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.
- Rabbi Karen L. Hertzog has asked that we pray for her mother’s health. She also asks for prayers for her brother’s attitude and also for Rabbi Karen’s stress levels.
- A former classmate of mine, also a pastor, named Pastor Stephen Peebles has lost a cousin and a friend in the past week.
- My friend Faith’s cat Radar passed away on Friday. She really misses him.
- My daughter Deanna’s surgery went well this past week, and she is recovering. Pray that the recovery is short.
- My daughter-in-law Rebecca has HFMD, and it’s got her swollen up all over her hands and in lots of pain. Pray that the medications the doctor gave her will help calm everything down and heal her.
- 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 are continually 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.
- Our prayers were answered for my son-in-law Douglas’s diagnosis, let’s hope the solution, a diagnosis of sleep apnea, assists him in his daily 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, and other dangerous conditions, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, worldwide.
- 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.
**We have birthdays galore this week! **
My son-in-law Douglas’s younger sister, Shannon’s birthday is the 12th.
My daughter-in-law Victoria’s birthday is the 14th.
My youngest son Lukas also has his birthday on the 14th.
My daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and Douglas’s niece, Alaya’s birthday is the 15th.
My own birthday is also the 15th.
Prayer: Father in heaven, we have nothing but praise for You and Your Son. We thank You for all the gifts You have given to each of us. We thank You for answering our prayers. We praise You for being able to fulfill the miracles we all need to see, hear, and feel. We pray that You will heal those who need healing, including JB and EB, who are still suffering a lot. We pray that You will soothe the tears and fears of those who are our friends and families suffering pain and loss of all sorts including Faith and Mary, and so many others. We bring our friends Cal and Erica into prayer for their health and their situations as well. We bring our cancer sufferers and survivors up to you as well. We pray for those who have been ill, like Rabbi Karen’s mother and for those in denial and more including her brother. We pray for this world that has had so many natural disasters, fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, and so many more. We pray also for those who are celebrating their birthdays this week including Lukas, Shannon, Alaya, and Victoria. May this next year be filled with hope and blessings for all of them. We ask this in the name of our Holy and Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Awesome God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3I0gv_xp1A
Sermon: This week the season of Lent begins, in preparation for Easter Sunday. There are five Sundays in Lent between Ash Wednesday, which was on the fifth of this month, and extending to Palm Sunday, which is in the middle of April. I am including a reading plan for this time of year, for each of us to spend time reflecting on the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for each and every one of us.
This Lent reading plan walks through each of the four Gospels during the Lent season. What better way to prepare for Easter than to read the complete story of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection?
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The reading plan is graciously made available by the Central Presbyterian Church of Baltimore and found on the www.biblegateway.com website.
Today we begin chapter four of the second letter Paul wrote to Timotheus of Lystra. Now, this is the last chapter in Second Timothy. We are covering the first paragraph of this specific chapter today. We’ll start here.
2 Timothy 4:1 KJV –I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
NIV – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
Paul is giving the church membership at Lystra a job to do. He’s doing this with Timotheus as their leader. Much like Jesus Christ did for the Twelve Apostles, Paul was doing the same for these church members Timotheus led. There are a great many Old Testament references that Paul points toward, in the historical words of Daniel and the interpretation of the pharaoh’s dreams. Then, adds to that the words that Jesus spoke.
Daniel 7:13-19 KJV – I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
NIV – “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The Interpretation of the Dream
“I,
Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind
disturbed me. I approached one of those standing there and asked him the
meaning of all this.
“So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:
‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. But the
holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it
forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
“Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different
from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze
claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot
whatever was left.
Matthew 16:27 KJV – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
NIV – For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Matthew 25:31-32 KJV – When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
NIV – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
John 5:22-27 KJV – For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
NIV –
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment
to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever
does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has
eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will
hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For
as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life
in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he
is the Son of Man.
Paul continues with the references, this time with the gospel writer Luke’s view from the Acts of the Apostles, and the Hebrew prophets, before getting to John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Acts 10:42 KJV – And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
NIV – He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
Hebrews 9:27-28 KJV – And as it is appointed
unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look
for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
NIV – Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Revelation 20:11-12 KJV – And I saw a great
white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were
opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead
were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to
their works.
NIV – Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Revelation 22:12 KJV – And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
NIV – “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
It is important to realize and recognize that time is growing short here on earth. In fact, there are many signs and symbols pointing toward this. We just haven’t been paying attention well enough to realize it. Paul warned the congregations all over Greece, Italy, and Asia Minor to keep sharp. Yet, even today, there are many overseas who are forbidden from learning Scripture, who actually know more about Scripture than most Christians. We each have to read Scripture, not just the words, but the meaning behind them. That’s what Paul is portraying here in his second letter to Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:2 KJV –Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
NIV –Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
We have a lot of work to do in learning and understanding Scripture. Each and every time we open the Scriptures; we will find something new within the Word. Paul again references the poetic and prophetic books.
Proverbs 1:23 KJV – Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
NIV – Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
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.
