https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwU6J5oXF8s
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 are still praying today for my dear friend JB who had a very bad fall a month ago and broke her hip. She is home resting and doing physical therapy after recovering from surgery and staying until the doctor is confident, she will manage, which has been updated for another month from now. Keep her husband EB in prayer as he stays home alone until she gets back from her stay at the hospital. My husband and I have been helping with their errands along with another neighbor.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is currently still in rehabilitation after losing his fingertips to serious third-degree burns. He is healing very slowly and has just had his stitches removed two weeks ago now. Please pray for his healing and that his pain is treated like it should be treated, not as an afterthought.
- We continue to pray for my sister-in-law Fran who is still fighting cancer. She has been scheduled for a special scan to see if the cancer is gone. Please pray for this cancer to be gone forever.
- 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 had a small scare earlier this week involving a short fall. She has had a lot of anxiety issues lately after the loss of my sister almost a year ago. She has also been told not to drive any longer, which frustrates her even more right now. 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, Evangelist Cal Jennings’ brother-in-law David Doyle, JB’s sister Debbie, Jerry, 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 like those in South America earlier last week.
- We pray for the various outreach ministries we have joined with, with their leaders, Pastor Jared Otieno, Pastor George Ototo, 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.
* Pastor Stephen Okoth had his birthday yesterday.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we have a great deal of things to pray for and a great many as well. We pray for the nation of the United States after celebrating two hundred and fifty years as one. We pray for the victims that were lost in the earthquakes last week. We pray for the many who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, including JB, our family, and more. We pray for the homeless and the helpless around this world. We pray for the many victims of violence, prejudice, and terrorism in this world. We pray for those still under the thumb of slavery and oppression. We pray for the unjustly persecuted and prosecuted. We pray for the friends and family who have been fighting cancer including Fran, and others. We pray for those who survived cancer, including Kelly, Alexis, David, and Debbie 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: We Gather Together
Sermon: Today we are discussing the next seven verses from 1 Corinthians 12. Now, I have had to tie two of them together twice because, as you know, I avoid separating a sentence or a thought unless there are no choices. Add to this, I didn’t have a choice but to separate two of the verses that are part of the same sentence, because they are long and their explanations are as well. Paul is again speaking of the Church as part of the body, and the body as part of the Church, relating this to the human body because each and every human body has a divine origin through the Creator, God Himself. This is where we begin today.
1 Corinthians 12:20-21 KJV –But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
NIV –As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
Paul relates this to the Church as a whole. Each Church has leadership, but without a congregation, they are nothing. Each Church has a congregation, but without leadership they have no guidance. This is true in all instances of Church formation and formulation and has been such since the earliest viewpoints of Christian faith. We have a Spiritual Leader through Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit, and we have a physical human leader through each minister of faith, no matter the title, Priest, Pastor, Reverend, Apostle, Deacon, Evangelist, and so forth. Every person within a congregation has an important role to fulfill. Now, this may seem like it is weird, but in reality, and actually it is far from it. We need people in the congregation to ask questions. We need to have curiosity. We need to have interest and intrigue. Without those, there is no willingness to study, or to listen and hear, or even to explore what Scripture can bring on an everyday basis. Paul shares these four points of view from the Old Poetic Scrolls and New Testament gospel of John the Beloved with one of my favorite passages and another connection with Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth speaking with God along with a verse from Peter as well.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV – Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
NIV – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
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.
John 17:21-23 KJV – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
NIV – that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved 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.
Now, Paul starts to get very specific, in roles for the church body, as well as the physical body. Sure, you might not be leadership or administration, but that doesn’t mean you cannot offer suggestions, pray for someone outside of Sunday services, come visit another member of the church if they are sick, or anything of that nature. It means that even if it isn’t a vital role within the church, it is still a role to work within. That’s why we have musicians, choirs, choir directors, office secretaries, and everything else within the structure of a church body. This is how Paul portrays it here.
