Christ
is the Mystery no. 34
Conformed
to the Image of Christ
October 21,
2012
Brian
Kocourek
This evening let’s go right to brother Branham sermon
“Christ is
the Mystery of God Revealed” and focus on paragraphs 74 and 75
where brother Branham hones in on what it really means to be a Christian. Let’s
just read for ourselves what he says here.
74
But the only way that you can actually
be a Christian is for Christ to identify Himself in you. How... We
got some a stinger there. I hope everybody on the tape gets that too. See, see?
You say, "I'm Pentecostal." That don't mean a thing. It's Christ identified in you; that's
when He has recognized you.
75
Say, "I spoke with tongues." Devils does, too. "I shouted."
The Mohammedans, Buddhas, and everything shouts. The Indians scream at the
snake dance. See? Sure. They all do. Cults, clans and everything else scream
and holler. They holler and shout at a baseball game. But when Christ is identified in you, identifying Himself, then you are
Christ-like; which the word Christian means to be Christ-like. There's your identification. All right.
Now... And since He is our identification, then we should be identified with
Him by living for Him.
Now, last Sunday we
examined what it means to be a Christian and I read from Images of Christ 59-0525 P:39where brother
Branham said “Church
membership is all right. I have nothing against it, or any of those things.
But, brother, to be a Christian means to
be conformed to the image of Christ. We want to be living images,
not pack an image, but be an image of the Lord Jesus.
Therefore tonight as we continue with our examination
of paragraphs 74
and 75
where brother Branham places his focus on what it means to be a Christian, and
he says pp. 75 But when
Christ is identified in you, identifying Himself, then you are
Christ-like; which the word Christian means to be Christ-like. There's your identification.
Leadership
65-1207 P:113 Now, just examine yourself by the Word, by
the Message. Examine what a real
Christian should be: rugged, loving, not one of this modern Christianity. Why, it's soft, flexible, half
dead, rotten, interbred. See? It's
not the real Christianity; live any kind of a way, and belong to church.
Don't you want that sweet fellowship with Christ, the Holy Spirit, that you're,
the conformity of your own heart to the
Word?
Now, tonight I want to
talk about this conformity to Christ or as brother Branham said in leadership, to be a Christian means to be conformed to the image of
Christ.
And the reason I want
to examine this is because in Romans 8 we are told that we are ordained to be
conformed to the image of Christ. who is the First Born Son in a vast family of
brothers.
The
Masterpiece 64-0705 108
brother Branham said, Christ come the
Masterpiece to fulfill that. (and he was speaking of how Christ came
to fulfill the old testament.)Now His Bride will fulfill
everything that's in the New Testament. Another Masterpiece is in making.
Now, what does this mean to be conformed to the image
of the first born son. Well, in order to understand what this means, we need to
understand what the word conformed means? The Word conformed was translated
from the Greek word summorphos which simply
means to, fashioned like unto. And the English Word conformed means: To
correspond in form or character; to be similar. 2. To act or be in accord or agreement ; to comply.
So you see, it does not means to look like in your
stature, or physical makeup, but rather it suggests in actions, and in your
character to be similar. Now, when we take into consideration that most quotes
of William Branham when speaking about John 14:12 he does not talk so much about the
supernatural as he does about the way Jesus acted, the way he talked, the life
he lived, and character he had, being in you.
From his sermon, Messiah the 61-0117
P:62 Brother Branham said, “They look like him. They act
like him. They are his flesh, his blood, his spirit. Amen. That's the way God's church is, His Eaglets, His Messiahettes. They
look like Him; they act like Him; they preach like Him; they do the works that He did. "The
things that I do shall he also. More than this shall he do, 'cause I go to the
Father." Amen. "These signs shall follow My eaglets."
Amen "They'll do just as I do. If My
Spirit's in them, then they'll do the works that I do. If they don't
do the works I do, it's because that My Spirit's not in them."
