Six Best Friends

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

The other day someone asked me about my dogs. I have been preaching for forty years and have loads of experience and education. I have several degrees and lots of letters after my name, and what do people want to know? How are your dogs. Incredible. The fact is I am a dog lover. Since my childhood I have had six dogs in my life. The first was a Collie named Gi-Gi. She was a beautiful dog. My mom named her, but I do remember where that idea came from. I’ll have to ask her. Gi-Gi was the dog of my childhood from the early sixties. She was a great playmate. Dad built her a doghouse in our basement and it was so sturdy, it took three grown men to move it outside. Gi-Gi loved her house - she always laid on the ground outside it. I would put her in it, and right back out she’d come. It was big enough, and was water proof, complete with a shingled roof and sturdy floor. Gi-Gi laid in frount of it.

Next was Peppi; we called her Pep. Peppi was a Miniature Schnauzer whose momma was my uncle’s dog, Doogie. Doogie was unable to nurse her pups, so we got Pep when she was just a few days old. We bottle fed her and she grew into a healthy little girl. Peppi would get so excited whenever we’d come home from being wherever we had been. She would bark and jump. She would literally jump up into your arms. You’d better plan on catching Peppi, because she was coming. Pep was the dog of my teenage years and early adulthood.

Next was Marco. After I tell you about her, I’ll save the other three for another time. Bess and I wanted a dog, so we went to the dog pound in Cincinnati and looked at several. We looked for a dog that wanted to be wanted. As we strolled past the cages, we saw one that had several dogs in it. All the dogs except one was playing in one corner, while this little Australian Shepherd was laying in a corner by herself. She had this sad look on her face and Bess and I knew at once that this was the dog for us and our family. We brought her home, and the kids just loved her. Marco, we called her Mark, was a good guard. Each night she would go to different bedrooms to check on everybody. Marco was also a Frisbee catcher. You could throw the Frisbee across the yard and she would take off, leap into the air, and catch it. She very rarely missed. She was also a good hockey goalie. The kids would take a miniature hockey stick and hit one of her Kibbles toward her from the other side of the room. Once again, Marco rarely missed. She was a mighty fine dog, She was with us when we moved into our present home in Florida 15 years ago. Next time, I’ll introduce you to dogs four, five, and six. Their names are Kaiser, Frazier, and Bubba.

What a tremendous service we had at Friendship Harmony yesterday. Karan Barry has agreed to play piano for us, and Eleanor McDonnel is leading our singing. This morning was their first time together, and already I’m calling them the dynamic duo. The music at our church is extremely uplifting. I began a four part series called God’s Open Doors. We will be looking at the many open doors provided by our Heavenly Father. The notes are below, and the video will likely be posted by mid-week. To get to the video, go to www.youtube.com. When their home page comes up, type in Pastor Victor Cooper in the box next to their logo. It should take you right to our video ministry. The video ministry is off to a bit of a slow start, but already I have heard from someone on the west coast who was blessed by it, and wanted to share a positive comment. Another family in one of our western states has also sent positive feedback. The video ministry will grow, but already it is a success for our Lord. I believe it is successful because of Jesus. I hope the videos bless you, too. Here are those notes.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
1 of 4 1/26/13

I. A door of answered prayer Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
A. The Church had been fervently praying for Peter’s release.
B. Rhoda looked through the door, but did not open it.
1. Many children of God look through the door at God’s answer, but do not open the door and seize it.
C. The Church refused to believe her report.
1. “Sadly, many answered prayers stay out on the porch because we won’t walk through the door God has opened to go get them.” Pastor Vic Cooper 10/08

II. A door of utterance Col. 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: [4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
A. This could also be called a door of opportunity.
1. Paul wanted an open door of opportunity.
2. Too many Church members are praying, “Lord, there is my neighbor; send him.”
3. As with the prophet Isaiah, Paul was saying, “Lord here am I; send me.”

