Of all the stories I have written these past few years, none has received any more attention than the one about Theodore the chicken. If you didn’t read that story from September 16, 2012, scroll down and read it, then come back to this one. My story about Theodore is all true, with no embellishments. We actually did have a pet rooster named Theodore. While I realize many country kids have pet chickens, goats, and hogs, I am not a country boy. I’m a city boy. I grew up in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is a large metropolitan area. I like the country, and both my parents are country folk, but I like the city. Yes, we had a pet rooster right in the heart of the big city. Theodore was mean; only my dad, my brother, or I could even get near him. The poor mailman had to cross the street to pass. For some reason, Theodore did let the milkman come up on HIS porch. Theodore had his most fun chasing mom all over the yard. She’d try to hang her laundry out to dry, but whenever she walked out into the yard, Theodore would chase her all over the place. I don’t know who made the most noise: mom or Theodore. Poor Theodore couldn’t help it, he had severe mental issues. He was one of those colored chicks you could buy at Easter that had been dyed various colors. Most of the birds died within a few days due to the dye, but Theodore lived. We’re convinced, however, that the coloring agent used on him affected his mind.
I can’t tell you how many people have asked me, “Whatever happened to Theodore?” One dear lady at Friendship Harmony wanted to know if Theodore was executed for his crimes. As mean as he was to mom, her heart was too tender to pass the death sentence. Instead, Theodore was deported. Dad worked with a man who owned a farm out in the country, and Theodore was exiled to another home. We would never see him again and I really do not know what became of him. For those of you who know my mom, ask her. I imagine the story we were told of him being happy with the other chickens was not entirely true. I believe the truth is that Theodore became the special guest at a chicken and dumpling dinner, but I really do not know.
What I do know is that the services at Friendship Harmony were awesome yesterday! We had a tremendous Sunday School lesson taught by Burt Nelson, retired professor of geography from Central Michigan University. Both Pastor Felber and I learned things we had never considered before. It is such a privilege to learn from God’s word. Our song service was good, too. Right now we are getting by using pre-recorded music. This is working out well, but with our sound system being in the shop, it is a bit hard hearing the music. We did the best we could and God certainly blessed the effort.
The message title was, “Better Than Hollywood.” We saw that although the Hollywood make up artists are super at their craft, what they provide is an illusion and is temporary. The new body receivers of Christ will one day possess are real and eternal. The sermon notes are below. I hope they help you in your personal Bible study. As always, if you have any questions or comments, be sure to let me hear from you. My e-mail address is preachercooper@hotmail.com.
Better Than Hollywood ©
Philippians 3:20,21
By Victor Cooper
10/22-27/12
Intro: Hollywood make-up artists are expert at making people look totally different than they really are. They can create the illusion of age out of youth, or youth out of age. They can take a normal human body and give it the appearance of perfection. However, at the end of the day’s filming, it all goes back to its original. Today we will see how our new body, shaped by Jesus Himself, will be no illusion and will not be temporary.
Our new bodies will be incorruptible, incomprehensible, and incapable of sin.
I. Incorruptible.. Synonymous with imperishable; immortal.
Def. Imperishable; lasting forever; deathless; ageless; eternal, ever living. God is said to be “incorruptible” (aphthartou) which means non-decaying, imperishable, unchanging,
and unaging.
1 Corinthians 15:42,43; 50-56
A. Incorruption is a necessity. 1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1. Paul believed it v50 (Read) Living or dead makes no difference.
2. Isaiah believed it. Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
3. Job believed it. Job 19:26 (NLT) And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!
4. Jesus Himself taught it. Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
B. Incorruption is a gift. 1 Cor. 15:42,43
1 Six times we read, “it is sown,” “it is raised.”
2. Someone has to do the sowing and the raising.
3. Man sows: v45-47 ‘earthy.”
[b] Man is of the earth. cf. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man me a living soul.
4. Christ raises. v47b refers back to v45.
II. Incomprehensible. def. 1. incapable of being understood; 2 (archaic) limitless; boundless
1 Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
A. This section is hard to explain --- remember the new body is incomprehensible.
B. Paul couldn’t explain it. 1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part…
C. God told Isaiah why it could not be totally understood.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
D. Paul understood “ …even so the things of God knoweth no man,” 1 Cor. 2:11b
E. This is where faith comes in. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: “If you can trust God with your salvation, you can trust Him with everything else.” Pastor Victor Cooper
III. Incapable of sin. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
A. It is the final step in the sanctification process: I have been saved (from the penalty of sin,) I am being saved (from the power of sin,) I will be saved (from the presence of sin.)
B. This is also known as glorification.
1. It occurs at either death or rapture.
C. “… we shall se Him as He is.” The question then --- “How or what “is He?”
1. Hebrews 9:28b …he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
2. Key phrase, “without sin.”
3. We shall be like Him; without sin!
Conclusion: No wonder the hymn writer could say, “What a day, glorious day that will be.”. Only believers will receive the new body which is incorruptible, incomprehensible, and incapable of sin. Are you absolutely sure one awaits you?
I hope you have a blessed, safe, and healthy week. For those of you who will be traveling back to Florida this week, stay safe on those roads. I hear that some areas will be getting some snow. Brrrrr! Forget that mess and come on down. Our temps are projected to be in the low to mid 70’s. No snow is predicted for the Ft. Myers area in the near (or distant) future. However, if you can’t come down, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.
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