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.
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