III. A door of service 1 Cor. 16:9 (NASB) for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
A. Paul recognized it as a “wide” door.
1. How wide does the door need to be before we will walk through it?
2. A good burglar only needs the door opened a small crack.
B. Paul also saw it as potential for effective service.
1. How much success must we be guaranteed before we will pass through the wide and open door?
C. Paul knew there would be adversities and adversaries, but he refused to let that stop him.
1. How often do we let even the hint of an adversity hinder us?
8810. Epigram On Overcoming Handicaps
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
—Booker T. Washington (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations)

IV. A door of Heaven John 10:7-9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
A. Jesus alone is the door to Heaven. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
B. He also said that any other way is the way of “thieves and robbers.” Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Before I say goodbye, sadly I must announce the passing of one of our deacons, and founding members, Brother Bob Kramer. Bob had been fighting pancreatic cancer. He was 67 years ago. He will be missed here at Friendship Harmony. Some people say that Bob lost his battle with cancer. I beg to differ! The cancer lost - Bob was victorious! Death for a believer is not a loss. It is a victory. Although we mourn his passing, we can rejoice that Bob is healthy again and living safely in the arms of Jesus. Pray for his wife, Esther, and their family.

Also, in two weeks on February 10, we will celebrate our second anniversary as a fully constituted Church. Lots of special things will be happening that day, so if you’re in the area, I hope you’ll be with us. The day will conclude with a carry in meal. The church will be providing the ham, turkey, and drinks. I hope you can be there. Fiddlin’ Bill will be with us to provide the music. Have a good week, and when the video is posted, I’ll let you know. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Video From January 20, 2013 Now Posted

Good day to you!

I wanted to let you know that as our title says, the video from last Sunday, January 20 is posted on youtube. To view it, go to www.youtube.com. When their home page comes up, type into the box next to their logo Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. Click on the sermon title, Hold Up Thy Neighbor. There are three others available also. Thanks for both viewing AND reading.

I'll see you on youtube, and I'll see you this coming Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Hold Up Thy Neighbor - Hold Up Thyself

Good Day To You!

I trust you have had an excellent week since we last visited. Some of you have asked me about my mom, Lois Alene Cooper. As you might be aware, mom fell a few weeks ago and broke her leg bone where it connects to the hip. She required surgery, but is now doing great and feeling fine. She is in a rehab hospital in Cincinnati and her therapists plan to get her walking at some point this week. Thanks for your continued prayers for her. Mom will be celebrating her 81st birthday this Thursday, January 24.

Also my wife, Miss Bessie, is having a hard time recovering from an illness. She has what is known as viral syndrome. As I understand, it means that several different viruses were operating in her body at the same time. She was already weakened from her total knee replacement back in November. What we have not mentioned before is that she received blood during her surgery due to severe blood loss. Again, this weakened her and made her system ripe for invading viruses. She is still experiencing a three week headache and nausea. Miss Bessie thanks you for your prayers for her. At the end of the blog, I’ll give you both of these Cooper ladies addresses in case you’d like to send a card.

Yesterday was a tremendous day at Friendship Harmony. The attendance was excellent and it was a really good service. This church is a preacher’s dream. It is very easy to preach here, because the people are behind the preacher. Whether it is me, or Bob Felber, or Jim Pickens, this church prayerfully supports whoever is breaking the bread of life. It is also challenging to preach here. The folks at Friendship Harmony are well read in their Scriptures, so the preacher had better be on his toes. It causes us to study harder and dig deeper, and for that I am grateful.

I preached a message titled, “Hold Up Thy Neighbor, Hold Up Thyself.” The notes are below, and the message will be on www.youtube.com later this week. I’ll send out a special edition of this blog when it is posted. Also at that time, I’ll explain how to find it on youtube if you do not already know. At this time, three prior messages are posted.

Hold Up Thy Neighbor - Hold Up Thyself ©
Galatians 6:1-5
By Pastor Vic Cooper
01/19/13

Intro: Paul tells us that one responsibility of believer’s toward one another is to restore another in times of hardship and failure. He tells us that in so doing we must also guard ourselves.

I. Restore your brother/sister. v1
A. Restore> Gk. Katartizo> to repair or adjust
1. In secular Greek, the word is used as in setting broken bones.
` 2. In the New Testament the word is used for mending fishing nets.
B. Restoration of another must be conducted with meekness. Meekness; gentleness
1. Accomplished by first showing concern.
2. Concern must be followed with kindness.
Concern is a feeling; kindness is an action.
3. Genuine caring means you must be real.
C. During the process you must keep an eye on yourself. Why?
1. Judgmentalism says, “You failed, I never could!” This is arrogant, stupid, and dangerous.

