Welcome to Covenant of Hope Ministries and our combined written and live Sunday sermon, which is normally broadcast every Sunday. I am Rev. Laura A. Neff. Our ministry was built on the truth of God’s love, sharing the Word of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ 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 continue our prayers for Evangelist Cal Jennings, that his health becomes steadier than it has been 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. They are frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- My daughter has requested prayers for her colleague Ms. Ramona. Her health is still not quite where she or her doctor want it to be. Added to this, her son was bitten by a dog this past week and she spent an entire night in the hospital with him.
- My son-in-law Douglas has learned what is going on. He has sleep apnea. Pray that he solves all his issues with the new machine he must utilize at all times.
- 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 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 two survivors of the disease, 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. This includes the arctic blast of winter weather and also the terrible wildfires that are consuming millions of acres of land, homes, and businesses as well.
- We pray for the many 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 continue to pray in support 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 Lord, We glorify Your Holy Name. We appreciate all the blessings You have bestowed upon us. We bring the sick and injured to You in prayer, including our Aunt Donna and our niece Autumn. We bring the pain and worries to You so that the burdens are not too heavy as we spend time this week doing what we love to do. We pray for those who are caught in terrible weather around this world. We pray for the wildlife and the residents of California and other places worldwide as they face their own epic disasters. We pray for patience, solace, hope, faith, peace, and unconditional love in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Hallelujah sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings 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=8725724358376714&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwY2xjawH5TkFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHX89ZlE1HDzKhnbfbY3JdzpT1Bkndbl93wPAgpdol4yX0Ogk0PK2EV57gw_aem_tYQzdI6IFKdqmkffbcJuqA
Sermon: In this segment of the second letter Paul wrote to Timotheus, and Paul speaks of endurance, resilience. Paul does, however, share something that people need to hear even now. No matter if you are prisoners or free, God hears you. It is during those times God brings us comfort through the Holy Spirit. This comfort can be found in the voice of a friend or relative. Or, it could be heard from colleagues, employers, even the most inconsequential meetings. So, let’s explore what this second letter from Timothy has in store for us today.
2 Timothy 2:6 KJV –The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
NIV –The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Paul is reflecting on the many supporting views of the Old and New Testaments in regard to possessions and the fruits of any form of labor. In this case, he speaks of the farmer and all the work they do to bring food to the tables of the many. He cautions others here, saying that farmers should always have a share of their crops for themselves. He points toward references in the poetic books of Scripture here.
Psalm 126:5-6 KJV – They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
NIV – Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Proverbs 27:18 KJV – Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
NIV – The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 KJV – In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
NIV – Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Paul then references the Word of Jesus Christ in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 9:37-38 – Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
NIV – Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Luke 10:2 KJV – Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
NIV – He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Paul adds two more references to the Hebrew prophets and also to James, the brother of Jesus.
Hebrews 6:10-12 KJV – For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
NIV – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
James 5:7-8 KJV – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
NIV – Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Another thing that Paul points out is that we have to LISTEN to God and Jesus and then actively HEAR it as well. In order to understand your knowledge, you have to also apply it. This is what Paul points toward here.
2 Timothy 2:7 KJV –Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
NIV –Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
When you throw your hands up in frustration, do you ask God for guidance? You should do just that. Paul references the words of King David in the Psalms. He adds to this with a reference from the writings of King Solomon as well.
Psalm 119:18 KJV – Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
NIV – Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Proverbs 2:6 KJV – For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
NIV – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
NIV – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
As is typical of Paul, he goes back to the writing of Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:2 KJV – And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
NIV – The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
Paul adds two gospel passages to his observations.
Luke 24:45 KJV – Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
NIV – Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
John 14:26 KJV – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
NIV – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
There are two additional references from the scroll of James and also 1 John.
James 1:5 KJV – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
NIV –If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 John 5:20 KJV –And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
NIV – We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
One of the most important precepts of Christianity is in the fact that Jesus died. He was buried behind a huge and heavy stone. He rose from the dead three days later, blasting the door of His tomb. These are now proven, historical, and biblical, fact. This is what Paul is pointing out to the church that Timothy led in Lystra.
2 Timothy 2:8 KJV – Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
NIV –Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
Paul references the day of Easter as portrayed in Matthew, Luke, and John.
Matthew 28:6 KJV – He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
NIV – He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Luke 24:46 KJV – And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
NIV – He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
John 11:25 KJV – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
NIV – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
Paul references two long, but important excerpts from the scroll of Acts and adds two final verses from Hebrews and Revelation.
Acts 2:24-32 KJV – Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
NIV – But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
Acts 13:32-37 KJV – Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
NIV – “We tell you the good
news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children,
by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
“‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’
God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God
has said,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
So it is also stated elsewhere: “‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;
he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God
raised from the dead did not see decay.
Hebrews 13:20 KJV – Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
NIV – Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
Revelation 1:18 KJV – I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
NIV – I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
In the earliest days of Christianity, you have to understand, people were imprisoned for going against any government and dominating religious norms around the world at that time. This is why there are so many who have died due to their faith in God and Jesus Christ. This wasn’t just in Paul’s lifetime, or even John the Beloved’s. In fact, it still happens to this very moment in time. It is up to us Christians to keep on going even in the worst of circumstances. A few of us in this ministry know exactly what this entails. Here is what Paul says to Timothy next.
2 Timothy 2:9 KJV –Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
NIV –for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
One thing nobody can do. Shut God’s Word down. It’s not possible. Scripture will always be a part of this world. The Bible is meant to teach us, to comfort us, to calm us, and so much more. If you’re like me, every time you read a passage in Scripture it fits your life differently. Yet, it’s the VERY SAME SCRIPTURE! It is at this point we have to be wary for those who would want to take us down for our faith and belief.
Psalm 119:95 KJV – The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
NIV – The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
Isaiah 55:11 KJV – So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
NIV – so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Jeremiah 20:9 KJV – Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
NIV – But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Paul includes these two gospel references from the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved.
Matthew 16:17-20 KJV – And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
NIV – Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
John 15:20 KJV – Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
NIV – Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Paul adds two excerpts from the writing of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 5:18-20 KJV – And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
NIV – They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
Acts 28:31 KJV – Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
NIV – He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
It is very important for us as Christians to be willing to go through all the trials and tribulations with a happy heart, because we each have a mission through the Word of Jesus Christ. This is what Paul is reminding Timothy and his congregation about in this last verse from his second letter to Timothy today.
2 Timothy 2:10 KJV –Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
NIV –Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Faith and belief are important. You can’t have one without the other. This is something that Jesus pointed toward quite often. Here we have two gospel verses from Matthew and John the Beloved as well as Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 24:13 KJV – But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
NIV – but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
John 15:18-21 KJV – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
NIV – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
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.
One vital question we must ask ourselves. Are we ready to accept Jesus Christ and His Father, God, as our Father and Brother? It is through the life death, and eternal legacy of Jesus Christ that we are here today. 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.
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 Reigns Sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings 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=8725724358393120&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwY2xjawH5T8dleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRh0Q1upvxPr27i47ewSgZ7juz3e9AHmut5j2-XsNGgiYVe3PHqBmjJQPw_aem_TbiOugsqOYOspIpGOdJVEA
Original Version: Newsboys ~ He Reigns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8R9ZPT2T-I
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Evangelist Calvin Jennings
Covenant of Hope Ministries Main Site: http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Scripture Excerpts: Biblegateway.com
Sermon or Study Copyright © 2025 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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