The music did not appear on the video itself. We are still having that same issue and are working to figure this out. Bear with us.
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. 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.
- 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. Even just a little can go a long way.
- We pray for my son-in-law, Douglas, who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and is following standard protocols and procedures to fight against it.
- My son-in-law Douglas’s grandfather, Papa Roger, has been diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to his brain. Pray for the family as they try to keep their spirits up.
- We pray for my sister Emilie and my nephews Joey and Auggie who have returned to Arizona as of yesterday. Hopefully life will find something better for all of them.
- 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. She has gone through a whole lot lately and hopefully some of the changes made will assist in keeping her anxiety levels from mounting too far.
- 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 wild fires 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.
- 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 are gathered here today to praise Your Holy Name. We praise You for the unconditional love You bring for all of us. We pray that You will sway others toward providing food and shelter for the orphans and the homeless in this world. We pray that You will provide comfort and healing for the sick and the dying. We pray that You will bring peace to those who are in the midst of war. We pray that You will calm the storms and the seas. We pray that You will calm the earth and help those who have been harmed by any of these natural events to get through and heal well. We bring all those who are suffering illnesses that have taken a toll on them, including my niece, Autumn. We pray for those who have weakened immune systems due to cancer and more, including my friend Kelly, and my Aunt Donna. We pray for those who have suffered debilitating injuries, and other medical chaos, including JB and EB, as well as Evangelist Cal Jennings. We pray for each and every outreach ministry that has joined us from Pakistan, India, Kenya and more. We pray for their orphans, their homeless, jobless, and more. We pray for peace and patience, faith, hope and love in the name of God our Father, Jesus Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: I Love to Tell the Story
Sermon: Today we will complete the second chapter of Second Timothy. Now, in these last verses, Paul is cautioning the people in Timothy’s church there at Lystra. He’s cautioning Timothy as well. It is important to take these cautions into our own hearts as well, because, even two millennia later, this is still a relevant concern. Let’s begin where we left off last week.
2 Timothy 2:20 KJV –But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
NIV – In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
Jesus often said there is a mansion with many rooms awaiting the faithful in Heaven. However, He also said, we have to work on our faith, our belief, our unconditional love, our patience, our peace, our hearts, our minds, our souls, and so many other things. This is what Paul is teaching Timothy. He’s teaching him that though things may seem alright, looks can be deceiving. Actions carry more weight than words. This is something that holds true to this very day. Paul traces his thoughts back to the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament Scrolls.
Proverbs 25:4 KJV – Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
NIV – Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
Isaiah 64:8 KJV – But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
NIV – Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Jeremiah 18:1-6 KJV – The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
NIV – This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
Paul then traces back to the words of our Savior Jesus Christ in the Parable of the Net here.
Matthew 13:47-50 KJV – Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
NIV – “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Paul then adds more to this thought as Jesus speaks to the Apostles at the time where Judas betrays Him and He is arrested. It is important to think of this as a point made to directly answer what Judas had done. For a fistful of silver, he sold out the Savior, much like the man who buried his master’s coins to ensure they wouldn’t be stolen.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV – For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every
man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and
made them other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's
money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more.
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.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that
thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where
thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast
that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou
knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but
from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
NIV – “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his
servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five
bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to
his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of
gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So
also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had
received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts
with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought
the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold.
See, I have gained five more.’
“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!’
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me
with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
“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!’
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew
that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where
you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in
the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest
where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well
then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I
returned I would have received it back with interest.
“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For
whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does
not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And
throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Paul then adds references to his letter to Rome, and both letters to Corinth.
Romans 9:21 KJV – Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
NIV –Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 KJV –Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
NIV –If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV –But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
NIV – But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
It is not easy to walk away from temptation, and to fight our own inner thoughts toward temptation. That’s something Paul and the Apostles knew all too well. God does too. Jesus also knew. It’s really difficult in this world to stay away from all forms of sin because there are so many that are disguised to look as though they are the opposite. This is why Paul says this next.
2 Timothy 2:21 KJV –If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
NIV –Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Paul points to only two Old Testament references with this one.
Psalm 51:10 KJV – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
NIV – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Isaiah 52:11 KJV – Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.
NIV – Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the Lord’s house.
Now Paul also references the gospels, specifically two of the most important sermons and parables that Jesus Christ delivered. The first is the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew. The second is the Vine and Branches Parable as shared by John the Beloved.
