Benefits of the Son of God to us no. 11

A Positive Confession

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Rev. Brian Kocourek

 

In continuing with the benefits that we receive by and through the Son of God, I would like to examine this morning the ninth benefit or promise of God to us concerning our believing in the Son of God and that is that we are given a positive confession, and assurance.

 

Let’s read our text for this subject and turn to  2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (In other words there is no vacillation concerning the Son of God, for in Him is a positive assurance, in Him is yea) 20  For all the promises of God in him (and I want you to notice how the Apostle Paul places these promises of God, He tells us al the promises of God that are in Him, Christ) are yea, and in him Amen,(and Amen means so be it) unto the glory(the doxa,  and the doxa is the opinion, assessment, and opinion)) of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

 

Now, this anointing is the same anointing that God gave to His Son Jesus. The word anointed here was translated from the Greek word  chrio and means to rub or smear with oil, and metaphorically means to consecrate to an office or service.

 

Luke uses the word in describing the way God placed His own son into the ministry. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

 

And again Luke tells us with what God anointed Jesus with in the Book of Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

 

And then Paul speaks of the relationship that Jesus had with His Father and how that God anointed His Son in Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, (right-wise-ness) and hated iniquity(that’s to know to do right and you won’t do it); therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

 

And how could we not be anointed with Gladness to know that all the promises in Him and Yes and amen which is so be it.

 

2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

Now, I would like to read our text from the  New International Version  2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

 

And the Weymouth Translation says, 1:19 For Jesus Christ the Son of God — He who was proclaimed among you by us, that is by Silas and Timothy and myself — did not show Himself a waverer between “Yes” and “No.” But it was and always is “Yes” with Him. 1:20 For all the promises of God, whatever their number, have their confirmation in Him; and for this reason through Him also our “Amen” acknowledges their truth and promotes the glory of God through our faith..

 

Therefore, how could we have a negative confession, when God has equipped us and has anointed us, and has given us assurance through the confession of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

That is why we read in the Book of JAMES 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man  is unstable in all his ways. (and the words double minded means you are not single focused but you are one that cannot make up your mind. And that means you are unstable.

 

But notice his next words, James continues by saying,) Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: In other words, even though your condition may be of low degree, even though your circumstances may not be so good, he says, you should rejoice in that you have been exalted, and therefore your confession should be the opposite, and it should be positive.

 

And the NIV translation says, James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.

 

Why take a negative confession when we have so many wonderful positive promises of God through Christ Jesus. Doubt shows a lack of trust, and to not trust God is to call God a liar.

 

 

How many testimonies I have heard throughout the years from people who have accomplished much in certain areas of life. It did not matter if it was in sports, or people of great faith, or whatever the career they chose. I have heard time and time again from people who had great accomplishments in their life that they were able to achieve their goals and great achievements because their parents inspired them to set their goals high and to achieve whatever they set their mind on to achieve.

 

My own parents used to tell me that I could do anything in the world that I set my heart to do, and how much more if we have a Father who is God and he tells us the same thing.  For God’s Spirit writing through the Apostle Paul  tells us in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

And if you can do all things, then if you want to be the best at whatever you se4t your heart on, that is a promise of God right here in the Bible.

 

Father, I want to be the best Missionary or Apostle you ever had, or Father I want to be the best Pastor you have ever had over any flock, I can do all things through Christ because He strengthens me. He gives me the courage and strength to accomplish whatever I have set my heart to accomplish.

 

Then you have no excuses for mediocrity. Mediocrity is not even in the bible vocabulary.

 

1 Corinthians  2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

 

1 Corinthians  3: 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

 

1 Corinthians  6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

 

1 Corinthians  9: 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

 

1 John  2 : 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 

1 John  2: 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

 

1 Thessalonians  5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

 

1 Timothy  3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

 

1 Timothy  4: 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

 

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

 

2 Corinthians  6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

2 Peter  1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

2 Timothy  2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

 

2 Timothy  2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

 

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

3 John 1: 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

 

Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 

Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

Colossians 3 :20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

 

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

 

Ephesians  3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

 

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

 

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

 

Hebrews 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

 

Hebrews  4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

 

John  14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

 

John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

 

There is a verse from the book of Joel that we sing in a song that says, “let the weak say I am strong.” And we know that Joel is the Book that foretells the Holy spirit pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh in this hour, so this verse pertains to us in this hour.

 

In fact brother Branham quotes that : in the message As I was with Moses and he ties it with not having a negative confession. 51-0503 P:14 Let him that's weak say, "I am strong." See? Just say in you heart that "I am now strong. I have accepted Jesus as my Healer," and never have any negative testimony any more, just believe it, God is under obligation, or Jesus Christ is--sitting at the right hand of the Father to accept you; for He's setting there the High Priest of your confession to make good before the Father anything that He died for, that you're confessing that He done. There you are. Now, Divine healing cannot be any plainer than that. It's to the weakest. You do it... Any... Remember, God's Word will defeat Satan anywhere, anyplace, anytime, and any condition.

 

Law 55-0115 P:18 Now, it's a strange thing that this is so much thought of people; they say, "Well, I'm weak; my faith is not very much; I'm not a very good Christian." That's just what the devil wants you to say. You're just talking his language right then. See? You mustn't never say that. Don't never let your testimony be negative; let it be positive all the time. "I am saved. I have God in my heart. I believe Him with all my heart." Do you believe in Divine healing? "With all of my heart.” Let your testimony always and your thoughts, everything... Never permit a negative thought to come in your mind if you can help it. When it starts that, don't entertain it. Well, you say, "I can't help the thoughts from coming." Well, that'll be like the farmer that said he couldn't stop the birds from flying over his place, but he could sure stop them from roosting." So that's a good thing. You see? You can't help the thoughts when they come, but don't entertain them; just pass it on. "No, sir. Jesus Christ is my Saviour; all things are mine by God. And I'm going to keep them. I'm going to testify of them.” And God can only bless you as you confess that He has done it for you. See, He's the High Priest of our confession. Is that right? Hebrews 3. He said that He's the High Priest of our confession. He can only do for us as we accept it, and believe it, and confess into, how...

