Christ is the Mystery no 77

Christ is the Mystery no. 77

God Preeminent in His Bride

April 5, 2013

Brian Kocourek

Galatians 1: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 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: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Let us pray...Dear Father we come to thee tonight in the precious name of your Loving son Jesus the first born in this wonderful family of brothers, and we would ask that your Divine presence might be with us tonight in a supernatural way, Since you are the Supernatural God in the midst of your people. Be with us father as we further examine this wonderful message of Christ is the Mystery of God Revealed. In Jesus Christ'a name we ask it. amen.

183 Notice, the anointed Man, the Christ Himself here though God is made known. But now look. But now... Why? He has the pre-eminences, God, fully manifested in Jesus Christ. God's great secret of His revelation, this great Light of revelation has always blinded the wisdom of this world. In the days of Jesus Christ when He was here on earth, it had blinded them. They said, "Why, you even make yourself God. You make yourself equal with God." He was, not only equal to God, He was God Himself. See, they don't get it.

184 And by the way, some of you might... I've heard infidels one time told me that Jesus never did say that He was the Son of God. He sure did. He certainly did. You just don't know your Bible. What did He say to the woman at the well? See? What did He tell her? "I know Messiah cometh, and when He comes He'll do these things."
He said, "I am He that speaks to you." And to Paul also and to different ones...

185 Notice. But now, the Church has the preeminence. God's great secret has always blinded the wisdom of the world. They can't get it. They just don't understand it. Satan don't understand it. None of the rest of them understands it, but just those who are predestinated to understand it, how God and Christ are One. They'll make Him three every time. See? They certainly will.

186 Notice. Next--secondly, the manifested Christ in you, the hope of glory. That great manifested God in Christ, now Christ manifested in you. We'll hurry. Look. What was once God's great secret, great mysterious secret in His mind, is now put in the hearts of the believer, that is the Body of Christ. What was God's once great secret in His mind before the foundation of the world is now made manifest. Think of it, friends. Oh, I'm sure we don't get it. Well, I can't see it the way I ought to, and I'm sure you don't. See?

And that is the problem we have today. We have people who can see the quotes where brother Branham talks about the Bride as having the preeminence in her, and so they rally around, and beat the drums and say look at me. look at our group. But that is not it. It's not how high you can make yourself, but how much of yourself you can get out of the way.

Notice brother Branham said, Think of it, friends. Oh, I'm sure we don't get it. Well, I can't see it the way I ought to, and I'm sure you don't. See?

But notice he does tell us that this same preeminence of God was first in the son of God. He had it, and we know that he had it, and He is our example. Then if Jesus Christ is our example that ought to tell us how we should also act if we truly have this same preeminence in us that he had. Because he just told us Christ had this preeminence and now he is telling us that the preeminence is now in the Church, the Bride.

In Romans 11:16 The Apostle Paul in speaking of this same example of Christ as a first fruit and then he speaks of us following in His example, he says, "For if the firstfruit (which is the Vine, which is Christ) be holy, the lump (which is the body of Christ) is also holy: and if the root (Christ) be holy, so are the branches (the body) holy.

So we see that Jesus being the first-fruit, and by definition a first fruit means the first to bear fruit, then we know by this word, that there are others to follow after. For first-fruit means he is the first, and if he is the first then that means there are others to follow. Therefore, we are the lump that Paul is speaking of here.

Therefore if this preeminence of God in Christ so affected the Life of Jesus Christ in the way that it did, then shouldn't it also affect the lump in the same way?

That's what Paul is telling us here in Scripture. He is teaching the same thing brother Branham is saying here in this Sermon, "Christ is the Mystery of God Revealed." And that is what the Five-Fold ministry is supposed to be teaching. Showing that example of the life of Christ, how that preeminence of God in Christ affected the very life of Christ and how it is to also affect the Elect Seed of God in this last hour.

In Ephesians 4 we hear the entire job description of the Five fold ministry and not only that, but the affect it is supposed to have on the Children of God. Not supposed to have, but is predestined to have on the children of God.

Notice, Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some to be prophets; and some to be evangelists; and some to be pastors and some to be teachers; And if He gave them then they are gifts to the church. Now, notice that all of these are plural. He said with each gift some, and each has an "s" on the end showing plural. Not just one Apostle, not just one pastor, not just one evangelist, not just one five fold prophet, and not just one teacher.

