Easter 2011

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Did you have a happy Easter? I did. It was an absolutely awesome day at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. The day started with Miss Bessie and me arriving at the Church a few minutes before six. Bill and Patty Wolfe arrived just a few minutes later and we began setting up for the fellowship breakfast and the sunrise service. What a beautiful sunrise service it was! Wow!! We started the service at 5:45 and saw the sun as it rose over the tree-line in the field across the street from the Church. We were able to sit outside in the parking lot. God provided not only a gorgeous sunrise, but perfect weather as well. I challenged those present to always view a sunrise with resurrection in mind. A sunrise is a reminder of God bringing light out of darkness; a resurrection of a new day out from the darkest death of night. I issue that challenge to you, as well. The notes for the sunrise message are below. Originally I was only going to post the morning message notes, but the sunrise service was a real blessing to me too. I’m normally very critical of my preaching, but this message was one that I really enjoyed preaching. As always, the notes here there for your use.

God’s Greatest Plan
Various
By Victor W. Cooper
4/23/11

Intro: On what we know as Easter week, everything leading up to and including the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ was neither accidental, nor the result of situations out of control. Our LORD Jesus Christ was in command of it all, and the plan happened just as God had intended.

I. Jesus said it would happen. Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

II. The people said it would happen. Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

III. Pilate said it would happen. Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

IV. The chief priest thought he was strong. 2 Corinthians 13:4a For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.

V. It was the strength of God that raised Jesus! Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

VI. It was the strength of God that through the resurrection, Jesus is LORD and Christ i.e. Messiah. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that name Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Conclusion: To be right with God, one must be right with Jesus Christ.

After the sunrise service, we went back inside and enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by Sister Patty Wolfe. The food and fellowship was as good as the service we had just attended. From all of us, Thank You Patty for the scrumptious meal.

During our morning worship service, I concluded our current sermon series with the message, Jesus Our LORD. I have also included these notes for your study.

Jesus Our LORD
1 Corinthians 15:57
Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
4/23/11

Intro: On this Easter Sunday morning, we conclude our series with “Jesus Our Lord.” We have looked at Jesus Our Shepherd, Jesus Our Preacher, Jesus Our Teacher, and Jesus Our Savior.

I. In order to be your LORD, he must be all these other things first.
A. He must be your Preacher.
1. He must tell you you are a sinner in need of His forgiveness.
2. You must believe His message, confess your sin, and repent.
3. Is He your Preacher?
B. He must be your Savior.
1. If He is not your Savior, you are on a downhill spiral into damnation.
2. Is He your Savior?
C. He must be your Teacher.
1. Christ sends the Comforter, ie one like Him to guide and teach you.
2. Is He your Teacher? Have you read your textbook lately?
D. He must be your Shepherd.
1. Jesus said in John 10:14,27 “ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: “
2. Is He your Shepherd? Are you following Him?

II. The meaning of Lord.
A. — Easton's Illustrated Dictionary There are various Hebrew and Greek words so rendered.
(1.) Heb. Jehovah, has been rendered in the English Bible LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. The form "Jehovah" is retained only in Ex 6:3; Ps 83:18; Isa 12:2; Isa 26:4, both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.
(2.) Heb. 'adon, means one possessed of absolute control. It denotes a master, as of slaves (Gen 24:14, 27), or a ruler of his subjects (Gen 45:8), or a husband, as lord of his wife (Gen 18:12).
The old plural form of this Hebrew word is 'adonai. From a superstitious reverence for the name "Jehovah," the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name occurred, always pronounced it 'Adonai.
(3.) Greek kurios, a supreme master, etc. In the LXX. this is invariably used for "Jehovah" and "'Adonai."
B. — Teacher's Commentary Jesus as Lord (Luke 5:33-6:11). Jesus had demonstrated clearly who He is. How did those around Him respond?
Many hesitated. Jesus recognized the natural hesitation of men to try the new. In the illustration of the new wine (Luke 5:33-39), He noted that one who has been drinking an old wine will hesitate to turn to the new. That person will say, "The old is good." But after a time old wine turns sour. When it is time for the new, even the wineskins (which in Jesus' time served as bottles) must be fresh and new.
Jesus had come to bring in the new. Men must choose Him, or would find the old turning sour and worthless.

