Traditions

Good Monday Morning To You!

As if I need to tell you, the holiday season is in full swing. It is neat that the holiday “Big Three” come so close together. Many families have traditions they enjoy every year. Does your family have any? Maybe it’s a gathering at a special place, or maybe it is a particular dish. For our family, the tradition was to always begin our Christmas celebration on December 24th at 6:00 p.m. At that time, we read the Christmas story. Nothing else would happen until the Christmas story was read. My parents wanted their two boys to know that Christmas was not about presents and food, but that it was a celebration of Jesus’ birth. The next day was the Christmas meal, and it always included a ham. To this day we eat ham at Christmas. Now let me stop and ask you if your Christmas meal features a ham. Well? Does it? Think about it: celebrating the birth of a little Jewish boy with ham? Hmmm.

We had another tradition in our family. We had hamburgers every Thursday. Dad was paid each Thursday and we would go to Alber’s Grocery Store and shop for the week. After Alber’s closed, once a week I was sent to the butcher shop about three blocks from the house. The tradition remained well past my high school years and was only altered once. At some point cheese was added to the burgers. To this day, I would rather have a home made cheeseburger than to have water to drink or air to breathe. Yum - Yum!

Yesterday was a fantastic day at Friendship Harmony. The attendance was good, and you could feel the presence of the LORD. We had a young lady from West Virginia visiting, and she sang her version of Amazing Grace. Wow!! That girl could sing! It was one of the finest versions of Amazing Grace I have ever heard. I hope she will sing for us again one day soon.

The morning message was from Psalm 15 where David asked, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” He goes on in the next four verses and answers the question. Spend just a few minutes reading the psalm. If you are a believer, I’m sure you want to have a nearness to your LORD. Psalm 15 tells you how. Remember, David gives an answer, not an option. Also, the answer is complete. You do not pick and choose through the list. It must be an entire description of how you are living your life, although for some, performing two or three would be an improvement.

Here is a little update on the progress of the video ministry. One day this week, some of us will be meeting with a computer tech who will assist us on the process of uploading to the internet, so that you will be able to hear and see the morning message. We will keep you updated as we know more.

Have a good week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

The Power Of A Mother!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

Yesterday in my morning message, I gave an example using my papaw, Austin Emery. For you city folks, “papaw” is country for “grandfather.” He died in 1960, but I remember him well. I was his first grandchild, and for a long time, I was his only grandchild. Austin and Ruby Emery were my mom’s parents. They lived in Harlan County, Kentucky in a place called Shields. Back in 1960, the drive from our house in Cincinnati to Shields took seven hours just as hard as you could drive. My papaw Emery thought I was the greatest thing that had ever happened. I never had to ask for anything. All I ever had to do was just look at it, and it was mine. I wasn’t spoiled, I was just very well supplied. One time, we were at their house and a traveling carnival had come. Papaw took me to it, and they had a pony tied to a pole. They gave rides to the kids on the pony’s back. He would walk around in a circle, led by a man while tied to that pole. Papaw told the man to let me ride for as long as I wanted. I do not remember how many circles I made, but I remember I had finally had enough of the ride. I actually rode until I was sick. Papaw asked me if I had liked the pony, and I said yes. He then asked me if I wanted one. What five year old could turn down something like that? Absolutely I wanted one, and I knew I would get it. Remember, I had a pet chicken, so a pony should be no problem. Right? Wrong! Remember, I was a city boy living in the heart of the big city. City boys did not keep horses. They didn’t have pet roosters either, but we did. There was two obstacles to me having my pony. Number one, I have already mentioned; we lived in the city. We had a good sized yard, and to this day I believe we could have done it, but realism tells me no. My number two obstacle was even harder to overcome --- my mom. She said no pony. I couldn’t believe it! I told her, “You can’t tell him no, he’s your dad! You have to obey him!” I was taught I had to obey my parents, so why didn't she have to obey hers? All my arguing was to no avail, until papaw had a great idea. He would buy the pony, put it at his place, and I could come home with them for a few weeks. It seemed like the perfect solution. There was just one obstacle to overcome --- mom. She said no pony, no where. Even at age five I was flabbergasted. Now she is telling her dad he could not buy a pony and keep it at his house. I decided right then if I ever had any children of my own, and they told me I couldn’t have something at my own house, I would knock them into the middle of next month. After all, my papaw and mamaw did not live in the city. They lived in the country. The country is a great place for a horse. Right? Not necessarily! My family did not come from a farm, they came from a coal mining camp. Papaw’s yard in Shields was smaller than our yard in Cincinnati. I was not going to get my pony. This story took place fifty two years ago, and to this date, I have never owned one

