Desperation no 3

God's Valuation

March 6, 2016

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

This morning we will again look at paragraph 6 of brother Branham's sermon, Desperation, and I have to confess when I read this I had no idea how to even bring it out, or what to say, and I started down the wrong path, searching for scriptures on work and the importance of work, but that is not what he meant by these words that we will study this morning.

Usually I go to my study and look at what brother Branham says in any certain paragraph, and then The Holy Spirit will begin showing me Scriptures and all I do is write down the thoughts as they come to me from Him. But yesterday afternoon, I began to look at this in way which was totally my own thinking and I was finding many scriptures, but it would have viewed his words from man's perspective and not from Gods. But fortunately He came in and set my understanding in line with His, and as a result I believe we will hear from God this morning as we did last night.

Therefore we will begin this morning by examining again what brother Branham said in paragraph number 6 of his sermon Desperation.

Desperation pp. 6 You've got to do something for God to honor. You see? You show Him... The people that's got everything handed to them so easy, they don't usually, they don't do nothing for it. You see? You've got to... The gift is free, that is true, but you've got to...It seems like that, you know, like they say, if you was born with a silver spoon (you've heard that), you don't appreciate. But when you have to work for it, you appreciate the valuation of it.

Last night we examined the first thought in this paragraph, where brother Branham said, You've got to do something for God to honor, and this morning we will examine the last thought he said in this paragraph, But when you have to work for it, you appreciate the valuation of it.

In order to understand this we must first ask ourselves, what does the word "valuation" means: The act of estimating or setting the value of something; An appraisal. or an estimated value, or worth. The awareness or acknowledgment of the quality, or nature of something:

So we see that to have a valuation of something means there must be a standard of value in order to measure the worth of something against a standard. There must be Something of comparative worth, In other words, there must be a standard against which we measure that worth.

In 2009 When I traveled across Zimbabwe, I wanted to buy some small wood figures before I left the country to bring back as a memento of my Mission trip there. We came across a roadside vendor that had wood carvings, so I offered the vendor U.S. currency for some of his carvings but he would not accept our currency. I then offered him South African Rand, but he did not want that either. Zimbabwe as a nation have seen their own currency go from being on par with the U.S. dollar in 1980 to a hyper inflated currency that held no real value over time. Their own dollar was pegged to the U.S. dollar when the country went through revolution and changed its name from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, While I was there you could not buy three eggs with a $500,000,000 Zimbabwean dollars. But you could buy their currency very cheap. I bought a stash of their dollars for $3. I brought home a whole slew of different valued dollars, including a 500 Billion dollar bill.

My $500 Billion dollar Zimbabwe note could not even buy three eggs with it. So we settled for Aspirin, tooth paste, shaving cream, soap, and various other items that I had in my travel bag.

So when brother Branham says, But when you have to work for it, you appreciate the valuation of it, we are looking at 2 things, number one what is this valuation he is talking about, and what does he mean by work in association with its valuation.

Since we know the word "valuation" speaks of a measurement against a standard, we can look at the U.S. dollar as compared to gold for an example.

Since 1999, the dollar has fallen in value from where you could buy 123 milligrams of gold. It has fallen in just 17 years to less than 21 milligrams of gold today. This is a drop in value of more than 80%. Overall. The fall over the past 100 years is more dramatic yet. From 1900 to 2010, the dollar has fallen from 1500 milligrams to 25 milligrams, losing over 98% of its purchasing power. Candy that used to cost one penny now costs over 50 cents. The "Five and Dime" has been replaced with "the Dollar Store". For reference, 1 Ounce = 28,349.5231 Milligrams. Notice the date of the drop. By 1977 it tanked.

25 mg is 0.000881849 % of an ounce. Smaller than a salt grain.

Therefore when brother Branham uses the term when you have to work for it, you appreciate the valuation of it, It is important to know what the word valuation means. And not to know from just the definition of the word, but we must know from God's viewpoint concerning what He holds as his standard of value.

