Picnic At Friendship Harmony

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Let me say how good it is to visit with you this week. Did anything exciting happen to you since we met last? How about writing me and letting me know. You can send me an e-mail to fhbcsjc@gmail.com or preachercooper@hotmail.com. Either way it is always good hearing from you. Recently I heard from a reader in India, and one in Southern California. I also heard from a someone right here on Pine Island that I have not yet had the pleasure to meet. I hope that person comes to Friendship Harmony soon. I love meeting our own local residents.

This past Saturday we had a picnic/concert at the church in honor of the full-time residents who live in the community with the church. As you might know, we are a new church, and we meet at the clubhouse belonging to the Flamingo Bay Association. They very graciously rent their facility to us, and we wanted to give something back. We felt a picnic and concert given in their honor would be in order. As I stated last week, Friendship Harmony is not going to follow the lead of many other Island churches that all but close up shop during the summer. To me, that sends out a wrong message. That tells our full time people that our winter visitors are worth doing things for, but not them. There is a word for that flawed way of thinking. It is pronounced, “Baloney!” Our full timers are most definitely important! They are the back bone of the community, and we at Friendship Harmony appreciate them.

The picnic was absolutely awesome. The food was great, and it was well attended. Our music was provided by Fiddlin’ Bill. Fiddlin Bill, and his wife, Anita, were so gracious to come and help with our picnic. The people at the picnic enjoyed their music. I have already had several ask me when they are coming back. They will be back on March 9, 2014 in our Sunday morning worship service. That will be the day of our fellowship dinner, so if you are here, come and be with us

While I am thinking of it, let me also tell you that Dustin Jenkins from Nashville, Tennessee will be with us on January 12, 2014, and the Majestic Sounds Quartet from Cincinnati, Ohio will be here on February 9, 2014 for our third annual homecoming. We are also working on booking singers for both November and December. We will let you know as soon as these dates are confirmed.

I continued the sermon series called, “The Making Of A Man.” Last week we looked at Solomon, and yesterday we looked at some of the fine traits in the life of Noah. For both messages, and for those coming in the future, we are examining the same three qualities. These people were descent, they were honest, and they were honorable. First, we said he was descent. In Genesis 6: 8-12, we learned that, “Noah found grace in the sight of the LORD. Grace is from the Hebrew word, “chen,” and here it means, “kindness.” What was it that set Noah apart from everyone else? From our passage of Scriptures we see three reasons. Noah was a just man; he was a “perfect man in his generation” (of a consistent character – never departing from the truth); and he walked with God. Interestingly, the same Hebrew word was used to describe Enoch’s walk with God. Noah was a descent man!

Next, Noah was honest. From Genesis 7:5 we learn that, “Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.” God gave the command, Noah wisely agreed to it, and then he kept his word and carried it out. A man’s or a woman’s character is only as good as their word. Are you honest with your word? Can you be counted on to follow through with the commitments you have made? Noah could. It took him 120 years, but he was faithful to it, and he finished the task he told God he would complete. His word and his promise meant something. He was honest!

Finally, he was honorable. The writer of Hebrews 11:7 tells us, Noah, “… condemned the world…” Exactly what did he do? He preached! He proclaimed the message of Salvation to his countrymen while he labored. Peter called him, “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5) So how is this honorable? It is honorable in that he did the right thing in warning his neighbors of their impending doom, even in the face of their rejection and ridicule. Sometime the honorable thing to do is stand for what is right, even in the face of opposition. Noah was an honorable man!

For you ladies that are here on Pine Island, don’t forget the ladies’ luncheon this coming Thursday at 1:00 pm. It will be at the Island Grill in the Winn Dixie plaza.

Thanks for being such a faithful reader of this blog. You are what makes it all worthwhile. I hope you have a good, healthy, and pleasant week.

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

Closed Doors

Good Friday Morning To You!

Yes, you read it right, I said good Friday morning. It seems that some of you did not receive last Monday’s blog, so I’m going to try again. I’m sure the problem was, “pilot error.” Any of my kids can tell you that I am not computer savvy. As a matter of fact, any tool in my hands: electronic, electrical, hand, or otherwise is a dangerous thing. My dad was very good with tools, as are my two boys, Jason and Kevin. That kind of talent skips a generation I am told.

Here is Monday’s blog, slightly updated.

