One More For Theodore!

Good Monday Morning To You!

Of all the stories I have written these past few years, none has received any more attention than the one about Theodore the chicken. If you didn’t read that story from September 16, 2012, scroll down and read it, then come back to this one. My story about Theodore is all true, with no embellishments. We actually did have a pet rooster named Theodore. While I realize many country kids have pet chickens, goats, and hogs, I am not a country boy. I’m a city boy. I grew up in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is a large metropolitan area. I like the country, and both my parents are country folk, but I like the city. Yes, we had a pet rooster right in the heart of the big city. Theodore was mean; only my dad, my brother, or I could even get near him. The poor mailman had to cross the street to pass. For some reason, Theodore did let the milkman come up on HIS porch. Theodore had his most fun chasing mom all over the yard. She’d try to hang her laundry out to dry, but whenever she walked out into the yard, Theodore would chase her all over the place. I don’t know who made the most noise: mom or Theodore. Poor Theodore couldn’t help it, he had severe mental issues. He was one of those colored chicks you could buy at Easter that had been dyed various colors. Most of the birds died within a few days due to the dye, but Theodore lived. We’re convinced, however, that the coloring agent used on him affected his mind.

I can’t tell you how many people have asked me, “Whatever happened to Theodore?” One dear lady at Friendship Harmony wanted to know if Theodore was executed for his crimes. As mean as he was to mom, her heart was too tender to pass the death sentence. Instead, Theodore was deported. Dad worked with a man who owned a farm out in the country, and Theodore was exiled to another home. We would never see him again and I really do not know what became of him. For those of you who know my mom, ask her. I imagine the story we were told of him being happy with the other chickens was not entirely true. I believe the truth is that Theodore became the special guest at a chicken and dumpling dinner, but I really do not know.

What I do know is that the services at Friendship Harmony were awesome yesterday! We had a tremendous Sunday School lesson taught by Burt Nelson, retired professor of geography from Central Michigan University. Both Pastor Felber and I learned things we had never considered before. It is such a privilege to learn from God’s word. Our song service was good, too. Right now we are getting by using pre-recorded music. This is working out well, but with our sound system being in the shop, it is a bit hard hearing the music. We did the best we could and God certainly blessed the effort.

The message title was, “Better Than Hollywood.” We saw that although the Hollywood make up artists are super at their craft, what they provide is an illusion and is temporary. The new body receivers of Christ will one day possess are real and eternal. The sermon notes are below. I hope they help you in your personal Bible study. As always, if you have any questions or comments, be sure to let me hear from you. My e-mail address is preachercooper@hotmail.com.

Better Than Hollywood ©
Philippians 3:20,21
By Victor Cooper
10/22-27/12
Intro: Hollywood make-up artists are expert at making people look totally different than they really are. They can create the illusion of age out of youth, or youth out of age. They can take a normal human body and give it the appearance of perfection. However, at the end of the day’s filming, it all goes back to its original. Today we will see how our new body, shaped by Jesus Himself, will be no illusion and will not be temporary.

Our new bodies will be incorruptible, incomprehensible, and incapable of sin.

I. Incorruptible.. Synonymous with imperishable; immortal.
Def. Imperishable; lasting forever; deathless; ageless; eternal, ever living. God is said to be “incorruptible” (aphthartou) which means non-decaying, imperishable, unchanging,
and unaging.
1 Corinthians 15:42,43; 50-56
A. Incorruption is a necessity. 1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1. Paul believed it v50 (Read) Living or dead makes no difference.
2. Isaiah believed it. Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
3. Job believed it. Job 19:26 (NLT) And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!
4. Jesus Himself taught it. Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
B. Incorruption is a gift. 1 Cor. 15:42,43
1 Six times we read, “it is sown,” “it is raised.”
2. Someone has to do the sowing and the raising.
3. Man sows: v45-47 ‘earthy.”
[b] Man is of the earth. cf. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man me a living soul.
4. Christ raises. v47b refers back to v45.