And since the word valuation means: The act of estimating or setting the value of something; appraisal. An estimated value or worth. The awareness or acknowledgment of the quality, nature, excellence, or the like of something:

Now, God set in the earth some minerals which have historically held a high valuation or estimation. And God Himself allow man to use Gold as its standard of measure to make valuations and estimations of the worth of most things. Thus if we measure the cost of things, we can compare across time and space the value of items by comparing them to an ounce of God, or even an ounce of sliver. But what does God compare to gold?

We read in Psalms 19:18 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

So we see that God has set a higher valuation of his own Statutes, Commandments and Judgments more highly than gold, which is mans highest standard of measurement.

In 1 Peter 1:7 we read, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

So here we see that God holds a higher valuation of the trials he ordains for us to go through than even gold, because of what they produce in his sons and daughters.

It says these trials are to produce in us, three things. First of all "Praise" which we find in Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Next we are told it brings us to the condition or state of honor. Now, this word honor was translated from the Greek word "Time" which means "a value, or an estimation, or valuation". In other words, the trial of our Faith or the trial of our revelation produces in us a giving back to God his Word via the sacrifice of our lips, coming into subjection to His Word, and this then produces a value, estimation or valutaion of His Word which then brings the final result which is it brings us into the state of Glory which was translated from the Greek word "Doxa", which means the "values or valuation of the opinion and judgments of God."

In other words, as God said in Psalms 19:18 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Thus we come to the very same mindset as God concerning the valuation of His word.

I would like to read 1 Peter 1 again from the Wuest Translation for you.

Wuest: 1 Peter 1: 6 - 8 "In which last season you are to be constantly rejoicing with a joy that expresses itself in a triumphant exuberance, although for a little while at the present time if perchance there is a need for it, you have been made sorrowful in the midst of many different kinds of testings in order that the approval of your faith, which faith was examined by testing for the purpose of being approved, that the approval being much more precious than the approval of Gold which perishes, even though that gold be approved by fire testing, may be discovered after scrutiny to result in praise and Glory and Honor at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ."

So we see the test is given in order for an approval to be given. Why? Because not only is this test a test of our Faith which is the revelation of Jesus Christ that we have received in this hour, but if it is truly revealed, then we have the answers. But it is also an evaluation of the Son or daughter of God, and it is given as an evaluation to prove the value or valuation of the son or daughter of God that they have indeed received the very mind of God in them. That is what the tests are all about. Not to disprove you but to prove you.

In Habakkuk 2:1 we read, " I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

This does not say that He will put me to the test and I will give him an answer. It says "I will listen to hear what answer I am supposed to give as my answer." In other words, if you are given a test and the one testing you tells you what the questions will be on the test and then also tells you how you should reply and answer the test questions, then how can you fail the test. and that is what Pater tells us the tests are al about at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

You see, God said in Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So as we look into these words of brother Branham we must begin to look through the filter of God's thinking if we are to truly understand what they mean.

But when you have to work for it, you appreciate the valuation of it.

Therefore, God tells us what His valuation is in the Psalms, he values his statutes, his commandments, and his judgments much more precious than he values gold. And we are told then that the trials and tests we receive according to 1 Peter 1 is to test the revelation we have received. It is the trial of our Faith, or the trial of our revelation. And it deals with the Revelation of Jesus Christ we have received at his appearing. And a test is always given out to test a persons understanding. A test is an examination, an experiment or a trial that used to prove the value or to ascertain the nature of something.

That is why we see the nature is predicted by God to come forth in Praise, Honor and Glory. And what is this particular thing that is being tested? The scripture says it is our faith. And Br. Branham taught us that "Faith" is what? A "revelation." And doesn't this scripture tell us what Revelation we will be tested on? It says, this test will come at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. So we will be tested by God as to whether we understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In other words, not only our understanding of the relationship between Jesus Christ and God, but how that relationship is expressed or manifested in us as well.

