Throwing The Baby!

Good Monday Morning To You!

How is your week beginning? I am told that about one third of the country is dealing with snow. Are you one of those? Here in south west Florida we do not get snow, but it can get quite cold. Last Wednesday morning our wake up temperature was 44 degrees. I know some of you are dealing with much colder temps, but to us 44 is a cold 44. I had my furnace set on 68, and it kicked on.

Once before I wrote about my mom’s parents, Ruby and Austin Emery. They were the only grandparents I knew because dad’s folks died in 1945, and 1952; I was born in 1954. Unfortunately, my Papaw Emery died in 1960, so I didn’t have him very long. As the oldest grandchild, I am the only one who remembers him. Mamaw, on the other hand, lived to a ripe old age. She has only been gone eleven years.

Mamaw Emery had a bit of a problem with my sense of humor. She would say, “You’re a preacher. Preachers aren’t supposed to act like that.” Even saying it, I could see the twinkle in her eye. To both Mamaw and Papaw Emery, I could do no wrong. If only Howard and Alene Cooper could have been convinced of that.

I remember a time in 1980 when we went to visit her. She lived next door to mom and dad, so I saw her often. My daughter, Amanda, was two years old at that time and she had a doll she called “Baby Sister.” In fact, that might have been what the manufacturer called it. This doll was the size of a two year old child. It and Amanda were equally matched. I was in dad and mom’s living room and decided to play a prank on Mamaw Emery. I put Amanda’s winter coat on Baby Sister and carried her next door. When we walked in, Mamaw said, “There’s my baby.” I asked her if she would like to see her, and she said “absolutely.” I said, "O.K. then, here you go." I threw Baby Sister across the room at Mamaw. I expected she would jump out of her skin. Here is where the tables were turned. She let the doll fall to the floor in front of her, and said, “I knew it was a doll when you threw it. I knew you’d never throw Amanda across this room.” She then proceeded to give me the “You’re a preacher speech.” When the real Amanda came in, all was forgiven, except for the fact she did not have her winter coat on. Believe me, I heard about that too. “Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul, in the stillness of the midnight, precious sacred scenes unfold.” (Precious Memories, copyright 1966 by Stamps-Baxter Music. Written by J. Wright and Lonnie Combs)

As yesterday was what many churches call “Advent,” I felt it proper to develop a series of messages leading up to Christmas. It was “Expectation Sunday,” so the message followed that theme. I am not following the Advent schedule precisely as the Protestants and Catholics do. I am doing a “Baptist version.” I will be preaching the following messages on the subsequent Sundays leading up to Christmas. They will be “Proclamation Sunday” on 12/8, “Preparation Sunday” on 12/15, and “Exhilaration Sunday” on 12/22. If you cannot be with us at Friendship Harmony, be sure to view the videos which are available on Tuesday mornings. You can see them at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the video. The notes are below for your Bible study use.

First Sunday of Advent - Expectation ©
Genesis 3:14,15
1st in a series of 4 By Victor Cooper
11/29-30/13

Intro: Advent means “coming.” The birth of Jesus was the first advent; the first coming of Christ. Although most Baptists do not use the term “advent,” they certainly believe it. We call it Christmas.
Question: Why was Christmas necessary?

I. Man had sinned. V6
A. Their expectations were too low.
1. The tree would make them wise.
2. A high expectation would have been to understand that God’s wisdom was all they needed.
B. Their expectations had become clouded.
1. “… it was pleasant to the eye…”
C. Their expectations were self focused.
1. The tree was both good for food and pleasant.
2. It was also off limits.

II. Man became separated from God. V23-24
A. Eden was where they had enjoyed fellowship with God.
B. They were jolted back to reality
1. There were driven out
2. God’s curse was validated.

