Un

Good Monday Morning to you. I Hope your had a good week. Last week for me was extremely busy. I had several people each in different hospitals. One man, Ken Long, sure needs your prayers. He has had a tough recovery since his accident. Please pray for both him and Lois.

Some of you have asked about my wife, Miss Bessie. She is doing much better. As you know, she had been experiencing terrible pain in her stomach. The doctors ran many tests and finally her gastro doctor found her problem. He did a procedure called an ERCP. It was cut – cut, snip – snip, and he felt confident that her pain should go away. Indeed it has! She spent two nights in the hospital, and says it feels good not to wake up every morning with that pain. If you're in our area and ever need a gastro doctor, I highly recommend Dr. James Penuel. He is an awesome doctor and a fine human being. Bess and I really like him both professionally and personally. Miss Bessie is mending now and is a bit sore, but she sure appreciates the prayers.

Yesterday was an awesome day at Friendship Harmony. I thought we had a fine service. The music was tremendous, but it always is. Ken and Margaret Birdsong, our music leaders have been doing a private Bible study at home on the fruit of the Spirit. He picks songs to reflect that. Last week was love, while this week was joy. Next week will be peace. Maybe you could join in too. The fruit of the Spirit can be found in Galatians 5:22,23 and Ephesians 5:9.

Yesterday's sermon was called “Un.” I know that is an unusual title, but we looked at words that begin with the prefix “un.” These words concern our salvation. Our salvation is undeserved, unearned, and unaffordable. The notes, which you are welcome to use for your private Bible study, are below.

“Un”
Various
By Victor Cooper
11/1-5/11

Intro: When it comes to salvation, there are some “un” words we kneed to know; words with the prefix “u-n.” Our final word, which I shall introduce in my conclusion is unnecessary.

I. Your salvation is unmerited i.e. undeserved.
Ephes. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
A. If you deserved it, it would be a right, not a gift.
B. You were not born saved. John 8:44a Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
C. Believers are adopted.
Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
D. If it was your right, God would not have had to choose you. 2 Thes. 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: [14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II. Your salvation is unearned. 2 Tim. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
A. If it was according to works, it would be salary i.e. earned.
B. It was according to His pleasure. Ephes. 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
C. You cannot be good enough or work hard enough to earn it. Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;


III. Your salvation is unaffordable.
1 Cor. 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
A. Price yes, but at what cost?
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1. Quote: Matthew Henry Commentary
Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master’s use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord’s, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are His.


Conclusion: Our final word, as I mentioned in the introduction is unforgiven, and as we have discovered is unnecessary.
Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations2352. Gravestone: “Forgiven” (Only)
Not far from New York, there is a cemetery with a grave, which has inscribed upon its headstone just one word—“Forgiven.”
There is no name, no date of birth or death. The stone is unembellished by the sculptor’s art. There is no epitaph, no fulsome eulogy—just that one word, “Forgiven.”
But that is the greatest thing that can be said of any man, or written upon his grave, “Forgiven.”
Have you been forgiven, or are you yet Unforgiven?



Our winter visitors are starting to return. It is so good to see them. If you are getting ready to head south, be careful as you travel. For those of you who live up north full time, stay safe, healthy and warm No matter who you are, I'll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!