Snowballs And Flying Hats!!!

Good Monday Morning To You.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee, or a glass of juice and let’s visit. I hope you are having a good and healthy Spring. I suppose for our readers in Australia, and other southern hemisphere dwellers, you are having Fall. Wherever you are, I appreciate you for taking the time to read the blog. Have you had the chance to visit our videos on YouTube? You can see them by going to www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. Simply select the video you would like to see. Sunday’s message, “Peter, What Were You Thinking?’ will be available tomorrow. Until then, there are other videos available now.

Last week I told you about a time in my life when I decided to use my middle name. It was while I was in Bible College. I also mentioned that I knocked the dean’s hat off with a snowball. Several people have asked me to tell more. I will gladly tell it. To me it is as funny now as it was then.

I attended school in Missouri, and lived in a dorm room with three other boys. One afternoon it started to snow heavily, and in no time, a heavy, wet snow about three inches deep totally covered everything in sight. There were three dorm buildings in a row spaced about thirty feet apart. Each dorm had four floors, and I lived in the middle dorm on the fourth floor. Each dorm had an outside staircase with a decent sized landing. That snow was just laying there asking to be packed and thrown. Off all four landings snow balls were flying from all directions, including upon people on the ground. I had nearly used the snow the LORD had allotted me, and I had enough for one more good sized ball. The students down on the ground had an unlimited supply to work with. I spotted a young man who was picking people off at will, and I decided to nail him. I was a baseball pitcher, so hitting him would not be difficult. As a pitcher, I’ve hit many batters – some accidentally. That’s another story for another day. I took aim and let my snowball fly. I could tell from the moment I released it that my target was a sitting duck. Suddenly from the side of the building, Dean Harper appeared. He was wearing a nice dressy hat and my snowball nailed him in a perfect spot: his hat went flying. The only thing that moved faster than his hat flying through the air was Vic Cooper flying back into the dorm. For days that was the talk of the campus. Secretly, nearly everybody loved it. No one ever knew who threw that ball, and since I was never into bragging, I never told it either. Several days later, I passed him and his hat on the sidewalk and greeted him. He spoke and walked on by. As he passed me, I had a grin on my face that a surgeon could not have removed. By the time I reached the cafeteria, I was in full blown laughter. What I wouldn’t give for a return to those carefree days of my youth.

Yesterday was a good day at Friendship Harmony. Our visitors continue to come, and my prayer is that the Lord will unite them with our church. They are already part of us as far as I’m concerned.

The sermon series, “What Were You Thinking?” continued as we asked Peter what he was thinking when he walked on water. The notes are below. I hope they are a blessing to you. Tomorrow, you should be able to see and here the message on YouTube.

Peter, What Were You Thinking?
Matthew 14:28-31
2nd in a series By: Victor Cooper
11/11/06
updated 5/13

Peter experienced something no other human being on earth, with the exception of Jesus, ever experienced: he walked on water! The Bible doesn’t indicate how long he walked, just that indeed he walked on water. We would ask him, “Peter, what was it like? What were you thinking when you walked on water?”

I. Peter would say, “I wasn’t thinking about the water or the
walk. I just wanted to be with Jesus, regardless of the
obstacles. (text)
A. I already believed He was the Messiah. John 1:41
B. I would soon declare Jesus was the Messiah.
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
1. Christ is the Greek word for Messiah. When we call
Him Christ, we use the word as a pronoun or a noun.
The word “Christ” is a verb. It describes the noun which
is Jesus.
C. I had gladly accepted His call to be an Apostle.
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
1. We had had a miserable night fishing, then Jesus came
and told us to try again. We had the greatest catch we
had ever had. I knew our catch of the souls of men
would be just as good. Luke 5:1-7 He was our
Master.”