III. Jesus’ right to be LORD.
A. He is the Creator. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
B. He is The Son of God.
— AMG's Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Savior. He does not bear this title because of his miraculous birth, or because of his incarnation, his resurrection, and exaltation to the Father’s right hand. This is a title of nature and not of office. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert his true and proper divinity.
C. He is the sinless One. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
D. He is the crucified One. Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
E. He is the risen One! Matthew 28:6-7 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
` F. He is the coming One. Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Conclusion: Jesus is LORD! The question is, “Is He your LORD?

In closing, let me say Happy Birthday today to my brother Greg, and to his grand daughter Isabella who is one year old on her papaw’s birthday. How cool is that!? I can’t believe Greg is old enough to be a grandpa; I vividly remember the day he was born. I remember when mom and dad brought him home from the hospital. I was down playing in the sewer…. Well, I guess I’d better save that story for another time. Believe it or not, that is actually true.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

A Treat From Our Kitchen To Yours

Good Monday Morning To You!

I have to share a treat with you. I took a bit of a nap yesterday and was sleeping just fine. I awoke to smells that I thought were coming from the shores of Heaven. As I came back to full consciousness, I knew exactly what I was smelling: my daughter Michele was making her cheese-steak wraps. Oh my, what a treat! Michele, we call her Shelly, knows how much we all love them, so yesterday was our day. I told her I wanted the recipe so that I could share it with each of you. It is really easy to make, and believe it or not, if you use low sodium low fat deli roast beef, it works on a heart smart diet. I also recommend low fat mayo. She gave me her recipe, so here it is for you to enjoy as well.

WARNING: SLIGHTLY ADDICTIVE!!! Ingredients: Extra large flour tortilla shells; Swiss cheese; Roast Beef; Green Peppers; Onions; Mayonnaise; Horseradish Sauce; Butter. Caramelize the onions and green peppers in a bit of butter. Set oven to 375 (degrees) and lay wraps out. Spread mayonnaise and horseradish sauce out on half the wrap. Add roast beef and layer onions and peppers over roast beef. Cover with Swiss cheese and wrap up. It is easiest to flip the edge of the wrap over then grab both sides and fold them. Keep rolling until closed. Warm in oven for 10-13 minutes or until slightly crisp and golden. Be careful they are extremely hot to eat!
By: Michele Cooper

In mine, she either leaves out the green peppers, or uses very few. I like peppers, but they do not like me. Try these for lunch or supper soon then let me know how you liked them. I’ll be sure to tell her. Michele is revamping her online business. Her shop is called bebe chat and features vintage accessories and jewelry that women seem to enjoy. Her shop can be visited online by going to www.bebechat.etsy.com. Her mother wore a yellow rose necklace to church today that Shelly made. Maybe I’m bragging, but it looked nice, and several ladies commented to her about it. In Etsy it is very difficult to open a shop with an original name. Shelly is a cat lover, so she wanted to name her shop Cat Baby. That name was taken, so I told her cat baby was pronounced bebe chat in French. She looked it up and discovered the name was available, so her web site was opened. All her things are painstakingly hand crafted, so if you’re interested in those things, or even just curious, go to her site and check it out.

Yesterday was an ultra super day at Friendship Harmony. We were privileged to baptize four fine people. We had two sets of husband and wife families that followed the LORD in believer’s baptism. What a blessing it was! The sermon title was “Jesus Our Savior.” I talked about Christ being either a savior, the Savior, or your Savior. I asked which is He to you? My four points were Jesus was a prophesied Savior, Jesus was a needed Savior, Jesus was/is a sufficient Savior, and Jesus is a coming Savior. Point four did not deal with Christ’s coming in a prophetic way, known as eschatological, but in the sense of for the sake of our salvation, known as soteriological. Below are the notes which you are free to use for your personal Bible studies. Other clergy are free to use them as well.

Jesus Our Savior
Various
Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
April 16, 2011

Intro: Today we continue with a series of messages focusing on what Jesus is to us, or could be to you if you have not yet received His love and pardon. We have examined the topics Jesus Our Shepherd, Jesus Our Preacher, and Jesus Our Teacher. Today we will see Jesus Our Savior. Next week we conclude with Jesus Our LORD.

