Our live sermon stopped about 3/4ths of the way through in the live version. The music still isn't playing live. I had thought I had that issue fixed, but will have to continue trying with that. Here is the written version for everyone to follow along.
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 that they need in both of their health issues. Their referrals are beginning to work out, but there are still issues between insurance and more when it comes to necessary tests and procedures for both of them.
- 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. She thanks everyone that has sent her money thus far. It has helped, even just a little.
- We pray for my son-in-law, Douglas, who has been suffering from unknown health issues diagnosed with sleep apnea.
- 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 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 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.
- Pastor Amir Aneel and others have requested to have their ministries shared here with urgent needs where donations are failing to meet their needs. If you would like to help them, please let me know and I will forward their information so you can reach out to them.
- 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: Lord, we have so many and so much to pray for on this beautiful Sunday. We bring our joy to you, that we feel Your presence everywhere. We hope that Your Word will challenge us to pursue more knowledge of the true meaning of Your Word. We pray for those who have not heard Your Word. We pray for those who are bringing Your Word to the many in places where Your Word has never been. We pray for the pastors and ministers who are all around this world bringing comfort, shelter, and more for their orphaned children. We pray for those who have been sick and are suffering from illnesses and issues that are not quite known. We pray for those who desperately need healthcare at a price that is affordable. We pray that Your love envelope them in the hope and faith that You bring us through Your Unconditional Love, through our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Standing on the Promises as sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings
Standing on the Promises ~ Evangelist Cal Jennings
Sermon: Today we are starting the third chapter of Second Timothy. We focus on the first five verses of the second letter that Paul wrote to the church at Lystra and its leadership, specifically Timotheus. There is a lot to understand in just these first five verses. Here is where we begin.
2 Timothy 3:1 KJV – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
NIV – But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
The hardest thing we have to learn about ourselves and our relationship with Jesus and with God is that every single one of us will fall short in one way or another. Whether we are already in the Last Days as predicted by our Savior, or we’re only seeing the first inklings of those days, we have to continue to fight His fight. This is why Paul is adamant with Timotheus and the church at Lystra. Pay attention, he says, and be aware, or it will be your downfall. He draws inspiration from all over Scripture, the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament.
Daniel 12:1 KJV – And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
NIV – “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Isaiah 2:2 KJV – And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
NIV – In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Jeremiah 30:7 KJV – Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
NIV – How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.
Ezekiel 38:16 KJV – And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
NIV – You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
Zechariah
14:1-2 KJV – Behold, the day of
the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall
be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city
shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut
off from the city.
NIV – A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.
Paul continues with the Word as shared by Jesus in three of the four gospels.
Matthew 24:12 KJV – And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
NIV – Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
Mark 13:19-20 KJV – For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
NIV – because those will be days of
distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until
now—and never to be equaled again.
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the
sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
Luke 21:9-11 KJV – But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for
these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then
said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;
and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
NIV –When you hear of
wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but
the end will not come right away.”
Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great
earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and
great signs from heaven.
Paul adds to this with an excerpt from his letter to Thessalonica and also the writing of John the Beloved in his first letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV –Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
NIV –Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
1 John 2:18 KJV –Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
NIV –Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
Now Paul warns Timotheus and the church at Lystra about the seven troubles. He points toward them all in this verse. He portrays vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt, without those same words, but with the acts and actions that shout those seven troubles loud and long. These are the reason for the downfall of mankind and the prerequisite for our necessity of having Jesus Christ give His mortal life so that we can reach heaven. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. If you’ve seen what’s going on in this world, you realize we have a lot of fighting to be His Brothers and Sisters in truth, seen in all the important parts of each of us, our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls. Here is that warning.
2 Timothy 3:2 KJV –For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
NIV – People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Paul goes back to the poetic books of the Old Testament. Here are the words of the first two kings of Israel, King David and his son King Solomon.
Psalm
14:1-3 KJV – The fool hath said in
his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were
any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none
that doeth good, no, not one.
NIV – The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Proverbs 30:11-14 KJV – There
is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed
from their filthiness.
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted
up.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as
knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
NIV – “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind.
Paul then adds to this wisdom with the writings of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah.
Isaiah 5:20-21 KJV – Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
NIV – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Jeremiah 9:4-6 KJV – Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.
