Christ is the
Mystery no 222
Review no 45
Twins no 20
God Only Recognizes those who are His
Brian Kocourek, Pastor
This morning
we will continue in our Review of Christ is the
Mystery of God Revealed, and our study on the Biblical doctrine of Twins. I believe we are
coming to a close of this Study on Twins
in just a few more sermons, so please pray with me that our Father will give me
direction for our next series.
I think this
study we've just come through on Twins is perhaps the most exhaustive study on
Twins I've ever seen, and we've spent 20 sermons so far examining this Bible
Doctrine, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, and I also appreciate
very much what the Lord has shown us in warning us of Twins in the midst of the
church.
As you know
our website goes into 189 countries the last time we counted, and since we quit
counting about 4-5 years ago, It may be many more today. But we do know that
the
I am sure he means well, but if
he looked up the definition of what a pagan is, it reads: : heathen 1; especially : a follower of a polytheistic
religion (as in ancient
The second definition is the
one I am sure the Pope was referring to. 2 :one who has little or
no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
Pope Francis went on to say, "there have always been "two types of
Christian", those who truly followed Christ and those who
only pretended to. At the time of
So he sounds just like what William Branham said in
his sermon, Hearing receiving and acting 60-0607 P:16 So we find out, that
in every revival that's ever been borned in the world, it produces twins.
That's right. Every revival has twins. They have a bunch in there that's
carnal believers and a bunch of spiritual believers. Every revival
produces that: an Esau and Jacob.
The Pope called this sort of people Pagan Christians," whom he said, "
He continued, "In
Pauls time, the two groups of Christians were in church together,
went to Mass on Sunday, praised the Lord, and were
called Christians. Then he asked, "So what was the difference?" "The second were enemies of the cross of Christ.
Great commission 58-0301B P:17 Look
at when Cain, he was just as religious as and just as much with the Word as Abel was.
It was a revelation that made the difference. They both worshipped;
they both brought
sacrifices. They both built a altar. They both belonged to church.
They both were
sincere. They both worshipped. So if God ought to respect sincerity
and fundamentalism, why didn't He respect Cain? But through revelation Abel, being just, by revelation,
no Scriptures in them days, God had revealed it to him that it wasn't fruit,
apples and oranges taken us out of the garden of Eden;
it was blood, the life.
Then the article mentions that the Pope said that "Jesus used strong language to describe this sort of
Christians": quoting Jesus he said, Because
you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
The Pope also said, these are
enemies of the cross of Christ. They
take the name of Christian, but do not follow the requirements of the Christian
life.
The article went on to say, "Pope Francis suggested that there are questions we can ask
ourselves to know what sort of Christians we are. He said that all of us,
himself included, need to ask ourselves: How much worldliness is in me? How much paganism?
Even more specifically, the Pope asked: Do I like to brag? Do I like money? Do
I like my pride, my arrogance? Where are my roots,
and where is my citizenship? In heaven or on earth? If
you love money and are attached to it, if you love vanity and pride, you are
headed down a bad road, he said. If, instead,
he continued, you try to love God and serve others,
if you are gentle, if you are humble, if you are the servant of others, you are on the right path. Your citizenship is in
heaven.
Now, if he also spoke on the
need of being born again to produce those attributes, then I would say it
looked like he was going for the oil. Because what he said sounded a whole lot
like what brother Branham said in many of his sermons, including Hebrews Chapter 7
part 1 57-0915E 314-146 So an old hypocrite can come to church and
rejoice and shout and praise the Lord, and go on like that, and go right
back out and enjoy the things of the world. But a borned again Christian
cannot do it, because the love of God constrains him to such a place He
can't do it. So if you're just a Christian by joining the church, and
quitting doing this and that, and the same desire is in you, you need another
dip. That's exactly right. 315-149 And you women who can dress with
them little old shorts, and run out here on the street, and then call yourself
a believer. You're a believer, but you're a poor example of one, maybe. If you
really had Christ in your heart, you wouldn't have to think about such things
as that. I don't care what the rest of the women does,
and the rest of the girls do, you'd be different; because you love Christ too
much. I talked to a woman the other day in a house, and she throwed
her hands up like this, said, "Reverend Branham, I'm almost naked
here in my house; I'm walking around." I thought,
"Shame on you." In your own house, I don't care where you
are. That's right. Dress and act like a woman, like a lady ought to.
Shame on you. But you keep... And the Bible
said, "If you love those things, the things
of the world, the love of Christ is not even in you." And if you love the
Lord just with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your mind, you'll keep them little
old dirty, nasty things off of you. That's right.
