The Joy Of Being A Child Of God

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I trust you have had a good week; mine has been tremendous. Nothing much really happened, it’s just that I could sense the joy of the Lord. I’m thankful for His daily presence. Even in my time of grief and sorrow, I can still say with full assurance, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Oh the delight of walking with Jesus! I have two Miniature Schnauzers --- Bubba and Frazier. Sometimes as I am walking, they get right under my feet. Sometimes we collide. That is how I want to walk with Christ. I want to be right under His feet colliding with Him more often than not.

All I can say about the service at Friendship Harmony is “WOW!!!” What an incredible service! The LORD’S presence was so real. The congregation sang with such warm feelings. It was awesome. Eleanor McDonnell sang a special about “The Love Of God.” You could tell from her singing that she knew exactly what she was singing about. As some of you know, for several years I traveled and sang Southern Gospel music. I can tell you from first hand experience that some of those I have sung with only did it because it paid well. They sang the right words, but it was not from the heart. As we were singing together yesterday, it was as if our hearts and spirits all became one. You would have had to be there to understand. Perhaps you do understand. Perhaps you have experienced this in your Church. I hope so. This is pretty much how Friendship Harmony operates from week to week.

After the wonderful singing, came the preaching service. I preached part three of four in the series, “God’s Open Doors.” I really enjoyed the message today. I must confess to you that I am my own worst critic, and that most times I go home and pick my delivery apart. Today was different. I thoroughly enjoyed the preaching even if I did do it. You can view the message at www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. You will be able to find yesterday’s message as well as those from the past week. Yesterday’s message will likely be posted by Tuesday or Wednesday. Uploading is much slower than downloading, but Jim and Gwen Cook are doing a fantastic job of keeping the video ministry up to date. The notes are below, and you can find parts one and two by scrolling down. I hope the notes help you as you study God’s word. If you are able, why not print them, then follow along with the online video. Even if you were at Friendship Harmony yesterday, seeing it again and following the notes might help with either something you might have missed, or clear up something that was said. Here are the notes.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
3 of 4

Intro: Over the past two weeks we have examined seven open doors that God provides for His people. Again they are: a door of answered prayer, a door of utterance, a door of service, a door of Heaven, a door of opportunity, a door of faith, and a door of hope. Today we see a door of safety, a door of aid, a door of comfort, a door of judgment, and a door of invitation. As with the first seven, these doors are open, and waiting for you to walk through.

I. A door of safety. Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
A. God opened the door by making the blueprints available.
B. God opened the door by instructing the provisions to be brought aboard.
C. God opened the door by calling Noah to preach repentance.
1. “Stubborn refusal to pass through a door God has opened has disastrous consequences and cannot be blamed on God!” Pastor Vic Cooper
D. The Psalmist David knew of the open door of safety. Too many Psalms to list here speaks of it. The 23rd Psalm is the most famous of David’s open door of safety examples.


II. A door of aid. Genesis 19:10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
A. Sodom was a city of wickedness.
B. Lot was a wishy-washy believer.
1. He hated the sin of Sodom, but
2. He loved the good life the city afforded him.
a. He was a city ruler. He sat in judgment at the gates, i.e. the city meeting place where business matters were settled.
B. Like most politicians, Lot was wishy-washy.
C. The angels “pulled Lot into the house…”
1. This shows the selection of God.
a. It was God’s choice, not Lots.
b. He was rescued due to God’s grace, and for no other reason.

III. A door of comfort. Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
A. “Jesus makes the offer. Do you want the comfort or the complaining rights?” Pastor Vic Cooper
B. Jesus is saying, “I have a door of comfort open for you. Trust me and come in.”

IV. A door of judgment. Numbers 12:5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
The patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful… God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets…. Let Miriam and Aaron consider whom it was they insulted. We have reason to be afraid of saying or doing any thing against the servants of God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary
A. Aaron and Miriam had challenged Moses authority in such a way that God was displeased.
B. God called them to judgment and it was a door they had to pass through.
C. When God calls you to judgment you will respond.
example: The rich man of Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [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.
1. He did not want to be there.
2. It was his judgment and his wishes and desires did not matter.
3. “God has never been heard to say, “Does this meet with your approval?’” Pastor Vic Cooper

V. A door of invitation. Rev. 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
A. The invitation was to an open door.
B. The invitation was to come through the door and see some things.
1. The invitation to “come in” is implied, but an open door is always an invitation to enter.
C. The Book Of The Revelation could also be called The Book Of The Invitation.
1. One example: Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
2. The door of invitation is open , but one day it will close.
3. “What you do with Christ Jesus in this life determines what God does with you in the life to come.” Pastor David E. Miller


Conclusion: What will you do? You must not only go to the door, but through the door. Looking into the door is not good enough - that’s window shopping. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

As you go about your upcoming week, why not ask God for some open doors. He will open them and walk with you on the journey. In I Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prayed such a prayer, and “… God granted him that which he requested.” He will do that for you too. Oh the exciting journeys that lie ahead as you walk through God’s open doors. Write me and let me know about your journey.

