Christ Revealed in His Own Word #26
“Neurosis
# 2 Anxiety”
Sunday Morning,
July 7, 1996
Brian Kocourek, Pastor Grace Fellowship
This morning I
would like to first review our thoughts from Wednesday night's Message. To
begin let's re-read pp. 18 - 22 of "Christ
Revealed In His Own Word." While we read I want you to be looking for
a common thought that threads it's way through these 5 paragraphs.
18 Christ Revealed In His Own Word I was just talking
to a young minister and his wife in
the room just a few moments ago. And
both of them are nervous just like the rest of the world, rest of the human beings
on earth. I said, "Remember, Satan's got a punch coming at you."
I don't care who you are, God... He's got a right to that one punch. Which had
you rather be, that punch, be blind, or be an arthritic setting in a chair, or
be nervous? See? He's got somewhere he could punch you. He's got a right to
that open place. Now, that's the spot you got to keep covered all the time. 19 And to see this nervous age that we're living
in... And last week's tapes, I think, will reveal to you the great hideous
things that we're going to speak on one of these days when we can get a place
sufficient, of the opening of those last plagues to be poured out upon the
earth--those Vials, rather, pouring out of the Vials, and the Seven Thunders...
And those hideous sights that's coming upon the earth... 20 Men now and
people today are in such a neurotic condition, the whole world... You read this last months "Reader's Digest."
You notice the subject there; it's on Billy Graham the great evangelist. He got
so tired he just couldn't hold his meetings, and he--he went to Mayo's Clinic
for a physical checkup. There wasn't nothing wrong with him, only he just doesn't do enough work. And
they put him to running: physical exercise. He runs a mile every day. And then,
the article goes on to say that science has proved, that today, that young
children, these little boys and girls hit their middle age at twenty years old.
And by twenty-five, many times in many cases the girls are out of menopause at
twenty-five years old. I don't know if you
knew it or not, but a few nights ago while the Holy Spirit was speaking here in
the meeting, a little girl setting down here; that's exactly what was wrong
with that child when It called out. I looked at her a second time, looked
again, and I seen what was the matter. I thought, "It can't be; that
child's too young." But it was, menopause, about twenty years old,
twenty-three, something like that. See?
21 My mother and your mother struck that age about forty-five
to fifty. My wife struck that age about thirty-five. Now, it's down to twenty. The
whole human race is rotten. Well, if them physical beings of our body is
tearing down like that from eating hybrid
foods, tensions, that rotten it, does not that also rot the brain cell?
Then we can see how women can get on the street naked. We can see how they can
speed through the streets at a hundred and twenty miles an hour, all these
things. It's come to a place where the
whole nation, the whole world, not only this nation, but everywhere, mentally
gone. 22 And
then when we open up those, the Lord willing, on those Seven Vials and show
those hideous things... Men will be so
insane after while, till they'll imagine they're seeing ants the size of a
mountain. They'll be tormenting women, be locusts come upon the earth with long
hair to torment women who cut theirs off, hair like women hanging down, and
long teeth like a lion, stingers in their tail like a scorpion, and so forth,
to torment men upon the earth. But then it'll be too late to do anything about
it. You get right now. See? Tormenting...
Now I hope you
noticed that Brother Branham is focusing his thoughts here on the mental
condition of man in this last hour. How man has come to the state of their bodies being rotten and their minds as
well. In PP 18 he is speaking of a young couple, a Pastor and his wife who he
has just counseled and he mentions how nervous they both are. Then he says, And
both of them are nervous just like the rest of the world, rest of the human
beings on earth. So we see then
he is not mentioning this because a certain couple was nervous, but to let us
know that this condition in this couple is a universal problem in all of
mankind through the entire world. Not just a problem in America, but in every
nation on earth. And so we see this nervous condition is an attribute of or
identifier of the days that we live in. It identifies the times in which we
live. I want you pay close attention this morning to what I am sharing from
Brother Branham's thoughts here, you will
receive the help you need for your selves as well. You should also have noticed that in PP 19.
He said, And to see this nervous age that we're living in...and notice how he
went on to tie this thought into the opening of the 7 vials and the letting
loose of the end-time plagues upon man.
