MASTERPIECE No. 4

The testing of our source of life (trying the spirit)

Sunday, May 1, 2005

Rev. Brian Kocourek

Last night we continued with brother Branham’s opening sentence in his opening prayer and we looked at this thought of the Great Fountain of Life that was in God and began to flow freely from the throne of Grace as God imparted His own Life first to His Son, and then into Sons as he breathed into Adam the breath of Lives and Adam became a living soul.

We again followed this River of God-Life as it flowed from God into His Son in a full portion and then into Adam in a lesser portion that was in His First Born Son, and then from Adam into Seth in a lesser portion than was in Adam, and then into Enos which received a lesser portion than was in Seth and on down until the Seed almost died out. Then God created a Seed and Egg and placed them into the womb of Mary and brought forth this first born Son who had come forth from God in spirit form when the God became a Father in that he birthed this Son. And this took place way before the worlds were even brought forth in the creation.

PROVERBS 8: 22- 36 NIV ²² "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; ²³ I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. ²⁴ When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; ²⁵ before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, ²⁶ before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. ²⁷ I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

Now, to better understand this river of God-Life, it is essential that we know the law of reproduction and how that each seed must bring forth after its kind or nature. Now, the word kind was translated from a Hebrew word meaning “portion”, and therefore the word portion or measure would have been a much more accurate translation. When we think of the word “kind” we think in terms of “kin” or lineage which is very good, but when we use the word portion it limits the thoughts to a certain measure.

In Matthew Jesus told the Pharisees that they were of there father the devil and the lust of their father they would do. Jesus let them know that since they were to fill up the measure of their father’s he told them then what attributes they would manifest. He said their father was a murderer to begin with and abode in lies because he was the father of lies.

MATTHEW 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 ¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Now, this word generation was translated as such from the Greek word Genea which speaks of lineage or natural descent. The root word is genos where we get our word for “genes”, as in the biological mapping of our DNA.

Therefore notice that Jesus says all these things shall come upon this lineage. And so we ask what thing? And we read again His words, In verse 29 Jesus calls them hypocrites, because they build the tombs of the prophets, and they decorate the tombs of those who were rightly wise, just like we see in this message today. They lay up candies on Brother Branham’s grave and they build museum and monuments to the righteous men but when it comes to believing what they brought far be it that they might subject themselves to the doctrine that these men of God stood for. So Jesus calls them hypocrites, and so they are. But they say, “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.(well that’s what they say, always looking back and always looking forward but failing to recognize what God is doing right now. So they garnish the tombs and talk so wonderfully about the prophets, but Jesus calls them hypocrites and says ) 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (Now why would Jesus say they are the children of them that killed the prophets? Because the law of reproduction tells us that every seed must bring forth after its kind., and then he says, )

32 Fill ye up then the measure (the portion) of your fathers. And what portion is that? He tells them, 33 Ye serpents, ye generation (this word generation is from a Greek word that means offspring or seed, so he is calling them serpent seed here. He says) ye generation of vipers, (and the word for viper here was taken from a Greek word that means a viper, offspring of vipers; addressed to cunning, malignant, wicked men, in other words serpent seed. Then he says, ) how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (and why did he say that? Because hell was made for the devil and his angels.)

34 ¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, (Now, notice, Jesus is speaking of future tense here, so he’s telling them that He will be in the future sending them prophets) and wise men,(what’s a wise man? Those are Christian teachers, men able to take the Word of God and teach it and lay it out so that you will be able to understand.) and scribes (These are religious teachers so instructed that from his learning and ability to teach, others are blessed in receiving the tings of the kingdom of heaven. But notice what this lineage will do to these God sent men. Jesus tells us)

“and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall be done by this lineage.”

Now, the real question then is how do we tell what lineage the person is? Many claim to be followers of the prophets. But even that does not mean they are from God because Jesus told us this serpent seed lineage would garnish the tombs of the prophets. They would be religious, and they would do outward acts of enthusiasm towards the prophets who were no longer alive.

Now, why is it that when the man is still living they hate what he stands for but after he is dead they can’t do enough to speak kind words and garnish the tomns, and all those things that outwardly appear respectable towards the deceased prophets and righteous men. Because after they are dead they are no longer light. They were light, but once they are dead their own light has gone out. And Jesus said the ones who make the most of the dead prophets are the children of them that put those prophets in the grave.