We are in week two of our building fund campaign. I have set a challenge goal of $5000. Can you help us? If you could send a check to the church marked “building fund,” it would be appreciated. Your donation is tax deductible, and is confidential, known only to you and our treasurer. Send your gift to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida, 33956. Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers. Who knows? This might be a door God has opened for you: The Door of Assistance.

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

Reflections

Good Monday Morning To You!

Lately, I have been reflecting on my forty years in the ministry. It was April of 1972 when I accepted God’s call to preach. I remember it like it was yesterday. For quite a while, though I do not remember how long, I had felt like God was calling me. One evening before revival services were to begin, I asked my pastor, Brother David Miller, “How does a man know if he’s being called to preach?” I thought he would take me into his office, sit me down, and open his Bible and show me appropriate passages. He didn’t! He simply turned to me and said, “Son, if God’s calling, you’ll know it.”

Soon the service started. When the evangelist, John Turner began to preach, he and I might as well have been in that auditorium by ourselves. He was preaching to me! When the invitation was given, Bro. Miller stood at the altar to receive anyone who came forward. Before the first verse ended, I walked the aisle and my very words to our pastor was, “Brother Miller, I know.” I don’t recall what happened next, but Bro. Miller had me to stand down front. He told the congregation after the dismissal prayer, to come by and tell me they would be praying for me. Then Bro. Miller caught me completely off guard. He said, “Cooper, you’d might as well get used to speaking before people. You dismiss us in prayer.” I was scared to death, but what else could I do? I privately breathed my first "Jesus help me" prayer. Then I dismissed in prayer.

I still get a bit nervous when I stand before a group. It happens when I am making the announcements and greetings. However, when I take my Bible into the pulpit to preach, I am empowered, and absolutely at peace. I have no fear. I know the Holy Spirit is with me, and that angels are encamped around me. Next week, the LORD willing, I’ll tell you about my early days of ministry. I had more fun than Pete Rose on a head first slide!

Services today were absolutely fantastic at Friendship Harmony. The singing was great, and the attendance was good. After the service was over, we had our annual soup, salad, and dessert fellowship. Good service! Good fellowship! Good food! There was nowhere I would rather have been than Friendship Harmony yesterday.

Before I share the sermon notes with you, I’d like to give you an update on the video ministry. We met with a gentleman last week who has his own computer business. He taught us much, but said we’d need to meet again. He explained that the first meeting was instructional. When we meet him again in about two weeks, our learning will be hands on. Yesterday we videotaped the message, but it did not record. We’ll try again next week. We definitely have some learning to do.

I preached part two in a four part series titled, “The Advent Contrast.” The contrast concerns who Christ came for at His first coming, and who He will come for at His second coming - specifically, the Rapture. In this week’s message, we learned that at His first coming, Christmas, Christ came for those who were “the last.” We contrasted that with who He will come for when He appears again; “the first.” Three examples were cited where the last became the first. The notes are below. I hope they are a blessing to you.

The Advent Contrast ©
Mark 10:31
11/29/12; 12/8/12
Advent Series 2 of 4 By Victor Cooper

Intro: Occasionally you will hear the word “advent” used as a synonym of the birth of Christ. This is known as Christ’s first advent. Likewise, His second coming is sometime called the second advent. During each, Christ’s coming is for a specific group. Christ’s first advent was for the least, the last, the lowest, and the lost. By contrast, at His second advent He is coming for the greatest, the first, the highest, and the found,

Today we look at some of the last which were made first.

I. Isaac
A. He was the last son of Abraham.
B. His half brother, Ishmael, was already a teen.
C. Ishmael had been circumcised.
1. This is significant in that Ishmael received the sign of the covenant, making him covenant related.
D. God’s promised child was to Abraham and Sarah, not Abraham and Hagar. Why?
1. Isaac’s birth was supernatural; Ishmael’s was not.
2. The beginnings of the Children of Israel was of God, not man.
3. This paints a picture of the coming birth of the Messiah.

II. Jacob
A. He was the second born of twins.
B. He and his brother’s birth (Esau) was supernatural.
1. This is significant in that both boys could be in line to bring about the Messiah.
C. God tells Jacob the lineage would continue through him.
cf. Genesis 28
1. The last became first!

III. The Church at Smyrna --- Revelation 2:8-11
A. In a city of great wealth, this church was in poverty.
Example
Picture two beggars living in a back alley. Both have to beg for the food they eat. One has a cardboard box to sleep in at night, while the other sleeps on the bare ground. The latter would picture the church at Smyrna.
B. Jesus told them they were rich where it counted --- with Him.
C. Their birth, too, was supernatural as is every believer’s.
Ephes. 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Conclusion: As we saw last week, all sinners are the least in the eyes of God. They are also last. However, last is not bad, last is good, because Christ came for the last to make them the first.

Have a good and a safe week. If you should happen to be here on Pine Island on December 24, join us for our annual Christmas eve service. It will be at 6:00 pm at the church. If you need directions, call or write and I’d be happy to give you that information. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!