Ok, so if the
pope is now teaching as Doctrine some of the Doctrine which William Branham
taught, then how late are we brothers and sisters?
So now that we
see the Pope trying to teach some of the doctrine God's prophet taught, let's
continue in our study of twins this morning, and I would like to address
another issue this morning, this: "God only recognizes his Seed".
I would like
to hear this Pope attempt to teach that, He would be put out of his church,
because his own church doctrine calls the teaching of "predestination" anathema.
And he would have to go against his own churches teaching to teach on
predestination.
This morning
we'll look at this thought that God
will only recognize those who are His.
Let's turn in our Bibles to 2
Timothy
This morning I would like to examine this thought that
the Lord
knows them that are his, because we are told that the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, that the Lord
knows them that are His. And we know that a seal represents a
finished work. So the seal or finished work is that makes the foundation of God
stand sure, is that the Lord knows them that are
His.
Now, this word knows or knoweth
as written in the King James version,
was translated from the Greek word Ginosko, which does not speak of a
mental or intellectual knowing, but a knowing based on experience. In other
words, an knowing or intimacy based on relationship.
So let me read again this verse with the definition built
in, the foundation of God stands sure, having this finished work, that
the Lord knows intimately them that are His.
So the Lords whole foundation of predestination and
election stands on the finished work of His knowing in an experiential way, or
in a way of relationship, those who are His.
Now, contrast that to what the Scriptures tell us
concerning those who do do good works and yet have
not this personal intimacy with Him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 what their end
will be.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice Jesus tells us when it
comes down to the end, the Lord will say to these "I never knew you" "I never ginosko you,
which means I never had an intimate relationship with you, and thus I do not
know you in an experiential knowing"
In 1Corinthians 8:3 we are
told, "But
if any man love God, the same is known of him." The same word Ginosko is used here that was translated as
the word "known" of Him. And again it speaks of intimacy, relational
intimacy, experiential intimacy.
From this we
can see that only those who have a truly intimate relationship with God are
those who are capable of Loving God. This love is what Peter addresses as Love
unfeigned. In other words it is not a pretentious love, but a genuine love
based not on works but on relationship. True deep intimate
relationship.
And that intimate relationship is reciprocated by God
Himself as Peter tells us in 1 Peter
And don't ever forget that God considers evil,
anything that opposes His Word. Now, remember, what ever a man does he does it
first in his mind, then with his hands. And we are told in Scripture what evil
thoughts are.
Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men,
proceed evil (kakos) thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,
foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and
defile the man.
Notice that all these things come
from within, and not from God's Word which is Holy and
True. Therefore they are all injurious and destructive to the effects of the
Word upon a man.
Now, the
apostle Paul further expounds on this intimate relationship of our Loving God,
who watches over them that Love Him, in Romans
8:29-35 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the
called (those who are the invited ones) according to his purpose.
And
notice how God watches over His own. he
says in verse 29 For whom he did foreknow, (those that he did pro-ginosko,
those that he did intimately know in Him before hand) he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren.
Oh, how
beautiful is the love of our God. He knew us intimately when we were yet in his
mind, he longed for us and placed in that seed gene a
longing for him. And then he predestined
us to be conformed to His first born Son whom he knew intimately and loved
before the foundations of the world. Yes, God spent ages and ages with His
first born son before the foundations of the world, and he also predestined
other sons to be the same.
You know I
never heard of some one who loves something as being satisfied with just having
that something only once. If you love children, I don't think you could be
satisfied with only one. If you love a woman, you don't just wish to see her
once but you've got to see her every day, until you just can't live without her
and so you marry her.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:
(these are the ones he invited.
That's what the word called means. Invited ones.) and whom he called, and whom
he invited them he also justified:(them he has also
declared free of guilt) and whom he declared free of
guilt, them he also glorified. (that
word glorified is from the Greek word doxazo, Notgice it tells us those whom he predestined to be
conformed to the image of His first born son, these invited ones, he has freed
us from guilt, and has placed his doxa into our Zoe, our
And how did He
do that? By One Spirit we are all baptized into His Body. And He is the Word
made flesh. Hallelujah.
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own
poets have said, For we
are also his offspring.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit
sin; (Does not initiate sin which
is unbelief,) for his seed (God's Seed) remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, (He
can not disbelieve) because he is born of God.