The Apostle John told us that many deceivers are entered into the world so we are commanded to try every spirit to see whether it be of God or not.

The Apostle Paul told us that every son that cometh to God must first be tried and tested. So the test is one of the most important instruments in the hands of God to the believer today. And how does God test you? God gives you good things to see what you are going to do with them? He gives you opportunity to test you to see whether you are going to serve God or man. He gives you gifts to see whether you use those things for His Kingdom, or for your own selfish lusts.

In the book of Psalms we are told he gives gifts even to the rebellious also. I have done the same as well. I have given ministers overseas money to see what they are going to do with it. Money is a great test. God will give a man a very good job opportunity just to see whether that man is going to serve God or man. I was gifted to kick footballs, and in my day I was one of the best in the nation, but God also gave me His Message and I chose the Message over the money.

God may give you opportunities as well, but don’t think every job offer you get is because God is blessing you. He may be trying you. Some job opportunities are given to you just to test you to see what spirit is motivating you. Is the Love of God your first love, or the love of money. I turned down 6 job opportunities in one year that each one was worth well over a 6 digit salary plus bonus situation. And why did I turn them down? Because I would have had to move from my post of duty here as your shepherd. Then were those job opportunities because God wanted to bless me or to try me. You had better be able to tell the difference or you could make some very critical decisions in your life that may haunt you the rest of your life.

The scriptures command us, “what so ever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” So are we doing every thing by prayer and supplication to God. When God gives us a go ahead to come closer to him, just watch for the devil to give you some nice enticement that will lead you away from God. And yet God allows it. Satan came to God and God bragged about Job. Satan said, well the reason he serves you so well is because you bless him so much. So God said, Ok, satan, do what ever you wish to him, but just don’t take his life. So satan had at Job, and those around Job said he must have ticked off God or had some secret sin, but job’s answer was, “Though he slay me, yet I will trust him.”

The devil was given power to take his children from him, and his possessions, and everything he had except his wife. Now why did satan not take Job’s wife? Because he knew that Job could withstand the pain from the sufferings and the diseases but the sharp tongue of a bitter wife, that s just more hot coals on an open wound. But we see that he stood the test.

And you have your tests coming too if you are indeed sons of God. For Paul told us that if we can not stand the chastisement, which is the child testing, then we are not sons but are bastard born, which means we are actually illegitimate to the Word, and thus to the God – Life, because as we have found out this series that the Word is the Life that flowed freely from the thrown of Grace.

And so we see Jesus dispute with the Pharisees concerning the authenticity of those that are true sons of God or not. Because after all, let’s face it, not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter in, but those who do the will of My Father.

And even the serpent seed think they are children of the almighty God. And why did satan fall in the beginning? Because he tried to make himself equal with God. He tried to claim Sonship from God and he wasn’t a son, he was created. And God gave him a stewardship over the angels and he blew it. He did what advanced Him instead of what would have been better for the Kingdom of God.

JOHN 8:38 ¶ I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.(Here Jesus is showing us that the things that we do show what lineage we are from, or where we have our source originating from.)

In fact in John chapter 3 he says, JOHN 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, (now, rather than does not suggest to us that they loved light but just not as much as they loved darkness, no it does not mean that. It means they loved darkness rather than or instead of light. In other words they chose to love darkness instead of light) because their deeds were evil. (and what are these evil deeds? The Greek word is ergon which simply means the business, employment, occupation, enterprise, undertaking 2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind 3) an act, deed, or a thing done. In other words there choices of what to do and when to do it. And then Jesus explains why they choose the wrong way of life. He says, ) 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought (committed or had there source ) in God.

Now in getting back to the argument that Jesus was having with the Pharisees, we pick up at John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. Now, notice how that Jesus is telling them that the things they do is a reflection of who there real father is.

In fact the decisions we make in life show where we are going. That is why we should pray about every decision we make, especially concerning employment and marriage vows. Because employment is where you spend the greatest part of your day and then your spouse is whom you spend the other half of our day. And if you have a bad environment at work you had better find a way out of that environment or you had better find another job, because your environment is the atmosphere in which you are to be nourished in, and if the environment is of the devil then what hope do you have of reaching a state of adoption. And if you have a marriage made in hell you would be better off to live single than to mar your soul with daily battles.

