https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD71HAp0H4Y
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 my friend Paul, a colleague I’ve known for twenty years, who is awaiting heart surgery.
- We pray for my employer and his wife, Ed and Joy, who are quite ill at this time. Ed was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and his wife Joy has been in the hospital with fluid in her lungs and other health issues. She was sent to rehabilitation around Wednesday of last week once again. She is on oxygen full time and 24-hour observation. Pray as they are being set up with full-time managed care. Pray also for their son Ed Jr. who has had a lot of back problems and is trying to hold off with surgery until retirement.
- We are still praying today for my dear friend JB who has finally been given limited ability to travel away from home five days per week for very short distances. Please keep JB in prayer for continued therapy, and continued doctor visits after her broken hip and upper leg. Please pray about the source of her extreme weight loss so that it can be solved. Please start praying again for her husband EB as well with his health and his muscles and movement as he has serious mobility issues. Add her sister-in-law who is suffering from cancer at this time.
- Pray for my son-in-law’s younger sister who lost two babies before twelve weeks gestation in the past six months.
- Pray for that same son-in-law’s grandfather Wayne Shelton, who had a stroke three weeks ago.
- Evangelist Cal Jennings is doing better after the third degree burns to his fingertips. His fingers are finally starting to resemble fingers after the amputations. He is still healing very slowly and still has a while to go with the rehabilitation. 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 Mama who has had a lot of issues lately in her life including a few days in which she will be alone this week. Please keep her in prayer for her anxieties, fears, and general well-being.
- Pray for a friend of mine K.S. who has a lot going on in life right now and has been asking me tons of questions about those things going on. Pray that I might be able to answer those questions as time goes on.
- 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 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 around this world.
- 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.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, there are so many in our hearts and thoughts and so much going on in life that needs prayer. We pray for my friend Paul with his heart issues and pending surgery. We continue to pray for Ed and Joy with their health issues, and their son Ed Jr. for his back issues, EB and JB and their many health issues. We continue to pray for EB and JB’s sister-in-law who has cancer as well. We pray for those who are in the path of the various hurricanes and tropical storms. We pray for the many who are injured and ill in our ministry, our friends, including Evangelist Cal, our family, and more. We pray for my Mama who has some anxiety going on right now with being alone for half the week, so we pray for her confidence and her patience. We pray for K.S. and what is going on in their life. 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 our friends and family who have been fighting cancer. 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 in remembrance of those lost in the 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: You Are My All In All
Sermon: Today we continue the fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians. Now, these six verses are interesting because they focus on something interesting. It focuses on faith, belief, and what can destroy it, all at the same time. This is what Jesus taught us, that even with our faith and belief as strong as it can be, it can still be destroyed by corruption through keeping bad company, or bad influences, close. So, with that precautionary tale, let’s start here with this first verse today.
1 Corinthians 15:28 KJV –And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
NIV – When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Paul utilizes two Old Testament references including the Poetic and Prophetic Scrolls. Both of them describe our Savior Jesus Christ in premonition for what would come to pass in the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. See what King David and Daniel share with this.
Psalm 8:6 KJV – Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
NIV – You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
Daniel 7:14 KJV – And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
NIV – He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Paul utilizes three gospel points from Matthew and John the Beloved, and the Hebrew prophets along with John the Beloved’s Revelation.
Matthew 28:18 KJV – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
NIV – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 5:19 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.
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.
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.
Hebrews 2:8 KJV – Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
NIV –and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
Revelation 11:15 KJV – And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
NIV –The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Paul makes a great point with this one. If there had not been a “witnessed” death, burial, and resurrection, that was recorded in more than one voice, Christianity would have failed at day one. But at least twelve men, two women, witnessed the death and resurrection. Not only that, but they saw, heard, and experienced what happened for forty days AFTER the resurrection. That’s what we have to realize and recognize. It’s very, very important for us to understand the impact of those 40 days plus the 3 days between His death and resurrection. This is what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 15:29 KJV –Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
NIV – Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
Paul utilizes only one Old Testament view from the prophetic scroll of Daniel with this. It’s important to see, hear, and understand the prophetic nature of these words as shared by the prophet Daniel.
Daniel 12:2 KJV – And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
NIV – Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
He also reflects on six New Testament viewpoints, including the Word as shared by our Savior through the writing of Matthew, Luke, and John the Beloved before a single point from the Acts of the Apostles.
Matthew 28:19 KJV – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
NIV – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 16:16 KJV – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
NIV –Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Luke 20:37-38 KJV – Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush,
when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob.
