(Introduction - Dr. Timothy Haupt)
"Throughout this summer, we as your elders are preaching through the book of Philippians. 10 weeks in the book of Philippians, and every one of your 8 elders are going to be tackling a passage. We talked about how to introduce this morning, and frankly, we didn’t want to introduce this morning’s sermon in any different way than we normally would.
Vernon Cooper, one of our elders is going to be preaching this morning. Vernon doesn’t want to be know as the “elder with ALS.” He’s just one our elders. He’s one of my pastors. But the fact of the matter is that ALS does come with certain complications. One of those complications is that he is no longer able to swallow. So, there may be periodic times this morning as he is preaching in which they will need to use some suction in order to remove the excess saliva. We wanted you to know there is nothing for which to be concerned. It’s a normal part of their everyday life, so, don’t let that distract you from the Word that is being preached.
As I thought about introducing Vernon this morning, this passage came to my mind. I’ll read this, and then, Vernon you come and preach for us this morning. It comes from 2 Timothy Chapter 2. The apostle Paul was in prison, about a year before his death. Paul writes to Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Pastor Vernon is bound by a disease in his wheel chair, but we are going to find out this morning, that the word of God is not bound.
Vernon, come preach."