II. The law of Christ. v2
A. Believers are not under the law of Moses, but are under the law of Christ. What is it?
1. Mark 12:31 “…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
2. Paul had already reminded this to the Galatians in 5:14.

III. Guard yourself. v3
A. Refers back to v1, “considering thyself.”

IV. Test you deeds. v4
A. Proving (testing) your own works is “considering yourself” of v1, and keeps one from self deception; v3.

V. No contradiction here. v5
A. v2, bear one another’s burden.
B. Bear your own burden.

Which is it?

C. Both!. Two different words are used in the original.
1. v2, burden --- a heavy, crushing load; one man cannot carry it without help.
2. v5, burden --- like a soldier’s backpack; one man can, and is expected to carry it. An American soldier’s pack weighs from 35 to 75 pounds.

Conclusion: As you’ve probably noticed by now, the point of all this is not holding up your neighbor as much as it is holding up, ie considering yourself. Why? If you keep your guard, you will not become someone like in verse one who must be restored.

As I mentioned earlier, here are the addresses I promised in case you feel so inclined to send cards.

Mrs. Lois A. Cooper
c/o Forest Hills Care Center
8700 Moran Road, Room North 305A
Cincinnati, Ohio 45244

Mrs. Bess Cooper
Box 3036
Pineland, Florida 33945

Thanks for being such a loyal reader to this blog --- I really appreciate you. If you are new with us, let me extend you a welcome, and I hope we will visit regularly. I’ll send out a special midweek edition when the video is posted and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Last Sunday's Video

Just a quick note to let you know this past Sunday's message, "Some Do's and Don'ts" is now online. To see it, go to www.youtube.com. From their homepage type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church in the box next to their logo. I hope it blesses you. The notes are on this past Monday's blog if you'd like to print them and follow along. VC

Does Pastor Vic Really Do Dishes???

Good Monday Morning To You!

I trust you have had a safe and healthy week. The same has not been the case here at the Cooper home. Miss Bessie, along with recovering from her total knee replacement, also has the flu. It has hit her pretty hard. My daughter, Michele, is fighting an upper repertory infection. Even poor ole Pastor Vic had several days where he felt absolutely miserable. I still have the stuffy head and a cough, but at least the body aches and fever are gone. This, however is not the case for Miss Bessie. Please pray for her swift recovery, because quite frankly, I’m not used to performing all these wifely duties; dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning. I thank God I was born a boy!!! I was standing at the sink, getting myself a good case of dish-pan hands, when a Scripture came to mind: 2 Kings 21:13 “And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.” Did you catch that? As a man wipeth a dish; not a woman. The author of 1 and 2 Kings is unknown. If I’d have written about a man having to do dishes, I’d write anonymously too.

Some of you have asked about my mom, Alene Cooper. Last week mom fell and broke the femur (the large bone) in her right leg. It required surgery, but her surgeon is confident that she will recover. Mom was transferred on Friday from Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, to a rehab center just east of the city. She is at the same place she was last year after her gall bladder exploded. We expect her recovery this time should be a bit easier. Please continue to pray for her. I spoke to her just a few minutes ago, and she sounded good. If you’d like to send her a card, contact me for the address.

We had a good service at Friendship Harmony yesterday, in spite of quite a few being out sick. The attendance was still good, and the song service was uplifting. I preached a message on “Some Do’s and Don’ts.” The notes are below, and the message is probably a little different than what you might be expecting. The video will be posted at some point this week if it is useable. I took a couple of coughing spells and I’m sure for internet viewing that might be quite distracting. We’ll see.

Last week’s video from the message, “Bearing The Cross,” is now available online. You can get to it at www.youtube.com. When their home page comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church in the box next to their logo. We don’t have a picture posted, but you will see a silhouette of a skinny little guy which you may safely assume is me. Here are the notes from yesterday.

