Sunday, August 31, 2014
Covenant Of Hope Ministries: Being There for One Another
Covenant Of Hope Ministries: Being There for One Another: Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries Good afternoon, and welcome to this Sunday Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries. I am Elder ...
Being There for One Another
Being There
for One Another
Wednesday
Sermon for Covenant of Hope Ministries
One of the
responsibilities we as Christians have is being there for one
another. Yes, the church leaders are supposed to be there for the
congregation but the congregation is supposed to be there for one
another and for the church leaders as well. After all, the church
leaders are still human and have troubles, needs, and joys just as
any other member has. Be there for one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 King James Version (KJV)
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
We are supposed
to be there for one another in bad times and in good. Besides people
having illnesses or great sorrows, they also have events like the
birth of a new child or grandchild, a promotion at work, a new house,
or any number of other things. We are to be compassionate and
empathetic with our fellow members. Be there for one another.
1 Corinthians 12:26 New International Version (NIV)
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.1 Corinthians 12:26King James Version (KJV)
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Here is another
verse that speaks of the same thing.
Romans 12:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.Romans 12:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Sometimes we get too involved in ourselves, in gossip, or in pointing out things wrong in others... which we shouldn't do... to notice or care if someone else is having a problem or a happy event. We are not to be selfish but to look to the needs of others as Christ did. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord. We are not to be vain or do things out of selfish ambition. We are to do things out of love for one another. Be there for one another.
Philippians 2:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Footnotes:
- Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
- Philippians
2:7 Or the form
Philippians 2:1-8 King James Version (KJV)
2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We
are not to be double minded, following both God and Satan. We are
not to follow the world and seek material riches which will crumble
but spiritual riches which will last an eternity in heaven. Be there
for one another.
James 4:4-10 New International Version (NIV)
4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Footnotes:
- James 4:4 An allusion to covenant unfaithfulness; see Hosea 3:1.
- James 4:5 Or that the spirit he caused to dwell in us envies intensely; or that the Spirit he caused to dwell in us longs jealously
- James
4:6 Prov. 3:34
James 4:4-10King James Version (KJV)
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Be
there for one another. Be there for your church leaders. Do what
you can to help others even if it's only a kind word. Everyone will
have disagreements now and then but we must do what we can to avoid
letting those disagreements interfere with the love of God. Be there
for one another includes your pastor, your deacons, your elders, and
your fellow brethren. We are all to love one another. That is what
Jesus taught his whole life.
Jesus
never advocated war. He taught us to forgive and turn the other
cheek. Settle your differences in as peaceful way as possible. Love
one another and forgive one another. Friends do whatever they can,
no matter how far away they are. Miles don't matter, understanding
and communication do. Be there for one another.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Unfinished Sermon/Study for Rev. Laura Neff
False
teachers and prophets
There seems
to be a rising trend today of people claiming that Jesus will make
you rich, that reptilian-human hybrids are ruling the world and
creating religions to control people, and some who completely deny
that any deity exists. There are also those promoting war and
violence, two things that Jesus never promoted. There are those who
are teaching that you are God and any number of things that might be
pleasing to the ears of their listeners. They don't really care
about what's true and what's not. Even when shown proof outside the
bible of Jesus' existence, they continue to deny that he existed.
Some claim that they are supporting love when they continually spout
hate and fear. Why is this? Let's look at Romans 16:17-19
Romans 16:17-19 New International Version (NIV)
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who
cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to
the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such
people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By
smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because
of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent
about what is evil.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Here's the
King James version for those of you who prefer it.
Romans 16:17-19King James Version (KJV)
17 Now
I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For
they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple.
19 For
your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on
your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good,
and simple concerning evil.
King
James Version (KJV)
Paul was
warning Christians to be aware of those who smooth talk and flatter
in order to distort the truth that they were taught. It seems that
there are many who are gullible today. This verse describes them as
“naive” or “simple” people. These are the kind of people
which charlatans prey upon. They will believe that Nigerian scammers
are going to send them $10 million if they just send in a $150
payment. They will consistently believe any story about a UFO,
Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or any other story that presents
itself. It's not necessarily their fault. They either haven't been
exposed to much education or haven't been exposed to the concept of
con artists. They are, basically, simple people and there is always
a con artist who is out to take advantage of them.
2 John 1:4-11 New International Version (NIV)
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children
walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And
now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have
had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And
this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have
heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge
Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world.
Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out
that you do not lose what we[a]
have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone
who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does
not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father
and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone
who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.
Footnotes:
- 2
John 1:8 Some manuscripts you
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
2 John 1:4-11King James Version (KJV)
4 I
rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we
have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And
now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment
unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one
another.
6 And
this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should
walk in it.
7 For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look
to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
Father and the Son.
10 If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God speed:
King
James Version (KJV)
John is warning people that those who do not teach that we should love one another and who deny that Jesus came in the flesh are antichrists. It says do not take him (or her) into your house or bid them God speed. What is God speed? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a prosperous journey.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex defines it as “1. an expression of one's good wishes for a person's success and safety
[C15: from
God spede may God prosper (you)]”
The NIV
leaves out the old term “God speed” but uses “welcomes them”
it its place. The basic idea of this though is that anyone who
welcomes them or wishes them a prosperous journey, success, or safety
is partaking in the same evil which they are promoting. You are
partaking in their wicked lies to deceive others whom they can find
that will believe them.
