Let me begin by saying how saddened I was to learn of the carnage left behind by the tornadoes that ripped through the mid west. My brother, Greg, told me the storms were very powerful. Although all my family is fine, he told me his son, Chris, was very close to where one touched down. Our associate pastor, Bob Felber, is from Salyersville, Kentucky. Salyersville suffered a good deal of damage, but we praise the Lord his family was not injured in any way. When you say your prayers today, be sure to ask God’s blessings on those who were hurt, or who lost someone they loved. If you have ever suffered a major catastrophic storm, you can surely emphasize with these people. I have been through a category three hurricane, and believe me when I tell you that words cannot express the shock and horror you experience after it has passed. Going through a storm is not the hard part, although I do not mean to lessen it’s effects. The hard part comes after the storm passes. Then comes the time of dealing with things and emotions that you never dreamed you’d have to.
Thank you also for praying for my mom, Alene Cooper. She is doing much better since I last reported. She is able to swallow thin liquids once again, and her mind is sharp. I’m having some trouble understanding her because she has lost so much weight that her teeth no longer fit. If this the only lasting side effect of her ordeal, we will be pleased indeed. She still cannot stand or walk on her own, but the physical therapy people are confident that strength will return and that she’ll be up and about soon. If you would like to send her a card and let her know that you are praying for her, the address is Lois Alene Cooper; c/o Forest Hills Care Center; 8700 Moran Rd.; Cincinnati, Ohio 45244 Room 405B. Thanks again for your prayers. I am totally convinced that the prayers of God’s people are what have brought her through. I thank the Lord that He has seen fit to spare her.
The services at Friendship Harmony were good yesterday. Our folk love singing those tried and true hymns found in hymnals in many of our churches. Even though the weather was cold, rainy, and extremely windy, we had good attendance. I was pleased about that! After I preached the final message in the three part “Going Forward Series,” Pastor Bob Felber led us in our Communion Service. Pastor Felber conducted a beautiful Lord’s Supper, and it was a pleasure for me to get to sit in the congregation and receive the elements. I think the last time I received the supper without officiating was about twenty years ago. I am so blessed to be serving FHBC with my friend and colleague, Bob Felber!
Here are the sermon notes from yesterday. The point I hope people understood was that a good runner has a coach. Believers are in this race (called life) and we are blessed to have the best coach possible as we run it. Our coach: The Holy Spirit. I hope these notes are a blessing to you as you study God’s word.
Going Forward By Running
Various
Going Forward Series 1 of 3 By Victor Cooper
02/9,28,3-1,3,4/12
Intro: To conclude our Going Forward Series, we look at Going Forward By Running. In message one, we looked at Going Forward By Standing. In message two, it was Going Forward By Walking. In order to run, you must first be able to stand, then walk. This lesson is designed to help us run.
I. We go forward by running this race called life.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
A. Running. No option --- you’re in the race.
1. It’s not a race of “me against you.”
2. Every runner runs his/her race as best they can with the aid of the coach; the Holy Spirit.
B. Looking. The good runner has a focal point.
1. For the believer the focus should be on Christ.
2. The Christian runner gets into trouble when he/she takes their eyes off their focal point; the Lord Jesus.
C. Considering. Consider all Jesus endured.
Hebrews 12:3 (NLT) Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.
II. We go forward by running with good coaching.
Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
A. Adam Clarke Commentary I will run—The particle éë, which we translate when, should be translated because: Because thou shalt enlarge, or dilate, my heart; make plain my path by cleansing me from my impurity, and taking the hinderances out of my way. I will then run without dread of stumbling, and every day make sensible progress.
B. Solomon was given an “enlarged heart.”
1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
C. Largeness of heart has to do with expanding ones mind.
D. Essentially the psalmist in our verse above was saying,
[VCT] “Lord make me smarter so I can better apply thy words.”
1. Apply His words to what? To every aspect of life.
E. The runner is successful because of the coach!
III. We go forward by running according to the published plan.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
A. Is it possible to run without getting tired?
1. Physically, no. At some point even marathon runners’ bodies give out.
2. Spiritually, yes! To do so, you must follow the prescribed plan.
B. Habakkuk was instructed how to run.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
C. Paul assures us that running according to the Scriptures will not be a waste of our time.
Philip. 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Conclusion: We go forward for the Lord by standing, walking, and running --- all three. You do not pick one or two and do those.. Sometime it is necessary to stand while at other times it becomes necessary to walk, or even run.
I hope your week is a good one. I pray that as you run your race you are looking always to the coach and keeping you mind fixed on the goal. If I can ever help you with things like that, please let me know. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!
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