Remember, the word revelation means manifestation of divine truth. And thus the word manifestation means an act of manifesting. It means an outward or perceptible indication or materialization:

Now, can you see why when we look at the word revelation, we do not look at it as some intellectual understanding, but rather a materialization or manifestation of Christ.

Because the word manifest speaks of something that was not seen now being seen. And so the trial of our Faith, is actually that which is associated with that which brings into manifestation the revelation not only to us but now in us.

Therefore we should never fear the trials we are going through, because these trials are placed upon us for a specific purpose, and that is for the purpose of testing us and thus correcting us in our thinking, and for bringing forth in each of us the Character traits that God ordained for us.

1 Peter 1: 3-7 "In which last season you are to be constantly rejoicing with a joy that expresses itself in a triumphant exuberance, although for a little while at the present time if perchance there is a need for it, you have been made sorrowful in the midst of many different kinds of testings in order that the approval of your faith, which faith was examined by testing for the purpose of being approved, that the approval being much more precious than the approval of Gold which perishes, even though that gold be approved by fire testing, may be discovered after scrutiny to result in praise and Glory and Honor at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 4:12-13 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, (manifested) ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

In fact the apostle Paul said in 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.

There's your valuation. There's the outcome that the trials and tests are to produce in you. They are given to work the manifestation of Christ into your mortal being. They are given to produce the expression of the revelation of Christ in you.

In his sermon, Position in Christ 60-0522M P:85 brother Branham said, "Now, if you go out here and act like a bunch of these that...?... just 'cause you spoke in tongues. I seen devils speak with tongues. Yes, sir. I've seen them dance in the Spirit and shout and froth at the mouth, and everything else, and all that. I've seen that. I'm a...?... I ain't talking about that. I'm talking about the Spirit of God. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: And if then children, heirs; heirs of God,... joint-heirs with Christ; if so... that we suffer with him, that we may... also glorified together.For I reckon that the suffering... (Just listen to this. Oh, if this isn't beautiful.) For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (In us.) For the earnest expectations of the creature... (You got here, got a little--got a little word there, a little marginal reading, "creation" is right, in Greek.)... expectations of the creation, the creation is waiting for the manifestations of the sons of God.

So God our Father tests us because he loves us as we see in Hebrews 12:6-8 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

And these tests are to bring forth an advancement in our character and our lives. Every test we take is for a purpose. And the test is not to disprove the thing being tested, but tests are designed to prove the thing. The Wuest translation tells us in 1Peter 1:7 That we are tested for the purpose of Approval. And when we pass the test, there is always a reward. When we finish 1st grade we are tested, and when we pass the test we are asked to come up higher. We don't give a child in the first grade a college entrance exam. We wait for them to pass through all the stages of their education that prepares them for college before we give them that test. Therefore, a test is designed with the purpose of showing what stage you are in. And we have a promise that we will not be tested beyond that which we have been prepared to pass. And when we have been tested we can expect to receive the reward for passing.

James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

So therefore, if we are to understand how it is that the Believer can be established in the Faith, and stabilized even in times of difficulty, we must know one thing, he doesn't gain this characteristic on his own. God is the one who has to the power to establish us, and God never operates outside the realm of His Revealed Word. Therefore if we are to understand the purpose of why Christ is Revealed in His Own Word, we should be able to see that it is for a purpose, and that is to get us ready for the Millennium, where Satan will be bound for a thousand years, and what will be the force that binds him?

Revelation 20:1-3 tells us, 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

And this chain is not some sort of man-made chain that binds him, but Brother Branham told us it is a chain of circumstances, because he can't get to the believer any longer, because we have the mind of Christ and a body commensurate with that.

