It sure is soggy here. We’ve had more rain than any group of people deserves. It is our rainy season, but even by our standards it seems to be wetter than usual. Our temps here are nice, but I know many of you have had 100 degrees or more on your thermometers for quite awhile. I like hot weather, but that would be a bit much. I’d send you some of our rain if I could, but unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.
I’d like to report to you that we are beginning to receive donations for our video ministry. Our goal is $500. We are nearly one third of the way there! To those who have sent donations, let me say “thank you.” I do not know who gives and how much. Our treasurer and his team wisely shield me from the responsibility of knowing who gives. I do not think the Pastor should know information like that. Even on Sunday when the offering is received, I lower my head and do not watch. Again though, if you have sent a donation, it is greatly appreciated. If you plan to, but haven’t done so yet, please consider doing it soon. The sooner we purchase the equipment, the sooner we can bring Friendship Harmony right into your home. Even more important, soon we can reach out to believers and non believers all over the world. Besides the United States, this blog is being read by people in Canada, Greece, Brazil, Russia, Australia, India, and several other countries. Our largest group (other than the U.S.) is China. When I first started preaching back in 1972, I didn’t dare even dream of reaching so far. The Lord had other plans, and I believe that the Apostles would have made full use of every means available in spreading the Gospel. I can see it now, “Monday Morning With Peter, James, and John.”
If you can send a gift of any size, please send it to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida 33956. Be sure to mark on your check “video” so that the finance committee knows where to direct it.
We all learned a new song yesterday. It is called, “’Tis Burning In My Soul.” Do you know it? None of us had ever heard it before, but the words were really good. Karan Berry played through it once for us, and it was an easy song to learn. We plan to sing it again next week, so that we learn it well. If your church is like ours, there are many good songs in the hymnal we do not know. Sometime it is a blessing to learn a new one. Our “new one” was written in 1858, but it was new to us. Perhaps if you are a Minister of Music you might try adding in an unknown song on occasion - it was a real blessing for us.
Yesterday I continued our expository journey through Jude. I preached verses 3 and 4, “Common Salvation.” Please understand that the term common salvation does not mean that salvation is ordinary, mundane, or trite. It means that each of us who are saved were saved the same way; we have that in common. I’ve put the notes on here for your use in your Bible Study, Sunday School class, or teaching of God’s word. Hopefully soon, you will be able to see and hear the message being delivered while you follow along with your notes. Granted I look better on radio than I do on video, but so much more is added in the actual sermon as it is being delivered. The notes will be more helpful when you can get the entire message, and the “feel” of it. I hope they are a blessing to you.
Common Salvation ©
Jude v 3,4
By Victor Cooper
Encouragement From Jude
Series 7/10,12,13,14?12
Intro: What is so common about salvation? Jude wanted to speak of it, but the infiltration of false teachers into the church necessitated that he address that issue.
I. v2 “ …gave all diligence…” his desire
A. Common Salvation
1. We are all saved the same way.
(a.) Admitting to being a sinner
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(b.) Believing and receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
(c.) Confess Christ
Romans 10:9 / 1 John 4:15 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. / Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2. Your salvation is not inferior or superior to mine. How we were saved is what wee have in common.
3. Peoples stories differ about how they came to Christ.
B. “…earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.”
1. Stick with what the Bible teaches.
“Love God’s Word. Love it more than life itself. Peter confessed to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Read God’s Word.
Study God’s Word.
Accept God’s Word.
Don’t rationalize it,
Don’t editorialize it,
Don’t spiritualize it,
Don’t marginalize it,
and
Don’t neutralize it.”
Pastor Vic Cooper 2008
II. V3 “…crept in unawares…”
A. Sneaked in by deceit.
B. Sneaked in by church sleepiness.
C. Sneaked in by church apathy
D. Sneaked in by church sissiness. …
III. “… turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness…”
A. Called libertinism.
Bible Knowledge Commentary
The intrusion of the libertines refers to outsiders who would poison the church and who should be rejected. These apostates were not followers of Christ who had erred, but intruders who did not belong and who sought to wreck the believers’ faith.
Claiming liberty in Christ, they interpreted His grace as license to do what their flesh desired with no inhibitions. Their libertinism turned grace into barbarous licentiousness. These antinomians declared that since the flesh was not created by God, it was proper to give in to its desires. Not surprisingly, this perversion in practice was accompanied by a perversion in doctrine—a denial of the person and authority of Jesus Christ.
IV. “…denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A. Denying that Jesus is the Son of God.
B. Remember from John 4:15, Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Conclusion: Jude wanted to speak of more spiritually pleasant things, but the seriousness of the problem caused by the false teachers had to be dealt with. All God’s children must be on guard against those who teach the Bible falsely, or out and out deny its legitimacy as God’s inspired perfect word.
I do hope you have a good and pleasant week. Try to stay cool, and if you have any health issues, please let good common sense be your guide. I really want to see all of you again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.
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