Some Do’s And Don’ts ©
Isaiah 41:10; 40:11
By Victor Cooper
1/11,12/13

Intro: Many Scriptures speak of God’s care of and provision for believers.. The “Good Shepherd” teaching is not a New Testament concept. God used Isaiah to convey the same message some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

I. The “Don’ts.” Isaiah 41:10.
A. Do not fear. To be frightened. Why would Israel be fearful?
1. They had rebelled many times --- perhaps they were afraid of losing their covenant status.
2. Bible Knowledge Commentary Even though Israel was exiled because of sin and unbelief, she still was not rejected by God. Since the covenant the Lord made with Abraham was unconditional (Gen. 15), his descendants need not fear.
3. “You do not have to be afraid because I am still with you.” VCT*
B. Do not be dismayed. To look around bewildered; confused to the point of inaction.
1. Why would they be confused and bewildered?
2. Fear generally leads to confusion.
3. “You do not have to be dismayed because I am eternally your God.”: VCT*

II. The “Do’s”
A. I will strengthen you.
1. The plus: when God strengthens something, it is strong!
2. The negative: Often God strengthens us through trials, much like metal is hardened by fire.
3. The result: Christian maturity.
B. I will help you. It means to aid and comes from a Hebrew root which means “to surround.”
C. I will uphold you. To sustain. Reference.com gives 5 definitions to the word. Their number 4 is interesting: “…to keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way, as under trial or affliction.”

III. God’s provision. Isaiah 40:11
A. He will feed His flock like a shepherd.
1. The key is “like a shepherd.”
a. Shepherds are totally dedicated to the flock.
Torrey’s Topical Textbook
CARE OF THE SHEEP BY, EXHIBITED IN.
Knowing them. John 10:14
Going before and leading them. Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:52; Psalm 80:1
Seeking out good pasture for them. 1 Chron. 4:39-41; Psalm 23:2
Numbering them when they return from pasture. Jeremiah 33:13
Watching over them by night. Luke 2:8
Tenderness to the ewes in lamb, and to the young. Genesis 33:13-14; Psalm 78:71
Defending them when attacked by wild beasts. 1 Samuel 17:34-36; Amos 3:12
Searching them out when lost and straying. Ezekiel 34:12; Luke 15:4-5
Attending them when sick. Ezekiel 34:16
B. He will gather and carry them.
1. God initiates the action. He knows when because His eyes are always on His sheep.
C. He will gently lead them.
1. A cowboy drives; a shepherd leads.
2. As a shepherd leads, his own sheep follow.
John 10:14; 27 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

IV. To get the most out of these passages in Isaiah, read them like this: Isaiah 40:11; 41:10; 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. [Isaiah 41:10] Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. [Isaiah 40:11] He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Conclusion: If you are a child of God, nothing can separate you from Him. Your sin interferes with your fellowship with Him, but He is still your Heavenly Father. Therefore, do not fear nor be dismayed.

For those of you who are here on Pine Island, don’t forget to upcoming events this week. The first is our small group Bible study on the Book of Zechariah. The study begins this Wednesday afternoon at the home of Brenda Conley. It is at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by my good friend and dear collogue Rabbi Jim Pickens. Jim is no stranger to Friendship Harmony and will lead us in good, deep study. If you enjoy good prophecy study, this class is for you. The Book of Zechariah is the Old Testament’s Book of The Revelation. Zechariah speaks heavily concerning the millennial reign of Christ: that 1000 year period of peace and harmony on earth with Christ leading the way. This time period follows the seven years of Tribulation. In fact, Zechariah fills in many facts only briefly alluded to in The Revelation. I cannot think of anyone better to lead this study than a Messianic Rabbi.

Also, next Sunday is our carry in dinner. Our cooks are some of the finest in all of Christendom. Remember, if you eat it in a Baptist Church, it contains no calories and cannot hurt you. If you’re here, be sure to stay and enjoy the food and fellowship.

Stay healthy, safe and warm. If you’re traveling here this week, stay safe on the highways. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

THE VIDEO MINISTRY IS HERE!!!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by copying his link, and putting it into your address bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!





Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
















Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Hello. Thank you for looking at this special Friday edition of Monday Morning With Pastor Vic. As I promised you on Monday, here is the update on the video ministry. Praise the LORD, we are now on YouTube! You can view it by clicking onto this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. The Message title is When God Waits. Give me your feedback after you have seen it.
Thanks for being a loyal reader and now, hopefully a loyal viewer.