Isaiah 58:1 KJV – Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
NIV – “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
Jeremiah 1:7-8 KJV – But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
NIV – But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Ezekiel 3:17-19 KJV – Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
NIV – “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Paul again references the words that Jesus spoke. These words are very familiar to those of us who have shared Scripture with others, whether we are preachers, pastors, teachers, and more. This is known as the Great Commission. If you look across my shoulder you will see these verses beside the church behind me.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
NIV – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Paul adds two other references, one from his first letter to Corinth and the other from fellow Apostle, Peter.
1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV –For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
NIV –For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
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 hardest issues any human being has with keeping up on the path Jesus brought us toward would have its own stumbling blocks everywhere, and we often don’t see them in front of us. Those stumbling stones often have seven names, vanity, envy, lust, enmity, wrath, shame, and doubt. Paul mentions one of these, specifically lust, in this next verse.
2 Timothy 4:3 KJV –For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
NIV –For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Perseverance is a skill that takes years to develop well, and this is especially true with Scripture. Each day, there are those who dedicate anywhere from five minutes to an hour on Scripture and prayer. There are others who are the opposite and find it too tedious for them. Then, there are those who read but don’t learn the meaning behind what they are reading. This is a challenge for preachers and teachers of Scripture and the lessons found within. These are the people Paul is writing to. Some people just take a lot of time to understand what they are reading and studying. Paul points toward some lessons that are needed by everyone.
Isaiah 30:9-10 KJV – That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
NIV – For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Jeremiah 5:30-31 KJV – A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
NIV – “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
Ezekiel 33:30-32 KJV – Also, son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the thou walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. 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 – “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ 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.
Amos 8:11-12 KJV – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.
NIV – “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
Micah 2:11 KJV – If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
NIV – If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!
Zechariah 7:11-12 KJV – But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.
NIV – “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.
Paul adds to this with a warning from Jesus.
Matthew 24:11-12 KJV – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
NIV –and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
Paul adds two other references from John the Beloved and Jude, the younger brother of Jesus.
1 John 4:1 KJV –Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
NIV – Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Jude 1:17-19 KJV – 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 –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.
Something we see even in daily life is people ignoring the truth even when it stares them in the face. This is something that is not new. We’ve seen it throughout history, written or otherwise. The hardest part of this world is that people are so easily swayed away from the truth. Again, this is part of the seven troubles and how deeply seeded they are in the human psyche, and also physically as well. Sure, we don’t realize this, or even recognize it, but that’s what has happened to too many, too often, over the millennia that have occurred since the day God created the heavens and the earth. Paul recognizes this in the next verse shared in this second letter to Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:4 KJV – And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
NIV –They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Paul brings three specific centralized passages from the historical writings of the kings of Israel, and on into this with the prophets he often references, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
1 Kings 22:22-23 KJV – And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.
NIV – “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”
Isaiah 44:20 KJV –He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
NIV – Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Jeremiah 23:16-17 KJV – Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
NIV – This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
Paul then adds still more with the Word as shared by Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved.
Matthew 15:8-9 KJV – 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 – “‘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.’”
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.
Paul adds to this with his last sentence to Timothy in this fourth chapter of the second letter written, the last one to be shared today, at least. There is a lot of information in this short sentence.
2 Timothy 4:5 KJV –But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
NIV –But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Paul is then sharing what Jesus warns of, false prophets, and false prophecies. He points toward the fact that we have to constantly be aware, keep thinking in the mindset that Jesus wants us to be in. Paul points to the point of endurance and perseverance. We see it with both what Jesus shared with His followers in the gospel of Matthew and then in Luke’s writing 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.
Acts 20:24 KJV –But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
NIV – However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul’s final references are from his letters to Corinth and also from the Hebrew prophets as well as the words of James the Just, younger brother of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:16-17 KJV –For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
NIV –For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
2 Corinthians 4:1 KJV –Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
NIV – Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Hebrews
12:1-2 KJV –
Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.
NIV – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:12 KJV – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
NIV – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
This season, the next seven weeks, marks the voyage every Christian knows as Lent. During this time, people will often fast or forego something in their lives until the Easter Sunday event. For this reason, I have given you a reading list to work with for each week up until Easter Sunday. Now, on Palm Sunday, and again on Easter Sunday, celebrating the Resurrection, I will be preaching in direct relation to that, sharing the segments of Scripture that first foreshadowed these moments, and then up to the moment of Resurrection. It is important to remember the reason for our being here. 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: Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord
Evangelist Cal Jennings' version: https://m.starmakerstudios.com/a-vue3/playrecording?app=sm&from_sid=62172171219&guide_type=2&is_convert=true&pg_rf_ca_vn=15&pid=share_exp2&recordingId=8725724359431850&share_type=copylink&fbclid=IwY2xjawI6mCxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTif8x3TRR_5181v6e73Vaj-UBDZCJJZNMNCOkdOcShil29w4_wyGkUsNA_aem_gIO1BuOJoI_c09bTHb7Xlw
~ 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
Music Copyright Evangelist Cal Jennings © 2025
Sermon or Study Copyright Covenant of Hope Ministries and Rev. Laura A. Neff © 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.