We showed you last night how that God created the elements to bring forth a good atmosphere for sustaining life before he spoke forth the life. And that is what I am telling you again this morning. We are stewards of our time here on earth and we have been allotted only so many heart beats. Then I ask you, how many heart beats are going to be spent in serving God verses serving your belly.

Now, let’s continue to follow Jesus argument with the Pharisees in John chapter 8.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.(In other words, Jesus is telling them that their argument is not consistent with their actions. He said they wanted to Kill Him, because he told them things God had told Him to tell them, and he said, Abraham did not act that way toward the Messengers of God.

Then He lays out the bombshell to them) 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; (we are not serpent seed) we have one Father, even God. Notice hw Jesus the Son of God tells them they are not of God but are born of the serpent, but they keep coming back with the same old worn out argument that every so-called Christian uses and that is they claim God to be their Father.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. Now, Jesus tells them that he came not of his own will but God sent Him to them, and they refuse to hear what God told Him to say. The he tells them who their father surely must be based on their actions.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.(Now the word lust there was translated from a Greek word meaning the desires and cravings. So you see the actions are a result of the desires and they reflect who you truly are.)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 54-0103E 143-191 What you are here... Get this in your mind now. I'm going to close. But what you are here is a sign that you are something else somewhere. You've always wanted to be in perfection, you Christians. There is a perfection, and that perfection is not in this life. But every man and woman here that is a Christian, every person that is a Christian here now is already glorified in the Presence of Jesus Christ. And you've got another body. You won't have some other time; you have right now. Right now there's another body waiting for you if this one should perish. Could you think of that. Study that just a minute.

You see the devil I the one that gets people to look back or to look forward and gets them so busy that they can not se what God is doing now in the present tense.

EXPLAINING HEALING AND JAIRUS 54-0216 E-37 The devil's just trying to scare you out of something. He's trying to put something off somewhere else, say, "Some of these days you'll be this." You are now. Now, we're sons of God. Now, we're seated together in heavenly places. Now, we have all powers in heavens and the earth. See? Now, we have it. Not in the millennium, we won't need it then. We got it now. We're... Right now we are the sons of God. "It does not appear what we shall be, but we know we'll be like Him." What you are here is a reflection of what you are somewhere else. "Those who He called, He justifies." Is that right? "Those who He justified, He has glorified." Already in the Presence of the Father, we have a glorified body. Whew! Wasn't that deep? All right. We'll find out whether it's right or not. "If this earthly tabernacle be dissolved, we have one already waiting." Is that right? That's right. So right now, and what we are there, is a reflection. Here, what we are here, is a reflection of what we are somewhere else. So if your deeds are evil, you know where it comes from. You know where your other body's a waiting.

Now, can you see why the test is so important? God tests us daily and we should test ourselves daily to see whether we be in the Faith.

Now, in getting back to John chapter 8, Jesus says, He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

In other words, Jesus is telling them, What you are here is a reflection of what you are somewhere else. And your deeds shows just what source you are governed by.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 ¶ Which of you convinceth me of sin?(he says, which of you can prove me to be an unbeliever?) And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Then we find Jesus telling us those most important words, 47 “He that is of God heareth God's words: (Now, it does not matter who is saying them. If they are God’s words then they are Thus saith the Lord, and if so then why won’t the people listen to what God has to say through whomsoever God chooses to use to say it.. But then Jesus tells us why they will not hear the voice of God to them.) ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God”.

Now, that is pretty strong but that is truth nonetheless. He says if you refuse to hear the one that God chooses to send, then you are not of God. So what is going to be your excuse on that day of judgment when he says, I sent to you a faithful servant and you walked out on him. What will be your answer?

The Apostle John said the same thing in I JOHN 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Now, you might say, John was too bold and shouldn’t have said that. But Jesus said it. and if Jesus can say it then we can say it because Jesus said only what the Father told Him to say, and to say the same thing Jesus says is to confess Him before men.

Anyway, I think we had better quit for this morning, but we will examine this God-Life and the testing of the attributes of the God – Life next week. Let’s now bow our hearts and heads in a word of prayer.