Thinking Back!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

The other day somebody asked me about the most memorable service I had ever been part of. To be honest, there have been many fine services over my past 41 years of ministry. It is always such a joy when you can sense the presence of the Lord. It is especially thrilling to see someone come forward and trust Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

I can actually think of two services that stand out for me. Both were while I was pastor at Calvary Baptist, Cincinnati. It was a Sunday night, and the attendance was pretty good. We often had more on Sunday night than on Sunday morning. I was preaching from Ezekiel 37 about the dry bones. I had made the statement about God causing flesh and life to return to a bunch of dead, dusty, dried-up old bones. I preached that God did not say, “Any of you bones who would like to receive life, come stand by me.” I said God made the choice and moved them. Suddenly a young man in his mid twenties jumped out of his seat and ran to the altar begging God for mercy. One thing I have learned over the years is that the Holy Spirit does not follow our printed bulletins. He was working on that boy and the young man had the good sense to respond when God called. I gladly stopped the message and counseled him at the altar. That night the young man not only had his sins forgiven, but he was also delivered from an addiction to alcohol. I wonder about him from time to time. My prayer is that he is still following Christ. When I left Cincinnati sixteen years ago, he was doing well.

The other service was at that same church. Again it was a Sunday night and the auditorium was nearly full. As our family got to the church, I noticed the storm clouds brewing. I was preaching from the Book of Jonah, and as preachers tend to do, I got excited and raised my voice. I raised my right hand into the air and at that point a bolt of lightning hit very near the church. The building shook, the lights went out, and kids and teens ran to their parents. We allowed them to sit together as long as they behaved, which they always did. I overheard one teenage girl ask my daughter, Amanda, “How did your dad do that?” I do not remember how that service ended, but I know it sure was an exciting one!

Speaking of exciting, yesterday was awesome at Friendship Harmony. The attendance was very good and we had several visitors. Lately I have been challenging our congregation to invite people to church and many are. I told them if they wanted their church to grow, do something about it. Invite! Several of the visitors were there because someone invited them. Let me challenge you, too. Love your church. Be proud of it. Invite, Invite, Invite!!! It works. Even if those you invite do not come, the LORD will send someone. God blesses effort.

Below are the sermon notes for the final message in the series, “Coming With His Coming.” I hope they are a blessing to you The message will be on YouTube tomorrow. You can get to it by going to www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. Then click on our icon and scroll to the video you’d like to see. This latest one is called, “The Coming Delight.”

Coming With His Coming
1 Corinthians 2:9
Second Coming Series 4 of 4 By Victor Cooper
April 25, 2013

Intro: The Bible clearly affirms in many passages that Jesus is coming again. What happens with that coming?

#4 The Coming Delight

I. The delight of life. John 10:10b …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
A. We have the delight of this life.
Abundant> perrisos’> superabundant in quantity; superior in quality; excessive by implication.
1. It is superabundant in that it is for the here and now as well as the hereafter for believers.
2. The unsaved receive eternal death as we saw last week.
3. It is superior in quality because it is made by the Father, brought by the Son, and directed by the Spirit.
B. We have the delight of the life to come.
Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

II. The delight of sinlessness. 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.
A. It is the third part of sanctification.
1. I have been saved - from sin’s penalty.
2. I am being saved - from sin’s power.
3. I will be saved - from sin’s presence.
Remember: In Heaven you will not remember sin, sinning, nor sinners. Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

III. The delight of understanding the mystery.
A. “Mystery” defined. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
-- “…a secret imparted only to the initiated, what is unknown until it is revealed, whether it be easy or hard to understand.”
B. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary - “The NT use of the term “mystery” has reference to some operation or plan of God hitherto unrevealed. It does not carry the idea of a secret to be withheld, but of one to be published (1 Cor. 4:1).
C. Revelation withheld. Rev. 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
D. Revelation revealed. Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Bible Knowledge Commentary Here David described a person who fears the LORD: he is one in whom the LORD confides by revealing His covenant to him (v. 14) and instructing him (v. 12b; cf. vv. 4-5, 8-9). These statements remind the reader of the Wisdom literature, especially Proverbs. A person who fears the Lord (Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; 31:30) is instructed by the Lord’s Word.

