Some Promises From Jesus

Good Monday Morning To You!

What a pleasure it is to get to stop by and visit from week to week. I am so blessed to be able to communicate with you through this blog, and on our YouTube site. I know if Paul the Apostle would have had internet access in his day, he would have taken full advantage of it. Although he did not have it, we do. Because we do, we should use every means available to spread the Gospel. The Bible says in Luke 12:48 … For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required… We in 2013 have been given much. We must give back in return. We give back by using what God has given for His glory. Are you using your gifts and talents for Him? The story is told of a young clerk in a dry goods store who was converted to Christianity. He was taught the concept of tithing. He was told that you give a tenth of your income to God, and the other ninety percent you keep for yourself. The boy did not think this was fair. He felt it was more proper to give God the ninety percent and keep the tenth for himself. The young man was true to his word. His name? J. C. Penney. Need I say more?

Yesterday was an awesome day at Friendship Harmony. The congregational singing was such a tremendous blessing. Someone asked me a while back if we had a choir at our Church. I told them we certainly did. I told them our whole Church was the choir. Our folks really know how to, “raise the roof.”

The message came from John chapter 14. Although I love the entire word of God, John 14 is especially dear to me. In this chapter are many promises from Jesus. I cited three of those promises in the message, but in the actual sermon notes there are seven. I preached three of them, but on the notes I will give you below, you will find all seven. To preach all seven would have required a ninety minute message. I am not the kind of preacher who could hold a person’s attention that long. I’m simply not that good. I don’t even try to be. I enter the pulpit as a man who loves to preach and simply is who he is. I learned a long time ago that I cannot be anyone else but Vic Cooper. Here are those notes. The video should be posted by tomorrow afternoon and can be seen by going to www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church then select the message, "Some Promises From Jesus.

Some Promises From Jesus
selected from John 14
Victor Cooper
delivered 3/10/13


I. The promise of a future home. John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
A. Mansion or room?
1. room - RSV; NIV; NLT
2. dwelling place - NAS; NRS
3. mansion - KJV; NKJV; ASV; YLT
B. Which ever, it’s a place of constant fellowship with the LORD, so it’s all good.
C. John gives us a description in Revelation 21:1-22:5.

II. The promise of a face to face meeting with Him. John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
A. Your glorified body will allow you to see Him in all His glory.
1. If you’re blind in this life, don’t worry about it; you will see Jesus!
2. If you’re poor in this life, don’t worry about it; you will see Jesus!
3. If you’re nothing by this world’s standards, don’t worry about it; you will see Jesus!
B. Job believed it. Job 19:27a Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another…
C. Paul believed it. 1 Cor. 13:12a For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
D. Mrs. Breck in 1927 believed it. She wrote: “Face to face with Christ my Saviour, Face to face what will it be - When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?”

III. The promise of serving Him mightily. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
A. Greater works than Jesus??? The apostles would not necessarily do more stupendous miracles than Jesus did (e.g., feeding 5,000) but their outreach would be greater (e.g., Peter in one sermon had 3,000 converts). This was possible because Jesus had gone to the Father and had sent the Spirit. Miracles are important, but some evangelists have done even greater things than these by preaching the good news to many thousands of people. Bible Knowledge Commentary
B. “What are you doing for Jesus? I challenge each of us to ask ourselves, then God that question. Then be still and wait on His response.” Pastor Vic Cooper

IV. The promise of supplied need. John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
A. Paul testified, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philip. 4:19
B. Notice, Paul taught supplied need. need> Gk. chreia>requirement
C. Jesus promise is not a blank check.
1. Jesus is not a cosmic Santa Clause.
2. His promise to supply your need is so that, “…the Father may be glorified in the Son.” v.13
D. Jesus taught us to, “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

