https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ab75Wl3DY
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 Yeshu Ha-Notzri or in English Jesus Christ of Nazareth 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 pray for a family friend Carla Stark who lost her husband Glenn Stark on Thursday.
- We continue to pray for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sam and Allison, who were in a car wreck several weeks ago. They continue in recovery but are not completely healed. Please keep them up in prayer. They thank everyone for their prayers.
- We continue to pray for friends of ours in our bowling league, after they suffered devastating injuries, some of which required surgery and will require a long recovery time as well. They too appreciate the prayers and thank everyone who has lifted them up.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is currently in rehabilitation and is still working toward healing after his serious and severe injuries. Please pray for his health, it’s still very bad this time. His hands are a complete mess.
- David Doyle, brother-in-law of Evangelist Cal Jennings, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. David is a preacher of the Word as well, and this is a new challenge for him and Cal’s sister and their family to experience this close to Christmas. Please keep all of them in prayer during this journey.
- We continue to pray for JB & EB’s neighbor Jerry who is healing after completing his prostate cancer treatment.
- We keep JB’s sister Debbie back into prayer as she has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma after conquering two rounds of breast cancer.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is still fighting cancer. Her doctor is going to keep a closer eye on her after each treatment for her cancer.
- We continue our prayers for JB and EB as they are continually frustrated with all their medical issues that are ignored or overlooked. JB has been especially sick, losing weight way too fast and no complete solution in sight at the moment. She has gotten a tentative diagnosis for what is going on with her, but her doctor has scheduled her with a specialist to verify. JB has been seriously ill this past two weeks with a serious viral infection on top of everything else.
- 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 to pray for my Mama who has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister four months ago. These anxiety issues are really devastating for her and for the family, so please keep all of them in prayer.
- 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.
- 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 have so much and so many to pray for. We pray for the injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, family, and more. We pray for the homeless and the helpless around this world. We pray for the unjustly persecuted and prosecuted. We pray for the friends and family who have been fighting cancer including Fran, David, and Debbie. We pray for those who survived cancer, including Kelly, Alexis and many more, that they continue to remain well. We pray for the nations at war. We pray for all this in Your Holy Name through our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen and so it shall be.
Opening Song: Just As I Am
Sermon: Today we are beginning the eleventh chapter of 1 Corinthians. Now, this chapter is one that is often contested in today’s world, specifically by women. Paul insists that men do not cover their heads when in worship, something that directly contradicts Jewish tradition, where men wear what’s known as a kippah or yarmulke, depending on the type of Jew they would be. In the situation in Corinth, Paul said this because it meant women were submitting to their husbands, as a symbol of modesty, as opposed to the promiscuity of the Greek god Dionysius. In this world today, the use of veils in church ministry is not found very often. You’ll find it in Roman Catholic points of view overseas and away from the USA, but you won’t find it very often in this country. So, with that bit of history and a little explanation, here is where we begin this chapter.
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV – Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
NIV –Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
There are seven New Testament points to check into with Paul’s writing for the church there at Corinth. The first three are from the words of our Savior Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Matthew 16:24 KJV – Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
NIV – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Luke 6:40 KJV – The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
NIV – The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
John 13:15 KJV – For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
NIV –I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
The remaining verses for reference are from Peter, John the Beloved, and the Hebrew prophets.
1 Peter 2:21 KJV –For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
NIV-To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 5:3 KJV –Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
NIV – not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Hebrews 13:7 KJV – Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
NIV –Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
1 John 2:6 KJV –He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
NIV – Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Christian traditions are something that are seen everywhere in Christian faith. We see them in the sharing of bread and wine, representing Yeshua Ha Notzri or Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Paul told the people of the church in Corinth that it is important to keep traditions within the church. Paul was praising them for this method of remembrance.
1 Corinthians 11:2 KJV –Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
NIV – I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.
There is one viewpoint shared from the Old Testament writings of King Solomon.
Proverbs 31:28-31 KJV – Her
children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done
virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates.
NIV
– Her
children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman
who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her
works bring her praise at the city gate.
There are four New Testament references including one gospel reference and the rest from the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy as well as the writings of the Hebrew prophets.
