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.
- Let us pray for all those who are celebrating the feast of St. Patrick this weekend and on into Monday. There are several countries around the world that do celebrate the patron saint of Ireland.
- Let us pray for a colleague of my husband, Alex, who passed away suddenly on Friday, for his wife and two children, a 14 year old son and 9 year old daughter.
- 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.
- My youngest son and his family traveled all the way out here to see us during our shared birthday weekend. Let’s pray they get home safely this week.
- 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 of the answers that 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, Alexis Marsh, 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.
Prayer: Lord, we come to You in celebration of our faith and the acknowledgement of Your unconditional love. We bring to You our sick and weak, our overworked and over-stressed members, families, and friends. We bring to You those who are celebrating this weekend, so that they do not overindulge and get home safely and securely. We believe that Your strength is greater than everything else that has been seen, heard, or experienced in this world. We pray that Your strength and protection cover over all of us who are faithful and even for those who have wavered and fallen. We pray that Your love encompasses the homeless, the abandoned, the orphaned, and more. We pray that Your strength is realized in the lives of those who believe and in those who have only just been introduced to Your Unconditional Love, Hope, Faith, Peace, and Grace. We pray all of this in Your Holy Name through Jesus Christ our Savior and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Be Thou My Vision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMclLT_Hjg&pp=ygUYYmUgdGhvdSBteSB2aXNpb24gbHlyaWNz
Sermon: Today we are continuing chapter four of the second letter Paul wrote to Timotheus of Lystra. Now, these six verses are discussing what Paul believes to be his rather short amount of time left to be alive here on earth. This is why he starts this segment with this sentence here.
2 Timothy 4:6 KJV – For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
NIV –For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
Borrowed time is something that Jesus knew very, very well. He spoke of it often, even when the Apostles and Disciples hardly realized that the brevity of His existence among them as a living, breathing, human being, was blatantly obvious if they had paid attention. Even decades later, Paul was realizing the same feeling himself. It was only a matter of time and he too would be crucified. Paul reflects on the Word as Jesus spoke in these gospel verses.
Matthew 26:28 KJV – For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
NIV – This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 14:24 KJV – And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
NIV – “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.
Luke 22:20 KJV – Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
NIV – In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
John 12:24-25 KJV – Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
NIV – Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Paul adds still more insight through these additional references, one from the gospel writer Luke and the rest from Paul’s letters to Corinth and further insight from the Hebrew prophets.
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.
1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV –I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
NIV –I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV –We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
NIV – We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Hebrews 12:12 KJV – Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
NIV – Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
Paul’s farewell points out that he feels as though he has done everything he could possibly manage on his own with the various churches. Think about it. Paul wrote to Corinth twice, Thessalonica twice, Rome, Lystra in three separate letters, to Timothy. He also sent letters to Titus, Philemon, Galatia, Philippi, and Ephesus.
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
NIV –I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Paul almost always references the prophet Isaiah somewhere in each of his letters written. This one, as we already know, is no different. Here is what part of Isaiah’s scroll that he is speaking of.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
NIV – but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Paul only utilizes one verse from the gospels as spoken by Jesus.
Matthew 25:21 KJV – His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
NIV – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Paul then adds references to his letters to Corinth and Ephesus as well as his colleague Peter and John the Beloved’s Revelation.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV –Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
NIV –Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV –Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
NIV – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ephesians 6:12-13 KJV – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
NIV –For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
1 Peter 5:4 KJV – And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
NIV – And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Revelation 3:21 KJV – And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
NIV – To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Paul now describes what he knows waits for him in Heaven. This is what each and every person who follows Jesus has in store for them, so long as they have faith and work hard sharing that faith and belief in our Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:8 KJV – Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
NIV –Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Paul has four Old Testament references, including two written by the first and second kings of Israel, King David and his son King Solomon.
Psalm 37:6 KJV – And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
NIV – He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Proverbs 11:18 KJV – The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
NIV – A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Paul adds to this with the prophet Isaiah, whom he references quite often and adds one reference to Daniel. He then has two additional references to James the Just, human brother of Jesus and also John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Isaiah 40:10 KJV – Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
NIV – See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
Isaiah 62:11 KJV – Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
NIV
– The Lord has made proclamation to the
ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’”
Daniel 12:3 KJV – And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
NIV – Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
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.
Revelation 2:10 KJV – 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.
NIV – Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
As is typical, these next verses are together from this second letter to Timothy. Paul is reminding the listeners and readers of this letter to be diligent and also issues a warning toward those who have abandoned the truth of Jesus Christ for the earthly life that results in condemnation.
2 Timothy 4:9-10 KJV – Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
NIV – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Paul goes all the way back to the Torah teachings in the first scroll to give us references to follow.
Genesis 45:14-15 KJV – And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
NIV – Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
Paul adds to this, with the historical books including these four selections.
Ruth 1:16-17 KJV – And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
NIV –But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
1 Samuel 20:41-42 KJV –And as soon as the lad
was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to
the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and
wept one with another, until David exceeded.
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us
in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between
my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went
into the city.
NIV –After the boy had gone, David got up
from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times,
with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but
David wept the most.
Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each
other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me,
and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and
Jonathan went back to the town.
1 Kings 11:4 KJV –For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.
NIV –As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
1 Kings 19:20-21 KJV –And he left the oxen,
and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my
mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for
what have I done to thee?
And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and
boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people,
and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto
him.
NIV – Elisha then left his oxen and ran after
Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will
come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered
them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the
people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
Paul adds to this with one reference to the philosophical books as well.
Jeremiah 17:8 KJV – For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
NIV – They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Paul then includes the words of our Savior Jesus in the gospels as well.
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.
Mark 4:18-19 KJV – And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
NIV – Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Luke 9:62 KJV – And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
NIV – Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
John 12:25 KJV – He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
NIV – Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
We add to this with writings from the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul’s second letter to Corinth and John the Beloved’s first letter.
Acts 15:36 KJV – And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
NIV – Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
Acts 20:37-38 KJV – And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
NIV –They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
2 Corinthians 7:6-7 KJV –Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
NIV –But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
1 John 2:15-17 KJV –Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
NIV – Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Our last verse today points toward those who are with Paul at that moment in time and who he himself wants to come to visit him.
2 Timothy 4:11 KJV – Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
NIV – Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Mark 1:1 KJV – The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
NIV – The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
Luke 10:1 KJV – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
NIV – After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
Acts
16:1-3 KJV – Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and,
behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain
woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because
of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was
a Greek.
NIV – Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Paul’s final reference is to his letter to the church in Philippi.
Philippians 2:20-22 KJV – For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
NIV – I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Being a genuine person in Jesus Christ as representatives of Him here on this earth, means we have to follow His directives. He gives us a specific mission, whether individually or collectively, and we each have to discover how we are to be part of that effort to bring His Unconditional Love toward the many who need and deserve these gifts that bring faith, hope, and so much more into being. As we continue in the season of Lent 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: Christ Beside Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGDb0TaC5yA
~ 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 © 2024 http://www.covenantofhopeministries.blogspot.com
Our mission for Covenant of Hope Ministries is not to
exploit fear, but to conquer it, and overcome all that is
created through fear
together as the bringers of the
light of Jesus found in the midst of darkness.
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