 

Now, let me add that just because you believe it will not make it true nor will it make it happen. It must be what God has said about it first. You can’t become a Son of God unless you were ordained before the world by God to be a Son of God. So get that out of your head. What I am talking about is that with God all things are possible.

 

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

 

Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

 

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

 

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

Why it had to be shepherds 64-1221 P:40 You hear so much today about positive thinking: you just put your mind on anything, and think positive on it. The Devil can do that. There's only one thing that rules over all, and that's God's Word. If you're thinking contrary to the Word; forget your thinking. Think on the Word.” Messiah," they thought, "would not be found in such a place, a mess as that.” Could you imagine a fine, great high priest, or clergyman, all polished in theology, would come down to a stable full of manure, and accept the message of a poor, humble shepherd that had no education, and would come, say "See, I can prove it to you; this is the Baby; this is the Messenger”? And you know what them people would've said? "The man is honest; he's very sincere in what He's saying, but he's absolutely wrong."

 

Blind Bartimaeus 57-0127E P:44 How can you...?... your faith, when you've set in a meeting like this where the great powers and miracles of God was being done, and the Holy Spirit moving, the Gospel being preached? How you going to stand on a negative confession? Don't you want Him to stand for you? When I see those gates open yonder, and I see that every sinner's got to go, and Jesus sets right in the road. I want Him to plead my case. He's my Attorney. I won't have to face the Father if He's facing Him for me. You want Him to face Him for you tonight? Would you stand? Someone else? Just before prayer. God has put your name on the Book of Life, as certainly as you're sincere in your heart. His Words cannot fail. Now, let us pray for these many who are standing.

 

Why 61-0125 P:94 Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, Author of Everlasting Life, Giver of every good gift, forgive my sin of unbelief and give to me of Thy mercy. I believe in Thee. I accept Thee as my Saviour, my only salvation. I need Your strength for my health. I cannot go forward without You. I now accept You as my Healer. I renounce the devil and all of his works. From this time henceforth, I will think positive. I will believe every promise. The Scripture that says, "By His stripes I was healed," I now accept it. I believe it. It is mine. I thank You, Lord. I will continue testifying of my healing until I'm perfectly well." Now, now, hold still; keep your hands on one another now. Now, you pray. Now, shut yourself in with God. Going to see something happen now. All right brethren, ministers, everybody, are you ready. Now, if God will hear my prayer here, He hears it anywhere. Now, you've prayed. You've made your confession, just like you would coming as a Christian. You're ready now... If you was a sinner, you're ready for baptism. Now, being that you are Christians, you've made your confession, and now you're ready for healing. Now, what does it take?

 

Works I do bear witness 53-0216 P:9 Now, healing is not something that you just say, "Well, I... yeah, I believe it. I believe it." Now, that's all right. If that's the best you can do, just mentally, or just say, "Well, I... Yes, I see it. I believe that; I accept it." Then if you accept it on those basis, keep saying it over and over. Say it out loud. Say it over and over; just keep saying, "I'm healed. I'm healed." Say it until actually you believe it. And when you believe it, then it's going to take place. Don't have a negative testimony. Every time when you confess, "Well, I still feel bad today. I guess I..." you go right straight back in the same rut that you was in the beginning. There's not a man or woman in here that is baptized with Holy Spirit but what would start your confession, "I believe I've lost the Holy Spirit. I believe It's gone from me. I believe I..." you'll go right down; you'll never... Can you...

 

II JOHN 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,(those things which you have worked so hard to obtain)  but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, (this means to go beyond the limits) and abideth not (or is not at rest) in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in, (he that remains in, and does not vacillate in) the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 ¶ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

 

This  is the major problem we all face. We vacillate between  two opinions  constantly. Now remember, the two opinions are not  one which  believes  the Word and one which does not.  But  one  that believes  all  the Word and the other only part of it.  Our  down fall  is that somehow we believe some of that Word  just  doesn't apply  to us. And with that kind of attitude we can  not  receive the blessings that God has for us.

 

JAMES  1:2 - 8. You can't vacillate in your faith. You've got to be sure. If  God said it, how can you doubt it.

 

ROMANS 14:22 Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

 

God told Joshua and the People, JOSHUA 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

 

And we know in DEUT 28: 1 - 48  The very same thing that blesses you will become your curse.  The attitude you take to The Word will either open up the fountain of all blessings or close shut that same fountain. You can not  halt between two opinions.

 

Look 63-0428 P:50 But focus out of you all doubt. Look only to that Word. It promised it. God said so. It's got to be that way. The Bible said, "Against hope, he believed in hope. And he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong, giving praise to God." Each day he got stronger because the miracle would be greater.

 

You've  got to doubt your doubts. You can't look at  the  circum­stances  and  the  Word of God at the same time.  You've  got  to either look at one or the other. And why choose the circumstance. Choose Gods Word and be blessed.

 

Matthew 6: 19 - 34. NIV Notice:  "IF YOUR EYES BE SINGLE," not if you have only one  eye,  but  if  your sight is focused in on one treasure,  not  two  or more.  But if your singleness of heart is to Focus upon  the  One True and Living God, then your purpose in Life will also be  one. Don’t  FOCUS upon anything outside this WORD. Seek ye  first  the KINGDOM of GOD and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

Let us pray…