https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbc1onwL0V4
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: Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & USAlife & YouTube & Twitch & TruthSocial & Instagram
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.
- We pray for JB’s sister Debbie, who is undergoing proton treatment for cancer at this time.
- We pray in thanksgiving that my sister-in-law Fran is now cancer free, and her margins are clear. She is healing well after surgery.
- 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. He has been quite ill the past week or more.
- 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 are continually frustrated with the runaround they have been getting with the various referrals.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and has set up a site for donations to help her with this. If you want more information, send me a private message and I’ll pass on the information.
- We continue 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 several survivors of the disease, JB’s sister Debbie, our friend Alexis, 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: Dear Heavenly Father, we are here today to thank You for all that You have brought us in this life. We are thankful for Your guidance and Your unconditional love. We are thankful for answered prayers with Fran and others. We are hopeful in prayers for those who are undergoing treatment including Debbie. We are hopeful in recoveries and in future work that needs done for JB and EB. We are grateful for Your interventions with illness and pain for Evangelist Cal Jennings. We bring all those who we love and care about to You in prayer this day. We do all this through our Savior Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: The Solid Rock - acapella by Rev. Laura
Sermon: Today we are continuing Chapter three in 1st Corinthians. In this portion of his first letter to Corinth, Paul is giving the leadership and the congregation each a job to do. That job is to continue doing what God intends us all to do, build His church. God laid the foundation long, long ago and wants us to continue to build upon that foundation. It is very important to allow for growth in the Christian Church, no matter the size of our individual congregations, we must grow to achieve that which Jesus was sent here to this earth to start so very long ago. There’s a lot to get into here, and this is where we begin today’s journey.
1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV –So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
NIV –So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
Growth is important, and it must be managed, but only through God’s Word can this bear fruit as Jesus taught. That’s what Paul is telling the church there at Corinth, and also the church today must listen and hear as well. Here Paul references King David, the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah in the Old Testament.
Psalm 127:1 KJV –Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
NIV – Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Isaiah 55:10-11 KJV – For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 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 – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Jeremiah 10:23 KJV – O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
NIV – Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.
Zechariah 4:6 KJV – Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
NIV – So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Paul adds to this with six New Testament viewpoints, only two of which reference the Word of Jesus.
Matthew 15:13 KJV – But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
NIV – He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
John 3:27 KJV – John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
NIV – To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
John 15:5 KJV – I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
NIV – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Acts 17:28 KJV – For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
NIV – ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
James 1:17 KJV – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
NIV – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 Peter 1:23 KJV – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
NIV –For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
God planted every seed on this earth, including the seeds of faith, hope, and peace. He did so through His unconditional love. It is His unconditional love that allows those seeds to grow. We are here to merely ensure that those seeds are sent out to the people and allowed the necessities that manage growth within those same people. This is what Paul references here.
1 Corinthians 3:8 KJV –Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
NIV –The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
Paul skips all the Old Testament and dives straight into the Word of Jesus including one of the many parables Jesus spoke about with His Apostles and Disciples.
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 25:14-30 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 – The Parable of the Bags of Gold
“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.’
John 4:36 KJV – And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
NIV – Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
Paul adds three other New Testament references from the Hebrew Prophets, the Apostle Peter, and John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Hebrews 6:10 KJV – For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
NIV – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
1 Peter 1:17 KJV – And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
NIV –Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
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.
Something that can be very hard for people to understand is that we are each, individually and collectively, God’s temple. With this world the way it is, we have serious issues in maintaining purity, chastity, and all the rest, which is the reason Jesus came down to earth and lived among us, died for us, and rose from the dead to save us eternally. Yet, we are still expected to work for God and Jesus here on this earth, and that’s what Paul shares here.
1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV – For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
NIV –For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Paul has a single Old Testament reference in the words of his go to prophet, Isaiah here.
Isaiah 61:3 KJV –To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
NIV – and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Jesus points toward the foundation of the church here on earth through Peter here.
Matthew 16:18 KJV – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
NIV – And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Paul includes one reference to his letter to Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
NIV – Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
He then adds two final references to the Hebrew prophets and also to Peter.
Hebrews 3:6 KJV – But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
NIV – But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
1 Peter 2:5 KJV –Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
NIV –you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Paul is warning the church there at Corinth that they have to be careful how they build the church from where Jesus left it and where Paul has done his own work in building it up.
1 Corinthians 3:10 KJV –According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
NIV –By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
Paul references King Solomon in this one.
Proverbs 24:3-4 KJV –Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
NIV – By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Paul adds a reference to every geologist’s go-to scripture section in the gospel of Matthew as Jesus speaks.
Matthew 7:24-27 KJV – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
NIV – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Luke 6:47-49 KJV – Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
NIV – As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Paul adds two more references, one from the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles and another from the Hebrew prophets.
Acts 20:32 KJV – And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
NIV – “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Hebrews 3:4 KJV – For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
NIV – For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
The last verse from the first letter in the third chapter to Corinth is this one.
1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV – For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
NIV –For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now, this is very important, and thus the reason we are stopping here today after these references. The verses all point toward Jesus as the foundation of all faith, hope, peace, and unconditional love as God designed our faith and hope to be. Here are three from the Old Testament.
Psalm 118:22 KJV – The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
NIV – The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
Isaiah 28:16 KJV – Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
NIV – So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
Zechariah 10:4 KJV – Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
NIV
– From
Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.
Here are three verses from the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved.
Matthew 21:42 KJV – Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
NIV – Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Luke 20:17 KJV – And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
NIV – Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
John 1:1-3 KJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
NIV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Our final verse is from the Hebrew Prophets.
Hebrews 6:1 KJV – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
NIV – Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
The Foundation Stone of the Church is, as it has always been, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. For this reason, 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: The Old Rugged Cross - a capella by Rev. Laura
~ Shalom ~
Rev. Laura A. Neff
Blogspot & Twitter & Linkedin & Twitch & USAlife
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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