Again we see in
PP. 20 that brother Branham says, Men now and people today are in such a
neurotic condition, the whole world... And I want you also to notice that this neurotic condition is a
universal condition that is upon every one. He said, THE WHOLE WORLD! And again
in PP 21 he begins by speaking of how the body is rotting and how women are
reaching menopause at earlier and earlier ages, until we see cases of young
ladies around twenty years young who are old in their bodies. Because after all
menopause is a condition that the body goes into after it passes out of it's
youth and life cycle and is entering into it's dying cycle. Now notice how he
continues on by speaking on the mental condition of the people and how it is
also deteriorating so quickly until the entire world is going insane. The
whole human race is rotten. Well,
if them physical beings of our body is tearing down like that from eating hybrid foods, tensions, that rotten it,
does not that also rot the brain cell? Then we can see how women can get on
the street naked. We can see how they can speed through the streets at a
hundred and twenty miles an hour, all these things. It's come to a place where the whole nation, the whole world, not only
this nation, but everywhere, mentally gone.
Now, finally in
PP 22 we hear him say, Men will be so insane after while and
he speaks on how they will see things that are not there, but their minds will
be playing tricks on them and it will be real to them as far as they are
concerned. And so, this morning I would
like to examine these thoughts on the condition of man in this last hour and
the condition of the mind. Brother Branham is telling us that the whole world
has come to a condition that it is mentally gone. He said, the hybrid foods and
the tensions have caused our bodies to rot and since our brain cells are part
of our bodies, they are rotting as well.
We find this condition that brother Branham is speaking of here in the
scriptures where we are warned that there is coming at a time that will be full
of tension and stress and it will hard to bear. We are also told that the anxieties of life will be self
consuming everyone on the face of the earth.
[ 2 Timothy 3: 1] AMPLIFIED: But understand this, that in the last days
there will set in perilous times of great
stress and trouble - hard to deal
with and hard to bear. Now if you caught what Brother Branham was
telling us, he said it is the hybrid foods and the tensions that are rotting
the bodies and the minds of the people.
So tensions or stress are a very critical thing in the undoing of the
human race. And you will notice that
the Amplified Translation of [2 Tim 3:1] tells us these times of
great tension and stress will be hard to deal with and hard to bear.
[ Mark 4: 18 - 20] Notice that it is the cares of this life
which creep in and choke off the Life that is in the Word. And so this is a
warning to us to be careful not to get so caught up into the things of this
world as to allow them to take over sole dominance of our lives. Now the
Greek word used here for CARES is the
word Merimna which means the anxieties of this Life. And I want you to notice that the word anxieties is defined by
Webster as being a state of being uneasy or apprehensive, or worried about what may happen; concern
about a possible future event. The Psychological effects of anxiety are worry
and nervous tensions.
[ Luke 8: 18] Notice that it is not just the anxieties of this life, the bills
and the mortgage and the auto loans, and the utilities etc., but it is the
pleasure seeking and other things as well that will creep into our lives and
choke off the Life that is in the Word.
Now notice that brother Branham used the term neurotic which comes from the word neurosis. Neurosis according to Webster
is defined as: Any of various Psychic, or mental, functional disorders characterized
by one or several of the following reactions:
ANXIETY, COMPULSIONS and OBSESSIONS, PHOBIAS, DEPRESSION, and
DISASSOCIATION. Now, for you
who are taking notes, I want you to notice that there are 6 of these
attributes, and that is the number of man. Dwayne caught that Wednesday night
and mentioned it to me. That is a good observation Dwayne. Brother Branham said, Men now and people today are in such a
neurotic condition, the whole world. So we see that this neurotic condition is a world-wide mental
condition that has come upon mankind like a trap. Just as we see the Laodicean
condition of being naked, blind and miserable is a universal condition as well.
So if William Branham, God's Prophet said this then it must be in the
scriptures as well.
[ Luke 21: 31 - 36] Notice, this
condition is to come upon every one who dwells upon the face of the earth. So
it is a world wide condition, and then if so, then it will affect us as well
unless we are aware of it. Now, we are not super humans that can not be
affected by these things, we are merely mortal in this flesh and we need to
know what it is that is affecting us before
we can find the cure. If we think this doesn't pertain to us then why
did Jesus warn us that it was coming?
Now, I believe the thing that is causing this condition in the earth is
the focus we have in our lives. If our focus is on the things of this world,
then we will be caught up into these anxieties which are a snare to us. But if
our focus is upon Christ and His Promises that He has for us at this end-time
hour, then we will be able to overcome
this snare or trap. Did not Jesus tell
us " if the man of the house had know what hour the thief was coming, he
would have prepared his home and he would not have suffered the thief to break
in.
