Christ is the Mystery no. 25

Image of the Invisible no 8

The God of all comfort

September 12, 2012

Brian Kocourek

 

2 Thessalonians 2: 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

 

Philippians 2: 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

 

Let us pray, Dear Father, we know and believe that you are here this evening in our midst. Though we can not see you, nor feel you, yet we have assurance that your Great Pillar of Fire is here leading us to the Millennium, for you told us that is your purpose through the lips of your vindicated prophet. And not only have we hear it but we have seen it, and with thanksgiving we follow your leading O God . Therefore, Father, be with us as we lay ourselves open to your Great Presence that we know is among us, and may your Presence bring comfort to us Father, for you are the God of all Comfort. And help us to understand what you are doing here now, as we have no prophet among us to speak for Thee. Help us then, Father to know and understand our place in your Kingdom, and what you are doing  yet in this hour, as we look to the words that you spake through your vindicated Prophet knowing that You are the I am, and not the I was. Then Father we believe your words through William Branham were not words for the past, but words for the present. And we know and believe Father, that that those words were not the words of a man, but they were Your Word to us Father and we have confidence in your Great Message which you gave us through that yielded vessel. And we believe those words are still as much alive today and with as much power today as they were the day when they were spoken.   Therefore Father, we know that you have come in the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of yourself. Then, hear our petition to Thee this evening Father, and we ask that you would open to us Your Great Fountain of  Wisdom, and help us to know and be sure, and be comforted by Your Presence among us, for we ask it in Jesus Christ’s precious name, Amen.

 

Again this evening I would like to continue examining brother Branham’s sermon Christ is the Mystery  and look at this mini series thought on the Image of the Invisible and examine yet another attribute and characteristic of the Invisible King, our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is attributes and characteristics that make up our character, and thus as Jesus Christ was in the very Image of the Invisible God, we know that the image we understand is the very character of God Himself. 

 

In our Bibles and from Brother Branham’s sermon, Christ is the Mystery of God Revealed we read where he spoke from Colossians 1:15 in speaking of the son of God, where Paul said,  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

 

I would like to stop for a moment in our reading this evening because these words that brother Branham is saying here means that in every way the Attributes and characteristics which make up the character of God was reflected in Christ.

 

Identification 64-0216 P:23 Then, see, God came down. And the Character of God was Christ. He was the Reflection. He was God made visible: notice, God made visible. In the beginning was God. He wasn't even God then. No, a God's an object of worship. Only thing He was, was the eternal, and in Him was attributes. And those attributes were thoughts. And those thoughts was expressed to words, and word was made manifest. What is it? It's all God becoming tangible. And you are part of God. And Jesus come to redeem those that was put on the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundation of the world. It was in God's thoughts. And that's what He come to redeem. And them, as soon as it strikes to them, they see it, because the life is in there. But if the life isn't in there, then what can they do? See? They don't see it. They'll never see it. See? And the whole thing is, Jesus said, "At that day you'll know I'm in the Father, the Father in Me, I in you, and you in Me." The whole thing is God becoming material, like a husband and wife becoming one together: God and His church becoming one.

 

Identification 63-0123 P:49 Oh, no other nature could do this. No. 'Cause He was the molded perfect character of God. For it was a fallen character that all nature had. All men had a fallen character. Even everything that was under man fell. Everything's got a dying character. And He had a living character, so He expressed it in Christ, and He paid the price. And then because of His obedience He raised Him up on the third day. See? And then He gives to us... That gives to us the--the proof. It gives to us the assurance that as long as we're in Him we're already risen with Him. We won't raise with Christ. We're already raised with Christ. That's right. We are in Christ now. And if Christ be risen from the dead, aren't we raised from the dead with Him? Amen. Now we're setting together in heavenly places in Him. Oh, my. That ought to make you Presbyterians shout. Uh-huh. Certainly. Expressed images of God, molded after the fashion of Christ, that the world can see Him in you. That's the looking glass to look at.

 

God identifying Himself 64-0320 P:35 Did you notice, God never changes His way. In the old Bible, when a dreamer dreamed a dream, and there was no prophet in the land to see if this dream was right or not, they had another way of finding out. They took that character, ever who dreamed the dream, took him down to the temple. The breastplate of Aaron, who was the high priest, hung on the post. And this dreamer told this dream. No matter how good it sound, how real it sound, if there wasn't a supernatural light flashed on those stones, which is called Urim Thummim (Bible readers understand.), then I don't care how real it sounded, it wasn't so. The unusualness of God, the character of God had to display its characteristics in the supernatural to show that He identified Himself on the message. Amen. I say the same thing tonight. The old Urim Thummim's gone, but the Word's still the thing that identifies the characteristic of God, the promise of the hour that we're living. There is God's characteristics, identified by the promise of the hour that we're living in. That makes God the same as He was in sundry times.

 

 

Now, knowing that God is the God of All comfort is reassuring especially since all we have gone through here recently having suffered great loss of friends and family members. It seems sometimes, that we come to a place where we just can’t see daylight. Everything seems to be so dark and the promises of God seem to be so distant, and there seems to be no relief in sight. That is the essence of what he is saying here. He said,

 

Nowwe are coming to a time when all seems to be lost in this world economically, socially, politically and even looking out on the Message as a whole spiritually. The light seems to have grown dark.  A time when everything seems to be going the wrong way for us, and then he tells us, that is when we need to know that we have a Father to whom we can cry out to. A Father Who will hear us  and bring comfort to those of us in need.

 

You know, the Apostle Paul told us the same thing in second Corinthians.  He told us that our God is a God who is full of Mercy and Comfort. In fact he told us He is the God of ALL Comfort. 