Tested faith produces goods 58-0518 P:51The Bible said there's five gifts in the church. God has set in the church Apostles, or missionaries, apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors. Truly. If there's apostle, there's a prophet. If there's a prophet, there's a teacher. If there's a teacher, there's a pastor or a evangelist. See. You can't just say there's a pastor and evangelist, no prophet or apostle. God still sets, as long as He's got His church, He's still got His church setting. Certainly.

Jesus Christ the same 58-0323 P:58 And how many know that the ministering gifts in the Church is, first apostles, then prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists. How many knows that that's right? Now, the word apostle means "a missionary." The one a missionary, why the missionaries ever want to be called missionary instead of apostle, I don't know. But the same word "apostle" means "one sent." "Missionary" means "one sent." They was to missionary the world. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, five spiritual gifts that's predestinated, that by foreknowledge God set in the Church. That's exactly right. Gifts and callings are without repentance. All those gifts are in the Church.

God's provided way of healing 54-0719A P:3 Those things are first given of God. Them offices is set in the church by God. And in my opinion, there's where so many of this day, has made a mistake. When we say, "Now, I'll go over and seek for God to make me this, that." You cannot do that. See? You are what you are by grace, nothing that you can do within yourself. God gives. God has set in the church apostles, teachers, and prophets. Is that right? God has set in the church for the perfecting... So not the bishop has them, or the elder has, or someone else, but God has those offices put in the church.

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME 61-0205.2E 12 Then besides that, He's got five ministerial offices. First is apostles or missionaries. The word apostle means "one sent." A missionary means "one sent." Secondarily, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and so forth. Those are God-given gifts that's set into the Church. They're predestinated of God, and set to the Church. You can't make yourself a minister. God's got to call you to be a minister.

E-40 Prophet like unto Moses 59-112 These gifts aren't called by the church, or so forth, they are chosen by God.

E-12 Jesus Christ the Same 61-0205.2E Then besides that, He's got five ministerial offices. First is apostles or missionaries. The word apostle means "one sent." A missionary means "one sent." Secondarily, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and so forth. Those are God-given gifts that's set into the Church. They're predestinated of God, and set to the Church. You can't make yourself a minister. God's got to call you to be a minister.

Now, this is important for you to understand. He said teachers plural. Now, that don't mean at one teacher might not stand out above others, as we know Br. Branham called Br. Vayle a profound teacher, but that doesn't mean he is the only one, either. And these five offices we are told by Paul are for ...

12 For the perfecting (which is the maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry (the ergon which is the act: or deed, the doing, the labor, the work)

And it is the same word egon which is used by Jesus in John 14:12. It is not Hebrews 4;12 which is the Messiac sign, but it is the actions, the labor, the doing, or the work of the Holy Spirit in the church. In fact brother Branham said in his sermon Take on the Whole Armor of God 62-0701 153 John 14:12, Jesus said, "He that believeth in me, the works that I do shall he do also." What is it? It's God in the church in these five predestinated offices, backing up every Word that He said with the Holy Spirit, Himself, in there which is the Word made manifest. Proving His resurrection, proving that He lives.

Notice brother Branham reads from John 14:12 and then asks the question, what is it? and then he answers, It's God in the church in these five predestinated offices, backing up every Word that He said with the Holy Spirit, Himself, in there which is the Word made manifest. Proving His resurrection, proving that He lives.

Well, there you are, it's God working in His five offices to will and to do. Now, that doesn't do away with all the other quotes, but does add a different dimension on it. When he says it is in groups of believers, well, aren't the five offices in the groups of believers?

Anyway, the gifts God has placed in the church he continues are "for the edifying (which is the building up or equipping) of the body of Christ: (for how long?) 13 Until we all come in the unity of "the faith", (not just faith, but The Faith)

From his sermon, Earnestly contending for the faith 55-0123E P:2 the faith, not "a" faith, but "the" faith, .. .Now, many people say, "Well, I would go down to that meeting, but it's against my faith." There's only one faith: one faith, one hope, one Lord, one baptism. You believe it? One faith, and that faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so Paul continues, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, (that's a mature man. So he is telling us that there are two things that are needed to become this fully mature man, Christian man, and that is The Faith or The Revelation of the Lord One, and the knowledge of the Son of God. Because after all the son of God is our pattern and if we do not understand his relationship to the Father we will never know what it means to become mature sons of God.