One other thing I might mention: remember me saying what I’d do if one of my kids ever tried a stunt like that? Not too many years ago my grandson, Nathan, called me with a problem he was having with his mother. There was something he wanted to do and she had said no. He decided that since I was her dad, I could over ride her, and she’d have to listen. When he told me what it was he wanted, it sounded perfectly reasonable to me. So I spoke to Amanda about it. After all I am the dad, and I have veto power. Right? Wrong! Amanda told me why she had said no. It sounded perfectly reasonable to me, but I’m still the dad and I remembered what I had thought when I was told papaw Emery could not buy me a pony either in Kentucky or Ohio. I appealed to my daughter on behalf of my grandson. Amanda said, “Alright, load yourself on a jet and fly down to Texas, then you handle it.” Poor Nathan, he didn’t have his desire either. However, he did get something good out of it. He’s got some good material for his own blog fifty two years from now.

On a bittersweet note, we said good bye to one of our own this past Thursday. Mary Fields, who had returned to her home place in West Virginia, went home to be with the Lord. Mary had been sick for quite some time, but now she is whole, healed, and happy. Wiley, her husband of sixty one years, will miss her terribly. I ask you to pray the Lord’s comfort for him and their family during this time of sorrow. Remember, in the Bible, death does not mean cessation, it means separation. Although Mary has been separated from us, she has been ushered into the presence of her Lord, Jesus Christ. If that’s not enough to be joyful about, one day she and Wiley will once again be reunited. Although God might separate our loved ones from us, He also specializes in resurrections. As the old song says, “There’s gonna be a great gittin’ up morning one day.” Hallelujah!!

My sermon this coming Sunday will be, “The Most Quoted Verse From The Bible That Is Not There.“ What is it? Why don’t you e-mail me your guess. We’ll discuss it next week.

From the entire Cooper family, have a good and wonderful Thanksgiving this coming Thursday, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic

It Really Happened!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

I’ve got to tell you what I saw the other day. It confirms what Paul said in Romans 3:10, “… for there is none righteous, no not one.” I saw humanity at its worst; man in a state of total depravity. I was eating in a fast food restaurant this past Friday, and was sitting across from the Coke station. A woman was getting out of her chair to go up to the counter when something happened and she took a nasty fall. I got up to help her, as did several other people, when this man approached to refill his Coke glass. This lady who had fallen was blocking his path to the refill station, so he stepped right over her and proceeded to fill his cup. I could not believe my eyes. He walked over her like she wasn’t even there. He didn’t even look at her! I have seen some cold, callous, insensitive people before, but I never thought I’d see something like that. I am 58 years old and have been in the ministry for the past 40 years, and never have I ever witnessed something so cruel. I’ve seen people at their worst, but this guy is at the bottom of the barrel. What would you have done? I’m sure the vast majority of you would have offered to help. One man, sitting on the other side of the establishment, came over and asked if he could be of assistance. What a contrast! One man was concerned, while the other was simply hard core mean. I hope if that man ever falls, there is someone there to help. You do not repay an unkind act with an unkind act. That is not what Jesus taught. Jesus taught that we should turn the other cheek when slapped. That goes against our human nature. We want to repay a slap with a right hook to the face. There again, that is not what Jesus taught. Jesus taught that how we treat others is the same as treating Him in like manner. Some of you reading this might be thinking, “but that rude, hateful, little man deserves some sort of retribution for his vile deed.” Don’t worry about him nor anyone like him. God said, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” (Romans 12:19b) Believe me when I tell you, God can dish out a lot more judgment than you or I can. Let me throw in a warning here. Don’t ask God to take vengeance. Just leave it in His hands. He will deal with it, you just go on loving Him and living the life He has given you.

Now that I have concluded my rant, let me give you some exciting news. The video ministry is one step closer to being ready to launch. Last Monday, some of us traveled to central Florida to meet with a colleague that is very tech savvy. We learned much, and yesterday in church, we used the video equipment for the first time. The idea was to record it, then look at things like lighting, angles, etc. We will keep you posted on this blog and in the Church bulletins as to when we have uploaded to the net, and how to see us. Hopefully soon --- very soon.