III. God still cared for man.
A. God cursed the serpent. V15
B. God made provision for them. V21
C. Even cursed, the ground would still provide. v17
IV. Man’s expectation was introduced. V15
A. “..I will put enmity between thee and the woman…”
B. “It shall bruise thy head.”
1. It indicates a deadly wound.
2. A heel wound is not deadly, only crippling.
Bible Knowledge Commentary: Satan would cripple mankind (you will strike at his heel), but the Seed, Christ, would deliver the fatal blow (He will crush your head).

V. Man’s expectation was a deliverer. V15
A. This is the first prophecy in the Bible.
B. It pointed to the first coming of Christ.
C. The Messiah will come. Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Conclusion: Isaiah 46:4 ESV says, “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” This is our hope - it is our expectation! Christmas tells us of that glorious expectation. It shouted, “Expect your deliverer to come!”


I hope this Christmas season is one of joy and happiness for you and your family. This year will be a bitter sweet time for the Coopers. This will be our first Christmas without mom. I sure miss her, but she would want us to go on and enjoy celebrating the birth of Christ. We will, but she sure loved Christmas. You have a blessed and safe week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Traditions

Good Monday Morning To You!

As if I need to tell you, the holiday season is in full swing. It is neat that the holiday “Big Three” come so close together. Many families have traditions they enjoy every year. Does your family have any? Maybe it’s a gathering at a special place, or maybe it is a particular dish. For our family, the tradition was to always begin our Christmas celebration on December 24th at 6:00 p.m. At that time, we read the Christmas story. Nothing else would happen until the Christmas story was read. My parents wanted their two boys to know that Christmas was not about presents and food, but that it was a celebration of Jesus’ birth. The next day was the Christmas meal, and it always included a ham. To this day we eat ham at Christmas. Now let me stop and ask you if your Christmas meal features a ham. Well? Does it? Think about it: celebrating the birth of a little Jewish boy with ham? Hmmm.

We had another tradition in our family. We had hamburgers every Thursday. Dad was paid each Thursday and we would go to Alber’s Grocery Store and shop for the week. After Alber’s closed, once a week I was sent to the butcher shop about three blocks from the house. The tradition remained well past my high school years and was only altered once. At some point cheese was added to the burgers. To this day, I would rather have a home made cheeseburger than to have water to drink or air to breathe. Yum - Yum!

Yesterday was a fantastic day at Friendship Harmony. The attendance was good, and you could feel the presence of the LORD. We had a young lady from West Virginia visiting, and she sang her version of Amazing Grace. Wow!! That girl could sing! It was one of the finest versions of Amazing Grace I have ever heard. I hope she will sing for us again one day soon.

The morning message was from Psalm 15 where David asked, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” He goes on in the next four verses and answers the question. Spend just a few minutes reading the psalm. If you are a believer, I’m sure you want to have a nearness to your LORD. Psalm 15 tells you how. Remember, David gives an answer, not an option. Also, the answer is complete. You do not pick and choose through the list. It must be an entire description of how you are living your life, although for some, performing two or three would be an improvement.

Here is a little update on the progress of the video ministry. One day this week, some of us will be meeting with a computer tech who will assist us on the process of uploading to the internet, so that you will be able to hear and see the morning message. We will keep you updated as we know more.

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

One Last Hoorah

Good Monday Morning To You!

One final time in 2011, let me, wish you a merry Christmas. How was your Christmas? As I sit writing this, it is still Christmas at about 8:30 pm. Officially there is less than four hours of Christmas remaining. Next week is New Year’s Day --- 2012 will begin. When I was a boy, 2012 was so far into the future, that it was never even considered. Now, it is six days away, and suddenly it takes up a lot of space in my thinking.

2011 has been a good year for me personally, and professionally. On the personal side, even though there was a bump in the road, I’ve come out of it better. I’m better physically, and spiritually. Physically, my heart is good and strong. My doctors are using such phrases as, “doing much better than expected,” and “this report is very good.” The dieting and exercising are tough, and quite frankly some days I don’t want to do them, but hearing the good words from the physicians and the cardiac rehab team at Cape Coral Hospital make it all worthwhile. Plus, I feel great!

