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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 daughter has asked if we could add three people from her life onto our prayer list. One of them is named Ms. Ramona and works with my daughter, she was rushed to the hospital and has been ordered to be on bed rest until further notice. The second is her husband Douglas’s grandmother, who has a tentative diagnosis of dementia. The last is her husband’s grandfather, known to everyone as Papa John, who is suffering depression due to his memory issues.
- Please pray for a friend of ours, Tyrone, who is still having issues with recovering from an injury managed at work that has affected his daily life in too many ways. Pray for his healing.
- Pray for Janice’s mother who is still having issues after a stroke last year and other medical issues. Pray for her daughter and son-in-law and their two children as they recuperate from COVID-19.
- Please pray for a friend of ours, Sharon, with serious health issues that she has been fighting for control of for quite a while. This friend has also had other issues in her life that have caused chaos in different ways.
- Pray for my employer, Ed, who had a mini-stroke a little over three weeks ago. He’s been put on a new medication and is better, but still needs prayer for other things going on in his life.
- Please keep my employer’s wife, Joy, in prayer as she has been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease.
- One of my sisters is going through some serious stresses that are affecting everything right now, let’s pray she gets relief from these issues.
- Pray for a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who has been diagnosed with cancer. She is finally done with her chemo. She has survived the loss of her hair and the debilitating results of chemotherapy. She is thankful 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. The wreck caused her to now suffer from seizures with an epilepsy diagnosis.
- 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.
- 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 those suffering from the afteraffects of
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have many friends, family, and colleagues in all directions to bring up in prayer. Pain, illness, and trauma affect Tyrone, and Cal. Health issues affect a good friend of mine, Sharon. Cancer affects our Aunt Donna let her cancer leave her body and free her from pain. We praise You for your help in getting Kelly through her cancer treatments for all these months. Illness affects both Ramona and Douglas’s grandmother, see them through their life altering changes and help those supporting them to stay strong and comforting. There are family and friends suffering financial issues and woes, please help them put the world right side up again. Sending a special prayer to my sister Emilie, who needs spiritual and other support right now. Our children are back to school, help them to excel and make new friends and enjoy the learning experience. 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: This Is The Day ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRLxugEtqx8&list=PL614A115BF39E5936&index=311
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made; we will rejoice, we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.
Sermon: Today we are continuing our journey through the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy as we begin the third chapter. This chapter is titled Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons. In this Paul gives the parameters of these two full time positions in the church body. In many places around this world, Christian churches still follow these directives.
1 Timothy 3:1 KJV –Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
NIV –This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Being in the lead on anything, ministry included, is a huge responsibility. However, those who choose to answer the call have the will to improve their responsibility. Paul was one of these people, and he believed in Timothy and his church leadership, which is why he shares this within this first letter he wrote to Timothy and the church congregation he led. Paul references only one verse in the Old Testament, recorded by the wise king, Solomon.
Proverbs 11:30 KJV – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
NIV – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
Paul then references the words of our Savior Jesus.
Luke 15:10 KJV – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
NIV – In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
He adds to that with the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 20:28 KJV – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
NIV – Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Paul also references his letters to Rome and Philippi.
Romans 11:13 KJV – For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
NIV – I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry
Philippians 1:1 KJV – Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
NIV – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Now Paul is describing the characteristics of a bishop, and that bishop’s wife.
1 Timothy 3:2 KJV –A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
NIV –Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Paul references the gospel written by Luke and again his letters to Rome and Philippi.
Luke 1:6 KJV – And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
NIV – Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
Luke 2:36 KJV – And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
NIV – There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
Romans 12:13 KJV – Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
NIV – Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Philippians 2:15 KJV – That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
NIV – so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Paul continues the description of the characteristics of a perfect bishop for the church Timothy led and was part of.
1 Timothy 3:3 KJV –Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
NIV –not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
Now, I honestly know several bishops that fit this description. It’s something I realized was very important for the church, long before I became an ordained minister. Bishops, Deacons and Deaconesses all have important positions in the Church to assist the Lead Priests, Ministers, Apostles, and more. Paul references the Torah and the poetic books as well.
Leviticus 10:9 KJV – Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
NIV – “You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come,
Proverbs 1:19 KJV – So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
NIV – Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
Proverbs 15:27 KJV – He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
NIV – The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
Isaiah 5:11-12 KJV – Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.
NIV – Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, pipes and timbrels and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands.
Paul added two references from the letter he wrote to Titus as well.
Titus 1:7 KJV – For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
NIV – Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
Titus 3:2 KJV – To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
NIV – to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
The characteristic description of the bishop continue with these next two verses in the first letter to Timothy.
1 Timothy 3:4-5 KJV –One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
NIV –He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
Paul references the first book of the Torah, describing the interaction of Abraham’s relationship with God.
Genesis 18:19 KJV – For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
NIV – For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
Paul adds to this with reference to Joshua’s story as to what to be watchful for in the leadership.
Joshua 24:15 KJV – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
NIV – But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Paul adds to his references with one from his pupil and the gospel writer, Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles. Going on with these he adds references to his letter to Ephesus and Corinth.
Acts 20:28 KJV – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
NIV – Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Ephesians 1:22 KJV – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
NIV – And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Ephesians 5:24 KJV – Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
NIV – Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
1 Corinthians 10:32 KJV –Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
NIV –Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—
The last verses from the third chapter of 1 Timothy today are these.
1 Timothy 3:6-7 KJV – Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
NIV –He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Faith is only our foundation, there are things necessary to build up the church, including knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. These are vital for church leaders to be able to lead their congregations toward further understanding and growing their belief. Not only that, but they also are there to warn the congregation about evil and the traps that can cause us to stumble away from the path Jesus created for us to follow. The devil, Satan, and his minions, are everywhere. Paul references the fifth book of the Torah and the poetic books as well.
Deuteronomy 8:14 KJV – Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
NIV – then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Deuteronomy 17:20 KJV – That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
NIV – and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV – How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
NIV – How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You
said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above
the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost
heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
Paul then adds the description of Satan, from Jesus Himself as shared in the gospel of Luke.
Luke 10:18 KJV – And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
NIV – He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
The final four references include the writing of Luke from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s second letter to Corinth, Peter’s second letter, and John the Beloved’s third letter.
Acts 6:3 KJV – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
NIV – Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
2 Corinthians 8:21 KJV – Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
NIV – For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
2 Peter 2:4 KJV –For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
NIV –For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
3 John 1:12 KJV –Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
NIV –Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
It is very important for all of us to understand the different positions ordained by Jesus from the Great Commission in the gospel of Matthew. For reference, here is the entirety of the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:16-20 KJV – Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 – Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Those who chose to accept the call to ministry have huge responsibilities toward the methods Jesus taught for each and every one of them. Faith is foremost in importance, and building up that faith, helping it grow and flourish within a church body, is what pastors, ministers, and all the rest have chosen to do. With this inspiration from our Savior and Lord 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: He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJaPrHBDkVM
He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world, in His hands. He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world, in His hands.
He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands, He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands, He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His Hands.
He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands, He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands, He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got you and me brother, in His hands, He’s got you and me Sister, in His hands, He’s got all of us together in His hand, He’s got the whole world in His hands.
~ 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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