38 For he is not a God of the dead,
but of the living: for all live unto him.
NIV – But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
John 3:5 KJV – Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
NIV – Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
John 5:28-29 KJV – Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that
have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation.
NIV – “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Acts 22:16 KJV – And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
NIV –And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
Something important about Christianity is found in the fact that we are willing to face danger to portray the truth of our faith and belief. This we see with our Outreach ministries all over the world. I’ve seen it in their actions and reactions, all through their ministries. This is what Paul experienced. This is what happened to all of the twelve Apostles. We have to be willing to face the ultimate danger for our faith and belief and portraying it.
1 Corinthians 15:30 KJV –And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
NIV – And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
Now, this time Paul only utilizes New Testament viewpoints. One of these is the most quoted sermon from Jesus Christ of Nazareth. That is the Sermon on the Mount. Paul then adds to that with more from our Savior in the gospel of John the Beloved, the writings of Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, the words of Peter, and the Hebrew prophets as well.
Matthew 5:10-12 KJV – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.
NIV
– Blessed
are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because
of me. 12 Rejoice and be
glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15:20 KJV – Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
NIV – Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Acts 20:22-24 KJV – And
now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life
dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of
God.
NIV – “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Hebrews 11:35-38 KJV – Women
received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being
destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in
deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
NIV –Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
1 Peter 4:12-14 KJV –Beloved, think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;
for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil
spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
NIV –Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Paul reminds us of the sacrifice we have to make every day by claiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It’s not an easy consideration and it can often cause us to wonder why people don’t understand it. It is so much to belong within the Spirit of our Lord and Savior because it is just as important to allow our mortal deaths while our spirits soar.
1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV –I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
NIV – I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul reinforces this by referencing his letters to Rome, Galatia, Philippi, and Thessalonica.
Romans 8:36 KJV – As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
NIV – As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Romans 12:1 KJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
NIV – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Galatians 2:20 KJV – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
NIV – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Philippians 3:1 KJV – Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
NIV –Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 KJV –And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
NIV –Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Again, Paul points toward the resurrection, as the hope that we all have toward eternal life. It’s possible for all who truly believe. He points out the fact that eternal life is the ultimate goal of Christian faith and belief. There are many, many reasons for us to pursue this belief. Eternal life is far more optimistic than eternal death. We all want to be able to find heaven is more than a hope or a dream it is real and Jesus Christ of Nazareth proves it.
1 Corinthians 15:32 KJV –If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
NIV – If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
Here are three Old Testament points to think about in the writings of what was traditionally considered to be King Solomon but has been attributed to a man known only as “Preacher” or “Teacher” Qohelet (koh-Hell-eth), and Paul’s go to prophet Isaiah.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 KJV – There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
NIV – A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJV – Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
NIV – So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
Isaiah 22:13 KJV – And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
NIV – But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!”
Paul includes two Gospel viewpoints from Matthew and John the Beloved as spoken by the Savior Yeshu Ha Notzri Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Matthew 16:26 KJV – For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
NIV – What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
John 5:28-29 KJV – Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
NIV –“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Our final verse today is one that makes us think even more. It is one that is offering a precautionary tale for all of us to recognize and realize. It’s also one that we should all think about for the next week to prepare us for what Paul shares next.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV –Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
NIV – Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Paul splits his references between the Old and New Testaments, three of them are from the Poetic Scrolls written by King David and King Solomon.
Psalm 1:1 KJV – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
NIV
– Blessed
is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
Proverbs 4:14-15 KJV – Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
NIV – Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
Proverbs 13:20 KJV – He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
NIV – Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Paul then adds two final thoughts through the words of James the Just, younger brother of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the first letter that John the Beloved wrote.
James 1:16 KJV – Do not err, my beloved brethren.
NIV –Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:7 KJV –Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
NIV –Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
We have a lot to learn in the realm of Scripture. Paul wants us to think about how we learn Scripture. He wants us to think about who we associate with on a daily basis. He wants us to prepare for the worst and hope for the ultimate best. We have so much to learn about Him in this world that we live. Our very faith and belief in His creation of the path of salvation. This is not just because of the fact that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Yeshu Ha Noztri, died for our sins and was raised from the dead to judge the living and the dead at the right hand of the Father in heaven. There is so much to learn from Scripture, in the beautiful gift that is our Savior. That is what Paul brings forward through his letter to Corinth here. One of the best ways that we can bring more faith and belief together with others is 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: God Be With You
~ 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment