My how the time flies. It seems like just a day or so ago that I wrote to you in last week’s blog. Last week I told you about a new feature in this blog; answering your questions. If you have any, please submit them to fhbcsjc@gmail.com. If you want a private answer, just let me know. In any event, I’ll never reveal your name.
This week’s question comes from someone who heard a message I preached several years ago. “You said there was only one archangel. All my life I have been taught there are several. Why do you claim there is only one, and which one is it?”
To answer, let me begin by naming the angel, and by defining the term, archangel. Michael is declared to be the archangel. The word archangel means “chief angel,” and comes from the Greek, “archaggelos.” I would direct your attention to the following two passages of Scripture.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Rev. 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…
You will notice in Jude’s passage Michael is called “the archangel.” not “an archangel.” The idea of multiple archangels comes from writings known as “The Apocrypha.” These writings, while providing excellent historical and cultural information, are not part of the 66 books which make up our Holy Bible.
The passage in The Revelation says Michael and his angels fought the dragon and his angels. The dragon is Lucifer, the fallen angel, better known as Satan, or the devil. Some have even suggested that Lucifer was an archangel. This, however is Scripturally impossible as Ezekiel chapter 28 twice refers to him as a cherub, not an archangel. It has also been suggested that Gabriel is also an archangel, but the Bible is silent on this. Let your rule for Biblical interpretation be this: Where the Bible is silent, we must be silent.
Yesterday was another awesome day at Friendship Harmony. Some of our winter visitors are beginning to leave, and our church prays for their safe travel and for a healthy summer, but the attendance was still very good.
The message was called, “Holy Living.” The notes are below and the video will be posted on youtube possibly later today. I encourage you to watch the video. You can see it at www.youtube.com. From their homepage type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, then scroll to the message you’d like to see. If you find the videos useful, please tell your friends and family. If you have any suggestions as to how we can make our video ministry better, please feel free to share your ideas with me. You can send me a e-mail at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Holy Living
2 Corinthians 6:17
By Victor Cooper
03/13-16/13
Intro: In today’s world it seems that it is getting harder to tell believers and non believers apart. Christians must get back to holy living if the Church is to be relevant in our day.
I. Holy living begins with holy thinking.
A. Philip. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1. Keep focused.
2. When your mind wonders, return to your focus.
a. Choose from the list in Philip 4:8 and concentrate on that.
3. Exercise your mind.
4. Dr. Cooper’s Rx for holy thinking:
a. Upon awaking, read a devotion in a quiet place, maybe with your morning coffee or juice.
b. At some point in the day, take 5-10 minutes `with some soothing music and think about one or some of the things in Paul’s list.
c. At bedtime read a few passages of Scripture. Let yourself drift off to sleep meditating on the verses you have read.
d. Don’t give up at any point if your mind wanders; just get back to your focus.
B. Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13 both say, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Quote: “Many believers want to live a holy life until it’s time to live it.” Pastor Victor Cooper 3/17/13
1. Jesus said it is a choice - one that must be made!
2. Some believers do not want make the sacrifices needed in order to live a holy life. Jesus says they are neither hot nor cold. (Rev 3:15)
a. They full well understand the concept of a , “living sacrifice.” A living sacrifice wants off the altar when it starts getting hot.
3. Some believers do not know how to make the sacrifices needed in order to live a holy life.
a. It is usually due to some misconceptions.
Examples: You can’t laugh or joke; you can’t go to a sporting event; you can’t have non Christian friends; etc…
II. The result of holy thinking is holy living. Evidence of it is holy speaking. Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
A. Isaiah wanted clean speech.
Isaiah 6:5-8 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. [6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: [7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
B. Jesus taught that what was in a person’s heart would be reflected in his/her speech.
1. holiness
2. un-holiness
3. fence straddling
Conclusion: Holy living is a choice. What will you do. Not what do you want to do, but what will you do?
I hope it is your heart’s desire to live a holy life before the Lord. Study the notes. Watch the video. In both you will find some easy and practical suggestions you can use in order to live a life that pleases our LORD. Have a good and a safe week. Contact me if I can ever be of service to you.
I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
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