II. Incomprehensible. def. 1. incapable of being understood; 2 (archaic) limitless; boundless
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.
A. This section is hard to explain --- remember the new body is incomprehensible.
B. Paul couldn’t explain it. 1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part…
C. God told Isaiah why it could not be totally understood.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
D. Paul understood “ …even so the things of God knoweth no man,” 1 Cor. 2:11b
E. This is where faith comes in. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: “If you can trust God with your salvation, you can trust Him with everything else.” Pastor Victor Cooper

III. Incapable of sin. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
A. It is the final step in the sanctification process: I have been saved (from the penalty of sin,) I am being saved (from the power of sin,) I will be saved (from the presence of sin.)
B. This is also known as glorification.
1. It occurs at either death or rapture.
C. “… we shall se Him as He is.” The question then --- “How or what “is He?”
1. Hebrews 9:28b …he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
2. Key phrase, “without sin.”
3. We shall be like Him; without sin!

Conclusion: No wonder the hymn writer could say, “What a day, glorious day that will be.”. Only believers will receive the new body which is incorruptible, incomprehensible, and incapable of sin. Are you absolutely sure one awaits you?

I hope you have a blessed, safe, and healthy week. For those of you who will be traveling back to Florida this week, stay safe on those roads. I hear that some areas will be getting some snow. Brrrrr! Forget that mess and come on down. Our temps are projected to be in the low to mid 70’s. No snow is predicted for the Ft. Myers area in the near (or distant) future. However, if you can’t come down, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Electronic Aggravation

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope you had a terrific week. As for me --- I’m aggravated. We have a sound system at Church that is driving us nuts. It never works the same way twice. Our former music director took care of setting up the equipment and adjusting it each week. When he left, he showed several of us how to use it, and we made a diagram of what to plug where. The system was so upset with its change of handlers that it is acting like a spoiled brat. It literally does not like us. I think Bill Wolfe has somehow offended it. I took the mixer board back to Jay and Kay’s Piano Shop where we bought it and it worked just fine for them. Jay even took time to show us the proper way of setting it up. A total of five of us learned the proper procedures and it worked like a champ at the store, but when we took it back to church -----. You get the picture. I should add at this point that this hateful creature is only a little over a year old. I suspect the problem is in our speaker. Everything else seems to be just fine. This time when I take it in, I’m taking the whole kit and caboodle with me. It worked fine using their mics, wires, and speakers. Hopefully we can get an answer. If they can find an fault, we can eliminate operator error. I hope so; five brilliant Baptists can’t be wrong.

Yesterday was an awesome day at Friendship Harmony. Attendance was super, and the presence of the living LORD was with us. It is so good to be in a church where people love God and love each other. Sadly, that is not the case in all churches. All of us at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church are genuinely aware of the gift God has given us --- the gift of a unified congregation. What a tremendous blessing!!! I can’t tell you how many people who have visited from other places have said that if they lived in our community, they would definitely attend Friendship Harmony. God has blessed me twice to pastor extraordinary churches: Calvary Baptist in Cincinnati, and Friendship Harmony in Lee County Florida.

I concluded our “Walking” series with part 3 of our messages titled “Peripateo.” Remember, peripateo means to walk to prove you can. Below are the notes. I hope they are of benefit to you as you look deeper into God’s word. One way of having a peripateo walk is to study God’s word and to plumb its depths. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Unfortunately, the notes cannot go into the depth the actual sermon did. With the coming of the video ministry, however, you will eventually be able to get it all.

Peripateo ©
Deut. 5:33
Walking Series 3 of 3 October 19, 2012
By Victor Cooper

Intro: Today we wrap up our look at the command to “peripateo;” walk to prove you can. We conclude by looking at some good reasons for walking in the ways of the LORD out side the fact that it is commanded.