I. Jesus was a prophesied Savior.
A. Zechariah foretold it. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
B. Mark verifies it. Mark 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
C. Joseph had been told. Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

II. Jesus was a needed Savior.
` A. All humanity from Adam forward has sinned.
1. Paul told the Romans, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:…”
Romans 5:12
2. King David knew it. Psalm 51:1-5 (Read)
3. Isaiah had declared it. Isaiah 41:26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

III. Jesus was/is a sufficient Savior.
A. The Father declared his sufficiency.
Matthew 3:17 & Matthew 17:5 …This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
B. Paul testified to it. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

IV. Jesus is a coming Savior.
A. `He promised! John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
B. Our Salvation depends on it
1. A believer’s current condition:
A. I have been saved.
B. I are being saved.
2. A believer’s future condition:
A. I will be saved.
C. Our Savior will complete what He starts.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Conclusion: Jesus is to everyone on earth one of three kinds of Savior. He is either a Savior, the Savior, or your Savior. Which is He to You? Which do you want Him to be?

Delivered to The Friendship Harmony Baptist Church Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011.

I hope you have a nice week ahead of you. I am always honored when someone tells me how this blog has been a blessing to them. That is exactly the reason why I write it. I also enjoy when you write back and tell me about what is going on with you. My E-mail address is
preachercooper@hotmail.com if you ever want to write. Enjoy this Easter week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Vic and Bess In Gainesville

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope your week was as good as mine. Miss Bessie and I traveled to Gainesville, Florida to attend a Church Planter’s Meeting sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention. Florida Baptists are renowned throughout the entire Southern Baptist Convention for their efforts, abilities, and successes in church planting. The course is recognized by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and continuing education credits are given by that institution. It was an intense learning time, but such a blessing. As a side benefit, we met many people and made some new friends. The LORD was good, we learned much, and getting away for a few nights was just the right prescriptive for us.

When the conference ended, we stayed an extra day because Bess was attending the Son Shine ladies conference at Lake Yale the next two days. We had some free time and someone from Gainesville had recommended the Museum of Natural History to us. We went and all I can say is Wow!!! The museum is on the campus of the University of Florida and it is indeed a first class place. The admission is free, but donations are accepted. Some exhibits have a small fee, but those costs are low and well worth it. One exhibit we saw was the butterflies. You walked out a door into a replica of a rain forest. Inside were many species of butterflies, finches, and turtles. There were plants and waterfalls as well. As you walked along the trail, there were places you could sit and just enjoy the tranquility of the place. As you were sitting, a butterfly might very well come and land on you. It was such a treat to have these colorful little creatures come and sit with you. I thought when God created these little guys, He was aiming for gentle beauty; the butterflies certainly fill the bill. We would like to go back one day and finish our tour of this museum. Right next door to it is the Art Museum. Bess and I would like to visit there as well. Is there a museum of natural history near to where you live? Have you ever visited? If you have never, or if it has been a while, let me encourage you to go. If you are ever in the Gainesville, Florida area, do yourself a favor and plan on visiting this museum. Tell the butterflies Pastor Vic said hello; I met quite a few of them up close and personal.

Yesterday was another great day at Friendship Harmony. The Holy Spirit seemed to fill the room with His presence. It was such an honor to be there and to meet with the LORD. My message continued our Jesus Our… series. I preached Jesus our Teacher. Past topics included Jesus Our Shepherd, and Jesus Our Preacher. If you did not get any of those notes, simply scroll down to the blogs from the past two weeks. The notes from yesterday’s message can be found below.

Jesus Our Teacher
Acts 1:1
Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
April 8,9 2011

Intro: Today we continue with a series of messages focusing on what Jesus is to us, or could be to you if you have not yet received His love and pardon. We have examined the topics Jesus Our Shepherd and Jesus our Preacher. Today we will see Jesus as our Teacher. In the future we will examine Jesus our Savior and Jesus our LORD.