Then Paul says,) unto the measure (which is the portion) of the stature (which is the character) of the fullness (or fulfilling) of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, (and that is the whole purpose of growing up, that we be no more children.) tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (it does not say unto him, but that we may grow up into Him, into His body. To fill his shoes, so to speak, in order to carry on his work)

In other words, we are children but God doesn't want us that way, He wants us able to carry on His work.

You see, John tells us we are already children, but we don't act like it because we haven't yet the knowledge that is required to act like it. 1 John 3:12 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.(So we are already children, but without the knowledge of the son of God how are we going to act like sons of God) 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. (so it is the seeing him as He truly is that we can become what we are truly supposed to be). 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure.

So you see the importance of the Knowing, that brings us to adulthood?

We hear Paul tell us this in 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, (that which is complete and fully mature is come) then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, because my understanding was that of a child, because I thought as a child thinks: but when I became a man, I put away childish things because I put away my childish thinking. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known. (And so it took that gift of God that we see in Hebrews 4:12 that can know us to the very depth of our hearts, that gift that discerned the very thoughts and intents of the heart, that which is perfect and we have by God's grace the perfect revealed word. That's what brother Branham said.) 13 And now remains faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith which is a revelation, hope which is an earnest expectation, and finally Love which is Faith in action, active faith, shown in that it overflows to the point of giving which is the expression and manifestation of the revelation. Love is always expressed by Giving in scripture. That is why it was translated as charity. "For God so loved the world he gave"...

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit (God's Spirit) Itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (and how does God's Spirit bear witness?) Listen to how brother Branham defines how God's spirit bears witness with our Spirit...

Position in Christ 60-0522M P:83 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we're children of God: How does it do it? You say, "Glory to God. Hallelujah. It don't bother me; I'm a child of God," and go out and do the things you do? The Spirit of God will do the works of God. Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also." See, see?

So when God begins to do the works of God through you, it is God bearing witness that your vessel is indeed His child with His nature, His Life, His actions and His works.

Now, back to verse 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory (the doxa, the opinion and values of God) which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

So all creation is waiting for you to get on track with who you are. They are waiting for you to grow up and act the part of sons and daughters of God. The whole creation is waiting on you, the Millennium is waiting on you, the marriage supper is waiting on you, it's all waiting on you to make yourself ready. and true Five fold has been given as a gift to help you get there if you will open yourself up to what God has to say through them.

And if they are a true five fold they will only way what has already been said by a vindicated prophet.

Church Age Book Chapter 4 - The Smyrnaean Church Age P:140 In every age we have exactly the same pattern. That is why the light comes through some God-given messenger in a certain area, and then from that messenger there spreads the light through the ministry of others who have been faithfully taught. But of course all those who go out don't always learn how necessary it is to speak ONLY what the messenger has spoken. (Remember, Paul warned the people to say only what he said, I Corinthians 14:37, "If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. What? came the Word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?") They add here, or take away there, and soon the message is no longer pure, and the revival dies down. How careful we must be to hear ONE voice, for the Spirit has but one voice which is the voice of God. Paul warned them to say what he said, even as Peter did likewise. He warned them that EVEN HE (PAUL) could not change one word of what he had given by revelation. Oh, how important it is to hear the voice of God by way of His messengers, and then say what has been given them to say to the churches.

And yet we have some who would say because they sat under a certain ministry they are faithfully taught, and that is not correct. When I showed this to Brother Vayle and told him I was using it in the meetings overseas, he said to me, there are two things necessary for this to occur. First there must be one who is willing to teaching and then there must be one who is willing to shut up and listen. And this is where so many have drifted, because as the quote says, they add here and take there and before you know it the Message has become not eating meat or some other favorite theme to bring the people into bondage.

Now, in getting back to our text this evening, we saw how brother Branham and Paul spoke of the time coming when the Bride of Christ will have the same preeminence in her as was in Christ.