I. Walking in God’s ways prevents sin.
Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
A. Iniquity means “evil; unrighteousness.”
1. Unrighteousness = not right with God
2. What we call a “little” sin, God calls it evil.
3. How much sin did it take before God chastised Adam, Eve, and all creation?
4. How much sin did it take for Jesus to have to die on a cross?
“By man’s way of thinking, taking a bite of a piece of fruit is not such a big thing, but look what it has done! Pastor Vic Cooper
B. You cannot walk in God’s ways and the world’s ways at the same time. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

II. Walking in God’s ways guarantees light.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life
A. “Walk“ in this verse is “peripateo.” To paraphrase our Lord, “I am the light of the world: he that accompanies me shall not try to prove he can walk in darkness…”.
B. Since Jesus is light, the only way to walk in darkness is to purposely step away from Jesus.
1. Key word: purposely. Remember, peripateo means to walk to prove you can. To walk in darkness is a deliberate attempt to show you can.
2. To walk in darkness once you have been in the light is to tell God, “I’ll show You.”
That is called rebellion. It goes back to that unrighteousness we spoke of earlier.

III. Walking in God’s ways grants rest. (A paradox.)
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The paradox ---
How can walking be restful?

A. Logic: Any creature, man or otherwise, can only walk so long before fatigue sets in.
B. Resting is fine, but can lead to laziness if one enjoys the rest better than the walk.
1. Psalm 37:7a says, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…”
2. This, however, is not a rest from walking in God’s ways.
C. Walking in God’s ways guarantees rest because to do it one must be with the LORD.
1. “They that wait upon the LORD…” They walk with Him, not run ahead nor lag behind.
2. The old Gospel song says, “You’ve got to keep walking, keep walking, walking in the light of the Lord.”

Conclusion: We are called upon to walk to prove that we can. Primarily we are called upon to prove it to selves. It is encouraging to try it and succeed at it. It makes you want to keep going.

I hope you can join us at Friendship Harmony soon. If not, be sure to keep up with us here on the Monday Morning Blog. Either way, it is always a joy to visit with you. Here’s just a little preview of the message for this upcoming Sunday. “Our new body will be: imperishable; incorruptible; incapable of sin; incomprehensible.

Stay safe and well, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Personal Revival

Good Monday Morning To You!!

What a fine Bible Conference Bess and I were able to attend this past week. We heard good preaching, good singing, witnessed the antics of a Christian comedian, and enjoyed a worship service led by David Crain from Grand Saline, Texas. If David Crain is ever within driving distance of where you are, be sure to go hear this fine man. He writes his own music, and what a tremendous gift God has given him. You can learn more about David, and see his schedule at www.Davidcrain.com.

Yesterday at Friendship Harmony, we were privileged to have Bro. Marvin Sams preach for us. Brother Sams has pastored two churches in the southwest part of Ohio that I visited back when I traveled and sang Gospel Music. One church was in Oxford, Ohio where I attended Miami University. It was good to hear him preach. He preached a very powerful message on personal revival. He said that America can only be revived, or a church can only be revived if the individual is revived. Friendship Harmony was blessed indeed having this man as our special preacher. He and I know many of the same people from back in Ohio. In fact, I was his aunt’s pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Norwood, Ohio.

I’ll give you a brief update on the video ministry. The equipment has been purchased, and we are securing the services of someone experienced with this kind of thing. We want to do this right, so we’re going to take our time and be properly educated as to the technical end of internet broadcast. Our goal is to be up and running by Thanksgiving. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

As I said, I did not preach yesterday, but I have included some sermon notes from back in 2008. As always, you are free to use these notes for your personal Bible study, or in a Sunday School or small group setting.

The Value Of A Good Woman ©
Proverbs 31:10-12
By: Victor Cooper
June 17, 2008

Proverbs 31:10-12 (NLT) Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. [11] Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. [12] She will not hinder him but help him all her life.

