https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teVUumVId0I
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.
- Member JB asks for continued prayers for her husband, EB he is currently still very ill and in a lot of pain. Please also pray for JB who has been suffering from exhaustion and desperately needs solid sleep after going through everything that has happened in the past few weeks. JB is slowly healing as of last report. They are still waiting on follow-ups for EB, so let’s pray that they get every answer they need to solve the issues both would be suffering with.
- After too many hurricanes of late, there are still yet more to come. Pray for those who are in the path of this devastating weather, and all the other devastation around this world.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is taking life day by day with his dog Scrappy. Cal has been having issues with his stomach and also with pain levels. They appreciate all the prayers as the two of them continue to take life one day at a time.
- One of my nephews is still having issues with illness. Hope they get well soon with the Lord’s healing hand.
- My daughter has asked if we could add four people from her life onto our prayer list. My granddaughter has been quite ill the past few days. It seems to be going around the schools. One of my daughter’s colleagues 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 next 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 continue to pray for my Mama who has been going through a lot of out of the ordinary stresses where she is right now, the last few years have been very hard on her, and she just needs some spiritual support for the time being.
- 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.
- Please continue to 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 my niece, Autumn, who is having a lot of health issues related to a head injury from a car wreck. The wreck caused her to now suffer from seizures with an epilepsy diagnosis.
- 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 a high school classmate of mine, her name is Kelly, who is finally done with her chemo. She has survived the loss of her hair and the debilitating results of chemotherapy. Let us pray that the evil disease of cancer is gone from her body forever. May God’s blessings wrap around her and protect her keeping her spirits high and her pain low.
- Pray for all of our outreach ministers and the work they do, Pastor Stephen Okoth, 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. We are adding other outreach ministries in Kenya that include Felix Alfayo from Kisii, Kenya and the Christian Ministry Shepherd’s Home Orphanage. With him we add Pastor Amir Aneel from Pakistan from Light of Love Ministry, and Pastor Peter Nyamwembe from Nairobi, Kenya. There are still more who have asked for prayer and assistance if it can be managed. For now we will pray for each and every one affected adversely in these far off places and even right outside our back doors.
- Pray for those who are serving our countries around this world.
- Pray for those who are in the path of the next two hurricanes brewing and all the chaotic weather they bring with them.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many to pray for. We bring up to You the orphans from all over the world, including within the ministries of colleagues far and wide. We bring you the disabled and injured, the sick and the poor worldwide. We pray for those suffering diseases that seem incurable here on earth, like cancer, as suffered by Donna and Kelly. Or seizures like my niece Autumn, but we know that You can heal and help those who are suffering. We pray for those in this world who suffer from memory loss, like my son-in-law’s grandparents, and JB’s mother as well. We pray for the orphans so they will be well fed and cared for. We thank You for all that You bring to each and every one of us. We bring everyone to You for healing and health, faith and hope, peace and patience through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Rock of Ages Cal Jennings Version: https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724356578850&share_type=copylink
Sermon: Today we are continuing with the final segment of our voyage in the sixth chapter of 1 Timothy. Now, for context I am including two of our previous verses from chapter six. I find that, on occasion, we need to have full understanding from the beginning of some thoughts shared by Paul in his letters. This first letter to Timothy is no different. With that, let’s begin here.
1 Timothy 6:13-15 KJV – I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
NIV –In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Sometimes we have to look at the whole picture before we can repeat the puzzle. This is why boxes of puzzles have the same picture on the front. Otherwise, people get lost and confused. Well, the same goes for Scripture. If we didn’t have links back and forth through all of Scripture, we’d be clueless. This is not what God wants us to experience. This is why every Scroll of Scripture has links to nearly every other one within it.
Now, a friend of mine named Erica shared a post earlier on Saturday that shows the reason she stopped using the image of a mythological figure as her icon on social media. She shared these five Latin phrases that actually, in an unusual way, connect to our sermon today. The phrases are:
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
Sola Gratia – Salvation of Grace
Sola Fide – Salvation Through Faith
Solus Christus – Salvation in Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria – Salvation is a work of God for His Glory Alone
This series of Latin phrases portray what Jesus taught the Apostles and Disciples. It is what God instructed from DAY ONE! The Inspired Word of God, also known as Scripture, contains all the things we must understand. Now, there is a graphic of how all the verses of Scripture are referenced from Genesis to Revelation. The Apostle Paul pretty much delineates this same graphic with the references he manages in his letters. All this does is reinforce the fact that the Word, as shared in Scripture, is the Inspired Word of God. Paul goes from the Torah to the Poetic Books, and then to John the Beloved’s Revelation with his references here.
Deuteronomy 10:17 KJV – For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
NIV – For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Psalm 47:2 KJV – For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
NIV – For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
Psalm 83:18 KJV – That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
NIV – Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 136:3 KJV – O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
NIV – Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
Revelation 17:14 KJV – These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
NIV – They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelation 19:6 KJV – And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
NIV – Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
If you look up the biblical cross reference chart so many have referred to, it’s not easy to read it on the computer. However, you can order the same chart from Etsy or Amazon as a full-sized poster. Just look up Chris Harrison’s bible cross reference chart. Paul does a whole lot of referencing regarding his memories and experiences with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He does so with this verse.
