. The resurrection literally transformed all of the men in that solemn hiding place where they tried to figure out what to do next. This is what Paul points toward. If he, yes, even he, could be proven wrong so dramatically in the fact that they couldn’t understand how Jesus, the Son of God, could actually die like He did on that cross, then what was life to hold for them after His death? All of them were struck numb, and because of that, they couldn’t figure out how to understand the event that had been predicted by Isaiah and many of the other prophets, and that God Himself had warned would occur at some point. Then Paul reminds himself that those who have never seen Jesus Christ in the flesh still felt it in their heart to believe that God has a reason for everything, and that Jesus died to save everyone who truly believes in heart, spirit, mind, body, and soul. Paul draws references from the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles here.
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 21:27-31 KJV – And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
NIV – When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Acts 22:24 KJV – The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
NIV – the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.
Acts 23:12-24 KJV – And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
And provide them beasts, that they may set
Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
NIV – The Plot to Kill Paul
The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an
oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men
were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and the elders
and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed
Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him
before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case.
We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”
But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks
and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the
commander; he has something to tell him.” So he took him to the
commander.
The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this
young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What
is it you want to tell me?”
He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin
tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about
him. Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in
ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have
killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone
that you have reported this to me.”
Paul Transferred to Caesarea
Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment
of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to
Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken
safely to Governor Felix.”
Paul then draws from his letters to Corinth as well.
1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV –I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
NIV –You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters,
2 Corinthians 1:10 KJV –Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
NIV –He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
2 Corinthians 8:4 KJV –Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
NIV –they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
2 Corinthians 9:1 KJV –For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
NIV –There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people.
Again Paul reminds them that he is with them in spirit, even if it is only his words they are relaying to the church there at Rome. Remember, Jesus told the Apostles and Disciples that followed Him that where two or three are gathered in His name there He would be, as shared in the gospel of Matthew. Here is how he shares this.
Romans 15:32 KJV –That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
NIV –so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.
One thing that the Apostles always held on to was hope. The Disciples of Jesus were no different and Paul recognized this. He reflects quite a lot on the precursors and premonitions that were predicting the existence of Jesus and His permanent effect on life in this world. So he goes back to the words of the wise King Solomon here.
Proverbs 25:13 KJV – As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
NIV – Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
Paul then adds to this with the writings of his pupil Luke, the gospel writer as he wrote in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 8:21 KJV – Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
NIV – You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
Acts 18:21 KJV – But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
NIV – But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
Acts 27:1 KJV – And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
NIV – When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
Acts 27:41-43 KJV – And falling into a place
where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and
remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the
waves.
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should
swim out, and escape.
But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and
commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea,
and get to land:
NIV – But the ship struck a sandbar and ran
aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to
pieces by the pounding of the surf.
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming
away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept
them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump
overboard first and get to land.
Paul adds to this with a reference to the younger human brother of Jesus, James.
James 4:15 KJV – For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
NIV – Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Paul, in closing this chapter in his letter to Rome, points toward God and His gift to us the Prince of Peace and then ends it with “So It Is.” And we’ll add to that with “And So It Shall Be.” These are important words to understand, because the word “Amen” actually means “So It Is.” To enforce these three final words we need to put them into action, “And So It Shall Be.” Jesus Is God’s Action, bringing life to the Word and putting it to Work within us all. That’s what Paul is reminding us about here.
Romans 15:33 KJV –Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
NIV –The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul only references one verse from the Old Testament. It’s quite interesting that he points toward a woman, Ruth, and her protector, Boaz. They are an interesting pair, just as we should be with Jesus, paired because we believe in the endless hope of unconditional love that He portrays for each of us.
Ruth 2:4 KJV – And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.
NIV – Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!” “The Lord bless you!” they answered.
Paul adds to this with the prediction of Jesus’s imminent birth in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 1:23 KJV – Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
NIV – Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Paul completes the thought with references to his second letter sent to the church at Corinth and also his letter to the church at Ephesus.
2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV –Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
NIV –Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Ephesians 6:23 KJV – Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of facets to faith. Often we discover more and more of them the more we study Scripture. Through Paul’s letters, we see that quite clearly. Let’s build that same hope into our hearts and spirits the way that Paul managed, even while imprisoned for preaching the gospel as shared by Jesus Christ our Savior. 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: For the Beauty of the Earth https://youtu.be/Zy7t2Uasqe8
~ 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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