Again from God in His people 50-0227 P:22
brother Branham
said, “Now, if I told you I was John Dillinger, or the spirit of
John Dillinger was on me, you'd look for me to have guns, act like John
Dillinger. If I told you I was an artist, the spirit of a great artist was on
me, you'd expect me to paint the pictures of an artist. Is that right? If I
told you I was an expert mechanic, and the mechanic's spirit was on me, you'd
expect me to know what was wrong with your car. If I said to you that I was born
of the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus Christ was on me, you'd expect me to do what He did, act like
He did. That's His Spirit working through a human being.”
So you see the spirit of anything will make you act like the nature of
that spirit, whether it be the spirit of an artist, a bank robber, a mechanic,
or Christ. Now,. I certainly do not understand what is so difficult for
preachers and whole churches to see that.
And that is what John 14:12 is all about. It’s not about going out and
trying to produce something on your own. It’s about dying to self that Christ
might ,live your life for you.
From his sermon Balm in
But that is the problem we have in the churches. Men don’t want to die to
self, they like who they are and the position they have attained. But God will
not accept what you got to offer him. He will only accept the life of His son.
So if that Life is in you then God will accept you. But if you have not died to
self, that Life will never enter into you and take over because you are in the
way. And with no Christ Life you are none of His, that is what the Bible tells
us.
Romans
Chapter 8:5 For
they that are after self do mind the things of self; but they that are after
the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit. 6 For
to be carnally minded or self absorbed is death;
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind (the mind that is focused on self) is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are living
for self cannot please God. 9 But ye are not self
focused, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.
Position
in Christ 60-0522M P:79 What am I talking about? Hear It, Branham
Tabernacle. You've had your chance. When
a man once is anointed with the Holy Ghost, to be adopted into the family of
God, to be positionally placed by the Father, and set into a service out here,
into his purpose of life, or what God has called him for, his walk must be
holy, holy, holy unto the Lord.
But go into just about any church and usually you will see the sisters all
decked out like they are going to a fashion show, instead of coming to God’s
house. So who are you trying to impress with your body that’s worth 80 cents in
chemicals. In fact brother Branham said if go to church to be seen like that
you need to be born again.
But if we are born of His spirit Brother Branham said in his sermon, “As the eagle stirs her nest 61-0122 P:61,
“they look just like Him, they
believe the same thing He does. They look like Him. Yes, sir. They're made like Him. They're built like
Him, and He knows they're genuine eagles. Oh, my. That's what God wants, a
genuine Messiahette. Yes. He is Messiah. "Messiah" is "the Anointed One." And we are His
children, which have a lesser anointing.
So we're... As Jehovah Eagle is, great Eagle, and we're eaglets; He's Messiah,
and we with the same anointing are Messiahettes. Amen. Anointed,
"Messiah" means "the Anointed One." Are you anointed? Amen.
What with? The same Spirit that He was
anointed with. We have it in
measure; He has It without measure. He was God manifest in the flesh, and
we're sons of God, parts of Him, come on. Yes, sir. "The very works that I
do shall you do also."
Now, then it comes down to
this: What then is the expression of our lives if we are born of His Spirit?
You know Romans 8:19 says, “For the earnest
expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Now, this verse in
itself can not be understood without first reading the verse before it. Romans 8: 18 For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
Paul goes on to say in
the next verse , For
the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the
sons of God. So this
manifestation of the sons of God has to do with the glory of God which is the doxa
of God being revealed in us. And we know this word doxa means the opinion assessment
or judgment of God. Thus “the
manifestation of the sons of God” has to do with this “Glory” which was in
Christ coming into, or being revealed in the Sons of God. In other words, the
very mind of God coming into the Sons of God.
Now, here is how I always answer this question concerning the
manifestation of the sons of God. The want to know what is this manifestation?
Because many people have their own ideas of what it is and some believe it will
be the sons of God doing super duper feats of supernatural and whatever more.
But I always ask them this question.
In order to understand sons of God we must understand the Son of God.