Professionally, Friendship Harmony Baptist Church has been a real blessing in my life. I told the crowd at our Christmas Eve Service, that I wish I would have started our Church twenty years ago. God had perfect timing, though, and this Church came along at the right time in the right place. Our Church is farther along at just a little over a year old than is many churches that have been around much longer. To God be the glory! If an interviewer were to ask me what has the Church and I done to bring about such phenomenal blessings, I’d have to honestly say that our Lord has done it all, we’ve just been along for the ride. I believe that as long as Friendship Harmony follows the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg --- even greater days lie ahead in the not too distant future.

Last Wednesday, seven of us from FHBC visited the Sovereign Grace Church of the Brethren in North Fort Myers. I have known the Pastor, Bob Chapman, for nearly twenty years. I was invited to lead in the Communion part of the service. It was a real joy to be part of that service. Bro. Chapman’s congregation was so gracious to us, and made us all feel right at home. I hope we as a Church can fellowship with these good people again in the future.

As I mentioned earlier, we had a Christmas Eve service this past Saturday night. It was a traditional service with the singing of carols, a sermon preached in two parts by two different preachers, and an offering collected for foreign missions. For those of you who might not know how we as Southern Baptists support missions, let me introduce you to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Lottie Moon was an American missionary to China, long before the Communist take over. She dearly loved and cared for the people of China. Her example of warmth, grace, compassion, and a zeal for sharing Christ is what Southern Baptists try to emulate today. Part of how that is done is through this special offering. Every cent collected goes to the support of international missions; no administrative fees are received. If you would like to be a part of this outstanding and most efficient missions offering, you can mail a check made payable to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. On the memo line, write “Lottie Moon.” Do it quickly though, we will only be collecting the offering through January 8th. Offerings can be mailed to FHBC; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida; 33956

Next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic will see each of us in the year 2012. Have a good, safe, and joyous week. I hope that as you look back on 2011, you will forget the bad and focus on the blessings and the good. My prayer for your 2012 is that it is exciting, joyous, and filled with many blessings from above. Seek it! You’ll find it! (Matthew 7:7)

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Life's Purpose: Conclusion

Good Monday Morning to You!

Are you ready for Christmas? Ready or not in just six days we celebrate the birth of Christ. Now I realize His birthday is probably not December 25. It is more likely a spring time event. Shepherds were not in the fields in December. However, whenever it was, I do not think Jesus minds when we celebrate it, just so it is done with grateful hearts. He came to our world as one of us to be our Redeemer and Lord, so go on and celebrate it. Enjoy your time with family and friends, just don’t get so wrapped up in the festivities that you forget about Him. I know you know all of this. I know I’m, “preachin’ to the choir.” However, I also believe a gentle reminder is good for all of us, Pastor Vic included, from time to time.

I wish you could have been with us at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church yesterday. Our day started with sister Brenda Conley teaching one of the best lessons I’ve ever heard on Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac. What a blessing it was to hear her comments and the ensuing discussion. The worship service was tremendous. It is always joyous when we sing the Christmas carols. They are some of the most uplifting and Scriptural songs in the hymnal. One song we sang, “O come, Emmanuel,” is actually sung in the style of a Georgian chant. That was fun.

For the message, I concluded the two part series, “Life’s Purpose,” looking at the life and ministry of John the Baptist. John was a unique man and was a link between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus declared him to be a prophet –that’s Old Testament – yet he preached Jesus – that’s New Testament. Did you also realize that John the Baptist was the first person to be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb? In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit did not indwell. He came upon people to aid them as they accomplished something for the LORD, then departed. Old Testament – New Testament! As believers we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation, and He remains until we are ushered into the presence of the Father at the time of our glorification, ie: our death.

The notes are included below. I hope they help in your study of God’s word.