Our focus should
be on standing in the presence of the Son of Man as Jesus tells us here. We
should not be concerned with the cares of this life, because they are considered
a snare to the real things that God has in store for us. [ Matt
7: 24-27] The same trials will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the
earth. It's the spirit of the age. It is the condition of the hour, just as we
see in [Rev 3: 14-20] Rich- striving
for gold.
Now, I promised
you Wednesday night that this morning I would focus more of our thoughts on the
attributes of this neurotic condition that Brother Branham said the whole world
is under. As we examine these attributes that make up the neurotic condition
that is in the world every where, let's begin by examining Webster's definition
again. Webster defined Neurosis as: Any of various Psychic, or mental,
functional disorders characterized by one or several of the following
reactions: #1) Anxiety, #2) Compulsions
#3) Obsessions #4) Phobias #5) Depression #6) Disassociation
And so this
morning we shall begin our study by focusing on the 1st attribute Anxiety. I had thought that I would be able to
condense all six into one sermon, but the more I focused my attention on these
6, the more I realized that there is just too much here to eat at one sitting.
And so I am feeling led to break these thoughts down further into smaller bite
size pieces, to concentrate on one attribute at a time so that you can
concentrate better and actually go away with some answers for your own life
situation.
I really think
this little mini series we are approaching will help you to understand your own
life situation better and how to cope in this stressful world we live. And So
for the next 6 sermons, you don't want to miss anything because after all I
believe that you will be helped greatly by these thoughts that we are looking
at. After all, didn't Brother Branham
say in His opening prayer, "And we
ask that You'll speak to us today through Thy written Word, and may the Spirit
reveal to us the things that we have need of,". And so I believe that
this Message will meet the needs of every individual in here this morning if we
only look for it.
[ Luke 21: 31 - 36] When Jesus spoke about
the cares of this life he was speaking of Anxieties. Anxieties is defined by
Webster as being a state of being uneasy or apprehensive, or worried
about what may happen; concern
about a possible future event. The Psychological effects of anxiety
are worry and nervous tensions. So we
see that it has nothing to do with today, but what might happen tomorrow. And
what did Jesus tell us about such things as this?
[ Matt 6: 24-34] we are actually
commanded to take no thought for tomorrow, pertaining to what she shall eat or
wear Don't worry about tomorrow,
because after all each day their is enough to think about? And if you worry
about tomorrow, then you only compound your troubles. Because not only do you
have today's troubles, but tomorrow's as well.
[981-Q-274 Q & A
COD 64-0823M] If you worry, it'll break your health
down, and that's what Satan wants to do. So you see worry will only tear
your health down and that is what Satan wants to do. He wants to distract you
from where we should really be focused, and that is in Christ. So just commit yourself and your family to
Christ and keep moving on.
[ Eccl
11: 9-10] Be happy young man while you are young, and let your heart give you
joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your
eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment (
so, in other words, just keep your life lined up with His Word) So
then, banish anxiety from your heart, and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
·
[ 1 Peter 5: 6 - 10]
"Casting all your cares (or
anxieties) upon Him for He careth for you."
·
[ Proverbs 12: 25 ]
"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."
[ Eccl 2: 17-26] So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was
grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all
the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one
who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet
he will have control over all the works which I have poured my effort and skill
under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to become anxious over all my toilsome labor
under the sun. For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and
then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too
is meaningless and a great misfortune. What does a man get for all his toil and
anxious striving with which he
labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; Even at night
his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. A man can do nothing better
than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see is
from the hand of God, for without him who can eat or find employment? To the
man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the
sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to
the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
E-64 God Keeps
His Word 57-0407M To the young
people, I would say this. If I could this morning, after a birthday yesterday
of forty-eight years in this life, twenty some odd years of that, about twenty
four years I've spent for the Lord Jesus. As a boy of about twenty three years
old, I--I started preaching the Gospel. If there is any regrets that I have,
any regrets... If I could touch a button this morning and go back to the--the
fabulous age of about sixteen or seventeen, I would only want to do it for one
thing: that is to serve Christ. That's what it means. To serve Christ, and God
Who knows my heart, knows that's true, to serve Christ alone. I have never seen anything or thought anything
that ever compared with this blessed anchor of Christ in my heart. I don't know
nothing. I've sailed the sea; I flew through the air; I've seen all the sights
the world has; I've seen the seven mysteries of the world. I've seen the seven
outstanding sights, rather, of the world. I have seen all the mountainsides,
pretty near of the world. I've... I'm a hunter. I've hunted in all kinds of
nations. I've done everything, fished; I've rode horses, I've ranched. I've
done everything that I've known to do. And I'll say this: "That there is
all of it put together, won't make one little dot to the love of the Lord
Jesus." What could I do? Oh, yes, if sees these little kiddies here, I've
had my little girlfriends, and slick my hair down, and put my windshield back
on my car, and went out with my date, I thought; but it just didn't satisfy.