These three points concerning the qualities of a good wife are noble goals that all women, married or not, all men, and all young people would do well to try to copy for their lives.

I. She is a dedicated woman.
A. She is dedicated to her family.
1. God instituted the family long before He instituted the Church.
B. She is dedicated to God.
1. Dedicate = def. Gk. qudash; to pronounce clean
2. Psalm 30:1 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
a. thou hast lifted me up - thou hast pronounced me clean; thou hast dedicated me
C. To whatever else she becomes part of, she is dedicated to it.
D. A synonym used in several translations of Scriptures for dedicated is devoted.
1. The difference between the two words is only slight;
a. dedication has to do with action from a sense of duty while
b. devotion has to do with action from a sense of love. Both combined make her more precious than rubies!

II. She is a dependable woman.
A. Her word is her bond.
B. v11 Her husband can trust her
1. He is the closest person in the world - if he can trust her, everyone else can trust her.
2. Even God can trust her. We often speak of the importance of trusting God, but it is also important that He can trust us.
REMEMBER: She is more precious than rubies!

III. She is a delightful woman.
A. v25 She is a pleasure to be around. She can laugh.
1. She is happy, joyful, positive and upbeat, without being silly.
B. v20 She cares for others.
C. Being such a person makes her more precious than rubies.

Conclusion: Proverbs 31:30 (NLT) Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

May the LORD bless your upcoming week. The LORD willing, this coming Sunday morning, I will preach part three of our four part series called “Peripateo.” If you did not get the notes for parts one and/or two, just scroll down and you’ll see them from two and three weeks ago. Stay healthy and safe, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.

Good Morning...

Good Monday Morning To You!

This will be an abbreviated version of Monday Morning. While you are reading this, Bess and I are attending a Bible Conference in Orlando, Florida. I’ll tell you about in the next few weeks. I will not be taking my laptop, so there might not be a blog next week. Hopefully I can borrow one, but no promises. Below are the sermon notes I used at Friendship Harmony yesterday. Take care and I’ll (hopefully) see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!

Peripateo ©
Deut. 5:33
“Walking” Series 2 of 3 By Victor Cooper
10/04,06/12

Intro: The title of this series seems strange to a modern hearer, but the word peripateo comes to us from the Koine Greek. It is one of the words meaning walk. It means to walk about to prove that you can.

I. Walk in God’s ways. Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
A. The psalmist wrote, Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
1. What he asked:
(a) To learn from God, and
(b) to have a heart that feared the LORD.
2. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would be our teacher. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
3. “fear” comes from the Hebrew word yare’, and means to revere; to reverence.

II. Seek the old ways. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
A. Note the order; stand, see, ask, walk.
1. Stand --- You cannot pay attention if you’re busy thrashing about. Numbers 9:8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you. Cf also Ex. 14:13;
1 Sam. 12:7; Job 37:14
2. See --- Pay attention! (to the words of the LORD.)
3. Ask --- for the old paths. God’s righteousness is the old way. Idolatry, apostasy, and compromise are the new ways.
Then-
4. Walk. If you get outside the God given order, your “walk” will be in vain.
B. The result: rest for your soul.
1. It is rest from thye burden of sin.

III. Refuse to walk in the ways of the world.
Leviticus 18:3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.
A. Paul said life’s walk is not your call; its Gods!
1 Cor. 6:20/1 Cor. 7:23 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
[7:23] Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
B. Remember peripateo --- walk to prove you can.
1. Prove it to God. A holy walk pleases Him
2. Walk to prove it to yourself. It is encouraging.
3. Walk to prove it to others. It is your testimony - don’t soil it.

Conclusion: Walking with God is a commandment, but as we have seen is a pleasant one with grand benefits. Walk with God so that, as our text verse says, “…it may be well with you…”

Again, have a good and a safe week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic. (I hope - lol)

Down By The Old Mill Creek

Good Monday Morning To you!