2 Corinthians
Then Paul says
in Romans
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him
up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the
charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
I hope you can
see how that God has made the way so plain before us that all we have to do is
turn our eyes upon Jesus and we will be transformed by the renewing of the
mind.
1
John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. 3 And every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself,
even as he is pure.
Do you realize
what a privilege it is to see Him as He truly is? No man can do that without
God opening their eyes by revelation. So God gives us a certain power to see
Him as he is and then to become what we were ordained to become.
John
1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:
Now, this
power God gives us is "exousia",
which is an ability to make a right decision.
and that right decision is to be what God wants us to
be. conformed to the Image of the first born son. And
notice he goes on to tell us...
John
God does it all beginning with the birth. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work
in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul said in 2 Timothy
And Jesus said
in John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no
man is
able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Look at the
assurance we have. So rest little bride it is the Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.
John
14:7 Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(that is
why Paul told us the we can not fully mature in Christ until the five fold
ministry brings us to the place of a unity in The Faith, in The Revelation of
Jesus Christ and the knowledge of the son of God. It takes this knowledge of
the Son of God, and his relationship with the father to bring that same
relationship out in us. We see by His example as an obedient son how to please
the Father, and we walk in that revelation of the Son of God. until we grow up into Christ is what Paul said.)
Jesus continues in John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye
should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have
seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew
us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus
saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me
hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew
us the Father? 10 Believest thou not
that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Notice,
Jesus mentions both words and works here. And tells us the example we see is
that God tells him what to say and what to do. That is the pattern for all
sons. Then he says, )11 Believe me that I am in the Father,
and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works'
sake. 12 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He (whoever) that believeth
on me, (and you can not
believe without being born of His Spirit, then who ever has the same Spirit of
the Father that lives in me,) the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto
my Father. (and here is the key) 13 And whatsoever ye
shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my
name, I will do it. 15 If ye
love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I
will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because
it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; (ye ginosko him, Ye will intimately experience him) for he dwelleth with you, (the same one that
is with you now, that's talking in me, it is he that also) shall be in you. 18 I will
not leave you comfortless: (orphanos, I will not leave
you orphans) I will come to you. And when is an orphan no longer an orphan? When he is adopted.
19 Yet a little while, and
the world seeth me no more; (the world will understands me no more) but ye see me: (but you will understand me)
because I live, ye shall live also.
Now,
let me continue by reading from the Wuest
translation. 20 In that day you shall
know experientially that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I
in you. 21 He who hath my
commandments and habitually keeps them, that one is he who is loving me with a
Divine and self-sacrificial love: and he who is loving me thus shall be loved
with this same kind of love by my Father, and I shall love him with a Divine
and self-sacrificial love , and I shall disclose myself to him.
Now, brother Branham explains these verses in his
sermon, What Holy Ghost was given for 59-1217 P:8 Now, you that's keeping these Scriptures down, if you would
turn with me to St. John again, the 14th chapter, we want to begin at the 14th chapter of
Now, let's
read Jesus Prayer to the Father in John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that
all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which
thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely
that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not
for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are
thine. 10 And all mine are thine,
and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these
are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, (Wuest), maintain a
watchful care over them keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given
me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept
them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have
kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture
might be fulfilled. 13 And now
come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my
joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the
evil. (Wuest that you
should guard them safely from the reaches of the pernicious one)16 They are not of the world, even as I
am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is
truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into
the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, (for their sake, I have set my own desires aside) that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (Wuest And
on behalf of them I am setting myself apart, in order that they themselves
also, having been set apart for God in the sphere of the Truth
may continually be in that state of consecration.)
Notice it was
his desire that we habitually live in a state of consecration and readiness
with God, as He also lived habitually in a consecrated and sert
aprt condition before God and man.
20 Neither pray I for
these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may
be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may
believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory (the values, opinions, and
judgments) which thou gavest
me I have given them; that
they may be one, even as we are one:
Now, listen,
if Jesus prayed thatt he Glory would make us one with
God even as he was one with God, then by receiving God's Glory, His Doxa, His
opinions and values, and judgments, and expressing them in your life, you
become the manifestation of God's Glory even as Jesus did.
23 I in them, and thou
in me, that they may be made complete in one; and that the world may know that
thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father,
I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that
they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known
thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto
them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them,
and I in them.
Wow, what
love, what desire, what intimacy, what relationship.
Galatians
4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit
of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore
thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of
God through Christ.
What a tremendous Word he has given us today. And
because Ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of
His Son into your hearts.
Let's just bow our hearts and heads in a word of
thanksgiving and prayer.