V. The promise of earthly companionship with God.
A. The Holy Spirit is God. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
His divinity is established (1) from the fact that the names of God are ascribed to him and (2) that divine attributes are also ascribed to him: omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and eternity. (3) Creation is ascribed to him, and the working of miracles. (4) Worship is required and ascribed to him. Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary
B. The Holy Spirit is real; He is referred to as a person.
His personality is proved (1) from the fact that the attributes of personality, as intelligence and volition, are ascribed to him. He reproves, helps, glorifies, intercedes. (2) He executes the offices peculiar only to a person. The very nature of these offices involves personal distinction.
Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary

VI. The promise of peace. John 14:27 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.
A. peace> Gk. eirene (I ray’ nay)> by implication, rest; quietness
1. Peace, here, is not the absence of strife. That’s called Heaven. Jesus said, “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 16:33
2. “Peace means you can sleep beside Jesus during the storm.” Pastor Vic Cooper
B. What is wrong with the peace the world gives?
1. The world can’t give something it doesn’t have.
a. The peace that means the absence of strife is not something the world possesses.
b. The peace that Jesus spoke of, eirene, quietness and rest, is not something the world possesses.

VII. The promise of rejoicing. John 14:28 Ye have heard how I saidunto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
A. Jesus staying meant the Holy Spirit could not come.
B. Jesus staying meant the promises He had just made could not be fulfilled.
C. Jesus going to the Father meant they could one day go as well.

Do you have a question that I can answer from Scriptures? Each week I will attempt to answer a question or two submitted from you, the fine readers of this Monday Morning Blog. E-mail your questions to fhbcsjc.com. If you would prefer a private, non public response, that is fine too.

Before I say goodbye, could I ask your help with something? As you know we are in week five of a six week building fund campaign. I set a challenge goal of $5000. To date we are less than $1600 from reaching our goal. Would you consider sending a gift of any size to help us one day buy land and erect a building? Your gift is tax deductible and can be mailed to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida, 33956. We thank you for whatever you can do.

Pray for me as I continue to prepare next Sunday Morning’s message titled “Holy Living.“ We will discuss what it means and how to do it. In the meanwhile, have a safe and healthy week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Heaven's Dictionary

Good Monday Morning To You! Welcome to the first full week of Autumn - or Fall as we always called it. Here in southwest Florida, it still seems like summer. Basically we only have two seasons; a hot summer, and a not so hot summer. Having been born and raised in southwest Ohio, I learned very quickly that I do not like cold, snow, or ice. To me, ice is what you use to drink a good cold glass of Pepsi. Other than chilling a drink, I see no beneficial reason for ice. As I read in my Bible about that celestial city, I see no mention of cold, ice, or snow. That tells me they are not there! That for me draws a loud, “Hallelujah!”

Speaking of Heaven, allow me a moment to tell you about a dream I once had. I dreamed I had entered the gates into Heaven. A very nice young man, who appeared to be in his early thirties, met me and led me to a building that looked like a library. He was wearing a crisp suit with a shirt and tie. His shoes were shined and looked to be new. He took me inside, and indeed it was a library. It was large and spacious, and he told me to be seated at a wooden table. On the table was a large book. He said, “Make yourself comfortable and feel free to browse through that book.” He then turned to leave and said, “I’ll be back shortly.”

The book looked like a dictionary, so I decided to look up some words that were familiar to me. I looked for “cancer.” It was not there. I looked for “death,” but again, it was not there. By this time, I decided to look for some Biblical words. I turned to the “S” section and looked for sin, sorrow, and Satan. Once again those words could not be found in that dictionary! I looked for “poverty“, “heartache“, and “war,” but once again, words that had been so much a part of my life were not there.

As I sat with a perplexed look on my face, my young guide came and sat at the table beside me. He said, “the words you are searching for cannot be found in this book. This is a dictionary of the words used here in Heaven. The former things are passed away and do not exist here.”