NIV – “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
Micah 7:2-6 KJV – The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
NIV –The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
Paul then references his first letter to Corinth, his letter to Ephesus, Colossae, Galatia, and his letter to Titus as well.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV –Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
NIV – Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:3-5 KJV – But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
NIV – But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Colossians 3:5-8 KJV – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
NIV – Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Galatians 5:19-21 KJV – Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
NIV – The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:3 KJV – For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
NIV – At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Paul adds further insight from the younger human brother of Jesus.
Jude 1:16-19 KJV – These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
NIV –These people are
grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast
about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
A Call to Persevere
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ
foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will
follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who
follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
The enemy, the Devil himself, Satan, and his minions, are hiding everywhere. We won’t always be able to recognize them. In fact, we might even mistake them as friends, colleagues, and yes, sadly, family. Remember, God knows your heart better than you do. Jesus, as an extension of our Heavenly Father, does too. However, Jesus knows that we can change and transform our lives. Paul points out something interesting about these very real enemies of Jesus and each and every one of us. Here is how he points toward them.
2 Timothy 3:3 KJV –Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
NIV – without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
Paul points toward the poetic book written by King Solomon.
Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
NIV – There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Paul adds three familiar prophets to his references.
Isaiah 1:4 KJV – Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
NIV – Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
Jeremiah 9:4-5 KJV – Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
NIV – “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.
Micah 7:2-6 KJV – The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
NIV – The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire — they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
Paul continues with his references by adding his letter to Rome, and the words written by James the Just, human brother of Jesus and also John the Beloved’s first letter.
Romans 1:31 KJV – Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
NIV – they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
James 3:14-16 KJV – But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
NIV –But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
1 John 3:10 KJV –In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
NIV –This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
Paul continues to name those who work with the minions of Satan. The wicked and evil that hide far too well in the midst of us. He gives their characteristics and we should learn and avoid them as much as humanly possible. Protect ourselves with the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
2 Timothy 3:4 KJV –Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
NIV – treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
Paul again references the poetic books and just one of the prophets in the Old Testament.
Proverbs 21:24 KJV – Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
NIV – The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—behaves with insolent fury.
Jeremiah 9:23 KJV – Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
NIV – This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
Paul adds to this with the words Jesus spoke as shared through the gospels of both Matthew and Luke.
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 16:13 KJV – No servant 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.”
Paul then only adds one other reference, this time his letter to the Romans.
Romans 1:30 KJV –Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
NIV –slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
Our last verse from the second letter of Timothy today points toward the one thing that we need to have within us. This is something that we have to practice at with our Christian faith. Here is what Paul says.
2 Timothy 3:5 KJV –Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
NIV –having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
There is a lot of power within those of us who share our godliness. Several times we have gone back through Scripture in so many ways. Now we’re going way, way back to the prophet Samuel before returning to Paul’s favorite prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
1 Samuel 16:17 KJV – And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
NIV – So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
Isaiah 29:13 KJV – Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
NIV – The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
Isaiah 48:1-2 KJV – Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The Lord of hosts is his name.
NIV – “Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel—but not in truth or righteousness—you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel—the Lord Almighty is his name:
Jeremiah 12:2 KJV – Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
NIV – You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.
Ezekiel 33:31-32 KJV – And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
NIV – My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
Paul finishes off his references with the Word of Jesus as shared in the gospels of Matthew, and Luke as well as the first letter John the Beloved wrote.
Matthew 7:15-20 KJV – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
NIV – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Matthew 15:7-9 KJV – Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
NIV – You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Matthew 23:27-28 KJV – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
NIV – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Luke 6:46 KJV – And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
NIV – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
1 John 2:4 KJV – He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
NIV –Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
We have a lot to absorb from these first five verses. Paul pulls no punches when he levels this warning to the church there at Lystra. He points to Timotheus and the congregation as each and every person who listens to the Word as it should be heard, we have a long way to go to understand the Word of God as Jesus taught. We have so much to benefit from within it. That’s why it is so very important for us to remember that we have an Advocate that holds each of us in His loving arms. His name is Jesus Christ, who comes from the great Jehovah God our Heavenly Father. 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: Great Is the Lord ~ as sung by Evangelist Cal Jennings
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
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 © 2025 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
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