There's something you're lacking all the time.
I've seen the girl with the pretty brown eyes, and it would... You know
how you feel, as the young folks, I thought that was just it. If I could only
have the date with this young lady, it would just, it would--it would just take
all my anxiety; that--that would just settle it. I'd have a date with her, be
out with her fifteen minutes, and looking for someone else. It just doesn't satisfy.
Oh, there's nothing. But that blessed hour (Blessed be His Name.), yonder in
that little old coal shed in the back of the building, kneeling on a old grass
sack in an alley, where I knelt down there in the wet ground and said,
"Lord Jesus, can You do something for me?" That's when a peace that
passes all understanding, twenty-four years ago anchored here in this heart of
mine, and it's worth all there is and the whole world. I've seen nothing to
compare with it. Through the many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; It's grace that's brought me safe thus far,
It's grace that'll take me on. I've trusted Him in the hours of sickness
and accidents. I've trusted Him when the airplanes was spinning in the storm,
and you didn't know... I said, "Lord Jesus, are You finished with me? If
not, straighten this plane out." See her, just pull right out to her right
condition...?... I've stood in the
clinics, where the best of doctors in the nations, to...
Christ Revealed in His Own Word #26
Sunday Morning, July 7, 1996
And they'd look at me and say, "Just a few more minutes
to live. He's going." And when the
best doctors, that could be got for me, and I said, "Lord Jesus, are You
through with me?" And all the sudden, I was normally back to myself. Certainly. Oh, amazing grace how sweet that sound. How
I wish I had tongues to explain what it is. It's too great for the human mind.
Take my word; don't you take a substitute, friend. Don't take a substitute.
Don't just go and say, "Well, I--I do this. I--I tell you what; I'm a
pretty good person." Don't rely on that. Don't do it. Just stay there, until something just
reaches down, takes away all the sin, and puts a kiss there that just burns.
And when the trials come, you don't have to wonder if I'm going to do that,
it's just something holds there. And as a middle-aged man now, I've got to come
down and think this, that one of these days, I got to go. If Jesus tarries, I
got to go. I don't know what'll it be
when I get down to the end of the road. I don't know. I'm not trusting upon my
preaching. No, sir. No, I'm not trusting upon the things that I done. Oh God,
no. Oh, let that be far from me. I've done things since I been a preacher,
neglected and done this and that. I don't want to trust in, not in that. No,
sir. I don't want to say, "Lord, I've won over a million souls to
You." That has nothing to do with it, not a thing. The only thing I'm trusting is His grace,
His promise, is where Lord, You said, "Though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil." You said, "I'll never leave
thee nor forsake thee..." When I'm pressing that pillow and the cold
death's sweat's running off of my brow, You'll be there. Just as sure as I'm
standing here, He will be there.
E-10 Uncertain Sound 61-0429E
Traveling around
from nation to nation, I find that everyone seems to be nervous. And the psychic wards are filling up.
And the people are... Down the street, there
seems to be so much anxiety, and rush just as hard as they can, till they don't
have courtesy even, one for the other. And I've noticed it amongst all people.
[ Phil 4: 6-7] Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In speaking of
the nations where the Jews were to be scattered and dispersed throughout all
the world the Lord said the following words letting them know that there is no
rest and there is no assurance in this world outside of Him. [ Deut 28: 65-67]
[ John 14: 1-3]
[ John 14: 27 - 29]
Now although it
is possible that a person may possess all these attributes, it is not necessary
for them to have all these to be neurotic. Neurosis is having one or more of
them, but it is not necessary to have all of them.
And I believe
what we have here is a mental disorder that actually cripples the persons
functionality as a human being. If the person is a wife and mother, it cripples
her ability to function in those roles. If the person is a minister it cripples
their ability to minister the Word of God. If the person is a Deacon, it
cripples their ability to keep order and to help as needed in the assembly.
What ever the persons function, Father, Mother, Sister or brother, it cripples
those functions in the home. No wonder there is so much talk today of the
dysfunctional homes. If the world is under a neurotic condition, then the homes
have got to be dysfunctional. Sunday
morning we shall focus our attention on what the cure for this neurotic
condition is.