Our service at Friendship Harmony yesterday was glorious! We all went home saying how good it had been to be in the house of the LORD. I preached a very Baptist message. It was extremely narrow minded. I preached that there was no other way to Heaven except through Jesus Christ. Imagine that!!! Some would say, “What a narrow minded preacher.” Don’t fuss at me: I didn’t say it, God said it. If it’s good enough for Him, it’s good enough for me. The notes are below. I hope they are a blessing to you.

The One And Only ©
Various
09/26/09
updated 11/10/11
By Victor Cooper

Do you have any spiritual needs? All people do in varying degrees through out their lives. How are you trying to satisfy those needs. There is an answer: Jesus Christ. He is the One and Only answer for whatever your needs might be. Forget that other stuff --- Jesus in your answer.

I. The Only Intercessor Isaiah 59:15-16 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. [16] And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Def. intercessor’s prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another

A. God knew an intercessor was needed.
B. We needed someone praying for us who could get access to God.
C. Jesus has instant and continual access to the Father.
D. Christians also have access to the Father by the Spirit through the blood of Christ. Ephes. 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

II. The Only Remedy John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
A. Salvation is exclusive. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
B. Sin is inclusive. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
C. The remedy of salvation can only be provided by one who can bridge the gap between the inclusiveness of sin, and the exclusiveness of salvation.
1. Christ and Christ alone is able to be that bridge.

III. The only Savior Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved.
A. The fact of the only intercessor proves He is the only Savior.
B. The fact of the only remedy proves He is the only Saviour.
C. Quote: “You will only ask for salvation from a Saviour; i.e. one who actually can save.”
Pastor Vic Cooper 2009 Sermon notes Triumphal Entry? You Decide

IV. The Only Source of Truth John 6:67-68 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
A. Jesus said He was truth. John 1:14,17 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotton of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
B. Pilate ask about truth. John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?
C. Jesus said He was truth. cf. John 14:6

Conclusion: Whatever your need might be, the answer is Jesus. Do you remember in school when you took a multiple choice exam? Wouldn’t it have been nice if there had been only one answer to choose from? That is exactly what Christ offers. Your answer is Jesus. Don’t settle for anything else.

Thanks for being a loyal reader of this blog. You cannot know how much I appreciate you. If you enjoy this blog, I hope you’ll tell others about it. Word of mouth is the best advertising possible. Maybe that’s why God calls us to speak a word for Him. Stay safe and well and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

No More Politics!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

I’m so glad that after Tuesday, we won’t have to tolerate anymore political TV, mail, electronic, or telephone ads. I’m sick of them. If everything candidates say about each other is true, they don’t need to be elected, they need to be arrested. In this blog, and on my Facebook posts, I have purposely avoided taking any candidates’ side. I am a Pastor to Republicans, Democrats, and third party voters. While I definitely have preferences, my number one goal is to be able to minister to all. Politicians come, and politicians go, but Jesus Christ is forever. He said He is “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the the end, the first and the last.” (Revelation 22:13). Daniel 2:21 says, “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” In other words, no matter who is elected, it is God’s will as to who holds office. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fatalist that says, “Why vote if God is taking care of it?” We still have the responsibility to, “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” In our country, affairs of government are in the hands of the people. This is, according to the verse in Daniel cited above, the “kingdom” God has set up for us. Bottom line --- no matter who is elected, God is in charge. Make sure your faith is in Him, not some political ideology.

I want to give you an update on our online video ministry. While you are reading this, several of us from Friendship Harmony are meeting with a man associated with the Florida Baptist Convention who is very familiar with computers and video equipment. He is going to teach us the technical side of production. While he will be showing us things like computers and uploading, his wife will be showing us editing and the technical side of camera work. My dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Jim Pickens, who worked in the motion picture industry, will be teaching us about camera angles, lighting etc… Rabbi Pickens has accompanied us to our meeting today. He is a huge supporter of this new venture. I set a goal of having our online video ministry up and running by Thanksgiving. With your prayers, I believe we will make it. I’m really excited about this new means of ministry that the LORD has led us to. I haven’t been this excited about anything since I thought the Reds were going to the World Series! I believe the online video ministry will be a blessing to many around the world. I can just hear the Apostle Paul saying, “Go for it and give it all you’ve got for the LORD.” I believe if he were alive today, he’d make full use of the many options we enjoy in order to proclaim the word of the LORD. I wish to dedicate this new ministry to the Apostle Paul. With the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will proceed in the way Paul would have if he had been able. Thank you Paul for the excellent example you set for us. What you did, you did for Jesus. We’ll do exactly the same.