There are
people today who are proud to deny that Jesus ever existed despite
the evidence to the contrary. There are those who proudly proclaim
their atheism. There are those now who are proudly proclaiming their
Satanism. This is their right under the Constitution but those who
have done any serious study know that what they are promoting are
lies. Some of them may not think they are lies of Satan because they
don't believe in God or Satan but they are the most deceived. To
deny God and Satan, good and evil, even Yin and Yang if you're
Buddhist, is denial of what is inside each and every on of us. We
all have these negative and positive forces within us. There is a
Cherokee Legend which describes this fight that goes on within us.
From the website “First
People – The Legends”
Native American Legends
Two Wolves
A Cherokee Legend
An old Cherokee is teaching his
grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he
said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is
between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The
other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and
faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other
person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a
minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The
one you feed."
Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather said to his
grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an
injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great
hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they
do.
But hate wears you down, and does not
hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy
would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He
continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is
good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and
does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only
fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of
anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He
fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because
his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger
will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with
these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my
spirit."
The boy looked intently into his
Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly
said, "The one I feed."
1 Corinthians 15:30-34 New International Version (NIV)
30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I
face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in
Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 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.”[a]
for tomorrow we die.”[a]
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[b]
34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for
there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
Footnotes:
- 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
- 1
Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Corinthians 15:30-34 King James Version (KJV)
32 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.
34 Awake
to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of
God: I speak this to your shame.
King
James Version (KJV)
Paul was upset that some of their followers didn't have the knowledge of God. We are not to partake in the sin of others; in their lying; in their misleading; in their hateful misleading. Sometimes even when we hang around bad company to try to show them the love, peace, and truth that Christ brings, we can fall into a lull and start mimicking their ways. Those who have honestly tried to communicate with those who have no understanding of Christ know how great the temptation can be at times. It's easy to join along with them in their hateful blame and condemnation of others. In doing so, we feed that evil wolf inside us. Paul said that he died daily (to himself) that he could boast of their works in Christ Jesus yet he implored them to stop sinning... to stop being deceived by evil communications. He wanted them to stop being ignorant of the ways of the liars, the deceivers, and the con artists and to start teaching those who are simple of the knowledge of God. How did he know that they did not have knowledge of God? We have studied this recently and consistently.
1 John 4:8New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 John 4:8King James Version (KJV)
King
James Version (KJV)
John also
points out another way to know further on in verse 20.
1 John 4:20New International Version (NIV)
20 Whoever
claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For
whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,
cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 John 4:20King James Version (KJV)
20 If
a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God
whom he hath not seen?
King
James Version (KJV)
We can know
that those who are promoting tales of lizard people using religion to
control people, those who are teaching that we should hate and fear
all Muslims or anyone else, those who teach anything other than the
things that Jesus taught us are false teachers because they use fear
to control people. Their hearts are bound by hate. They cannot give
without expectation of something in return. They are suspicious of
anyone who is different than them. They THRIVE on hate whether or
not they realize it. Jesus taught us not to fear, but to love.
1 John 4:18-20 New International Version (NIV)
18 There
is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear
has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in
love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to
love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does
not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love
God, whom they have not seen.
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 John 4:18-20 King James Version (KJV)
18 There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
20 If
a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God
whom he hath not seen?
King
James Version (KJV)
If you
don't love your brothers and sisters in Christ, you are not living
the love of Christ. If you are hating your brothers and sisters in
Christ, you are doing the opposite of what Christ wants; therefore,
being an antichrist. In I John, we are warned that there are many
antichrists.
1 John 2:18 New International Version (NIV)
Warnings Against Denying the Son
18 Dear children, this is the
last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even
now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last
hour.
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 John 2:18 King James Version (KJV)
18 Little
children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist
shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that
it is the last time.
King
James Version (KJV)
This is just another sign that the times
are near. We've already seen “birthing pains” such as were
mentioned in Matthew 24. We've seen earthquakes in diverse places.
We've seen disasters that kill and mutate sea life. We've seen
tsunamis and all types of natural disasters in the last few years
that were predicted in the end times. About all we haven't seen is
Wormwood, Christians being killed worldwide, and “the abomination
of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.”
Revelation 8:10-11 King James Version (KJV)
10 And
the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven,
burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And
the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the
waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they
were made bitter.
King
James Version (KJV)
Revelation 8:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star,
blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and
on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is
Wormwood.[a]
A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the
waters that had become bitter.
Footnotes:
- Revelation
8:11 Wormwood is a bitter substance.
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
What is
this abomination of desolation that Daniel talks about?
Daniel 9:27 New International Version (NIV)
27 He
will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[a]
In the middle of the ‘seven’[b]
he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[c]
he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end
that is decreed is poured out on him.[d]”[e]
Footnotes:
- Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
- Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
- Daniel 9:27 Septuagint and Theodotion; Hebrew wing
- Daniel 9:27 Or it
- Daniel
9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the wing
of the abominable temple, until the end that is decreed is poured
out on the desolated city
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Daniel 9:27 King James Version (KJV)
27 And
he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the
midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to
cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it
desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be
poured upon the desolate.
King
James Version (KJV)
Some
believe that this is a reference to Jesus' death on the cross. There
are some key scriptures that might give us further understanding
though.
Luke 21:20New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Luke 21:20King James Version (KJV)
20 And
when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.
King
James Version (KJV)
Actually,
there are many theories based upon different verses as to what the
abomination of desolation is. Some believe that it is the turning of
the church