1 Corinthians 12:22 KJV –Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
NIV –On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
Every person has a purpose under heaven. Every single body part, working or not, has a purpose in the body. These are physical, mental, spiritual, and existential truths. Now, someone’s going to say, what happens if a body part needs removal, does that mean we are not whole? No, it does not mean we are not whole. There are parts of Scripture that reflect all this. Here are a few of those from the Old Testament Poetic Scrolls.
Proverbs 14:28 KJV – In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
NIV – A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 KJV – Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
NIV – Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 5:9 KJV – Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
NIV – The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
Here are two additional passages from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew and the Hebrew prophets.
Matthew 23:12 KJV – And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
NIV – For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Hebrews 11:34 KJV – Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
NIV – quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Honor, modesty, faith, understanding, all are part of Scripture and all are part of His guidance for us. This is something that Paul shares here next.
1 Corinthians 12:23 KJV – And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
NIV – and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
The majority of Paul’s references come from Genesis and Exodus in the Torah and there is one New Testament reference from Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
Genesis 3:7 KJV – And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
NIV – Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 3:21 KJV – Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
NIV – The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Genesis 9:23 KJV – And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
NIV – But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.
Exodus 28:42 KJV – And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
NIV – “Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh.
1 Timothy 5:17 KJV –Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
NIV – The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Now Paul portrays something interesting not just regarding the human body, but also regarding the body of the church. Every church has good parts and bad parts, easy parts and hard parts, easily seen and understood and hidden parts. Each and every one of them is important in the whole picture portrayed. Everything from the smallest prayers and petitions to the largest movements of every congregation means something and has connective cohesion together. This is what Paul portrays next.
1 Corinthians 12:24-25 KJV – For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
NIV – while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
Again, Paul goes to the Torah and the first Scroll of Scripture for reference.
Genesis 2:25 KJV – And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
NIV – Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Genesis 3:11 KJV – And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
NIV – And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The reason sin began is a suggestion from someone who wanted God’s creation to fail, from the beginning. That someone is known as Satan. That someone assisted in the creation and unleashing of the Seven Troubles and the Seven Deadly Sins. Now, this is how Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth addresses the idea.
Matthew 6:28-29 KJV – And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
NIV – “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Luke 14:13-14 KJV – But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
NIV – But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
John 17:21-26 KJV – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
NIV – that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Acts 4:32 KJV – And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
NIV –All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
1 Peter 3:3-4 KJV –Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
NIV – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Our final verse speaks of suffering, specifically within the Church. When one of the members suffers whatever devastation that might be, everyone in the congregation would suffer as well. That devastation could be death, dismemberment, or anything related to illness of all kinds. We see this even in our own ministry members whenever someone is sick or suffering hardship or injured in some way. This is why we pray for one another, support one another, and do things for one another. That’s what churches and ministries are supposed to do according to the teaching that Yeshua Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth taught His Apostles and Disciples and what those same Apostles and Disciples carried on long after the death and resurrection of our Savior. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 12:26 KJV – And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
NIV – If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
All of Paul’s references are from the New Testament this time. Each of them from letters he wrote to Rome and Philippi as well as the writings of the Hebrew prophets and his fellow Apostle Peter.
Romans 12:15 KJV – Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
NIV – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Philippians 4:14 KJV – Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
NIV – Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Hebrews 13:3 KJV – Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
NIV –Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
1 Peter 3:8 KJV –Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
NIV –Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 5:9 KJV –Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
NIV –Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Being one as part of the congregational body of the Church is vitally important for Christian faith to continue on as a full body, not as bits and pieces. It isn’t easy in this world today. It wasn’t easy in the world where Paul and the Apostles were still a part of it. Most likely, it won’t be until the day when Yeshua Ha Notzri returns to transform this world into what it should have always been from the very beginning. All of this learning about what should be allows us the ability to bring hearts, minds, and spirits together so that we might grow in faith and belief through the hope and unconditional love that Yeshua Ha Nozri Jesus Christ of Nazareth brings 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: Here I Am Lord
~ 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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