Several folk commented on my story about Theodore the rooster. I was asked if it was a true story. Indeed it was. We had a pet chicken smack dab in the middle of Cincinnati. I really wasn’t able to do justice to the part about mom not being able to go outside to hang her laundry. It was side-splitting hilarious! I can still see mom throwing her laundry up in the air and running all over the yard with this rooster chasing her, flapping his wings and squawking as he flapped. To this day whenever mom eats a piece of chicken, she has a victorious smirk on her face.

I was asked to recount some other stories about my childhood. I remember another adventure Johnny Miller and I shared. We were in Vacation Bible School at the Presbyterian Church Johnny attended, and decided after the classes, we were going to go down to the Mill Creek to play. Martha Miller, and Alene Cooper had told their boys, Johnny and Vic, that they were not allowed to play by the creek. Johnny and I had gone there before, so we figured what our moms didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. To plan our escapade, we snuck into the furnace room of the church. Mom and Mrs. Miller were upstairs in the sanctuary doing some kind of work. The furnace room was in the basement, so we were no where near our moms. We made our plans. Mom and Mrs. Miller went home, and Johnny and I told them we were going to ride our bikes. We did ride them too --- right down to the Mill Creek. Mill Creek was a dirty, polluted creek that was as close to being an open sewer as existed in the United States. Where we played was secluded. You could be down by the creek and never know a large metropolitan city was nearby. We were pleased with ourselves, until we got to our spot. There stood Martha Miller and Alene Cooper. It was easy to tell that they were not happy, and it was confirmed when they spoke. As bad as that was, we both knew when our dads got home from work, things would likely go from bad to worse.

I don’t recall how we were punished. Mom’s favorite punishment was to take the TV away from me for two weeks. Mom always said, “Two solid weeks.” I hated that word “solid.” It makes me cringe to this day!

When we asked our moms how did they know, their answer was, “Moms just know those kinds of things.” Many years later after I was married with kids of my own, mom revealed how she knew. Johnny and I had figured that since we planned our foul deed inside a Church, surely God must have told them. We worked off that theory for years. Mom told me that she and Mrs. Miller had heard every word we said. She told me that they were up at the altar of the sanctuary working, and that there was a vent that allowed air from the furnace room to circulate into the auditorium. We were standing right under that vent, while they were standing right beside it. We had told them, detail by detail, exactly what we’d planned to do. Johnny Miller and Vic Cooper were to have many more adventures, but never again did we plan any orneriness. Sometime I’ll tell you about the time Johnny won a baby kitten on the Skipper Ryle television show. That was an adventure by itself. As a side note, John Miller and I are still friends and we communicate from time to time. Neither of us live in Ohio any more, but the memories of those care free days will forever be locked in our minds and hearts. They were great times!

Yesterday at Friendship Harmony, I began a four part series called “Peripateo.” Have you ever heard of that word? If you ask any of the folks who were at Friendship Harmony yesterday, they could tell you. Peripateo is a word from the Koine Greek that translates to “walk.” However, it means just a bit more. It means “to walk to prove that you can.” I gave the illustration of Miss Bessie’s follow-up visit to her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Jugan. Bess was sitting on the exam table and told Dr. Jugan to stand over by the door. She got down off the table, left her walker standing by itself, and walked over to him. She walked to prove she could. That’s peripateo.

That is how Christians are to walk. We are to walk proving that we can walk the believer’s walk. It proves it to the world, and it proves it to us. Below are the notes. I do hope you find them beneficial. If in looking at the notes you ever have any questions, or desire clarification, just call me or e-mail me at preachercooper@hotmail.com.

Peripateo ©
Deut. 5:33
“Walking” Series 1 of 3 By Victor Cooper
09/28,29/12

Intro: The title of this series seems strange to a modern hearer, but the word peripateo comes to us from the Koine Greek. It is one of the words meaning walk. It means to walk about to prove that you can.