Matthew 5:8 KJV – Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
NIV – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
John 15:2-3 KJV – Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
NIV –He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Paul then references his first letter to Corinth, and both Peter and John the Beloved’s first letters as well.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 KJV –Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
NIV –Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV –But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
NIV –But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 John 3:3 KJV –And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
NIV – All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Paul now warns Timothy, yet again, to avoid the seven troubles, in this case, specifically LUST. In doing so, Paul then instructs them to embrace the seven virtues as shared in his letter to Galatia, specifically four of them, righteousness, faith, charity, and peace as seen here.
2 Timothy 2:22 KJV –Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
NIV –Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Paul directly references three passages from the Poetic Scrolls of the Old Testament.
Psalm 119:9 KJV – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
NIV – How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
NIV – Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 15:9 KJV – The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
NIV – The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
Paul again references his first letter to Corinth next.
1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV –Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
NIV –Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV –There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
NIV – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
His last reference is to James the Just, the younger human brother of Jesus.
James 4:7-8 KJV – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
NIV – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Foolishness is something that all of the Apostles addressed in Scripture. They did so because God often warned against acting out of foolishness. Being called a fool in the Scriptures is as bad as being arrested for any crime on this earth. You have to repent from it and keep foolishness away from your mind and heart. This is what Paul shares next.
2 Timothy 2:23 KJV –But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
NIV –Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Paul references three verses from the scroll of Proverbs in this.
Proverbs 18:2 KJV – A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
NIV – Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Proverbs 20:3 KJV – It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. honor
NIV – It is to one’s to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV – Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
NIV – Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Paul then adds more insight from James the Just and also from the Apostle Peter.
James 4:1 KJV – From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
NIV –What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 Peter 3:16 KJV –As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
NIV – He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Honestly, Paul almost literally repeats everything Jesus taught him as an Apostle. He does so in shorter sentences that point toward the big picture that faith and belief must be wrapped up in the elements of unconditional love. The Scriptures call them virtues. Here Paul mentions a few, even in different words, gentleness, patience, peace, and perseverance.
2 Timothy 2:24 KJV –And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
NIV –And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Paul again references the poetic book of Proverbs with this.
Proverbs 15:1 KJV – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
NIV – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 25:15 KJV – By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
NIV – Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Again, Paul references the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:9 KJV – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
NIV – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Paul continues with his references to James the Just, half brother of Jesus, and also Peter’s first letter.
James 1:19-20 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 3:17 KJV – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
NIV –But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
1 Peter 2:23 KJV –Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
NIV –When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV –But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
NIV –But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
The final two verses of this chapter need to be seen together in order to convey the final thoughts Paul is considering for the church there at Lystra where Timotheus is head priest.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 KJV –In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
NIV –Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Paul, in this case quite literally, references the Torah, the Prophetic Books, and three of the four gospels, along with a final reference to the first letter John the Beloved wrote.
Genesis 3:1-5 KJV – Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
NIV – Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV – How
art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut
down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my
throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the
congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
NIV
– How
you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne
above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the
utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the
clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the
realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Ezekiel 28:12-17 KJV – Son
of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus
saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in
beauty.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy
covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the
jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship
of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast
created.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast
upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the
stones of fire.
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till
iniquity was found in thee.
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with
violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of
the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst
of the stones of fire.
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom
by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee
before kings, that they may behold thee.
NIV
– “Son of man, take up
a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the
Sovereign Lord says: “‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and
perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone
adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis
lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made
of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the
holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness
was found in you.
Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian
cherub, from among the fiery stones.
Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your
wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle
of you before kings.
Matthew 5:44 KJV – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
NIV – But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 11:29 KJV – Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
NIV – Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Luke 6:27-28 KJV – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you
NIV – “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
John 8:44 KJV – Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
NIV –You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 John 3:8 KJV –He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
NIV –The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 5:19 KJV –And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
NIV –We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
One of the most difficult lessons we human beings have to learn is that, try as we might, we cannot completely avoid sin and sinfulness, or wickedness either one. It’s something that is literally embedded, ingrained, into every aspect of this world we live in. This is why we always have to remember to confess our sins, if not to each other, then to God and Jesus. It’s not easy recognizing our sins. No matter how much we know about Scripture. No matter how much we share the Scriptures with others. No matter how often we pray for each other, wickedness and sin are a constant reminder of the fall of man and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The one way we can prevent eternity in Hell is by praying, confessing our sins, reading and sharing Scripture with as many as will listen. Remember, it takes building up the virtues of faith, hope, peace, and unconditional love within us and around us in order to see the path that Jesus Christ left for each of us to follow. His light is the only light we need to seek and find. It is important to remember the reason we come together every week. 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: Victory in Jesus
~ 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
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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