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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.
- We learned last week that my Aunt Renee was in the hospital undergoing a procedure due to a blocked vein in her heart, and she is going to have that procedure after a series of tests that need to be completed.
- We continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has for far too long. We pray that his medical needs are fully met, and he has all that he requires for comfort and peace.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they navigate through the maze of medical tests and specialists to get all the answers they need in both of their health issues. They have too much red tape and confusion going on with their issues between insurance and doctor appointments.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Erica, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue to pray for my sister Emilie, who is still having family issues, job issues, and all kinds of craziness going on in her life.
- We pray for my son-in-law, Douglas, who has been suffering from unknown health issues that are still awaiting full diagnosis.
- We pray for a co-worker of my daughter Deanna, named Ms. Ramona, who is still having health issues that are not dissipating.
- We continue with our prayers for my niece Autumn, who has been suffering seizures due to a head injury from a car crash.
- We continue to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately. Her car ended up being totaled after the fender-bender. This combined with the fact she misses my father as he passed away three years ago due to COVID-19 has made it a tough year for her.
- We continue to pray for all sufferers and survivors of the various types of cancer, including my Aunt Donna and my friend Kelly.
- We pray for those who are in the path of dangerous weather around this world, as well as those who are picking up the pieces after the very dangerous storms we have had over the past few months.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Stephen Okoth, Pastor Simon Peter Javaji, Pastor Amir Aneel, Sister Santhi Swaroopa, Pastor Duke Moenga, and others in Kissee, Nairobi, and other places in Kenya, Pakistan, and India.
- We pray also for our American outreach ministries, including Rev. Lisa Tyler on the other side of Georgia from where I am and Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog with her ministry, Way Maker Messianic Jewish and Christian Center – USA as well.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many to pray for. We pray for those who have been sick or injured this past two weeks or more, including EB and JB, Aunt Renee, Ms. Ramona, and others we care about. We pray for all of those who suffer anxiety and conditions that are related to it. We pray for those suffering diseases that seem incurable here on earth, like cancer, as suffered by Aunt Donna, Kelly, and other family members, or friends. We pray for those who suffer seizures like my niece Autumn, and my nephew Auggie, and severe allergic reactions like Auggie as well, 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 pray for those who have lost loved ones this year, including my daughter-in-law Victoria who lost her maternal grandfather this past week. We pray for all those who are remembering lost loved ones as we approach the holiday season. We pray for all the travelers this week for Thanksgiving here in the USA. 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: Onward Christian Soldiers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgybEBy3rlM
Sermon: Today we begin with the second chapter of Second Timothy. There is a lot to go through with the first five verses. Paul is giving the church at Lystra a list of reminders in this second chapter of the second letter he wrote to Timotheus. Why does he always send reminders? People don’t take the Word to heart at all times, to where they remember word for word the Word as shared by God through Scripture. People fall off the path quite easily in this world, and even then, because there are so many earthly, wicked, and evil, pitfalls in life. We’ve seen the way the world is in far too many ways in this world even today. Let’s begin with this.
2 Timothy 2:1 KJV –Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
NIV –You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Here Paul is again pointing toward the grace that is in Jesus Christ. There is strength, relief, solace, and so much more. Paul has a lot of references that stretch from the prophetic and poetic books as well as his letters to Corinth, Colossae, Ephesus, and Philippi.
Joshua 1:6-9 KJV – Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
NIV – Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 27:14 KJV – Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
NIV – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 KJV – Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
NIV – Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV – He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
NIV – He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Zechariah 4:6 KJV – Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
NIV – So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV –Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
NIV –Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV –And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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 –But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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.
Ephesians 6:10 KJV – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
NIV – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
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.
Colossians 1:11 KJV – Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
NIV – being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
Now, the next thing Paul points out is that there are wise and learned men where Timotheus would be in Lystra. Paul wants to dispel rumors, which is something that Jesus had to do while He lived on this earth. If you remember our study of James, this is something he covered very thoroughly. If you haven’t heard from our study of James, feel free to ask me and I’ll send you the entire series of sermons for your enlightenment. Let’s get back to Paul’s letter to Timothy at Lystra.
2 Timothy 2:2 KJV –And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
NIV –And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Again Paul returns to the Torah, and includes one reference from his first letter to Corinth.
Exodus 18:20 KJV – And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
NIV – Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.
Deuteronomy 4:9 KJV – Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
NIV – Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV – And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
NIV – These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13 KJV – Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
NIV – Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
1 Corinthians 11:23 KJV –For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
NIV –For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
Here we have a reference to being soldiers for Christ. It’s a battle in this world today, and it wasn’t much different back in the days of Timotheus. We have a lot to learn from Scripture regarding following the path that Jesus built for us to reach God and eternal life.
2 Timothy 2:3 KJV –Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
NIV –Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Paul references the gospel of Matthew, the gospel writer Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, and then includes his letters written to Corinth along with the words from the Hebrew Prophets and John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Matthew 10:22 KJV – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
NIV – You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Acts 14:22 KJV – Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
NIV – strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV –Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
NIV –Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
NIV – For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
NIV – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Revelation 2:10 KJV – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
NIV – Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
One of the most difficult issues facing daily life is that we forget we cannot serve two masters. We serve God first through Christ. This is what Paul is reminding Lystra through this second letter to Timotheus.
2 Timothy 2:4 KJV –No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
NIV –No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
Paul traverses through the poetic book of Proverbs and then through the gospels of Matthew and Luke before his letters to Rome, and the letters written by Peter, James, and John the Beloved.
Proverbs 4:25-27 KJV – Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
NIV – Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Matthew 6:24 KJV – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
NIV – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Luke 9:62 KJV – And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
NIV – Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Romans 12:2 KJV – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NIV – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
James 4:4 KJV – Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
NIV – You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1 Peter 2:11 KJV –Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
NIV –Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
1 John 2:15-17 KJV –Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
NIV –Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Paul reminds us that we need to follow the rules. What rules do we have to follow? Love one another, not as the world loves, but as God loves each and every one of us. Make your choice to love and follow God’s Word, or not to. It is, ultimately, your personal choice to do so. This is what Paul shares with Timotheus in our last verse from this second letter today.
2 Timothy 2:5 KJV –And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
NIV –Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
Paul adds to this with his references to the poetic books, and the gospels of Matthew, and Luke.
Proverbs 4:7-9 KJV – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
NIV – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
Matthew 25:21 KJV – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
NIV – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Luke 13:24 KJV – Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
NIV – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
Paul then adds still more references, this time from the human brother of Jesus, James the Just and the Hebrew prophets along with John the Beloved.
James 1:12 KJV – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
NIV – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Revelation 3:11 KJV – Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
NIV – I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
It is important to remember that we can fall off the path that Jesus leads us down. It is also important that He knows we’re only human and we try. Keeping our thoughts, hearts, minds, and spirits whole through His Word is the most important consideration in the ideology of Love One Another. To do this, we have to start with having faith. Now, 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: Nearer My God to Thee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLl5nY5WPI
~ 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.