Then in order to understand what the manifestation of the sons of God is to be,
we must ask the question, “What was the
manifestation of the Son of God? Did He manifest His Son-ship by doing miracles
and supernatural exploits? Or did he manifest Himself to be God’s Only begotten
Son in another way? What did He do to manifest that He was God’s Son?
Was it signs and wonders? No, that can’t be it, because Jesus himself
told us Matthew 7: 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.
So it is not the ability to
prophesy, and it is not the ability to do wonderful works which are miracles
and such, and it is not the ability to cast out devils. Then what did the Son of
God do to manifest Himself to be the Son of God?
Hebrews 5: 8 Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered; God
required from His Son obedience before he would adopt that son as His own Son.
From the sermon Patriarch Abraham the 64-0207
P:2 Brother Branham said, What
a promise because of obedience. Obedience
is what God wants. It was once said, "Obedience is better than
sacrifice." To obey the Lord is better than any
sacrifice that you could do.
And what did God require more than anything else in a son? Obedience.
Jesus manifested complete obedience to the Father.
John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for
what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 5:
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not
mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
In fact Jesus said in John 4: 34 Jesus
saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me,
and to finish his work. My meat is to do the will of Him, My father that sent
me. My meat. My very nourishment, my source of energy is to do the will of my
father. Here is a man that lived to be obedient to his Father. That is the
commandment of all children, to obey their father and mother.
Colossians 3: 20 Children,
obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Ephesians
6: 1 Children, obey your parents in
the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour
thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) And what does it means to honour thy Father and
Mother? The Word honour means to fix a high value. Therefore what they tell you
to do should be regarded as very valuable information. Most parents don’t tell
their children to do or not do things just because they like to give that Child
a hard time. That sort of person would be sick mentally. But most parents want
the best for their children even though the children think they know best. But
that parent has the best intentions for their children and give them advice
based on their years of experience, and accrued knowledge. And children are
promise that if they listen to their parents advice they will live long.
Deuteronomy
5: 16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath
commanded thee; that thy days may be
prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD
thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee.
Therefore I can say
with scriptural assurance that obedience is the only sure manifestation that a
child is truly a son of God. Just look
at the evidence in the Son of God. Look at what he said is evidence that he
loved His Father.
John 14: 31 But
that the world may know that I love the
Father; as the Father gave me
commandment, even so I do.
John 12: 49 For
I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And
I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore,
even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
So you see that Jesus
did nothing, and said nothing until god showed him what to do and what to say.
Hear ye
Him 57-0519A P:40 Now, watch. God never did anything 'less He
asked man to do, but what He did Himself. His Son, when He was born here on
earth, He was an obedient Son. Every step was for the Father. Everything He done was to glorify God.
And we seen God in Christ. Is that right? "No man has seen the Father at
any time, but the only begotten of the Son has declared Him." The very move, the very action, everything
that Christ did was God working in Him. You get it now? Now, watch what
takes place. Then God takes His Son after a long life, just before
Therefore the most important attribute a son can manifest is his
obedience to his Father.
Super
sign 59-1227M P:49 Someone, as I have said before, wants to
make Him a little short God. He was man; God was using a man. God was using a
flesh that He created Himself in order to create through Him and to "Bring
through Him many sons," says the Scripture, "through that obedient Son. Through one son all fell; through an obedient Son all shall live that
believe." God with us, a sign, said that would be a sign. Jesus so
loved to refer to Himself as Son of man, man Himself, just a man, "I am
nothing; the Son can do nothing in
Himself." But it's the Father was in Him, the Immanuel, that God, the
baby, God, Jehovah God, that little baby cried, that was Jehovah. Did you see
it? God living in a baby. God living in a teenage. What type of a teenager was
He? He set the example. When He was lost by His father and His mother, they
looked about to find Him, and they found Him in the temple, What did He say, as
a teenager? "Know you not? Wist thou not that I must be about My Father's business?" Example for teenagers.