All I can say about the services at Friendship Harmony is “WOW!” It was an awesome day! I wish every one of you could be here and experience Friendship Harmony. As I’ve said before, you do not simply attend Friendship Harmony, you experience it. Our Sunday School lesson was tremendous. Brenda Conley is our teacher and she does a terrific job. Why more people do not attend Sunday School is beyond my understanding. I’ve always believed, “As goes the Sunday School, so goes the Church.” When I was a boy growing up, we attended the Fairview Baptist Church in Cincinnati. There was a strong Church built around a strong Sunday School. As I got older, we attended the Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Norwood (Cincinnati). It too had a well attended Sunday School. The Church was strong and successful. It was because of the Sunday School. That’s just how Southern Baptists used to do it. I’m convinced we need to step back into promoting Sunday School once again.

Our song service was vibrant, and I preached a message about what part each member of the triune Godhead plays. The notes are below. I hope they are a blessing to you. Soon you’ll not only be able to read the notes, but also hear the message. That’s the purpose of the online video ministry. Be sure to stay up to date on this blog as well as my Facebook page. If you haven’t friended me on my page, I hope you will. I make announcements on there regularly. Also, Friendship Harmony has a page. That too is an excellent way of staying up to date.

Salvation By God In Three ©
Ephesians 1:3-14
By Victor Cooper
11/1-3/12
Intro: The entire triune Godhead is involved in the process of salvation, from its conception to its conclusion. Today we break it down into what each member does.

I. Salvation is prepared by the Father. It is called election.
1 Thes. 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
A. Key phrase, “… is of God.”
1. R. Kent Hughes in his Preach The Word Commentary writes, “The doctrine of election presents us with a God who defies finite analysis. It is a doctrine which lets God be God. It also forms a bedrock of confidence for the believer. A God who chose you before time, when only he existed, will not leave you victim to the time and tides of life. In view of this, there can be no room for pride or imagined merit, but rather profound humility and thanksgiving.
B. God made the choice. He had to if we were to be saved. text v4
1. Unsaved man is spiritually dead. Ephes. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, [made alive] who were dead in trespasses and sins.
[a] “A dead man can do nothing; it is God who makes one alive. He is very well known for resurrections! “ Pastor Vic Cooper
2. God chose when He was all that existed. v 4 “… before the foundation of the world…”
[a] “You had no more to do with your spiritual birth than you did your physical birth.”
Pastor B. J. Thomas circa 1990
3. God modeled His children after His Sacrificial Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[a] “… holy and without blame…” The two Greek words mean, “pure,” and “without spot or blemish.”
1 Peter 1:19 / 2 Peter 3:14 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (2 Peter 3:14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
C. This is what God has wrought. (wanted and brought to pass)

II. Salvation is carried out by the Son. John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
A. Jesus came to carry out what the Father had started; our redemption. John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
B. Jesus has carried it out by His death and resurrection.
1 Isaiah wrote, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
2. Paul wrote, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14
C. Jesus will carry it out when He returns.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1. v 14 “If we believe that Christ died and rose again, we must also believe He will return. Pastor Vic Cooper
Remember:
What God has wrought,
Jesus has bought!

III. Salvation is applied by the Spirit. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
A. Application comes through guidance.
B. A guide must be present. 1 Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
C. A guide must be knowledgeable. John 16:13 He will guide you into all truth.
1. He cannot guide you into truth if He doesn’t know truth. He s what He has heard.
2. He speaks of Jesus who said He is Truth.
D. A guide must be alert. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
1. Guided with His eye
Remember:
What the Father has wrought, and the Son has bought,
the Spirit has taught!


Conclusion: “So what is the point in knowing all this? This is theology e are not theologians. We have our pastors for that.”
The point is to show the child of God that the triune God is interested in you. From eternity past into eternity future He has your back.
The point is that if you have not called out to God for the forgiveness of your sins, and if you have not received Christ as your Lord, God is interested in you. He has prepared a way for your salvation. What is keeping you from receiving it
today?

I do hope you have a blessed, safe, and healthy upcoming week. The cold winds are beginning to blow up north, so wrap up and stay warm. If you are traveling down here to spend time with us, drive carefully. If you are one of those hearty souls that like to brave winter’s chilling tide, think of us often in your prayers. No matter where you are, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.