Sunday at Friendship Harmony was a celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We have Communion with our Lord the first Sunday of every month. As we receive the bread and the juice, we think of the great sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. It is hard to imagine Jesus loving me so much that He would suffer the horrors of the cross for me. I believe that if I was the only person on earth in need of redemption, Christ would still have gone to the cross. When I traveled the country singing Gospel music, we sang a song called, “When He Was On The Cross, I was On His Mind.” One of the most striking lines in the song says, “He knew me, yet He loved me.” Jesus loved me when I was in the filth and degradation of my sin. The Apostle Paul told the Romans, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Sunday was the final message in the four part series “Open Doors.” The title was, “When God Closes The Door.” God not only opens doors, but He also closes them. According to the text verse, Rev. 3:7, when God closes a door, it stays closed. It also teaches when God opens a door, no man can close it. Has God closed some doors in your life? Are you just as thankful for the closed doors as you are for the open ones? You should be. When God closes a door, it is for the best. If you were wandering aimlessly and about to go into a place full of danger, when suddenly someone closed the door to protect you from going in, would you not be grateful? I’m sure you would. That is what God does for you when He closes a door. The sermon notes are below and the video is posted on YouTube. You can view it at www.youtube.com. From their home page type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. When our icon comes up, find the message you’d like to see. There are several to choose from, so be sure to take in the entire series. Thank you for being a faithful reader of the blog. Here are the notes.

God’s Open Doors
Revelation 3:7
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
4 of 4

When God Closes The Door

I. Only God can open or close one of His doors.
A. Angels can, also, but only at God’s calling.
1. Angels never act independently from God.
B. “To try to open a door God has shut is an exercise in futility and foolishness.” Pastor Vic Cooper

II. When God closes a door, it stays closed until He decides to reopen it.
A. God closed the door of the ark.
Genesis 7:16 (NASB-Updated) Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed it behind him.
B. Noah and all family stayed aboard until God told them to leave. Genesis 8:15-16 And God spake unto Noah, saying, [16] Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
C. God closed a door to Daniel. Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
D. God opened that door to John. Rev. 1:1, 19 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

III. Some doors God has no intentions of ever reopening.
A. Satan’s destiny is sealed and it is for ever. Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
B. The sinner’s punishment is also for ever.
Rev. 20:15; 22:10-11 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. [11] He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
1. The rich man of Luke 16:26 was told his punishment was for ever.
2. Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
C. The backslidden Christian can also face a closed door. Jeremiah 15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

Conclusion: If God has opened a door, walk in. If God has closed a door, walk away.

I hope you are blessed with a safe and healthy week. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead when you go to bed this coming Saturday night. If you’re in the area this coming Sunday, be sure to come to Friendship Harmony for a joyous time in the Lord. If not, be sure to visit us on YouTube, and again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Why Does God Delay?

Good Monday Morning To You!

Did you have a Merry Christmas? I hope your’s was good and that Santa was good to you. Someone asked me if I got a lump of coal this year. I wish I had! It is cold here in Florida. The winds were fierce this 47 degree morning, and it felt like 35. To some of you who are experiencing single digit temps, that might not sound too bad, but to us cracker boys, we’re freezing! I do, however love the smell of coal burning; it brings back memories of being at my Mamaw and Papaw Emery’s in my pre-school years. I also love the smell of bacon frying in the pan. It too brings back cherished memories.

The service at Friendship Harmony was tremendous. We were able to tape it, and hopefully it will be on youtube by Friday afternoon. I will send out a special blog to let you know if that indeed does happen. I will also make an announcement on our facebook page.

Yesterday I spoke on the topic, “When God Waits.” Has He ever made you a promise then seemed to delay? Why does He do that? In the message we looked at an experience in the life of Noah, and discovered when God waits, He is preparing you for service, and preparing the circumstances for you. Below are the notes. I hope they help in your personal Bible study. As always, preachers and Bible teachers are also allowed to use them. I hope they help.

When God Waits ©
Psalm 93:3,4
By Victor Cooper
12/27,29/12

Intro: Does it sometime seem like God wait’s a long time between what He tells you He is going to do, then doing it? God has His reasons and they are always right. We see from the experiences of Noah some of His reasons.

I. He prepared Noah for service. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
A. It was a learning experience.
B. It was a testing experience
1. He was mocked and ridiculed.
2. No doubt he wondered about it all.
3. Wondering is not a lack of faith, but quitting is.
C. It was a faith building experience.
1. As his fellowship with God continued, His faith grew.

II. He prepared circumstances for Noah.
A. God directed the building of the Ark. (Read Gen. 6:14-22)
B. God rules over circumstances.
Genesis 8:20-22 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. [21] And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every ` thing living, as I have done. [22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
1. He promised no more would the earth be destroyed by water.
2. He promised the seasons would continue.
3. He promised there would always be day and night.

III. He prepared a covenant for Noah. (Read Gen. 9:12-17)
A. God gave His sign: The bow in the clouds.
B. Has God given a sign to us? Definitely: the entire Godhead has!
1. God the Father gave us a sign: Jesus.
2. Jesus gave us a sign: The Holy Spirit.
3. The Spirit gave us a sign: power.

Hopefully you will be able to see this message on Friday as it was delivered at the Friendship Harmony Baptist Church yesterday December 30, 2013 in the ten o’clock service. Have a good and safe week, and if you are to be on the roads tonight, New Year’s Eve, please be careful. Happy New Year from Pastor Vic, Bess, and the entire Cooper family. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!