Now, brother Vayle also taught this same doctrinal truth when he taught on the spirit of Adoption. From his sermon called, Adoption no. 1 preached Feb 6, 1972 brother Vayle said, "what will this fullness be, we have never seen a fullness really. Then what is it going to be in the bride? It's got to be then the full revelation and the full Life of Christ in the Bride. It's got to be, you just can't put it any other way. I don't care what the mind says up here, and the mind wants to boggle down, let's stick with what the prophet said. See and I will quote you the verse. Don't worry see. He said we've got to have a refilling. What for? We're already full of the Holy Ghost who needs a refilling? Because the word dealing with what the Spirit of God does in the ages. Never mind what he did through Luther, that was important, and that was a part of it, and we don't throw it out, but they don't have this. What we are talking about, see?"

"How can anybody deny John 14:12, greater works than these should you do because I go to my Father? In at that day you will know I am in you and you in me, and the Father in me and I and the father and so on until there is a complete oneness. When has that ever taken place? See?"

"When has there ever been manifested the fullness in the bride? We are not talking now about one or two people. That's where people get all mixed up in the stature of a perfect man. They try to make it in an individual thing and it won't work, it's the church through the ages. Brother Branham's Message was consistently the church coming to maturity and showing what the age produced and everybody wants to put it on a man. You can't do it. we're talking about a bride. See? Now we're coming to the age, we're coming into this age. Now, as this subject has been taught to us by brother Branham it is difficult for most people to see what he was driving at because they consistently confuse sonship with the placing of sons. Or in other words a child of God and the placing that same child of God as a son. also they have been taught that the placing of the sons is the resurrection and not the capstone ministry of the Word and works of Christ in the Bride. Now do you catch it, there are two things where people want to place this only for a thirty to forty days in the resurrection or the entire the resurrection itself and they put it in millennium or some place else. Now before its finished I am going to show you how it works, all the way down the line. That is with my understanding of it, you go the way you want to go on it. But I said, they don't understand the difference between ordinary sonship as the child of God in the placing of sons. And secondly they don't realize that Brother Branham taught that there would be a capstone ministry of the Word and Works of Christ in the Bride. See right here! Now first of all let us see the sonship or the ordinary fact of being a child of God is not the placing or the adoption or the manifestation of the son of God, and to do this we study the Life of Jesus Christ who is the last Adam The first begotten from the dead, see? Talking about the firstfruits, then we go to lump. why, because the lump follows the firstfruit. See?"

Remember in Romans 11:16 The Apostle Paul spoke of this same example of Christ as the first fruit as he said, "For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches holy.

We see Jesus tell us the same thing in John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (You see that is what John 14:12 is all about, abiding in Him, and if His Life is in you, it will do what His life does.) 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. And let me be so blunt as to say, that is the entire trouble with the church this evening, is that it is not united to Him and His Word, but it abides in it's organizations, and clicks and clans.

That is why we do not see the works of Christ very often, but we do see it. I see it quite often when I'm overseas, but as Jesus was not able to do many miracles because of their unbelief so we see the same limiting atmosphere here in the states.

And that was what brother Vayle was saying as well, When has there ever been that complete Oneness between God and His church?

Notice what brother Branham said in his sermon, Christianity verses idolatry 61-1217 P:9 “In studying in the early history of the church, Broadbent's, and Hazeltine's, and many of their comments on it, Nicene Fathers... And yesterday I just wound up with the complete life of Saint Martin that the Catholic church refused to canonize; God did that. So they... Of his great life, and how that the same signs and wonders followed that man right down through his life, how he raised two dead people, cast out evil spirits, spoke in unknown tongues, and seen visions and things, and what a great man. But yet, in the very secret of his power was in humility before God. And we find today that the church, yet teaching its power and teaching the signs to follow the believer, yet we find them puffed out, "big me, little you," and that. It isn't like the early Church. You see? They were humble, and kind to one another, and sweet, understanding. And it's so much different today. And I wonder if a lot of this hasn't sidetracked us from the real kernel of the Message, that we want to humble ourselves. Keep yourself... The more humbler you can be, the better God will use you.”

So perhaps brothers and sisters what we need most is a humbling down. Become so little in yourselves, because we have a promise from God, "He that humbles Himself shall be exalted."

