Finding Your Calling in God’s Kingdom

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASdf6vcpnQ

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. This 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. I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support while I was not feeling well enough last week for a live sermon. I hope that you enjoyed the written version of the sermon at that time. Thankfully, the Lord blessed me with healing from the migraine that had incapacitated me last Sunday.

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 & Facebook

Wedding officiant page: Wedfolio & Wedding Chicks

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 pray for JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is facing prostate cancer treatment.

-      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 was released from the hospital late last week.

-      We pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is fighting cancer.

-      We pray for the fans, family, and friends of actress June Lockhart who died Saturday at 100 years of age.

-      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, though, according to her mother she is doing better these days.

-      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 the latest hurricane, 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.

** Birthdays! **
My sister-in-law Allison has a birthday at the end of this week.

One of our followers, Angela, had her birthday yesterday.

 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much and so many to pray for. We pray for all those who have been displaced due to war and destruction, natural disaster, and more. We continue to pray for those families that have had hostages released in Israel. We pray for peace to fill this world at long last. We pray for those who have lost loved ones to violence, accidents, and more this week. We pray for those who have been sick with cancer, including Jerry and others. We pray for those who have survived cancer, like Debbie, J.B., Alexis, Donna, and others we know. We pray in thanksgiving for those who have healed from sickness around this world. We pray for those who are in the path of the latest hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean right now. We pray for the orphans, refugees, and missionaries around this world. We pray for our outreach ministries that they continue through even in the face of adversity in Your Name. We pray all this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.

Opening Song: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

 

Sermon: Today we are continuing Chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians. Paul is again speaking about circumcision relative to sin, much like our last sermon discussed the same. Here we learn what is the most important in those of us who choose to follow Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of the price Jesus paid to break the chains of Original Sin for all humanity. He brings us references from his favorite prophets and several references from Jesus Christ Himself in the gospels. Let’s begin where we left off last week.

 

1 Corinthians 7:19 KJV –Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

NIV –Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

 

Paul chooses quite a few references for this. These three are notably from the Old Testament in the Torah and Prophetic Scrolls.

 

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 KJV – And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
¹³ To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

NIV – And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³ and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

 

Deuteronomy 30:6 KJV – And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

NIV – The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

 

Jeremiah 4:4 KJV – Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

NIV – Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it.

 

Paul adds the Word of Jesus in the gospels of Matthew and John the Beloved but includes writings from Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, as well as James the Just, younger human brother of Jesus.

 

Matthew 5:14-19 KJV – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
¹⁷ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
¹⁸ For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
¹⁹ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

NIV – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

John 14:15 KJV – If ye love me, keep my commandments.

NIV – “If you love me, keep my commands.

 

Acts 15:1-11 KJV – And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

² When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

³ And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

⁵ But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

⁶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

⁷ And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

⁸ And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

⁹ And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

¹⁰ Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

NIV – Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. ³ The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. ⁴ When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

⁵ Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and elders met to consider this question. ⁷ After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸ God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

 

James 2:10-12 KJV – For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
¹¹ For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
¹² So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

NIV –For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

 

1 John 2:3-4 KJV –And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

NIV – We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

 

Something every single human being to ever live on this earth has had to learn is what their true purpose is, or was, or will be. Not one person on this earth has the exact same purpose for being here. However, it isn’t always easy to recognize what our true purpose for existence would be. I, in fact, had that very question more than once in my lifetime. I, also, have listened to several, just this week, in fact, wonder what purpose they have here on this earth to either be here, or still be here, depending on their situation. Here is what Paul tells the membership at the Church of Corinth next.

 

1 Corinthians 7:20 KJV –Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

NIV –Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

 

So, how do we know what we’re called to do here on this earth? Well, let me tell you, that one is a learning experience no matter who you are, where you live, what kind of education you may or may not have received, and so forth. We don’t start out on this earth knowing what our purpose is. That’s the tough part. We grow up in wildly different circumstances. Life challenges us every single hour of every single day. Every parenting style is different, so no two children are parented the same. This is recognized all the way back to Cain and Abel in Genesis and is known to this day, no matter how many, or how few, siblings we might have.

For example, far back in history, my paternal great grandmother was in the middle of eight children. My maternal grandmother was the youngest in her family. I am the eldest of nine children in my family, and my husband and I have four children of our own. Each of us had or has our own separate personalities, ambitions, careers, educational pursuits, and more. None of us are the same. The one I take after also chose ministry later in life. Unlike me, that family member chose to divorce and never remarry, accepting ordination in their late fifties. I was in my late forties but had pursued other forms of ministry prior to marriage. In my case, my children were mostly grown when I was called to minister, the youngest being in his teens. Here are some historical aspects that Paul points toward in the Torah before exploring one gospel reference and also a reference from fellow Apostle, Peter.

 

Exodus 3:1-4 KJV –Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
² And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
³ And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
⁴ And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

NIV – Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. ³ So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
⁴ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”

 

Luke 19:12-27 KJV – He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
¹⁴ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
¹⁶ Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
¹⁷ And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
¹⁸ And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
¹⁹ And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
²⁰ And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
²¹ For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
²² And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
²³ Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
²⁴ And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
²⁵ (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
²⁶ For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
²⁷ But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

 

NIV –He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

 

1 Peter 4:10 KJV –As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

NIV –Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

 

Each of us has a calling here on this earth. Some are called to minister. Some are called to rule countries, states, municipalities. Some are meant to judge. Some are meant to protect. Some are meant to teach. Some are meant to entertain. Some are meant to write. Some are meant to heal. This is what God intended for each and every person to do. Some learn early on in life what they are meant to be or do. Others might wait to see what their future brings. However, God knows that they each have a purpose here on this earth. Originally, I never intended to minister. In fact, I planned long ago to be an artist and a writer. The writing half continues, but in far different form and formula than originally considered when I was far younger. God’s intent for my life has, quite literally, transformed me in ways I never once expected to be transformed. Paul touches on this here in the next verse in his first letter to the Church at Corinth.