I. Walk in the ways God has commanded.
A. To walk in them one must know them, not simply be acquainted with them.
1. It comes from Bible reading.
2. It comes from Bible study.
3. It comes from talking to God.
4. It comes from listening to God.
(a) “Be careful here: before you get to listening, get to learning.” Pastor Victor Cooper

II. Walking in God’s ways prevents sin. Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
A. It is the blessing of obedience.
Bible Knowledge Commentary The psalmist delighted in the fact that those who walk in wholehearted obedience to the Law are blessed (vv. 1-3). This prompted him to wish that he were more obedient in view of God’s commands to follow His laws (vv. 4-6). So the psalmist vowed to give thanks as he learned more about God’s statutes (vv. 7-8)

III. Sin is prevented because one is walking in the light.
A. Walking in the light is commanded. Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
B. Jesus is the Light of the world. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
C. Jesus said walk while you can. John 12:35a Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you:

IV. Not walking in God’s ways invites God’s wrath.
Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
A. God is not speaking to the world, but to His own.
B. God wants His own walking with Him in sweet communion. Example: Enoch.
Genesis 5:23-24 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
C. Not walking in God’s ways brings confusion.
John 12:35b for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Quote: God won’t make you serve Him, but He’ll make you wish you had! Pastor B. J. Thomas circa 1995
Conclusion: Walking with God is a commandment, but as we have seen is a pleasant one with grand benefits. Walk with God so that, as our text verse says, “…it may be well with you…”

Have a good rest of your week. For those of you traveling south to be with us, stay safe. We look forward to seeing you soon. To all of you, 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!!

Theodore The Chicken

Good Monday Morning To You!
The other day I told Bess about a pet chicken we had when I was a kid. He was a rooster named Theodore. My younger brother named him after a member of his favorite band --- Alvin and the Chipmunks. I believe to this day that is still his favorite group. Now I’m sure many of you who grew up in the country had farm pets. Some of you might even have had a pet chicken. This is not strange for a country child. I, however, am a city boy. I grew up in Cincinnati, often living inside city limits. A pet chicken was a bit of a rarity.

Theodore was no ordinary chicken; he had a very colorful beginning. When I was a kid, we lived near a dime store called Ben Franklin’s. Every year at Easter, we would go there and they had colored little baby chicks for sale. There were red ones, blue ones, green ones, and yellow ones. Theodore was a bright yellow baby. Usually these birds only lived a few days then died. It was later determined that the dye used to color them was poisonous to them. The practice was stopped years ago, and I fully support the decision. However, occasionally a chick would live, and Theodore did.

We lived in a village inside Cincy called Elmwood Place. Elmwood Place would remind you of Andy and Barney’s Mayberry. We had a big house and a big yard. Theodore ruled the yard. Dad, Greg, and I could move freely around the yard, but not Mom. Theodore had her number. If she stepped outside, he’d chase her back in. If she came out to hang laundry, Theodore would run her all over the yard. It was one of the funniest sights I have ever seen. Here is this grown woman, running all around her yard, in plain sight of the neighbors with this chicken chasing after her squawking and flapping his wings.

Mom wasn’t the only one Theodore kept at bay. The poor mailman was ran off each time he even walked by on the sidewalk. Most mailmen have stories they can tell about being chased by dogs, but not at 403 Oak Street. At our house, our guard chicklen was on duty. I asked Mom the other day where Theodore stayed at night. I know she was not about to share her living room with poor Theodore. She said he stayed on the back porch at night. Early in the morning, the milkman would come and deliver our milk. He sat the milk inside a milk box very close to Theodore, but I do not recall our pet chicken ever giving him any problems. He only tormented Mom, the mailman, and my best friend Johnny Miller’s pet cat, Tabby.