Now, let me read a few quotes from brother Branham's sermon, "if God be with us where are all the miracles. Because he tells us how we can create the correct atmosphere for God to manifest His presence among us.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:55 Now, Gideon and those people there, before they could see, or could ever go, see these miracles of God, there was a condition that had to be met. To meet, to see the power of miracles, they had to believe. They also had to believe and obey the prophet's Word to see the miracles of God. Now, remember, before that they could see the miracles, they had to obey what the prophet said. And before we can see the miracles of God, we've got to obey what the prophet's said. The Bible is the Prophet to us. That's right.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:34 And Gideon asked that question. What a Scriptural man that was. That's the kind of man that God comes to, somebody who knows. Gideon said, "If God is with us, if You are the Messenger, then where is the miracles that the prophet told us about?" He knowed everywhere God went, His miracles followed Him. He knowed that wherever God would be, miracles would be there. And how can you expect God today to work in amongst people who doesn't even believe in miracles? How can it be? And He called him a mighty man of valor. Said, "Now, by this, you're going to deliver Israel." Now, that looked like a man setting there, and it was a Man. And he looked at Him, and he said, "Nay, my Lord, if God is with us, then why is all this trouble upon us? And where is the miracles that we're told about? Where is the things that God used to do?"

If God be with us 61-1231E P:56 If a man, no matter how much he calls himself God's prophet of the Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, whatever he may be, whatever he calls hisself, if this Word isn't living in him, he isn't a prophet. He might be a prophet, but a false one. True prophets speak of this true Word, and then that puts God just exactly the same God, the same power, the same Words, the same everything, the true Word. Now, they had to believe. They had to believe the prophet's Word and obey It, before they could see God's miracles. And today, you can't go here under false makeup, saying that "Jesus is not the same yesterday, today, and forever; the days of miracles is past; and there is no such a thing as the baptism of the Holy Ghost," and expect to see God's miracles. You've got to obey It. And when you obey It, God takes care of the rest.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:37 Therefore, he said, "Where is the working, where is the miracles, if God be with us?" Glory. That's it. See, where God is, miracles are. Where God is, the sign of God is there. See?And Gideon, very Scriptural, said, "Where is these things?" In other words, like this: "I am a man, maybe of fifty years old," he'd say. "And I've have heard them talk about a God that worked miracles. And I've went to church, and I've believed the priests. And I believe the prophets. And I believe the written Word, all the scrolls. And I read in the scrolls where God, when He come among His people something taken place." And Gideon didn't know but what that was a man setting there under this oak tree. Amen. That's all he knowed; He was a man. He said, "Now, if God is with us, where is His miracles at? We want to see them." How Scriptural that is. For where the supernatural is, God and His sign would be with Him. Where God is, the sign of God is with God. We know that. If He's in His people, they will do His signs. Just exactly.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:114 Why? We're acting upon His Word. Amen. Call anything you want to. We see the sign of the Messiah in our midst. We see a Pillar of Fire: can't deny it. Call us anything they want to. God's here. Science has took the picture of It. Why? Obeying His Word. It's never been done in history, but yet the mechanical eye of the camera says it's Him, there's a Light struck the lens. Why? Taking God's Word first. Let the denominations kick you out, if they want to. Let them all turn their back on you, if you want to. But act upon the Word of God, if you want to see the miracles of God.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:86 Believe the Word of God, you'll see the miracles of God. But you have to believe It first. Certainly was. Yeah.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:76 You know, just to sound a trumpet don't shake down a wall that you can run chariot races around: sounding a trumpet. But God said, "Just--just march around the walls, seven times, and the last day, march seven--and thirteen times. And as you go around the wall, at the last time, let the priests go before, with the ark, and sound the trumpet. And when the trumpet sounds, the walls will shake down." What'd they do? He saw the miracle of God, after he acted on the Word of God. Where is your miracles? Act on His Word first. How could the walls be shook down, and leave one little house standing, a harlot's house? Because she acted on the Word of God. Why did the rest of them die and she lived? She acted on the Word of God, and she saw the miracle of God. That's the way to find it; act on the Word.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:70 Moses said, "Who'll I say that sent me? How do I know that You're God?" He said, "What you got in your hand? I'm the Creator of life. I'm the miracle-working God." And before Moses could ever see the power of God that performed all the things, first he had to obey God. He throwed the stick on the ground; it become a snake. Whew. Oh, my. What? Is... Obedience comes first, before you see His miracles.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:68 Noah, before he saw the miracles of God, like Gideon wanted to question about, he had to first act upon the Word of God. Gideon had to act upon the Word of God. Everybody else has to act upon the Word of God. Before I could ever say that there was a God, I had to act upon His promise, then He manifested Himself. If you want healing, believe Him; act upon His Word; it'll come to pass. Moses, before he ever could see God's miracles, he had to first act on God's Word.