 

1 Corinthians 7:21 KJV –Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

NIV –Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.

 

God created freedom the day He created this world and all that fills it. He did so by giving man and beast their own brains. Obedience comes with practice, but God didn’t want us to just follow His lead. He wants us to CHOOSE TO FOLLOW HIM THROUGH JESUS. That’s different, vastly different, because it requires emotions, decisions, thought processes, dreams, hopes, prayers, faith, and so much more. Paul again focuses on the Torah, the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament here with just a single New Testament reference.

 

Exodus 21:2 KJV –  If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

NIV – “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

 

Leviticus 25:39-41 KJV – And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: ⁴⁰ But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile.⁴¹ And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

NIV – “‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves. ⁴⁰ They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you; they are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. ⁴¹ Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors.

 

 

Deuteronomy 15:12-15 KJV – And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
¹³ And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
¹⁴ Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
¹⁵ And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

NIV – If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. ¹³ And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. ¹⁴ Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.

 

Proverbs 22:7 KJV – The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

NIV – The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

 

Isaiah 58:6 KJV – Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

NIV – “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

 

Jeremiah 34:8-9 KJV – This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;
⁹ That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.

NIV – The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves. ⁹ Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage.

 

1 Peter 2:18-21 KJV –Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
¹⁹ For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
²⁰ For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

NIV – Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

 

Freedom comes at a price, and it isn’t cheap. In fact, it is one of the most expensive gifts we’ve ever received in the history of this world. This isn’t physical freedom in the sense of getting out of prison or out of one view of slavery or another in this world. This is SPIRITUAL FREEDOM. You see, we earn physical freedom by doing something, whether it be serving time in prison or whatever else that might be. SPIRITUAL FREEDOM came with the death and resurrection of the SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. He sought us and He bought us with His redeeming blood just like the song we had a couple weeks ago, Victory in Jesus portrays. This is what Paul shares next.

 

1 Corinthians 7:22 KJV –For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

NIV – For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

 

Paul chooses some great New Testament references, three from Jesus in the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved, and one from Peter.

 

Matthew 20:25-28 KJV –  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
²⁶ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
²⁷ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
²⁸ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

NIV – Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

Luke 4:18 KJV – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

NIV – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

 

John 15:15 KJV – Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

NIV – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

 

1 Peter 2:16 KJV –As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

NIV –Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

 

Jesus paid the price for our Spiritual Freedom. This means that our Spirits cannot be ruled by human means, only by God through Jesus. That’s what Paul says here in this next verse in his first letter to Corinth.

 

1 Corinthians 7:23 KJV –Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

NIV –You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

 

Like I shared in the lyrics of the song Victory in Jesus earlier, He sought you and I, all of us, and He bought you and I, all of us, through His redeeming blood. That’s no small sacrifice and we should not take it for granted, EVER. This is just one of the many reasons, even when I am not feeling well, I do everything I can to ensure that His Word gets shared with you, all of you, because He has told me many times that no matter how I feel, His Word matters more. His love matters more. His truth matters more. Paul shares these six references for us, only one from his go-to prophet, Isaiah.

 

Isaiah 52:3 KJV – For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

NIV – For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.”

 

Matthew 20:28 KJV – Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

NIV –  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

John 8:36 KJV –  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

NIV – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

 

Acts 20:28 KJV – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

NIV –Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV –Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

NIV – For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

 

Revelation 5:9 KJV – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

NIV – And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

 

Our final verse today is this one.

 

1 Corinthians 7:24 KJV –Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

NIV –Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

 

What Paul is saying is we have to remember to thank God for our existence. Thank God for showing us what His love managed for us. Thank God that we have families, friends, something to do that we love, and so much more. Thank God that we have a new day to live life. Thank God that we have yesterday for its memories and thank God that we still have the promise of tomorrow. It is important to be thankful for our existence. Sure, we have those who have caused bumps in our roadways from birth to now, but that doesn’t mean those moments weren’t teaching moments, or lessons learned. Wisdom is not an automatic gimme in life. It takes time, education, and experience to bring it into being. That’s why God created time in the first place, so that we could learn all about His love and what it means to each of us individually and collectively. Here are the New Testament references Paul provides for this verse. Jesus speaks in the first. His cousin John the Baptist in the second, John the Beloved in the third, and Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Matthew 6:24 KJV – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

NIV – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

 

Luke 3:12-14 KJV – Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

 

NIV – Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
¹³ “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

 

John 8:31-32 KJV – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

NIV – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

Acts 16:31 KJV – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

NIV – They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

 

Faith, Belief, Trust, Understanding, Knowledge, and Wisdom all begin with God through Jesus. All it takes is one tiny ounce of faith to build a mountain of unconditional love. Peace, Hope, Truth, and Love have a name and 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: Just As I Am

 

 

 

~ Shalom ~

Rev. Laura A. Neff

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Evangelist Calvin Jennings

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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

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