Graduation Day

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope this note finds you well, and enjoying all the blessings God has sent your way. Yesterday was a very special day for me. I was asked to speak at this year’s Commencement exercises at the SouthWest Florida Bible Institute. What an honor it was to be part of the joyful celebration. Several of the graduates had been in my classes, and I felt so proud. One woman, who had enjoyed a career in medicine, came to me in the receiving line of instructors and said, “I’m not shaking your hand. I need a hug from you.” I told her I would gladly hug her. I whispered in her ear that she was one of my best students, which she really was. I gave her a 95 on a paper once, and she wanted to know where her other five points were. Marlene studied hard and was proud of her accomplishments. I am proud of her and the others too. Dr. Jim Scafidi, the school’s president, explained why it was called “commencement.” He said when receiving their diplomas, the students were not facing an ending, but a beginning. My prayers are with each of the graduates as they go forward and use their education to assist in the advancement of the Kingdom Of God!

The service at Friendship Harmony was such a blessing. The attendance was good, and it was so good to have been in the house of the LORD. At Friendship Harmony, we sing the old tried and true hymns, and we still use our hymnals. None of us have any fight with the more modern ways, but there is such a comfort in being part of services similar to those like when we were growing up. We consider it a privilege.

The morning message was from the Parable of the Pounds from Luke chapter 19. The notes are not available at this time. I am in the process of learning to use my new laptop. I typed the notes on the old one which uses XP and Microsoft Works. My new one uses Windows 7, and Microsoft Word. I like XP and Works much better, but that is probably because they are all I know. I originally bought a laptop installed with Windows 8, but I quickly took it back. I let my daughter look at it and she said it was too much computer for me. She said Captain Picard could run the Enterprise with that thing. I won’t say it frustrated me, I’ll just say it is times like that when I thank the LORD for eternal security.

After services were over, I had to make a quick exit to get up to the school for the graduation ceremonies. I was unable to tape for the video broadcast, and that really bothered me. I am going to be working on idea which will put some videos “in the can.” That way when I cannot tape, we will have one ready to go and no one will miss the videos.

When I learn how to convert Microsoft Works to Microsoft Word, I’ll post yesterday’s notes. I bought a book called, “Microsoft Office 2013 For Dummies.” I absolutely amazes me that I have enough intelligence to be working toward my second doctorate, yet a computer which most ten year olds can routinely operate throws me into a tail spin. I know everybody has their gifts, but I wish I were just a bit more computer literate. Oh well…..

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

VIDEO CHANGE IS REALITY

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I hope you had an excellent weekend and that all is well with you. The Cooper family here in Southwest Florida is doing fine. Did your pick win the super bowl? As of the time of the writing of this blog, The Seahawks are ahead 43-8, and I am thrilled. My grandson, Nathan, is a Seahawk fan, so I’m sticking with him. Either way, when the sun comes up in the morning, and it surely will, life moves on. It is fun to have something to root for and to cheer about. It makes life more bearable. However, when your team loses, shrug it off, move on, and “wait until next year.” Believe me, I know. I’m from Cincinnati!

I want to take this opportunity to announced to you that the changes we had planned for the video ministry have been made. As I previously explained, I realize that gazing into a computer screen for 30 minutes tends to be a bit difficult. We hope we solved that dilemma for you. We no longer record the morning message live. After everyone leaves, we record a 10 minute synopsis of the sermon. The same notes are used, it is just cut down in length. I do hope this helps. You can view the video at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Would you please view it and let me know what you think? Your feed back is of great value to us. Remember, you do not have to have a facebook account to see the video. Just click onto the link provided.

The service at Friendship Harmony was super. Our pianist was not in attendance, so we sang a-capella. Eleanor did a fine job of leading us and sang a beautiful solo on the song, “He Touched Me,” We are so blessed to have her and Allan with us.

Friendship Harmony is truly a team ministry. Many people perform many ministries that make this church successful. I am blessed as the Pastor to only have to wear one hat. I do my job, everyone else does theirs, and it clicks. That is how it is supposed to work.

Here are the notes from yesterday’s message. It is titled, “The Fox In The Hen House,” and it is the parable of the wheat and the tares. Why not copy the notes, then follow along with the video. The video should be ready by Tuesday morning.