Luke 1:6 KJV – And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
NIV –Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 KJV –Hold fast the form of
sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the
Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
NIV –What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 2:2 KJV –And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
NIV –And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
2 Timothy 3:14 KJV –But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
NIV – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
Hebrews 13:7 KJV – Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
NIV – Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
There is an eternal hierarchy in this world, it begins with Yahweh, God, continues through Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus of Nazareth, includes man, and woman, together. Each and every portion has their own place in the hierarchy, God and Yeshua Ha Notzri as equals, man and woman as equals, all of us answering to God through Yeshua Ha Notzri. This is how Paul shares the balance of power.
1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV –But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
NIV –But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Paul has two references from the Old Testament, including the first Scroll, and his favorite prophet, Isaiah.
Genesis 2:18-23 KJV – And
the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him
an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the
field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he
would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the
name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the
air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help
meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and
he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he
a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
NIV – The Lord God said, “It is not good for
the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild
animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he
would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its
name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds
in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper
was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a
deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and
then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made
a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her
to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and
flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
Isaiah 49:3-6 KJV – And
said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my
strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and
my work with my God.
5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be
his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet
shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my
servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of
Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be
my salvation unto the end of the earth.
NIV
– He said to me, “You
are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my
strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my
reward is with my God.”
5 And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his
servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am
honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—
6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to
restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will
also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends
of the earth.”
Added to these references Paul utilizes three from the gospel of John the Beloved in the words of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Yeshua Ha Notzri.
John 3:35 KJV – The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
NIV – The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
John 5:19-23 KJV – Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
NIV – Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
John 14:28 KJV – Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
NIV – “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
There is one thing that Jewish men tend toward, which is wearing a specific style of head covering, known as a kippah, especially in the temple. However, Yeshua Ha Notzri is not known to ever have worn this head covering. Because of this, Paul and the other Apostles did not advocate for men to wear them either. This created a huge departure for Christianity in comparison to Judaism.
1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV –Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
NIV –Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
Paul focuses on the Torah and has one additional Old Testament viewpoint in the writings of Ezekiel.
Genesis 3:16 KJV – Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
NIV – To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Exodus 28:40 KJV – And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
NIV – Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons to give them dignity and honor.
Leviticus 8:9 KJV – And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.
NIV – Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Numbers 5:18 KJV – And the priest shall set the woman before the Lord, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:
NIV – After the priest has had the woman stand before the Lord, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder-offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse.
Deuteronomy 21:12 KJV – Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
NIV – Bring her into your home and have her shave her head, trim her nails
Ezekiel 44:18 KJV – They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
NIV – They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
Paul adds four New Testament views, two from the gospel of John the Beloved and two from the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles.
John 5:23 KJV – That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
NIV – that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
John 8:49 KJV – Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
NIV – “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.
Acts 2:17-18 KJV – And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
NIV – “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Acts 13:1 KJV – Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
NIV – Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
The final verse from this chapter today is this one.
1 Corinthians 11:5 KJV –But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
NIV –But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
Now, I admit, I do not cover my head when I preach. Instead, I do not cut my hair shorter than waist length. It is my viewpoint that my hair is representative of the veil that Paul describes for women to wear. It is the reason why I do not wear braids, or other hairstyles whenever I preach. Now, if I’m working elsewhere, that’s different, mainly because you can’t have hair in your face if you’re working on something, whether male or female, it impedes the things you are doing. Now, Paul shares four verses from the Old Testament, one from the Torah and three from the prophets Isaiah and Micah.
Genesis 24:65 KJV – For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
NIV – and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.
Isaiah 3:24 KJV – And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
NIV – Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
Isaiah 47:2 KJV – Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
NIV – Take millstones and grind flour; take off your veil. Lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams.
Micah 1:16 KJV – Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.
NIV – Shave your head in mourning for the children in whom you delight; make yourself as bald as the vulture, for they will go from you into exile.
Paul includes three New Testament views from the gospel writer Luke.
Luke 2:36-38 KJV – And
there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from
her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which
departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the
Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
NIV – There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Acts 2:17-18 KJV – And
it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit
upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in
those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
NIV
– “‘In
the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will
dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my
Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Acts 21:9 KJV – And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
NIV – He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
We all have a mission in life. Paul proved that with his entire life. All the Apostles did. We see it in every letter they wrote. We hear it in the words that Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ spoke. We know it in the literal design of Scripture and how it is shared. Each and every one of us has a mission to continue the lessons that God has insisted we share with each other. We need to work together to bring His unconditional love to the masses around us. We do that by showing 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: And Can It Be
~ 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 © 2026 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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