God’s Only Provided Place of
Worship # 122
Brian Kocourek,
Arm
Yourselves with the Same Mind
[I Peter 4:1 ] Forasmuch
then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:
for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
[I Corinthians 2:10-14] But
God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things
of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even
so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit
of God. Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the
things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
[them], because they are spiritually discerned.
[
Philippians 2:1-9] If [there be]
therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship
of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be
likeminded, having the same love, [being] of
one accord, of one mind. [Let]
nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as
a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name:
[PP.
291-292 God's
Only Provided Place of Worship] May we be
found in Him, the only provided place. And He is the sacrifice. We bring Him, what we've heard about, Jesus
Christ, into the house of God by the
baptism of the Holy Ghost, through the Name of Jesus Christ. And there our sacrifice is accepted and we're brought into the family; because, yet straying out in the
world, we were ordained sons and
daughters of God before the foundation
of the world. Thank You for that, Father. Oh, how could anyone ever turn back on something like that (when they
found the Truth, that God has selected them out of the world)? There were
millions lost, the day that I was saved. O dying Lamb, how can I ever thank You? How can my heart
ever be reverent enough before You? Help me, dear God, to live true. Help my people
to live true. I pray for them, Lord, every one, that You
will... God, somehow, I don't... I--I wouldn't know how... I don't know how,
just how to ask, Lord; and I may of not even asking that in the right manner.
But You forgive
my ignorance, Lord, and just look at my heart. I pray that not one of them
will be lost, not one of them, Father. I claim them, every one, for You. In the Name of Jesus Christ.
Amen. I love Him, I... And if
you love Him, you love one another. Shake one another's hand.
Now, tonight I would like to just take a sort of laid
back approach to the Word tonight. After Sundays Message I am still a bit
exhausted because when you sore into the heavenlies
like that it becomes difficult to come back down to earth. And so tonight we will just examine this
little thought here in Brother Branham's closing prayer. He is asking the Lord
that we might be found in Him, because He
is the Sacrifice that has already been accepted. And so what we will
examine this thought of the Once for all sacrifice that has been already
presented to God back on
Now this scripture tells me that there is no other
sacrifice for sins whereby we may be cleansed from our unbelief but what has
already been laid at the feet of God our Father and that is the Body and Blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ. But why then
do we read in [ Romans 12] what appears to be a command to
offers our bodies as a living sacrifice, and yet we also find the same Apostle
who wrote this Book of Romans also writing in another Book, namely the book of
Hebrews that we have already read, that there is only One sacrifice and that is
a once for all sacrifice. And so , since Brother
Branham mentions that Jesus is the sacrifice that we bring with us unto the
House of God, I would like to check into this what appears to be a
contradiction to some, but really is not at all. So let's begin tonight by
turning to the Book of Romans.
[ Romans 12: 1 - 2] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to
think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith.
Now I would like to contrast this scripture with [ Hebrews 10]
where Paul speaks of a Once for all sacrifice that has already been accepted.
Now, is Paul Speaking
out of both sides of His mouth here? Not
at all! In Hebrews we find Paul speaking
of Redemption and this Once for all sacrifice as being
an entrance into the Holiest of Holies. He tells us that the Priest would go
into the Holiest of Holies (which is where the Presence of God dwelt). Here the
High Priest would enter into
once a year to present sacrifice to God on behalf of the people,
yet each and every year the people would still walk away with the same mindset
wrapped up in unbelief and still with sinful desires in their hearts. But here
in Romans he is not speaking of a redemption sacrifice, but of a decisive
dedication in our lives. Because the sacrifice that Jesus
made in the flesh is a Once for all sacrifice. This sacrifice Paul
speaks of in Romans is one of
Thanksgiving, knowing that through the Repentance of our hearts and
minds, through the renewal of our minds, we will receive in this body a change
that will be a Once for all change.
[Hebrews
[Hebrews 5:1-10 ] For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for
sins: Who can have compassion on the
ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is
compassed with infirmity. And by reason
hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for
sins. And no man taketh
this honour unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as [was] Aaron. So also Christ
glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but
he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in
another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. 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, and was heard in that he
feared; Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order
of Melchisedec.
[ Hebrews
[ Hebrews 9:1-12 ]Then verily the
first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly
sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle
made; the first, wherein [was] the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle
which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of
the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that
had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And
over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the
priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service [of
God]. But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not
without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the
people: The Holy Ghost this signifying,
that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the
first tabernacle was yet standing: Which [was] a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make
him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and
divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of
reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption [for us].
[Hebrews 9:22- 11:8 ] And almost all things are by the law purged
with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. [It was] therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the
heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of
others; For then must he often have
suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the
world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment: So Christ
was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him
shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. For the law having a shadow of good things to
come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices
which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because
that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of
sins. But in those [sacrifices there is]
a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.
For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should
take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh
into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou
wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In
burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said
I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will,
O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and
offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest
not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are
offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I
come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we
are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for
all]. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat
down on the right hand of God; From
henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for
ever them that are sanctified. [Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to
us: for after that he had said before,
This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and
in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember
no more. Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin. Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living
way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh; And [having] an high priest over
the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without
wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke
unto love and to good works: Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but
exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching. For if we sin willfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But call to remembrance the former days, in
which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly,
whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and
took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your
confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will
come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man]
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who
draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. For by it the elders obtained a
good report. Through faith we understand
that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen
were not made of things which do appear.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by
which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:
and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch
was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had
translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he
pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he
is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;
by the which he condemned the world, and became heir
of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing
whither he went.
[Galatians 2:17
- 21 ] But if we seek to be justified by Christ, we
ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God
forbid. For if I build again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a
transgressor. For I through the law am dead tot he law, that I might live unto
God. For I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in
Me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the Grace of
God: for if Right-wise-ness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
[ Romans 8: 1 - 18} [There is] therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was
weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the
law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things
of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually
minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against
God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then
they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, 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. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead
because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the
Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye
live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. 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. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:
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.
[ Hebrews 13:15-16] 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. But to do good and to
communicate forget not: for with
such sacrifices God is well pleased.
[I Peter 2:5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
[Ephesians 5:2] And
walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet smelling savor.
[Philippians 2:17] Yea,
and if I be offered upon the sacrifice
and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.