IV. The delight of being His bride.
A. This is one of the mysteries. Ephes. 5:28-32 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. [29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: [30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
B. The bride receives the most beautiful wedding creation has ever see. Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
C. His bride will rule with Him. Rev. 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
1. Key: “… reign for ever and ever.”
2. This is one marriage that will not end in divorce.

I hope you have a blessed, safe, and healthy week. I always enjoy our visits together --- I hope you do too. May the LORD bless you and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Sermon Notes From April 21, 2013

Good Tuesday Morning To You!!

I’m happy to announce that last Sunday’s video, “The Coming Death” is posted on youtube. You can access it at www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. Then click on our church and scroll to the video “The Coming Death,” or whatever video you’d like to see.

Below are the sermon notes. It’s good to follow them while viewing the video.

Coming With His Coming
2 Peter 1:19
Second Coming Series 3 of 4 By Victor Cooper
4/18-20/13

Intro: The Bible clearly affirms in many passages that Jesus is coming again. What happens with that coming?

#3 The Coming Death

I. Death defined: Separation, not cessation.
A. The saved are separated to God.
B. The lost are separated from God
C. The saved receive a new body; one that can live in Heaven and Earth. 1 Cor. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

D. The lost will also receive a new body; one that can life eternally in Hell. Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

II. At His coming in the air, the believing dead will live.
1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the `dead in Christ shall first.

III. At the end of the Millennium the lost dead will be judged. Revelation 20:11,12 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

IV. The judged dead will be eternally separated from God.
A. This means with no chance of repentance or escape. Rev. 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

I hope the notes and the videos are a blessing to you. You can also access the videos on our Friendship Harmony Facebook page. May I ask you a favor? We are trying to get our video ministry off the ground so that it will reach many for Christ. Would you be willing to share it on your facebook page and ask your friends to do the same? It sure would be a big help, and I would appreciate it.

Thanks so much, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!™

Assurance During Evil

Good Monday Morning To You!

In this issue, I must confess to having a heavy heart. Bess and I were deeply saddened by the events in Boston this past week. When I was a boy growing up in the mid fifties and sixties, I never dreamed of something like this happening right here in our cities. I would have told you that you were preaching science fiction to me if you said in my lifetime I would see a pressure cooker being used as a bomb in Boston, or jet liners deliberately being slammed into skyscrapers in New York City, or farm grade fertilizer taking down a federal building in Oklahoma City. Certainly we live in a world gone mad! Let us not assume that incidents of this nature are part of a vicious cycle that will eventually phase itself out. Let us not assume that if we live in small cities or in rural areas, we are safe from things like this. Think again!

With acts like these, where is the logic in it all? The sad answer is there is no logic. Remember, pure evil has no logic. The police, the F.B.I. and other policing agencies spend many hours trying to figure out who is behind these cowardly deeds, and well they should. However, at the core of it all is an enemy called, “evil,” and her master is Satan.

The prophet Jeremiah addressed the issue of evil more than 2600 years ago. He said, “And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: “ Jeremiah 16:12 (KJV)

Jeremiah points out two problems. The first is that everyone follows after the imagination of their own evil heart. The Hebrew word for imagination has the idea of being twisted. Their hearts, minds, and therefore their actions were twisted. To be twisted is the exact polar opposite of being logical. Evil comes from a twisted heart. Theologians call this “depravity.” Depravity simply means being dead and totally devoid of God. Does this sound remarkably modern? It absolutely describes many today. There is no rhyme, nor reason to evil. It is too twisted, therefore those who follow after it are depraved, twisted, and devoid of God.

