https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpwSFTSRWuw
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 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.
- My nephew is still healing up from his scoliosis surgery and it has been wearing on my sister and him as well. Pray that his recovery goes more smoothly as the rest of the summer passes.
- Pray that my Mama makes it to my sister’s home safely this weekend as she comes to visit and assist while my nephew is coalescing.
- 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 had a medical issue over the past few days that had him in the hospital for a day and a half this past week. It is a suspected mini-stroke that caused this. Please keep him and his wife in prayer as they work to find the answer as to what this is and why it is occurring.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Her treatments have been going on for the past two months now and she’s got quite a few more to go through before it is done. She has survived the loss of her hair and the debilitating results of chemotherapy. She is past the halfway mark and continues with her treatments. May God’s blessings wrap around her and protect her through these treatments keeping her spirits high and her pain low.
- 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. Pray for her as she picks up the pieces. (SGE)
- Pray for Pastor Stephen Okoth in Nakuru, Kenya, as 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 our other outreach ministers and the work they do, including Rev. Lisa Tyler, one of my mentors, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, and the family of Pastor Robert Nganwa from Uganda who passed away a couple years ago, but the church continues on.
- 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 the
many in this world who have lost their lives in the pursuit
of faith and hope.
- Pray for all of
those who suffer from cancer and all the other incurable
diseases and conditions that they be
secure in God’s embrace through
the Holy Spirit.
- 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.
* My nephews Anthony and Aaron have had their birthdays this week, one on Thursday and the younger today.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many to pray for and so many reasons to pray for ourselves as well. We pray for my employer, Ed, that the doctors figure out what is going on and find solutions. We continue to pray for Cal and Scrappy that they stay feeling better. We pray for spiritual support for my Mama and several friends of ours. We pray for those who were in the storm’s path over the past two weeks. We pray for the abandoned children of this world, that they find homes where they are loved and appreciated. We pray for those children who are missing and for those who have been found that their experiences will not forever mark their place in their memories. We pray for all who are suffering chronic diseases and illnesses, that Your healing hand will wrap them in comfort, love, and support. We pray for those who are suffering from cancer, and all the other deadly diseases. 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: Onward Christian Soldiers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrXcc-m4XX8
Sermon: Today we are continuing our journey through the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy. I was led to actually reach back into last week’s sermon and grab verses nine and ten to help keep this sermon consistent with the past two. One thing we learn about Scripture is that there are times we need to reread or reexamine the chapters and verses for better discernment and understanding. We can’t gain wisdom if we are living in the midst of confusion. This is why God has led me to go back and get the entire thought from this first passage today.
1 Timothy 1:9-11 KJV –Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
NIV –We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Paul knew from day one, that he was a sinner, because Jesus proved as much right before his eyes. Paul was a Pharisee born a son of Benjamin to Jewish parents in Tarsus, which is now part of modern day Turkey. Paul converted to Christianity upon being called by Jesus Christ to follow Him. The fact that he, a Pharisee in a family filled with Pharisees, turned to Christianity says something about Paul that nobody realizes until they truly study his writings. Paul wasn’t satisfied with status quo. He was quite a lot like many theologians we have studied over the years. There is so much more to Christianity than we may know individually. This is why the Scriptures are still just as relevant today as they were in the time of Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, King David and the rest. Paul references King David, and the gospel writer Luke.
Psalm 138:2 KJV – I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
NIV – I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.
Luke 2:10-14 KJV – And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
NIV – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Paul also references his letters to Rome, Corinth, Galatia, and the letter he wrote to Titus as well.
Romans 2:16 KJV – In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
NIV – In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV –In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
NIV –The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Galatians 2:7 KJV – But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
NIV – On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Titus 1:3 KJV – But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
NIV – and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
So, what new things are we going to learn from Paul’s letter to Timothy? Let’s find out.
1 Timothy 1:12 KJV –And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
NIV –I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Now, Paul references a very important moment in the short span of time where he served as Apostle with our Lord and Savior Jesus. Here we see why it is important to realize and recognize when we set loose the seven troubles. In this passage from the gospel of John we are reminded of when the Pharisees allowed their jealousy, their enmity, to consume them after Jesus had healed a man, saying “take up thy mat and walk.” This is significant because it colors the viewpoints of the Pharisees, proving that they indeed lived in the midst of the seven troubles of vanity, envy, enmity, lust, wrath, shame, and doubt.
John 5:23 KJV – For
the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that
honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
NIV – Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
It is important for us to remember those seven troubles for what they are, a semi-permanent point of view in this world. When we can conquer those seven troubles in our personal lives and reflect that toward others, we will finally understand why Jesus was always pointing out the failings of those who lived within those same seven troubles. Paul adds references to the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and also Paul’s letters to Corinth, Galatia, and Philippi.