If God be with us 61-1231E P:51 How can He be the same yesterday, today, and forever, and still Divine healing gone? How can the power, The Bible set in order, "First apostles, prophets teachers, evangelists, pastors, for a vindication that the Gospel still lives." And God sends them right among us, and we turn our back on it. God doesn't fail, it's the people's failed." Where is the miracles then among us? Where are they at?" God was talking to this man, getting him ready to go out. Move the clouds out, the sun's always shining. That's right. When doubts are gone, and things are made right, miracles will be there just as sure as the sun's there. The sun, by the command of God, shines every day. It's there because God commanded it there. And as long as there is day and night, the sun will hang there. Sure. Not all the time you see it, because clouds has it covered up; fog, clouds, low or high, covers it up. But it's always there. See?

Now, back to John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Notice how Jesus Christ the Son of God acted when the preeminence was in Him. Jesus Christ himself showed that greatness and achievement is not measured by the worlds standards but by our complete surrender to our Savior. If you wish to be greatest, then you must become servant of all. Our highest goal is the be the consummate servant, the deaf servant who only heard what His master wanted him to hear and the blind servant who only saw what his master wanted him to see. Jesus fulfilled this kind of servant, when he said “the son can do nothing but what he sees his father do.” John 5:19 and 5:30.

What God showed him in vision he did only that, therefore he could walk past 300 people to heal just one.

In Isaiah 42:19 We hear God tell us, “Who is blind like my servant? Or deaf as my messenger that I sent? Who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's Servant?”

The NIV translated the verse we read for our text this way. “Who is blind like my servant, and deaf like the Messenger I send? Who is blind like the one that is committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things but have paid no attention, your ears are open, but you hear nothing. You Pleased the Lord for the sake or righteousness, to make His law great and glorious.”

That is why William Branham could speak of the son of God in the same way in his sermon, Total Deliverance 59-0712 pp. 55-56 55 In this sermon, he said, “Jesus was completely, totally man. He could cry like a man, He could eat like a man; He could become like a man. He was completely, totally man in His physical being. And in His Spirit, He was completely, totally God, so He made His flesh submissive to the Spirit that was IN Him. You see, He was tempted in all manners like we are. He was man, not an Angel. He was a man. He had desires and temptations just like we do. The Bible said He did. He was a man, not an Angel above temptation. Hebrews 1 said that He was... Hebrews 1:4 said He was made lower than the Angels. He was man, completely man, that God took a complete man to bring total deliverance; and He filled Him with His Spirit; the Holy Ghost was in Him without measure. And He was tempted like we were. And He was completely God. He proved it when He raised the dead, when He stopped nature, the roaring seas and the mighty winds. When He spoke to the trees, and so forth, they obeyed Him. He was God inside. And He could've been man, for He was Man, but He totally and completely delivered Himself as a Man into the hands of God for the service of God. And He is our example. 56 We are men and women. We're also Christians. If He's our example, let us completely deliver ourselves into the hands of the Holy Ghost, that we might be subjects of the Kingdom of God. He was totally man; He was totally God, but He surrendered His natural parts and His physical parts, and His Own thinking, and His Own doing, and His Own cares, and "I do only that which pleases the Father." There you are. Totally delivered from human beings... The priests come to Him, the great men, and said, "Rabbi So-and-so," and tried to bribe Him into their affiliations and denominations, but He was totally delivered because He trusted in God. Did not the Psalmist say, "Thou will deliver Him, for He has completely trusted in Me"? See?

Jesus was so committed to his Father that he did nothing but what God showed him to do, he spoke nothing but what God commanded him to speak, he taught nothing but what God gave him to teach for he did not come to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent him. This same Jesus said, "he that will be greatest among you shall be servant of all."