Jeremiah also says they will not pay attention to God. People are not only not hearing, but refusing to listen; a deliberate, willful rebellion. Whenever one refuses to follow the wise counsel of God, disaster is as sure to follow as darkness follows the sunset.

Jeremiah says that as a result, the people of his day were worse than the generations before them. As I look around, I see our world situation getting worse, not better.

My point has been, do not try to make sense out of senselessness: it is unquestionably impossible. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He has the solution for you. He said in Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” If you are not a follower of Jesus, it’s still true nevertheless. As I told the people at Friendship Harmony yesterday, when the time of great tribulation comes upon this earth, and we are certainly marching toward it, things like Boston, 9-11, and Oklahoma City will seem very tame. I know what some of you might be thinking. You are thinking Pastor Vic is a prophet of doom. If you are lost and outside the communion of Christ, then yes, I’m a prophet of doom. You are on a wide road that leads to destruction: doomsday according to Matthew 7:13.

The only way to deal with the senseless tragedies of our day is to have a relationship with Christ. He is the only way to receiving that true inner peace and comfort. Listen to the words of Jesus. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 14:27; John 16:33

If I can ever be of help to you in your spiritual walk with the Lord, or if you’d like to know more about how you can have a personal, one - on - one relationship with Jesus, contact me at fhbcsjc@gmail.com, or preachercooper@hotmail.com.

I know today’s visit has been a bit long, but I wanted you to know even though sense cannot be found at this time, comfort can. I’ll return with a special edition on Tuesday. Be sure to visit the video ministry at www.youtube.com. From their homepage type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. Then click on the name of our church and select the video you’d like to see. Sunday’s message should be ready by later today, or early Tuesday.

Thanks for being a loyal reader and a dear friend. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic. ™

Memory Stick Found!!!

Good Wednesday Evening To You! Welcome to this mid-week edition of Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

As you might recall, I was unable to post the notes from last Sunday Morning due to the fact that I has lost my memory stick. On my desk is a small plastic box that has three compartments. The top one is for memory sticks or USB flash drives as some call them. The bottom two contain miscellaneous papers. The USB I needed was accidentally filed in the middle space. I looked there the other night, but somehow I overlooked it. In any event, here are those notes. I hope they are a benefit to you.

Coming With His Coming ©
2 Peter 1:19
Second Coming Series 2 of 4 By Victor Cooper
03/18-23; 4/13/13

Intro: The Bible clearly affirms in many passages that Jesus is coming again. What happens with that coming?

#2 The Coming Dawn

I. Trust the light of prophecy. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
A. Trust God’s prophets until the new day dawns.
B. Here we walk by faith. 2 Cor 5:7
C. When the new day dawns, we shall see Him as He is.
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.

II. The dawn always brings a new day.
A. Quote: “Every day’s a new day.” Myron Boyd
B. Jesus is the Creator of new. Rev. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
C. Only Christ can create; man can only invent,
therefore
only Christ can bring about a new dawn.

III. The new dawn erases the old sunset. Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor brought to mind.
A. With the dawning of a new day, all past hurts,
snubs, and sleights will be forgotten.
B. All past aches, pains, and illnesses will be
forgotten.
C. All past mean, hateful, spiteful, people will be
forgotten..
D. If any of those people above are in Heaven, you
will forget their bad attitude toward you, and
yours toward them.

Don’t forget, if you have a Bible question you would like to have answered, you can E-mail it to fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you. Also, the video from last Sunday is at www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist then hit enter. When the page comes up, click on our church, then select the video you would like to see.

This coming Sunday I’ll be preaching part three of this series with a message titled, “The Coming Death.” If you can’t be here in person, be sure you come visit me next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Braggin' On The Ladies!

Good Monday Morning To You!!