 

2 Corinthians 1: 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

 

Now, these words are so outstanding to us, especially in these times when we have loved ones among us and close to us that have suddenly without explanation or our being aware have been snatched out of our midst. To some of you listening, it may have been family, to others it may have been close friends. Regardless of the relationship, we must all deal with the reality of a sudden change in our life, and a need for comfort. Today we were able by the Grace of God and by modern technology we were able to watch the funeral of br. Adam’s mother, Cathy Halevelsky.

 

Having experienced this funeral and several this year alone, as well as many over the years, including several family members, and other loved ones who were as close as family, I would like to say that comfort is not something that comes easy to us. Neither do we get comfort from someone else’s experiences. Our comfort, true comfort, comes from one source and one source alone. And that source is from God our Father and our confidence we have in His great Judgment.

 

As Abraham said, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

 

We have all attended funerals and have been close to someone who has suffered loss.  Death, dying, and suffering, these not uncommon to any who are born into this world. Certainly they are not uncommon to any who are Sons and daughters of God.

 

The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 4: 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: so we see that the trials we have should not be viewed as though they are some strange thing happening to us that others do not suffer. On the contrary, he said our attitude should be to rejoice for those trials. 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

But if you will recall, in our study last week we pointed out that it is not the trial itself that we are to rejoice in, but what that trial works into our character. For God does not place us under trials and suffering to get a kick out of it. We were told that even the Son of God learned obedience by the things that He suffered. And the Bible tells us that those trials and sufferings perfected Him.

 

In Hebrews 5: 7 we read,  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death,

 

Notice, that although God was able to save His Son from death, He didn’t, because it was His will to bruise and smash that sweet rose of Sharon until the beautiful perfume of the Holy Ghost left Him so that you and I could enjoy that sweet smelling savor.) and was heard in that he feared;

 

Yes, Jesus God’s first born son “feared”. But His fear was not a fear of doubt, but of a reverential subjection to the will of God.  He said, “Father I would that you take this cup from me,” and then after a great struggle and then final victory he said, “Nevertheless, not my will but Thy will be done”.  

 

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

 

And how did he become perfect? By the sufferings in his flesh. Now, the word perfect was translated from the Greek word “teleioo”, which means to be made complete or consummate in character. In other words His character was finished off, completed by this act of subjecting His will to the Father’s will. .

 

Now, The apostle Peter went on to say in verse  14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.  16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 

Now, in getting back to what the Apostle Paul was telling us about the God of all Comfort, he said, 2 Corinthians 1: 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation,

 

Now, I want you to notice here that God not only comforts you but He is the God of all comfort, and has promised to comfort us in every time of need. And the reason God brings us comfort is that we might bring comfort to others in their time of need. He goes on to say,  that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,

 

Notice how we are enabled to comfort others by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

You see, it is God that brings us our comfort. Then it is not your words, or your experiences that can bring comfort to others, but it is your reflecting the God of all comfort to them that will bring them comfort in times of trial and need. No one that has been hit by sudden loss or severe injury is interested in what someone else has gone through. That is not the time for it. When sudden loss occurs, or sudden injury or time of real need, the best thing we can do for those who are suffering is to be sure ourselves of the Love of God and that God indeed is a faithful God. Your bringing comfort to others is not in what you can do, say or what you have experienced.

 

There is a time and place for all that. But in time of distress, we bring comfort by having been comforted by God ourselves. And our faith and confidence in God having brought us comfort, will bring comfort to those who are hurting and in need if in fact we are reflecting God-Life in us.

 

Even Brother Branham who experienced much in terms of sorrow and despair, said the only one who could comfort him when his little Sharon rose lay there dying, was to know that God was his comfort.

 

He Careth for you 60-0301 P:43 I walked over to the bed, put my hands on her little head, I said, "Darling, God gave you, and God's taking you away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Though You slay me, yet I'll trust You." Yes, sir. I said, "I'll take you, darling, and lay you on your mother's arm yonder in the undertaker's morgue in about a hour from now. But yet if He kills me, there's nothing I can go to. He's the only Hope that I've ever found. He's the only Foundation. He's the only Comfort that I ever had. And where could I go now for comfort, if it wasn't to Him? When I said that, the Angels come and packed her away. And I just almost collapsed, but something happened. He was my Comforter. He came to me. He cared for me.

 

Notice the Apostle Paul said, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

 

When you yourselves show an open confidence in the God of all comfort, that confidence in God brings comfort to those in need of comfort.

 

I remember like it was yesterday when my father had passed away, and the whole family was in disarray, and fussing because of the confusion the loss of his headship brought upon the family, my mother told me that it was my own faith in knowing that Dad was saved and with Christ that brought comfort to her. And this comfort is a part of that Faith that Jesus had that helped him to endure the cross for you and I. And it this faith that we rest our own souls in.

 

Now, the Apostle Paul continues,  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

 

Finally in closing, The apostle Paul tells us in. Romans 15: 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

 

Notice that Paul calls God, the God of Patience and Consolation. Because after you have awaited the promise, God surely will keep His word. What consolation we have in Christ Jesus. Knowing that God raised up His Son from the dead.

 

The Apostle Peter told us in I PETER 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 ¶  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Let’s bow our hearts in prayer. Dear Gracious and Loving Father,. We know of many hardships and trials that have befallen our brethren in these past years, but through them all you have been there. For you told us “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee”. And we hold to those Words dear Lord, knowing that you care for us. Help us then to cast all our cares upon you for you Care of us. Be with those that morn, comfort the afflicted, and bring glad tidings to those that are in need, be with the Havelsky family Lord, and Father we ask your comfort upon all that are in need at this time, for we ask it in the blessed name you gave your Son Jesus Christ our Lord., Amen.