II. “I thought when you asked me ‘What were you thinking?,’
you were going to ask me what was I thinking when
I denied Christ.
A. I was ashamed. I had been warned I would, and I boast-
fully told Jesus He was wrong. I would never deny Him.
Mark 14:29-31.
B. I did repent, and He restored my relationship with Him.
John 21:15-17.”

III. “You think walking on water was a miracle, you should have
been with me at that Church Council meeting when I
revealed the Gospel was going to be delivered to the
Gentiles. Acts 15:7-11
A. I had told them Acts 10:34 …Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons:
1. The statement, We are saved, just as they are, is amazing. A Jew under the Law would say the opposite and in reverse order (“they are saved as we are”), but one who knew God’s grace, as Peter did, would not say that. Salvation for anyone— Jew or Gentile—is by God’s grace (v. 11) and is by faith.”


“What was I thinking when I denied Jesus? He forgave me. I’d rather think about that. What was I thinking about when I walked on water? I was thinking about, loving, and desiring to follow my Lord. The best thing to ever happen to me was meeting Him. Do you love Him, too?”

For those of you with us here on Pine Island, our monthly fellowship meal is this coming Sunday morning after church. The theme is, “My favorite casserole.” If you are in the area, come by and share what our ladies, and some of the men, can do with a casserole. It’s going to be delicious. Also, don’t forget that each Wednesday evening, our small group, “The Basics of Christianity” will continue at 6:30. Call me for more information if you’d like to go. May the LORD bless your week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Sermon Notes From April 21, 2013

Good Tuesday Morning To You!!

I’m happy to announce that last Sunday’s video, “The Coming Death” is posted on youtube. You can access it at www.youtube.com. From their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. Then click on our church and scroll to the video “The Coming Death,” or whatever video you’d like to see.

Below are the sermon notes. It’s good to follow them while viewing the video.

Coming With His Coming
2 Peter 1:19
Second Coming Series 3 of 4 By Victor Cooper
4/18-20/13

Intro: The Bible clearly affirms in many passages that Jesus is coming again. What happens with that coming?

#3 The Coming Death

I. Death defined: Separation, not cessation.
A. The saved are separated to God.
B. The lost are separated from God
C. The saved receive a new body; one that can live in Heaven and Earth. 1 Cor. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

D. The lost will also receive a new body; one that can life eternally in Hell. Luke 16:24 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.

II. At His coming in the air, the believing dead will live.
1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the `dead in Christ shall first.

III. At the end of the Millennium the lost dead will be judged. Revelation 20:11,12 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

IV. The judged dead will be eternally separated from God.
A. This means with no chance of repentance or escape. Rev. 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

I hope the notes and the videos are a blessing to you. You can also access the videos on our Friendship Harmony Facebook page. May I ask you a favor? We are trying to get our video ministry off the ground so that it will reach many for Christ. Would you be willing to share it on your facebook page and ask your friends to do the same? It sure would be a big help, and I would appreciate it.

Thanks so much, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!™

Braggin' On The Ladies!

Good Monday Morning To You!!

I hope you had a good week. Today I want to do a little bragging. I’m not talking about the arrogant, bad kind, but the kind that says how proud I am. Here at Friendship Harmony, we had two small groups this year: the Book of Zechariah study group led my dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Jim Pickens, and our Ladies Group. Allow me a moment to sing the praises of our Ladies Group. This group meets monthly for a luncheon, a devotion, and a time of fellowship and worship. After their meeting the other day my wife, Miss Bessie, came in and asked if the Ladies Group could sing a special at the next service. She said they had sung “The Old Rugged Cross” at their meeting and wanted to sing it for the upcoming church service. I certainly agreed, and yesterday they sang. It was absolutely fabulous. They were a real joy to hear and to watch. They had beautiful 3-part harmony, and joy radiated on their faces. They turned a good service into a great one. I want to thank our ladies for a job well done. Our Ladies Group meets year round, and I hope they will sing again for us soon.