I hope you had a good week. Today I want to do a little bragging. I’m not talking about the arrogant, bad kind, but the kind that says how proud I am. Here at Friendship Harmony, we had two small groups this year: the Book of Zechariah study group led my dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Jim Pickens, and our Ladies Group. Allow me a moment to sing the praises of our Ladies Group. This group meets monthly for a luncheon, a devotion, and a time of fellowship and worship. After their meeting the other day my wife, Miss Bessie, came in and asked if the Ladies Group could sing a special at the next service. She said they had sung “The Old Rugged Cross” at their meeting and wanted to sing it for the upcoming church service. I certainly agreed, and yesterday they sang. It was absolutely fabulous. They were a real joy to hear and to watch. They had beautiful 3-part harmony, and joy radiated on their faces. They turned a good service into a great one. I want to thank our ladies for a job well done. Our Ladies Group meets year round, and I hope they will sing again for us soon.

Yesterday I preached message number two in the four part series, “Coming With His Coming.” As you might recall, the first message was “The Coming Day,” and yesterday was “The Coming Dawn.” From the moment I began preparing this message, until late Saturday night, I had to wrestle with the devil. He did not want that message preached. I love it when Satan acts up like that. It tells me I am right where God wants me to be, and that I am doing His will. Anyway, the devil is still fighting this message. I always post the notes, but for the moment I cannot find the memory stick where I stored them. When I find it, I will do a mid-week post. In the meanwhile, you can see this and other messages by going to www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into the banner, hit enter, then scroll to the message you’d like to see.

Well, it’s the wee hours on Monday morning, and I’ve got an early day, so I guess I’d better close for now. Have a good week, and as always I’m so glad we can visit this way. Be sure to come by and see me on YouTube. I hope to see you there, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Fun!

Good Monday Morning To You!

Wow! What a great service we had yesterday at Friendship Harmony. Dustin Jenkins, a touring music evangelist came and ministered to us in music and word. Our church was really blessed to have him. Dustin will be coming back to join us again next year sometime in January. The date is tentatively set for January 12. We hope to get this firmed up soon.

After the service, Bess and I went out to eat with Dustin and his family to get better acquainted. We concluded the evening at The First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor, where Tommy Simmons is the pastor. Tommy decided that for the final song all the preachers in attendance would sing I’ll Fly Away. It was then that I learned what a fine Southern Gospel piano player Dustin is. If I do say so myself, we sounded pretty good. It was fun.

Christianity can be fun. Jesus said in John 10:10b, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” That abundant life is a life of joy, with some fun mixed in. I’m speaking here of our times of worship. In life, times of fun must be mixed with times of seriousness. However, I believe it’s alright to enjoy a worship service. You can clap, laugh, or cry at Friendship Harmony. It’s fine! The Christian life is an abundant life that Jesus meant for us to enjoy. Come on believer, loosen up; laugh, and have fun. Three times Solomon speaks of a merry heart in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

One evangelist used to say, “It’s fun being saved!” It is, so go out this week and have some fun enjoying Jesus. You’ll be glad you did. I’ll see you next Monday With Pastor Vic!!!

Announcement: There is no youtube video this week, but you can still see some from past weeks. Go to www.youtube.com, and type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into the banner on their home page. From there you will see a list of available messages; simply scroll to the one you want, then click on it.

Easter At Friendship Harmony

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I trust you had a Happy Easter. Mine was fantastic. It started with a Sunrise service at Church. Due to wind, and chilly temps, at least by our standards, we had our service indoors. Some people were a little disappointed, but several years ago in Cincinnati, we had a sunrise service under similar conditions. Three of my older people caught pneumonia. I want to try to be sensitive to people’s needs. The decision to stay inside was totally mine and was made with the best intentions. Next year Easter is later, so the chances are better that we’ll be outside for the service.

After the sunrise service we had a fellowship breakfast. Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day, and yesterday’s was delicious. Thanks to all who prepared it. It was a job well done!