The Fox In The Hen House
Matthew 13:24-30
By Victor Cooper
02/01/14

Intro: Parable comes from the Hebrew word Mashal and means defining what is unknown by using what is known. It is a mini drama with a cast of characters. By knowing the cast of characters, it is easier to see the meaning of the story.
Three points to remember concerning parables:
1. Every parable has a point.
2. A parable will push for a decision.
3. A parable is a picture of reality.

The Cast Of Characters
The land owner Jesus
The field The Church
Sleeping men Church members
Servants Pastors
The Enemy Satan
Place of burning Hell
The Barn Heaven

I. V24 The field
A. In general, the world
B. Specifically, the church

II. V 25 Sleepers --- lukewarm; won’t take a stand
A. Examples: Churches of Pergamos, and Thyatira from Revelation 2.
While the church sleeps, the devil works overtime.
B. “went his way” sneering, smugness of Satan

III. V 26 Wheat and tares together
A. You could not tell one from the other until the wheat bloomed.
B. By then it was too late to weed the fields; the wheat and tare roots were intertwined.

IV. V 27 The question: How did the weeds get in in the first place.
A. This is stupid question #1.

V. v 28 There has been a fox in the hen house.
A. Stupid question #2: Shall we weed the field?
B. Illogical question: they knew better.
C. The servants are showing a complete lack of reason.

VI. V 29-30 The day of reckoning awaits.
A. Both must grow together.
1. This protects the wheat
2. The wheat has value.
B. The burning tares would be used for heat as there was limited forest land.
C. The wheat was safe and secure in the barn.


May the Lord bless your upcoming week, and remember, your comments are always appreciated. E- mails can be sent to preachercooper@hotmail.com. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Renters Responsibility

Good Monday Morning To You! How was your past week? Mine was pretty routine --- at least as routine as a preacher’s week can be. I had an interesting conversation with a Jewish friend. He rejects the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. As we talked, I could not help but think of what the Apostle Paul might have said to him if he could be standing there in conversation with us. My friend asked me why would I pray to a mere man. I told him I wouldn’t. I told him Jesus indeed was a man born of a woman, but that He is also the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that he is fully God. My friend and I disagreed, but we were able to depart still friends. I’m happy about that! Wow!!! What a fantastic service we had yesterday At Friendship Harmony. Ken and Margaret Birdsong led our song service for the final time. As you might recall, earlier this month I announced their intention to retire as our Minister of Music and pianist. The Birdsongs played a trumpet - piano duet that was absolutely spectacular. We will miss their musical leadership, and the sweet fellowship we shared. Now, for the announcement I mentioned on our Facebook page. I’m pleased to announce that Karan Barry from Cape Coral will be following Margaret at the piano. Karan is a fine keyboardist, and she loves her Lord very much. She will continue the tradition of excellent music at Friendship Harmony. I was hoping to be able to tell you that we had also secured the services of a worship leader, but it was not to be. Keep praying that the LORD will supply a minister of music for us. The LORD sent the Birdsongs, as well as Sister Barry, so I believe He will send someone to direct our music. As I’ve said so many times before, you do not attend Friendship Harmony, you experience Friendship Harmony. Our song service is the reason why. I cannot help but believe that practice will continue. I continued our series on the parables of Jesus. Yesterday we looked at the story of a man who rented his field to another, then sent his servants to collect the agreed upon payment. The renters killed the servants, so the landowner sent more. Once again the servants were killed and no rent was paid. Finally, the landlord sent his own son to collect, but he too was killed. The contract breaking murderers even believed they could steal the land. Matthew tells us in chapter 21 verse 45, “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” They were exactly right; He was. However, the parable also speaks to each of us. Jesus wants you to know that you are the gardeners in His field, and you are responsible for bringing forth fruit. The parable teaches us that the landowner had supplied the husbandmen (sharecroppers) with every thing they needed in order to be successful. Verse 33 tells us, “…There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:” He planted it, hedged it, installed a winepress, in it, and built security towers. Everything necessary for success was in place. God has given us all we need in order to be fruitful servants. Jesus told us in John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” My question to you is this: Are you a fruit bearing servant of Jesus Christ? I do need you to remind you that not all fruit bearers are part of the harvest. Scriptures also teach us that “…I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Cor. 3:6, 8-9.) Restating my original question, “Are you using the gifts and resources God has entrusted to you to bring forth fruit for Him? Read the parable and ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance. He will be only too happy to guide you to an understanding. May the Lord bless your upcoming week, and please continue to remember Friendship Harmony in your prayers. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!