And so you see since 1Peter 1:7 tells us "That we are tested for the purpose of Approval." Then it is not the trial that makes us glad with exceedingly joy, but our passing the test that comes via the trial. It's the approval we receive as a result of passing the trial. And notice what Peter tells us here. He says, "which faith was examined by testing for the purpose of being approved," So you see God gives us our Faith, which is a Revelation, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. And then God tests that Revelation in us, to see whether that Revelation will stand firm in us, and He does this knowing that we will stand firm, for if God reveals it to you, it becomes such a reality to you that no man or trial placed upon you can cause you to deviate from that revelation. And this revelation is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ", for that is what he said here.

"If perchance there is a need for it, you have been made sorrowful in the midst of many different kinds of testing", (so you see God knows just what we need, in order to bring out the attributes and characteristics of God-Life in us. And if you need it, he brings the trials to produce in you His own Character in you and that character reinforces the Hope that you have as a result of the Revelation.

Therefore, in order that the approval of your faith, which faith was examined by testing for the purpose of being approved, that approval, being much more precious than the approval of gold which perishes even though that gold was approved by fire testing, may be discovered after scrutiny to result in praise, Glory and honor at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ."

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers testings; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Victory Day 63-0421 When it looks like everything's gone wrong, God's giving you a trial. He's got confidence in you. He don't have to baby you around. You're not a hotbed plant, a hybrid. You're a real Christian. God's giving you a test, see what you'll do about it. Amen. No wonder Peter said, "These fiery trials, why, count it a joy. It's--it's more precious to you than gold." And many times we hum and haw, "Oh, well. If I just..." Well, that--well, that's something God give you to overcome. He knows you'll do it. He's put his trust in you.

And that is what Wuest translation tells us as well. "In which last season you are to be constantly rejoicing with a joy that expresses itself in a triumphant exuberance, although for a while at the present time if perchance there is a need for it, you have been made sorrowful in the midst of many different kinds of testings in order that the approval of your faith, which faith was examined by testing for the purpose of being approved, that the approval being much more precious than the approval of gold which perishes,…

1 Peter 1:5-7 Amplified, "You who are being guarded by God's power, through your Faith, till you fully inherit that final salvation that is ready to be revealed for you in the last time. You should be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and testings, So that the genuineness of your faith may be tested for the purpose of being approved,, your faith which is infinitely more precious than perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. The proving of your faith is intended to result in your receiving back your Praise, Honor and Glory when Jesus Christ the Anointed One is Revealed."

Romans 8: 28 - 30 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 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. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Notice, it is speaking of those that are "The called." Not just called, but "The called". A special called out people. And notice it tells us we have already been glorified. This is past tense, it is already a finished work. That's why brother Branham could point to 1 Corinthians 15 and tell us we already have a Glorified body waiting for us and that this body is only a reflection of the one we are going to. We were in Him before the foundations of the world full of Life and Joy and peace resting in Him. And then notice brother Branham said, we are a Creation of the Word, we have been re-vived or made to live again because He was in us before the world ever began. That is what the term born Again is all about. Made alive again. Alive at one point, (before the foundations of the world) then something happened, (we bypassed our theophany and came into this world for testing) and now made alive again. But remember, the test was for the purpose of approval. He only tests us because He knows we are ordained to pass the test.

Once God does the work of God in you, and you profess your belief outwardly, then comes the test. Because there must come a profession before there can come a projection.

And we know the valuation is an intrinsic value against a set measure. And since God has set gold as that measure, he tells us that even more precious than gold is his statutes, his commandments and his judgments. And when we receive the revelation of Christ in our being, we then are tested like gold is tested, to prove our metal so to speak. To prove or approve our valuation in His Kingdom.

In other words, when we receive the doxa of God, His "opinions. values, and judgments" we are tested to ensure the valuation of what we have is legitimate, and real.

That is why the trials and testing are so important. Who would buy a gold coin that is not certified as real. Who would buy a gold jewelry that is not certified. So the certification is the proof of genuineness. And the trial of our faith is God's certification that you indeed have proven to him that you are genuine royal seed.

Let us pray...