1 Timothy 6:16 KJV –Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
NIV –who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Now, Paul is referencing Jesus Christ here, as the only man who had, at that point, achieved immortality through death and resurrection beyond Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. The only way to achieve this immortality is to deny our earthly selves and live in the light along the path Jesus Christ built for us with His body, mind, spirit, and soul. Again, Paul references the Torah Scroll of Exodus, and the poetic Scrolls of Job and Psalms.
Exodus 33:20 KJV – And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
NIV – But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Job 37:23 KJV – Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
NIV – The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
Psalm 104:2 KJV – Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
NIV – The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
Paul adds a reference to the gospel of John the Beloved and the letter written by James, the human brother of Jesus.
John 1:18 KJV – No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
NIV – No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
James 1:17 KJV – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
NIV – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 John 1:5 KJV – This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
NIV –This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
Paul has no preference between the rich and the poor. This because Jesus was the same. Now, remember, Paul was a Pharisee from the family of Benjamin at one time. He chose to follow Jesus and leave the stature and more behind. This is why we hear so much about Jesus saying sell everything, or give it away, and take up your mat to follow Him. It’s hard to give up even the smallest luxury for so many in this world. Yet, there are those like the ones who watch over our outreach ministries who struggle just to put food in their mouths. Here is what Paul reminds Timothy about next.
1 Timothy 6:17 KJV –Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
NIV –Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Paul again references the writings of King David and King Solomon in the poetic books.
Psalm 62:10 KJV – Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
NIV – Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Proverbs 23:5 KJV – Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
NIV – Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 KJV – There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
NIV – A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
Paul adds reference to the historical books of Scripture as well as the Gospels.
Jeremiah 49:4 KJV – Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
NIV – Why do you boast of
your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful?
Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack
me?’
Matthew 12:32 KJV – And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
NIV – Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Luke 3:11 KJV – He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
NIV – John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Good works, of all descriptions, are worth more than money and stature in this world. That’s what Jesus taught. This is what Paul is referencing here as well in his first letter to Timotheus of Lystra.
1 Timothy 6:18 KJV –That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
NIV –Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
For Jesus, while He lived, He emphasized that we should “Trust Him” and also “Trust God’s Will”. He also said, “Take up your mat and follow me”. These are reflections of what both King David and King Solomon shared here.
Psalm 37:3 KJV – Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
NIV – Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 KJV – I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
NIV – I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 KJV – Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
NIV – Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
Paul then references the Word as shared by Jesus in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 5:42 KJV – Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
NIV – Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Paul then adds to this with the words spoken by John the Baptist in the gospel of Luke here.
Luke 3:11 KJV – He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
NIV – John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Paul then adds references from his letters to Rome and Ephesus.
Romans 12:8 KJV – Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
NIV – if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Ephesians 4:28 KJV – Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
NIV – Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Paul now emphasizes how important it is to build our foundation on solid truth, which Scripture is as the Word of God breathed into the minds, hearts, and souls of scribes who listened and heard throughout history.
1 Timothy 6:19 KJV –Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
NIV – In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Well, Paul speaks a lot about foundations. But then, Jesus did the same, as the Heavenly Father, God did the same. Now, we’re working toward understanding the importance of a firm foundation within the Word as shared by God and Jesus. Here we see references from King Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 KJV – Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
NIV – Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
This next reference is from the Lord Jesus as one of the most referenced quotes for geologists everywhere and another as well from the gospels as written by Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 6:19-21 KJV – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
NIV – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 10:41-42 KJV – 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 – 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.”
Luke 6:48-49 KJV – He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
NIV – They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Paul makes one last reference to his letter to Philippi.
Philippians 3:12 KJV – Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
NIV – Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Paul next charges Timothy and the church at Lystra to keep to the Word and warns him to keep this trust in his heart at all times. It’s important to not let the outside worldliness infect and inject itself into our teaching and preaching of the Word. This is what Paul shares.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 KJV –O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
NIV –Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Paul adds references to this last pair of verses from the New Testament Acts of the Apostles written by the gospel writer Luke.
Acts 16:1 KJV – Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
NIV – Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.
Acts 17:18 KJV – Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
NIV – A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts 17:21 KJV – (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
NIV – (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Paul’s final references are from his letter written to Rome.
Romans 1:7 KJV – To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV – To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 16:20 KJV – And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
NIV – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:24 KJV – The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
NIV – May you have loving-favor from our Lord Jesus Christ. Let it be so. (Seven versions of the Scriptures do not include this specific verse. The NIV is included in this. Above is the New Living Version.)
It is important to build our foundations of our personal faith carefully. This way it is rooted in the Word as it should be. When we celebrate this faith together, we bring more voices to that foundation and build upon it the way Jesus referenced and the way the twelve Apostles worked toward as well. With that, 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: Great Is the Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdqfAkHCZnA
~ 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.
