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.
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