Sunday School was good, and the morning service was very uplifting. I had planned to preach part two of the four part series, “Coming With His Coming,” but the LORD had other plans. I preached a message titled “Three Crosses On A Hill.” The message came from a track I saw. I used their three main points, then added my own sub-points. The notes are below, and the video will be ready by Tuesday morning. You can view it at www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, then scroll to the message you wish to view. We are currently working on posting the messages on facebook. We will keep you informed.

Three Crosses On A Hill
Luke 23:32-43
By Victor Cooper
Main points plus A‘s & B’s
copied from a tract.
C’s and other sub-points are mine.

I. The cross of rejection
A. One man died in sin - he was a dying sinner.
1. Sinner. Heb.> Hatta’> one devoted to sin
Gk.> hamartolos> erring one
a. “Sin” literally means missing the mark.
Q. What mark?
A. God’s mark of sinless perfection.
b. Is there anyone here this morning sinlessly perfect?
c. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
i.e. all have missed God’s mark.
2. Remember, in Scriptures, death means separation, not cessation. Cessation would be too easy.
a. He was about to be eternally separated from God.
b. Salvation and forgiveness would become eternally impossible.
B. He died with sin in him.
1. Sin is more deadly than any poison.
Illustration: 11613. The Judas-Tree’s Fatal Appeal
There is a curious tree known as the Judas-tree. Long before its leaves appear, gorgeous blossoms would ornament the branches. Looking like scarlet sunbeams caught among the boughs, and held prisoners by their interlacings, the brilliant beauty of the crimson flowers attracts thousands of tiny insects. The wild bees also seek to draw honey from their exquisitely shaped cups.
But every insect—bee or butterfly—that ventures to rest upon the edge of its blossom is overcome by a fatal, curious sort of opiate, or sleeping-draught, which the flower-juice contains, and drops dead upon the ground beneath!
Thus, walking around Judas-trees, one sees the soft grass strewn with dead and dying bright-winged insects!
The Judas-tree reminds us of sin. Sin may look bright, pleasant and attractive to our eyes; it may appear harmless to indulge in it. But lurking behind “the pleasures of sin” is a fatal poison.
Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
a. Sin destroys body, soul and spirit
b. Sin brings condemnation.
John 3:18b …he that believeth not is condemned already…
C. The cross for him would not be the end, but simply the doorway to damnation and eternal Hell!

II. The cross of redemption
A. One man died for sin - He was a dying Saviour.
1. He ”…knew no sin…” (2 Cor. 5:21b)
yet
B. He died with sin upon Him. He was covered with it -
yours, mine, and everyone else’s. 2 Cor. 5:21a For he hath made him to be sin for us…
1. God had to turn His back upon the sight of it.
But remember,
you will only ask for salvation from a Saviour; i.e. one who actually can save.
2. Sin covered does not mean sin filled.
a. The only way God could forgive my sin was for Jesus to take my sin.


C. The cross for him would not be the end, but simply the doorway to His resurrection and Satan’s eventual downfall!
III. The cross of reception
A. One man died to sin - he was a dying saint.
1. He too was separated; not from God but to God!
2. Theologians call this, glorification.
B. He died with sin taken from him.
1. God erases them! Isaiah 43:25a I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake…
2. God throws sin away. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
3. He changes sin’s color. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
4. God forgets about sin. Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
C. The cross for him would not be the end but simply the doorway to eternal life!

Conclusion: Isaiah 55:6-7/1 John 1:9 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [1:9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I hope you have a good, safe, and healthy week. If you’re traveling, please be careful. Some of our winter visitors have already gone back north, while others will be leaving soon. We miss our winter friends when they are gone. They help to make Friendship Harmony the special place it is. Remember: you can experience at least the preaching portion of our Church by going to www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, then scroll to the message you wish to view. By the way, as an added bonus, the Sunrise Message is also on youtube. It too will be posted on Tuesday. I’ll meet you on the video, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!