https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHLihR8QAbM
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 & 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 bring my Uncle Bob into prayer as he has been in the hospital with fluid on his lung.
- We continue to pray for JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is facing prostate cancer treatment.
- We bring JB’s sister Debbie back into prayer as she has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma after conquering two rounds of breast cancer.
- 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 is still very, very weak, and has issues breathing and more.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is fighting cancer and undergoing treatment.
- 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. JB has been especially sick, losing weight way too fast and no complete solution in sight at the moment. The doctor has started her on a ton of medication to see if that can assist, but it is slow going.
- We continue to pray for a friend of ours, Alexis, who is in desperate need to improve her current situation and is seeking to sell things she owns 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 after the loss of my sister two months ago. This on top of her still suffering from the loss of my father in 2021 due to COVID-19.
- 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 wildfires, storms, flooding, 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.
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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.
*Happy Birthday to my grandson Levi, who celebrates tomorrow.
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 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, including my Uncle Bob, and others. We pray for those who have been sick with cancer, including Jerry, Fran, Debbie, and others. We pray for those who have survived cancer, like 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 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 Holy and Blessed Name. We pray all this in the name of our Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem https://www.christmaskaraoke.com/carols/o-little-town-of-bethlehem
Sermon: Today we are continuing our celebration of the season of Advent. Now, truthfully, only two of the four gospels reference the birth of Jesus. Those two were written by Matthew and Luke. We are saving the birth of Jesus for the Sunday before Christmas. Today we are focusing on the lineage of Jesus as spoken about in the gospel of Matthew in Chapter 1.
Why are lineages important for Christianity? Well, specifically the human lineage of Jesus Christ, Yeshua, is seriously important to give His existence roots that stretch from beginning to end, as the Alpha and Omega, God our Heavenly Father would be. Not only are we connecting Adam and Eve to the existence of Yeshua Jesus Christ, but we are also connecting an eternal promise signified by the rainbow and continued on through the Resurrection and Second Coming of Jesus. With that, let’s begin with Matthew’s recounting of the lineage of our Savior Yeshua Jesus Christ. This is quite a long passage with twenty-five verses, but it is absolutely vital for us to understand where the Messiah Yeshua, Jesus Christ, came from.
Matthew 1:1-25 KJV –The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
NIV –The Genealogy of
Jesus the Messiah
1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the
son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of
Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah
the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of
Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of
Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon
the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose
mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the
father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been
Uriah’s wife, 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the
father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of
Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah
the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah
the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. 12 After the exile
to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the
father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the
father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, 15 Elihud
the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of
Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,
and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus
there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from
David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.
Joseph
Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth
of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to
Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the
Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the
law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had
in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to
take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy
Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said
through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had
commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not
consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the
name Jesus.
Something interesting about the passage is how the verses literally connect Genesis to Revelation. Why is this important to know? Salvation has a beginning and an end. Those belong to God and are brought to us because of Yeshua, Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus taught that unless we follow Him we will not be welcome at the gates of Heaven. This is very, very significant, and is described in detail throughout Scripture, but the Lord Yeshua, Jesus Christ, wants us to focus on specific segments of Scripture. Today we will focus on Genesis and Revelation and their connection to the gospel Matthew wrote regarding the lineage of Yeshua Jesus Christ our Savior. Here are a bunch of references to Genesis.
Genesis 12:3 KJV – And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
NIV
– I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 21:2-3 KJV – For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
NIV – Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.
Genesis 22:18 KJV – And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
NIV – and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Genesis 25:26 KJV – And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
NIV – After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
Genesis 29:35 KJV – And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
NIV – She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.
Genesis 35:23 KJV – The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
NIV – The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.
Genesis 38:6-11 KJV – And Judah took a wife
for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the
Lord; and the Lord slew him.
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and
marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to
pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the
ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he
slew him also.
11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow
at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest
peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her
father's house.
NIV – Judah
got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But
Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to
death.
8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and
fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your
brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so
whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground
to keep from providing offspring for his brother. 10 What he
did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.
11 Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a
widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought,
“He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s
household.
Genesis 38:24-30 KJV –
And
it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar
thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child
by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law,
saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I
pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more
righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her
again no more.
27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that,
behold, twins were in her womb.
28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put
out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread,
saying, This came out first.
29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold,
his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be
upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet
thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
NIV – About
three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of
prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.”
Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”
25 As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her
father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she
added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”
26 Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than
I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her
again.
27 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin
boys in her womb. 28 As she was giving birth, one of them put
out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and
said, “This one came out first.” 29 But when he drew back his
hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!”
And he was named Perez. 30 Then his brother, who had the
scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.
Genesis 46:12 KJV – And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
NIV
–
The
sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in
the land of Canaan).
The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
Genesis 49:8-9 KJV – Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
NIV
– “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your
enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my
son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse
him?
Here are three references to Revelation.
Revelation 5:5 KJV – And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
NIV – Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Revelation 12:5 KJV – And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
NIV – She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
Revelation 21:3 KJV – And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
NIV – And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Prophecy, specifically Scriptural Prophecy, is very, very important in Christianity, especially early Christianity. Lineage is, in the case of Yeshua Jesus Christ, is very important as well, because His very existence is the manifestation of a promise made, kept, and fulfilled in His life, death and resurrection. This is just another reason to connect the story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, with His full lineage, Genesis to Revelation. When Jesus lived on this earth, He gave humanity something so incredibly special we still are learning about it to this very day. This is only one reason why we must realize the bringer of Light, Peace, Hope, Truth, and Love has a name, and His name is Yeshua, known by most as 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: Do You Hear What I Hear? https://www.christmaskaraoke.com/carols/do-you-hear-what-i-hear
~ 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.
Advent Readings for 2025
The following chart includes links to all of the readings and prayers for the year 2025 from the Common Lectionary. While your particular church or denomination may follow a different standard, these are the verses that much of the global Christian church will be reading during Advent this year.
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Advent Year A |
First Reading |
Psalm |
Second Reading |
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First Sunday of Advent |
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Second Sunday of Advent |
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Third Sunday of Advent |
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Fourth Sunday of Advent |
Italicized readings, complementary to the
standard reading, may be used with, or in place of it.
Source: https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/calendar/2025-26/?season=advent