I. He taught men the reality of their sin.
A. The thief realized it. Luke 23: 39-43
B. The man sick with palsey. Matthew 9: 1-8
C Jesus stated it. Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. ///
Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

II. He taught men the way to God.
A. Jesus said He was the way to the Father.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
B. Twice God the Father agreed.
Matthew 3:17 &Matthew 17:5 17This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
C. Jesus taught He is…
1. … the bread of life. John 6:35
2. … the door. John 10:7
3. … the Son of God. John 10:36

III. Jesus taught men of Himself.
A. Jesus challenged men to learn of Him.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
B. His mother told the people to listen to Jesus.
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
C. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach Him. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
D. Paul believed in preaching and teaching Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
E. The early church taught Jesus. Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Delivered to The Friendship Harmony Baptist Church 4/10/11/a.m. service.

Have a good week. Stay safe and healthy. Pray for Vic and Bess as we get back into the swing of things this upcoming week. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Will The Real Victor Cooper Please Stand Up!

Good Monday Morning To You!

It’s always good to see you and visit with you. Thank you for inviting me into your home, office, or wherever we happen to meet. Some people have asked since my last two blogs, “Are you really adopted?” Others, knowing my inability to play it straight said, “Print the real truth about who you are.” The real me is pretty boring, but I’ve decided today to play it straight and tell you some about the real me. First of all, I am definitely not adopted. I was born to Howard and Alene Cooper in Cincinnati, Ohio in the mid-fifties. I grew up in several Cincinnati neighborhoods, but all within walking distance of city limits. Until I was five years old, we did live inside the city. In the late fifties we moved to a little independent village totally surrounded by Cincinnati called Elmwood Place. We stayed there until I finished the sixth grade. If the school had not bought the property, we might be there still. My parents then bought a home in Norwood in which my mom still resides. Norwood, also, is an independent city surrounded by Cincinnati. In fact, I read somewhere that Norwood, Ohio is the largest city in the world to be totally surrounded by another city. That’s pretty cool if its true! The best four years of my life were spent at Norwood High School. In fact, it was one of my teachers, Mr. J. R. Phillips, who instilled in me the confidence that I carry around to this day. As you probably already know I am a Cincinnati Reds fan. Whenever I’m in Cincy, I try to take in a game or two. Often I plan my vacation with the home schedule in mind

As I type these words, Bess and I are in Gainesville, Florida for a four day Bible Conference sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention. This conference centers around church planting, i.e. starting churches. They will share with us things others have successfully done in the past, as well as ideas that have been tried and that have failed. They gave us some pre-conference materials to study in order to be ready for this intense conference. I am prepared and very excited about these classes. I’m quite tired, though. We left after Church yesterday morning and had a nice trip. We stopped at a rest area and had a picnic lunch with our son Kevin and his student. He is teaching a friend how to drive a semi. Kevin had been home, and was driving to Atlanta to get back to his truck. We used to stop and picnic alongside the road often with the kids when they were little and we were on family vacations. We did it when I was a kid, too.

Yesterday I continued a series of sermons dealing with our relationship with Jesus. The series is titled Jesus Our …. Today we examined the topic, Jesus Our Preacher. Did you ever think of Jesus as a preacher? Yet, He was! The notes are enclosed for your personal Bible study. I do hope they help.

Jesus Our Preacher

Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
03/30,31-4/1-3/11

Intro: Today we continue with a series of messages focusing on what Jesus is to us, or could be to you if you have not yet received His love and pardon. We have examined the topic Jesus Our Shepherd. Today we will see Jesus as our Preacher. In the future we will examine Jesus our Teacher, Jesus our Savior and Jesus our LORD.

I. A preacher is…
A. In the OT an assembler; a lecturer.
1. It is used 7 times, all in the Book of Ecclesiastes.
B. In the NT it is used 4 times in four books and means a herald; a proclaimed of Gospel truth.
C. Paul claimed to be a preacher.

II. A preacher warns.
A. Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (John)
B. Matthew 24:1-2 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
C. Mark 14:27-30 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

III. A preacher proclaims the Good News.
A. Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
B. John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
C. John 14:6 / John 15:9 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Conclusion: The Preacher, Jesus’ message is still the same today. Listen as He proclaims the Good News to you.
John 3:16-19 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.


Delivered 4/3/11 to The Friendship Harmony Baptist Church

Have a good week. Maybe in the future I will tell you a little more about Pastor Vic. Maybe you can write and share some of your experiences with me. I enjoy when you write or call. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!