Therefore in the Old Testament, in order to adopt or place your child as
a true son and therefore your heir, the
only evidence necessary to the father in order to adopt his child and place Him
as a son was that the son was to be obedient
and about his father’s business. In the message Hear Ye Him, brother Branham
talks about the Old Testament tradition of adoption and said, …
Hear ye
Him 57-0807 P:25 Now, if that boy is no good, yet he's a
son; he's never nothing but a son because he's born a son. But if he is not obedient and the right
kind of a son, he just continues a son on out without any reward. But if that
is an obedient son according to the Scriptures,
then there is an adoption of that son,
or the placing of that son. And then after he gets a certain age, he's taken
out into a public place. And there there's the great ceremony made, out before
the public. And this son is set up on a high place and there is a ceremony of
adoption. Think of it now. The father adopts his own son into his family. And
then after that, that son's name's just as good on a check as his dad's. It's a
public ceremony, and they're all out there, and they see this father positionally
place that son.
Hear ye
Him 59-0424E P:40 But then what if the son still won't obey. That son, though he is a son...
We can't say that he's not a son, but he
will never have any inheritance. That father says that he won't listen: "He won't obey; I can't put trust in him;
I'll just have to let him go. He's always a son." Now, if you're a born of
the Spirit of God... I have to stay with that, because you're a son of God. But
if you... You lose all the glory. Then what if this son is a good son, an obedient son. Oh, how he loves the
father. How the tutor would like to say, "Oh, dad, I'll tell you what. You
know that boy of yours, he's a chip off the old block. I'm telling you; he's
just about your business just as... Why, he take care of it as good as you can
right now." How the father swells up. "Oh, sure, that's my boy."
That's the way I want Him to think about us. That's the way we want to
follow the instructions of this Word, live by It, preach by It, die by It.
That's what God wants us to do.
So
you see obedience is the key to manifesting as a true son, and an heir of the
father. For let’s face it, what good does being a son do for you if you are not
adopted and acknowledged by the Father that you are a son and given inheritance
from the father.
Therefore
the apostle peter said in 1 Peter 1: 14 As obedient children,
not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
And
in 2
Corinthians 10: 5 The Apostle Paul said, Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ;
And
again the Apostle Paul said in, Romans 6: 16 Know
ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants
to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or
of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 5: 19 For
as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one
shall many be made righteous.
Now, this takes us back
to the Masterpiece and we pick up the next paragraph where brother Branham
says, THE MASTERPIECE 64-0705 109 As it taken Him
four thousand years to make this Masterpiece,(He’s talking about
Jesus here) now
He's been for nearly two thousand years making another Masterpiece: a Bride for
Christ, another Masterpiece.
So we hear him speak
of God taking four thousand years to bring forth his first Masterpiece, and
that was Jesus His only begotten Obedient Son, and now it is taking God only
two thousand years to bring forth another Masterpiece which is being fashioned
into the very image of the Eldest Son. That is what Paul taught us in Hebrews
first and then in Romans chapter 8.
Notice in Hebrews 1
Paul tells us how that Christ came forth in the image of God. 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;
Now, notice that Jesus
came forth in the image of God but it took God four thousand years to bring Him
forth in His image. But now we see in Romans 8: 29
For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren.
Jesus brought forth in the
Image of God and we are conformed into the image of The Son of God, the eldest
brother in a vast family of brethren.
In closing we examined paragraphs 74 tonight where
brother Branham said, “But the only way that you can actually be a
Christian is for Christ to identify Himself in you.
And
then he said in pp. 75 But
when Christ is identified in you,
identifying Himself, then you are Christ-like; which the word Christian means
to be Christ-like. There's your
identification. All right. Now... And since He is our identification, then
we should be identified with Him by living for Him.
And finally from Images of Christ 59-0525 P:39we heard brother
Branham say, “Church
membership is all right. I have nothing against it, or any of those things.
But, brother, to be a Christian means to
be conformed to the image of Christ. We want to be living images, not pack an image, but be an
image of the Lord Jesus.
Let us pray….