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!
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