Yesterday I preached message number two in the four part series, “Coming With His Coming.” As you might recall, the first message was “The Coming Day,” and yesterday was “The Coming Dawn.” From the moment I began preparing this message, until late Saturday night, I had to wrestle with the devil. He did not want that message preached. I love it when Satan acts up like that. It tells me I am right where God wants me to be, and that I am doing His will. Anyway, the devil is still fighting this message. I always post the notes, but for the moment I cannot find the memory stick where I stored them. When I find it, I will do a mid-week post. In the meanwhile, you can see this and other messages by going to www.youtube.com. From their homepage, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into the banner, hit enter, then scroll to the message you’d like to see.

Well, it’s the wee hours on Monday morning, and I’ve got an early day, so I guess I’d better close for now. Have a good week, and as always I’m so glad we can visit this way. Be sure to come by and see me on YouTube. I hope to see you there, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

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!!!

Six Best Friends

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

The other day someone asked me about my dogs. I have been preaching for forty years and have loads of experience and education. I have several degrees and lots of letters after my name, and what do people want to know? How are your dogs. Incredible. The fact is I am a dog lover. Since my childhood I have had six dogs in my life. The first was a Collie named Gi-Gi. She was a beautiful dog. My mom named her, but I do remember where that idea came from. I’ll have to ask her. Gi-Gi was the dog of my childhood from the early sixties. She was a great playmate. Dad built her a doghouse in our basement and it was so sturdy, it took three grown men to move it outside. Gi-Gi loved her house - she always laid on the ground outside it. I would put her in it, and right back out she’d come. It was big enough, and was water proof, complete with a shingled roof and sturdy floor. Gi-Gi laid in frount of it.

Next was Peppi; we called her Pep. Peppi was a Miniature Schnauzer whose momma was my uncle’s dog, Doogie. Doogie was unable to nurse her pups, so we got Pep when she was just a few days old. We bottle fed her and she grew into a healthy little girl. Peppi would get so excited whenever we’d come home from being wherever we had been. She would bark and jump. She would literally jump up into your arms. You’d better plan on catching Peppi, because she was coming. Pep was the dog of my teenage years and early adulthood.

Next was Marco. After I tell you about her, I’ll save the other three for another time. Bess and I wanted a dog, so we went to the dog pound in Cincinnati and looked at several. We looked for a dog that wanted to be wanted. As we strolled past the cages, we saw one that had several dogs in it. All the dogs except one was playing in one corner, while this little Australian Shepherd was laying in a corner by herself. She had this sad look on her face and Bess and I knew at once that this was the dog for us and our family. We brought her home, and the kids just loved her. Marco, we called her Mark, was a good guard. Each night she would go to different bedrooms to check on everybody. Marco was also a Frisbee catcher. You could throw the Frisbee across the yard and she would take off, leap into the air, and catch it. She very rarely missed. She was also a good hockey goalie. The kids would take a miniature hockey stick and hit one of her Kibbles toward her from the other side of the room. Once again, Marco rarely missed. She was a mighty fine dog, She was with us when we moved into our present home in Florida 15 years ago. Next time, I’ll introduce you to dogs four, five, and six. Their names are Kaiser, Frazier, and Bubba.

What a tremendous service we had at Friendship Harmony yesterday. Karan Barry has agreed to play piano for us, and Eleanor McDonnel is leading our singing. This morning was their first time together, and already I’m calling them the dynamic duo. The music at our church is extremely uplifting. I began a four part series called God’s Open Doors. We will be looking at the many open doors provided by our Heavenly Father. The notes are below, and the video will likely be posted by mid-week. To get to the video, go to www.youtube.com. When their home page comes up, type in Pastor Victor Cooper in the box next to their logo. It should take you right to our video ministry. The video ministry is off to a bit of a slow start, but already I have heard from someone on the west coast who was blessed by it, and wanted to share a positive comment. Another family in one of our western states has also sent positive feedback. The video ministry will grow, but already it is a success for our Lord. I believe it is successful because of Jesus. I hope the videos bless you, too. Here are those notes.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
1 of 4 1/26/13

I. A door of answered prayer Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
A. The Church had been fervently praying for Peter’s release.
B. Rhoda looked through the door, but did not open it.
1. Many children of God look through the door at God’s answer, but do not open the door and seize it.
C. The Church refused to believe her report.
1. “Sadly, many answered prayers stay out on the porch because we won’t walk through the door God has opened to go get them.” Pastor Vic Cooper 10/08

II. A door of utterance Col. 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: [4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
A. This could also be called a door of opportunity.
1. Paul wanted an open door of opportunity.
2. Too many Church members are praying, “Lord, there is my neighbor; send him.”
3. As with the prophet Isaiah, Paul was saying, “Lord here am I; send me.”

III. A door of service 1 Cor. 16:9 (NASB) for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
A. Paul recognized it as a “wide” door.
1. How wide does the door need to be before we will walk through it?
2. A good burglar only needs the door opened a small crack.
B. Paul also saw it as potential for effective service.
1. How much success must we be guaranteed before we will pass through the wide and open door?
C. Paul knew there would be adversities and adversaries, but he refused to let that stop him.
1. How often do we let even the hint of an adversity hinder us?
8810. Epigram On Overcoming Handicaps
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
—Booker T. Washington (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations)

IV. A door of Heaven John 10:7-9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. [9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
A. Jesus alone is the door to Heaven. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
B. He also said that any other way is the way of “thieves and robbers.” Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Before I say goodbye, sadly I must announce the passing of one of our deacons, and founding members, Brother Bob Kramer. Bob had been fighting pancreatic cancer. He was 67 years ago. He will be missed here at Friendship Harmony. Some people say that Bob lost his battle with cancer. I beg to differ! The cancer lost - Bob was victorious! Death for a believer is not a loss. It is a victory. Although we mourn his passing, we can rejoice that Bob is healthy again and living safely in the arms of Jesus. Pray for his wife, Esther, and their family.

Also, in two weeks on February 10, we will celebrate our second anniversary as a fully constituted Church. Lots of special things will be happening that day, so if you’re in the area, I hope you’ll be with us. The day will conclude with a carry in meal. The church will be providing the ham, turkey, and drinks. I hope you can be there. Fiddlin’ Bill will be with us to provide the music. Have a good week, and when the video is posted, I’ll let you know. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Video From January 20, 2013 Now Posted

Good day to you!

I wanted to let you know that as our title says, the video from last Sunday, January 20 is posted on youtube. To view it, go to www.youtube.com. When their home page comes up, type into the box next to their logo Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. Click on the sermon title, Hold Up Thy Neighbor. There are three others available also. Thanks for both viewing AND reading.

I'll see you on youtube, and I'll see you this coming Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Last Sunday's Video

Just a quick note to let you know this past Sunday's message, "Some Do's and Don'ts" is now online. To see it, go to www.youtube.com. From their homepage type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church in the box next to their logo. I hope it blesses you. The notes are on this past Monday's blog if you'd like to print them and follow along. VC

THE VIDEO MINISTRY IS HERE!!!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by copying his link, and putting it into your address bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!





Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
















Good Monday Morning To You!

In case you did not read last Friday’s special posting of the Monday Morning Blog, it is my privilege to announce to you that we are now online. Last week’s message, “When God Waits,” can be seen on YouTube. Now, not only can you read the notes here, but you can see and hear the message as well. The easiest way of doing it is by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDo11DzK41I. You can also get it by going to: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. You might have to scroll to find it as there are other Friendship Harmony Churches. It will take you right to the video. I hope it is a blessing to you, and that God might receive all the glory from it. The message from yesterday should be uploaded very soon.

What an awesome time we had at church yesterday. The attendance was terrific in spite of the fact that there some out with this “bug” that is going around. Our congregational singing was through the roof! Eleanor McDonell led the singing, and what a difference it made. She even led us without music. We sing to CD’s, but we did not have the player yesterday. It did not matter --- everybody sang beautifully. Eleanor drew the best out of each of us.

The message was titled, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.” Even though it is our duty to bear the cross, in reality it is an honor. What Christ carried was the cross piece; the main body of the cross was already in place. Our crosses come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are ready for us anyhow. Christ’s cross was very heavy, and so too are ours. Are you ready to bear the cross of Christ? The notes are below and will serve as a guide for your own cross bearing. The video from yesterday should be up later this week. To find it, type in your address bar: www.youtube.com. When it comes up, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into their address bar next to their name. Scroll to find the message, “Bearing The Cross of Christ.”

Bearing The Cross of Christ
Matthew 27:32
By Victor Cooper
1/1,4,5/13

Intro: On New Year’s Day, while watching the film The King of Kings, I paid particular attention to the man called upon to bear Christ’s cross when Jesus no longer could. I thought, “What an honor!” Today we can still bear Christ’s Cross, and it is still an honor to do so.

I. Bearing Christ’s cross requires desire.
A. Simon of Cyrene was given no choice. He was compelled,
i.e. forced into service.
1. Simon may have been honored, or he might have been aggravated. We do not know.
B. You are free to choose --- it’s a labor of love.
C. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David were referred to as servants.
1. These men were each called to service and accepted the call.
D. Paul called himself a servant in Romans 1:1.
E. God rewards servants. Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

II. Bearing Christ’s cross requires strength.
A. Simon had the strength to physically carry the cross, whereas Jesus did not due to the severity of the beating He’d received.
B. The cross is still heavy.
1. Christ’s cross, actually the crossbeam, weighed about 100 lbs.
2. The crosses you carry sometime seem to weigh in excess of 100 lbs.
C, The strength comes not from within, but from above.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
D. We are given strength due to Christ’s death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Bearing Christ’s cross requires determination.
A. We know Simon completed his mission by what the Bible does not say.
1. Never do you read of another being pressed into service; just Simon.
B. You can have the desire and the strength, but if you do not go ahead with a dogged determination that you’ll carry the cross no matter what, you’ll get nowhere.
C. The Bible calls it perseverance. Perseverance comes from a Greek word proskarteresis meaning persistence; not quitting.
Example: In the movie Chariots of Fire, young Harold Abrahams, a champion sprinter, had just suffered his first-ever defeat. After the race he sat alone, pouting in the bleachers. When his girlfriend tried to encourage him, he bellowed, “If I can’t win, I won’t run!”
To which she wisely replied, “If you don’t run, you can’t win.”
Abrahams went on to win the 1924 Olympic Gold Medal in the hundred-meter run.

IV. Bearing Christ’s cross requires sacrifice.
A. Simon sacrificed his comfort and his plans, albeit forced.
B. We are often called to sacrifice our comfort and plans too, along with other things.
1. time
2. abilities
3. money
C. We are called to offer ourselselves as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1. Radio teacher Steve Brown says, “The trouble with living sacrifices is they keep wanting to jump off the altar whenever the fire gets really hot.”
2. You might think God would not call you to be a sacrifice, but He called His Son to.
D. Sacrifice has another side to it --- the joyfull side.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Conclusion: A great honor was bestowed on Simon of Cyrene. You too should feel just as honored to be able to bear the cross of Christ. You must desire it, be strengthened for it, have a focused determination, and be willing to be the sacrifice.

Again, I hope the notes are a blessing to you as you look into God’s word. If I might make a suggestion: why not make yourself a printed copy of the notes, then follow along with the video. For last weeks notes, simply scroll down to last Monday’s blog, then go to YouTube and follow along

For those of you who were wondering, my mom fell last Thursday and broke her right leg. She required surgery to repair the damage, but she is recovering nicely. If you’d like to send her a card, just contact me, and I’d be happy to give her address to you. Be sure you stay safe and healthy, I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!