Tabby was a beautiful long hair solid white cat. Tabby, we called her Tebby, was as gentle a cat as you’d find anywhere. Tabby would come next door into our yard on occasion, and Theodore would go to war. Nobody ever told Theodore that cats ate birds and that he was one. Fortunately for him, no one ever told Tabby either. He would latch onto her tail and start pulling out the hairs. Tabby would go back home, and Theodore would stay in his yard. He was good about that.

We never needed an alarm clock. Theodore would crow at the top of his lungs every morning. The neighbors didn’t need alarm clocks either. So what is the point to my story? Absolutely nothing! I just thought I’d share it with you.

Yesterday at Friendship Harmony was really good. We tried something new: we sang to CD recordings of hymns. Karan Berry had been so gracious in coming to play for us, but we were keeping her from the church where she and her son attend. Hopefully, someone from the congregation will step forward and play the piano, but until then, the recorded music worked pretty well. People seemed to enjoy it, and the tracks were easy to sing to. It was also Fellowship Dinner day. Our ladies put a fine meal out for us. I do believe they just keep on getting better and better! Good fellowship, good food, and a great service at Friendship Harmony! (My last sentence is an incomplete sentence on purpose, so don’t any of you English teachers write and fuss at me.)

I preached part three of my three part series on Victorious People. We looked at Victory Over Self. I said that self is the toughest enemy we must defeat. Here are the notes. I hope they are of benefit to you.

Victorious Over Self ©
2 Cor. 2:14; Various
Victorious People Series 3 of 4 By Victor Cooper
9/10-5/12

Intro: In this four part series, we are going to see 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.

In order to be victorious over self,
One must first be victorious
Over Satan, and over sin.

I. What a self centered life looks like.
A. It is a life that has all the answers.
Numbers 12:2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.
1. It was motivated by pride.
2. It was motivated by envy.

B. It is a life that calls attention to itself --- even over God.
1. “Look at me!” Daniel 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
New Testament example --- Luke 12:16-20 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Illustration 11195. Roosevelt’s Drive
Theodore Roosevelt, sometimes known as Roosevelt the First, was a President who knew his value; he did not cheapen himself by underestimating it. “Father always had to be the center of attention,” said one of his children. “When he went to a wedding, he wanted to be the bride. When he went to a funeral, he was sorry that he couldn’t be the corpse.” Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
2. God is placed under self. Deut. 8:14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

II. The self centered life will ultimately fail.
A.. Lucifer learned that lesson. Isaiah 14:13-15 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
B. Edom learned that lesson. Obadiah 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.
1. Edom was descended from Esau, making Edom and Israel family. That made their treachery against Israel worse.
2. Self exultation makes the fall further and harder.
Pastor Victor Cooper
C. The Church of Laodicea will learn that lesson Rev. 3:14-17 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
D. “Self” is often more difficult to defeat than is Satan.
1. People are willing to fight Satan. He’s a natural enemy. However, they are not willing to fight themselves.
Pastor Vic Cooper
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III. Self can be defeated. 2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
A. “…that you … may abound…”
1. You can do it because the grace to do so comes from Christ.
B. Paul told the Romans it was called being a living sacrifice.
1. Sacrificed animals were dead, thus they had no choice.
2. A living sacrifice does have a choice.
Radio preacher Steve Brown says that the trouble with most living sacrifices is that they keep jumping off the altar.
C. When self is at its weakest, Christ’s strength is at its strongest.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 (ESV) But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1. Paul is saying not to shun weakness, but to embrace it!
(a) When was the last time you heard a politician bragging about their weaknesses?
2. At our weakest point we are at our strongest --- as long as it is through Christ’s strength.

I do hope you will have a good and joyous week. This coming Sunday I will conclude the Victorious People Series with the message, Victorious Over Sorrow. We have all had sorrowful events in our lives, but I want you to know you can have victory in spite of sad circumstances. For those of you who are beginning to make your way down to Florida for the winter, be safe as you travel. We don’t want anything to happen to you. Whether you’re here or not, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!