Life’s Purpose, By Victor Cooper

From Luke 3:1, Various

Intro: In part one in Luke 1 we saw John’s lineage (v 5), upbringing (v 6), history (v 11, 12), and purpose (v 13, 14.) That put John into a good position to fulfill his purpose. As he fulfilled it, we note he had the right message, the right motive, the right moment, the right method, and the right movement.

I. John had the right message v 2 – “…the word of God.”
a. V 3 – He was not preaching baptismal regeneration – ie: salvation by baptism.
i. He was preaching be immersed in repentance.
ii. Repentance is a turning “from – to.”
iii. To be immersed in it means to be totally sold on it. You accept no other way. Example –

Grant Smith: Topic Repentance 10409 – Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations.

British detective Grant Smith was sentenced to a three year prison term after confessing to Scotland Yard he had planted drugs and other evidence on four men in order to brighten his promotion chances. All four had been convicted. As a result of Smith’s confession, all four were given pardons to clear their names. Smith turned himself in shortly after becoming an elder in our evangelical congregation. “I want to be totally committed to Christ,” he told authorities. “I feel I cannot do that until I have come to terms with my fellow man.”

b. V 4 – “Prepare” –key word
i. In that day if a king was coming, the roads were smoothed and curves taken out. (v 5)

II. John had the right motive. V 15-17
a. He could have grabbed the glory and claimed to be the Messiah.
b. He could have said, “Christ is my cousin. Our family has come to save you. Come follow us.”
c. He displayed humility and grace.
d. He let them know it was not about him, it was about Jesus. Read John 3:28,30

III. John had the right moment. John 1:6, 7
a. He had the call and he responded – then; not later. John 3:38
i. John could not afford to delay – the timing was impeccable.
b. Jabez prayed for the right moment.
1 Chronicles 4:10 “….enlarge my coat…” includes give me the right moment.

IV. John had the right method. V 4 (back to Luke 3)
a. (v 4-6) He preached, ie: proclaimed.
b. (v 8a) He challenged
c. (v 9) He warned
d. (v 10-14) He taught
e. He was following a pattern later recorded by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:1-5
1. preach
2. be instant (right moment) – From a Greek word meaning, to be present.
3. reprove
4. rebuke –forbid.
5. exhort – to invite; to call near; to encourage.

V. John’s reward was the right movement. Matt 3:5,6
a. It was the planned result.
b. It was the expected result.
c. It was the honored result.
i. Jesus said, Luke 7:28 A
For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:
ii. Your reward – Luke 7:28 B
but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

We’ll meet again the day after Christmas so from the entire Cooper family, all fifteen of us, Merry Christmas to all of you and your families. I’ll see you next week on Monday Morning with Pastor Vic.

Did You See The Star?

Good Monday Morning to you!!!

I have some news I must share with you. It is my sad duty to report to you that this is the last Monday Morning With Pastor Vic you will receive this year. I know how devastated you must surely be, but take heart --- next week Monday Morning continues into 2011. Please control your emotions and let us get on with the serious stuff.

Did you have a nice Christmas? Did you get all the presents you wanted and were you able to stuff yourself with homemade fudge and chocolate chip cookies? Did you get to see the face of a child as he wandered sleepy-eyed into the room where hours earlier Santa had visited and had generously opened his magical sack of every toy conceivable? Did you look outside and see the star shining? Wait a minute preacher, what star? Once again, as at that first Christmas, the star came and nobody noticed.

Is the star of Bethlehem still in the heavens, and is it still shining? Possibly it is, but I’m not an astronomer, so I do not know. As a student of theology, my answer would be “No, it is no longer there.” Just as God prepared a special fish to house Jonah for three days and three nights, He also prepared a star to point the way to the place where the new born baby Messiah was lying. This was not the first time God used a celestial display to guide someone. In Exodus chapter thirteen we read where God sent a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night to lead the children of Israel. The two pillars, the whale, the star; these things are called revelators - they reveal something. That something was a route: the route to the will of God. It was God’s will that the wise men found the young Jesus. By following His revelator, what we refer to as the star of Bethlehem, they found the will of God for their lives. God’s will was for these men to find the Messiah. It is God’s will for people today to find the Messiah, the Christ as well. The trouble is, that even at the time of hearing Christmas carols being played on the radio, and over the speakers of many department stores, people miss it. They are so busy with buying, wrapping, and exchanging gifts, and baking, serving, and gorging on treats, that just outside their window the star shines, but nobody sees it.

God has a revelator for you but you must watch and listen for It. That “It,” is none other than the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus said of Him that He would, “… guide [us] into all truth.” (John 16:13) During this triune holiday season, we now have two down, and one to go. God does not want you to NOT enjoy the time with family and friends, but He also does not want you to miss out on a word from Him. Moses told his rather large flock to, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” Sometime in the midst of all the busyness, we need to just stop, look out the window, and search for the star. It’s there shining as bright as ever, but you will miss it if you do not look for it. The wise men were looking for the star. Are you looking for it?

Whatever plans you have for the New Year’s celebration, by all means stay safe. I want to visit with you again next week. To you and yours, have a happy and a Christ filled New Year. from the entire Cooper family now scattered from Arizona, to Nebraska, to Ohio, to Florida.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Remembrance from Christmas Past

Good Monday Morning To You!!!!

Merry Christmas to you. I like the smell of Christmas. As I write this, our house smells like gingerbread. Miss Bessie is baking gingerbread cakes to go into fruit baskets our church, Friendship Harmony, is delivering to our shut in folk. We hope to make their Christmas a little brighter by letting them know we love them and that they are not forgotten. What is your favorite Christmas smell? Is it freshly cut evergreen? Artificial trees are nice, and are a real convenience, but the smell of a real Christmas tree brings about warm memories of Christmases past.

One past Christmas I remember quite well. We lived in Elmwood Place, a little village tucked safely inside the borders of Cincinnati. The year was somewhere around 1963. I was nine years old at that time. My bedroom door opened out into the living room; there was no door-knob. I decided to turn out the lights, hide in my bedroom, and catch Santa in the act. I told my parents of my plan, so it was agreed we’d all hide in my room and peek through where a knob should have been. We must have been in that room for two hours or better, spying on Santa. My mom would occasionally say that Santa was pretty smart and would not likely be caught. I was persistent, and mom and dad were patient. I didn’t realize until years later that the best gift I received that year was not under the tree, but was hiding out with me in that bedroom peeking out the keyhole. Thanks mom and dad --- that was a great Christmas.

Do you have time for one other Christmas from Pastor Vic? For as long as I remember, our family celebration began at 6:00pm on December 24th. I guess that’s the Hebrew in me coming out (if indeed there is any). At 6:00 we were ready to, “let the fun begin.” Every year my mom would slow us down and say, “not until we read the Christmas story.” We had, and still have, a Christmas story book that had the section from Luke’s Gospel about the account of Christ’s birth. Not one gift was touched until that story was read. I remember one year I asked if I could read the story. Mom and Dad agreed, so I read, skipping forward as I went. Somehow we had to speed things along, after all, the presents were waiting. Mom let me finish then she said something like, “That was nice, now lets read it again so we can hear the entire story.” I learned that day that you do not want to try to pull the wool over Sunday School attending Southern Baptist parents.

In the spirit of the season, and to slow hectic times down a bit, lets read the story again. I do not know your favorite translation, so allow me to use the King James Version. Call me a traditionalist if you must, but to me, the KJV’s account has a certain beauty about it surpassed by none other.

Luke Chapter 2
Augustus enrolls all the Roman Empire
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
An angel announces it to shepherds
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

There mom, the whole thing this time, no cheating. From the entire Cooper Family, which is now splashed all over these United States, Merry Christ- filled Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with the blessings of hope, health, and happiness. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.