He took the book and told me to look. He opened it and I saw the word, “grace.” He turned further and there was the word, “mercy.” “Love” was there, as was “joy,” and “peace.” I saw the word, “blessing,” and “gentleness.” As a smile came across my face, I turned to speak to my new young friend. Suddenly he began to change right before my eyes. He had on a robe and sandals. He had a bright, yet peaceful glow about him. He held out his hands to me. They were nail scarred. It was Him! My guide was Jesus! It made perfect sense, because He had been since the day I received Him as my Lord and Savior. He said, “Forget those things which are behind. Behold, I make all things new.” He took me by the hand and said, “Follow me. I’m going to show you some things you never dreamed possible, and some people you haven‘t seen in a long while.”

I woke up at that moment, and never was able to finish my Heavenly tour. However, I was left with a peace that I could not put into words. I knew one day I would finish that tour. As a child of God, I have His assurance that this is so. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” As the old song says, What a day, glorious day that will be.”

At Friend Harmony yesterday, we had a terrific day. The attendance was very good, and a warm loving spirit permeated the service. It started with our Sunday School lesson being led by one of my dearest friends in the ministry, Rabbi Jim Pickens. Rabbi Pickens is a retired messianic Rabbi, and is a true student of the word; I am blessed to be able to call him my friend. The song service was very uplifting. We are now singing to recorded CD’s, and that is working out quite well. I finished our Victorious People series with the message, “Victorious Over Sorrow.” I must admit, this was my favorite of the four. When I stop to think about how much our enemy, sorrow, torments us day and night, it’s enough to be depressing and cause more sorrow. Even Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) However, as we also discovered, there is hope. Below are the notes. I hope they are a blessing to you.

Victorious Over Sorrow ©
Job 14:1
Victorious People Series 4 of 4 By Victor Cooper
9/19-22/12


Intro: In this four part series, we have examined how believers are victorious over Satan, sin, self, and sorrow. No believer needs to live a defeated life. We are a victorious people so lets start believing it and living it.

Our text verse from Job sounds bleak and hopeless,
but as we shall see, we can live with a foe that will
one day be eliminated!
.
I. Sorrow is inescapable. Psalm 38:17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
A. Sorrow is part of the curse. Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
B. A pop song from the 60’s said, “No where to run to, No where to hide.” This perfectly describes our relationship with sorrow.
C. The weeping prophet, Jeremiah lamented, “Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame. Jeremiah 20:18 NLT

II. Sorrow is hard to conquer. Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
A. Solomon is saying that even in the most joyous of times, sorrow is lurking just under the surface.
B. Our text verse says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Job 14:1
C. Sorrow is hard to conquer because it’s so consuming.
Psalm 102:4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
1. The psalmist might be saying, “I am consumed with sorrow to the point that I have lost my appetite and cannot eat.”
2. The psalmist might be saying, “I am consumed with sorrow to the point that I do not have time to eat.”
3. It is likely some of both!
Quote: “We must take time out to eat, sleep, work, and rest. Sorrow never takes a break. It’s a bit difficult to defeat an enemy like that, but it can be done!” Pastor Victor Cooper

III. Sorrow can be overcome. Psalm 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
A. It involves praising the Lord in both good and bad circumstances.
B. It involves calling out to the Lord.
Psalm 25:16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
C. It involves an answer from the Lord. Isaiah 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
D. An answer is assured because, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9

IV. Sorrow will cease. John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
A. Our victory over sorrow is assured because Jesus is the Great Overcomer.
John 16:33 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.
Quote: Such a saying as this [John 16:33] is worthy to be carried from Rome to Jerusalem upon one’s knees. Martin Luther
B. Sorrow is the big loser! 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.

Conclusion: Take heart dear believer, our two greatest enemies, death and sorrow, will one day be triumphantly eliminated by our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Once again, I hope the notes are helpful to you. I believe the influence of Friendship Harmony reaches far beyond the shores of Pine Island, in Lee County, Florida. Let me make one quick announcement. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:00 p. m. at The Island Grill, our ladies will have their luncheon. The Island Grill is located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza on Stringfellow Road. If you are in the area, you are cordially invited. Sorry guys, its for ladies only. I tried once to claim executive privilege and crash the party, but my status impressed no one. I know you ladies will have a fine time. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!