Acts 9:15 KJV – 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 – 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 9:22 KJV – But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
NIV – Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
1 Corinthians 3:5 KJV –Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
NIV –What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
Galatians 3:26-28 KJV – For ye are all the
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
NIV – So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 KJV – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
NIV – I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Notice, this last verse has been quoted all over the place for Christians. We often reference this verse when we are trying to find solid ground for our faith and sharing it with others around us. Paul was really on to something when he said this. He wants us to realize we are on a solid foundation. That foundation is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and everything He said or did while alive and even after He was resurrected. This is something that people needed to understand then, and still need it now. Jesus is with us where two or more are gathered in His name.
1 Timothy 1:13 KJV –Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
NIV –Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Do you see what Paul is sharing here? He’s saying I am a SINNER who was REDEEMED because Jesus Christ SAVED me from ignorance and unbelief. People don’t often realize their ignorance in situations, and Scripture is no different. There are so many levels to Scripture that we often will read one verse and come back to it a day, week, month, or year later and read it again to find something different in the interpretation. This testifies to the theological theory that Scripture is Alive, and Living. The reason it does this, is because every single human being ever born on this earth is, was, or will be alive because God gave this earth life and everyone and everything upon it the same. It is vitally important for every person to realize their connection to God is equal to every other person’s connection. Every connection is unique because God designed it to be that way. God didn’t want identical people with identical thoughts, expressions, or any of that. He asked that we populate the earth and bring it to life as we bring ourselves to life by faith, hope, and unconditional love. Here are some of Paul’s references for this.
Hosea 2:23 KJV – And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
NIV – I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Luke 12:47 KJV – And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
NIV – “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
Luke 23:34 KJV – Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
NIV – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Acts 8:3 KJV – As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
NIV – But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 26:9 KJV – I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
NIV – “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
1 Corinthians 7:25 KJV –Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
NIV –Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
Exercising fair judgment is something that takes practice. There is a line often quoted in Scripture from Matthew 7, where Jesus says this, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” It takes practice not to trample through this very same sentence. That’s why Jesus insisted that we pay attention to His Word. Here is what Paul shares with Timothy next.
1 Timothy 1:14 KJV –And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
NIV –The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
It isn’t hard to find where Jesus shared His Unconditional and Incomparable Love with those who had faith and believed in Him. Paul starts with the Torah once more because that was something that had always been part of his life.
Exodus 34:6 KJV – And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
NIV – And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Paul continues with his references in one that is often referenced the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV – Seek ye the Lord while he
may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let
him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for
he will abundantly pardon.
NIV – Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
It is important to understand the role forgiveness holds within the unconditional love that Jesus shares with each and every one of us. That’s why we see this reference from the gospel of Luke.
Luke 7:47-50 KJV – Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
NIV – Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Paul then continues with the connections to his letter to Rome, and both letters to Corinth.
Romans 5:20 KJV – Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
NIV – The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
1 Corinthians 3:10 KJV –According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
NIV –By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
2 Corinthians 4:15 KJV –For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
NIV –All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Now we’ve made it three quarters of the way through this first chapter of the first letter Paul wrote to Timotheus. There is something that we always can find in each verse that connects us to what Paul was experiencing and what he was helping come to be, the earliest threads of Christianity in the decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:15 KJV –This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
NIV –Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
The mission Jesus had then, and still has now, is to transform sinners into believers and stumbling stones into blessings. That is why Paul points out that he is a sinner, regardless that Jesus had already saved him. Paul points this out for a specific reason. He wants us to realize that this world is corrupt due to sin. Paul wants people to learn from his mistakes and to be seeking the perfection Jesus epitomizes. There are others who strive for faith and belief. Paul references an often skipped over poetic book, Job. It is skipped over because too many feel that it is a pointless and depressing scroll in Scripture. However, in order to recognize wisdom, sometimes people have to go through the worst and realize that, regardless of the pain and heartache, God is still there for us. Jesus proves that every day we live and love unconditionally in His name sharing the Gospel Truth found in Scripture.
Job 42:6 KJV – Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
NIV – Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Paul adds to this knowledge with more of another prophet’s point of view. This time he quotes Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 16:63 KJV – That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.
NIV – Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
Paul then proceeds with more references to Gospel Scripture, this time it is the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Matthew 1:21 KJV – And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
NIV – She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 9:13 KJV – But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
NIV – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 18:11 KJV – For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
NKJV – For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Mark 2:17 KJV – When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
NIV – On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luke 15:2 KJV – And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
NIV – But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 19:10 KJV – For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
NIV – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
What is it that was lost? Faith, Belief, Unconditional Love, Eternal Life. How were they lost? The Seven Troubles of Vanity, Envy, Lust, Enmity, Wrath, Shame, and Doubt and their existence regardless of literally wiping everything out in the Great Flood of Noah’s time, and so many other times since then. Paul then references three of his letters, to Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus. It’s important for Paul to point out if he is able to save just one person he has done the job Jesus left him on earth to manage.
Romans 11:14 KJV – If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
NIV – in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
1 Corinthians 15:9 KJV –For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
NIV –For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Ephesians 3:8 KJV – Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
NIV – Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,
It is our mission to continue the legacy of Jesus Christ here on this earth. Each of us has the ability to bring just one person toward the light and life that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 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: The Solid Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhVwVHC6_n0
~ 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment