The Masterpiece 111
The Attitude of a True Servant
Brian Kocourek
THE MASTERPIECE 64-0705 207 If you don't know Him, please hurry, hurry.
If you feel Life, get out of your sin, get out of the thing that you're in, get to the Grain right quick. You'll die in the stalk or in
the husk. Pray, while we sing now. I
love Him,... It's
up to you now. We have no denomination,
no nothing; we only have Christ. You're welcome to worship with us till He
comes. We can't put your name on a
book; we have no books. We want your
name in the Book of Life. You can
only do that through birth. Won't you do it right now? Ask Christ for new
life, bring you in, put your name on His Book if it's
not. Then you can fellowship with us. We'd love to have you. I love Him...
Prayer… Dear Father we come
humbly and reverently before thy great throne of mercy this Morning knowing
that Thy Great Love has constrained Thee to come down to us in this hour to
bring us a Life Changing, heart altering Message. Help us o God to walk in
humility and service as we walk in the Light as You
also are walking in the Light, and may we ever be so appreciative of the Blood
of Jesus that cleanses us and makes it possible for us to approach Thy great
presence. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. You may be seated.
LUKE 17:7 But
which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by
and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not
rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and
serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and
drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the
things that were commanded him? I trow
not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which
are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:
we have done that which was our duty to do.
EPHESIANS 4:1
¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 ¶ With
all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
Its all about attitude.
II
CHRONICLES 7:14 If my people,
which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.
Brother Branham said in his sermon called. Abraham 56-1208 P:49 Now,
we mustn't walk at this or go at this with a half hearted attitude. We must go with a full surrendered attitude. We must come to the church and listen
to the Bible, and if anything is brought out of this Bible, believe it. If it's
not out of the Bible, then it's up to
you.
Now, I would like to
stop here for just a moment and say, that my heart is very heavy because I see
that most people who claim to believe the Word of God
for this hour, just do not take this Word for their absolute. And this Message
will not fight the Bible contrary to what some may think.
Brother Branham said
that we must come with a fully surrendered attitude. That means humility, Not boastfulness. Brother Branham was a very humble man, and
so was the apostle Paul. Even, Jesus himself, Because
he never went around saying look what I have done. Contrary, he said, I can of
my own self do nothing, but whatsoever I see the Father do, that I do likewise.
Satan's
So, you see, we must
come to God with a surrendered heart and in humility if God is ever going to
use us in any way. You know, brother Branham said, “God
thinks no more of you ministers than he thinks of the drunk that got saved an
hour ago.”
Brother Branham
continued in paragraph 50 of his sermon “Abraham”
by saying, The
Bible is God's foundation plan. It's His plan of redemption. It's His plan of
healing. It's the plan of everything that He has, is laid out right here; and
the Bible said, "Woe unto him that
will add to or take out." This is it. I believe the Word. I've been
into churches, and watched how people a lot of time in churches, watch how the
pastor acts. The church will act that way. Friends, I say this (not as sharp
talking), but I say it as a servant of Christ to be honest with you. Many times they get one another's spirit
instead of the Holy Spirit (see?); and that's the reason when I... You
act... It makes them act alike. Notice but that's the reason when I come to
you, I know nothing but the Bible. I want you to have the Spirit that's in the
Bible, which is the Spirit of Christ; and that's the reason I try to stay in
the Word and get nothing but what's in the Word (See?), and bring it to the
people.
You know, we men are
just men, no matter what portion of Grace, or what measure of Faith they may have.
What they have they have by the grace of God anyway, so for men to point to
themselves and say, “I am a five fold minister, you better not fuss with me” ,
I don’t like that kind of talk. It’s not right.
1 Corinithians
14:36 What? came the word of God out
from you? or came it unto you only? 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.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Romans 11: 6 And if by grace, then is it
no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then
is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Ephesians
2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
One of the big
problems we have as humans is that we want people to focus on what we do, and
what we accomplish, but that is not what God wants for us to do. And if we are
to come into the image of God’s only begotten son, then we must get a hold of
our own thinking and just let go of any thought that would exalt itself against
the will of God.
2
Corinthians 10: 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
All men have a
tendency to feel like they are excluded more than most men. Or they are
persecuted more than most. Even Elijah, that wonderful prophet of God who stood
alone against the whole of
Romans 11:1 I
say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe
of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people
which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture
saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God
against
So it is natural for
us to reflect inward and want for others to see our efforts, but the main thing
is that God sees what you are doing, and that is all we should care about.
Because after all when the rewards are handed out, it will not be man giving
out the rewards, it will be our Father. And man’s rewards do not hold any merit
for they will rust and corrupt.
From the message “An
Absolute” 63-0127 P:96 Brother
Branham said, “I'm nothing. I'm your brother. Don't you pay
any attention to a messenger. You watch the message. Don't watch the messenger. God will take it away from you. He'll
share His glory with nobody. That's right. Don't you watch the messenger; watch
the message.”
JOHN
12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; (notice, this speaks of His presence) and where I am,
there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
Paul taught us how to be servants of Christ. In Philippians 2:1 he said, If you have any encouragement from being united
with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, 2
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one
in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves. 4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others. 5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped, 7
but made himself nothing, (the
KJV says, He made himself of no reputation) taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always
obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear
and trembling, 13 for
it is God who works in you to will and
to act according to his good purpose. 14
Do everything without complaining or
arguing, 15 so that you
may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and
depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word
of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or
labor for nothing. 17 But
even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and
service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad
and rejoice with me. 19 I
hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered
when I receive news about you. 20
I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Now, that is quite a rebuke coming from the Apostle Paul. He said everyone
looks out for his own interests, not the interests of Christ. What a sad
indictment of the ministers in his day, and remember, Alpha must repeat in
Omega.
22 But you know that Timothy has proved
himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of
the gospel. 23 I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the
Lord that I myself will come soon. 25
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus,
my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom
you sent to take care of my needs. 26
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and
almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to
spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28
Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again
you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men
like him, 30 because he
almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help
you could not give me.
From his message, Roman nobleman 55-0621 P:3 Brother
Branham said, I want you to notice his attitude. He didn't approach
feeling that he had it coming to him; he approached, said he was unworthy. I
want you to take that attitude also, that you
cannot come with a predominating attitude and get anything from God.
You must come reverent, humble,
and then God will deal with you. And then you will get what you ask for. And
that's the attitude that this Roman taken. Look at his approach to the Lord
Jesus. He said, "I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. I wasn't
worthy to come to You." Said, "Just speak the Word." He said, "I
am a man under authority." And said, "I say to this man 'go,' and to
this man 'come,' and they go and come." Said, "You just speak the
Word, and my servant will live." I want you to notice that. That Roman,
being under authority, that knew that whatever was under him had to obey him.
On his testimony, he witnessed that Jesus Christ was over all sickness. He
could make sickness obey Him, just the same as he could make his soldiers obey
him. If one of the soldiers failed to obey him, it was a death penalty. And he
recognized that same authority in Jesus, over evil spirits or sickness. That's
why he said, "Just speak the Word."
1 Corinthians 12: 1 Now about spiritual gifts,
brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you
were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by
the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say,
"Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same
Spirit. 5 There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God
works all of them in all men. 7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given
through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge
by means of the same Spirit, 9
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one
Spirit, 10 to another
miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between
spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still
another the interpretation of tongues. 11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each
one, just as he determines.12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its
parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were
all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or
free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say,
"Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not
for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an
eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to
be part of the body. 17
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the
whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body,
every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many
parts, but one body. 21
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head
cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to
be weaker are indispensable, 23
and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And
the parts that are unpresentable are treated with
special modesty, 24 while
our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the
members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be
no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each
other. 26 If one part
suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part
rejoices with it. 27 Now
you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has
appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers
of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others,
those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of
tongues. 29 Are all apostles?
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret? 31
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most
excellent way.
Seven
church ages 54-0512 P:15 Make
us sincere, knowing that we must answer at the judgment of God someday. And our attitude towards Him and His Word now,
will 'determine our eternal destination. So Father, with trembling hearts, we
come to Thee, and ask: Let the Lord Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit, take
the Word of God tonight, and give It to every heart, as we have need. For we
ask it in His Name. Amen.
Psalm 18:27 You save the
humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty
Psalm 25:9-10 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways
of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his
covenant.
Psalm
149:4 For the LORD takes delight in his
people; he crowns the humble with
salvation
Isaiah 66:1-2 This is
what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? 2 Has not my hand made all
these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This
is the one I esteem: he who is humble
and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Shalom
64-0112 P:11 Our
heavenly Father, we are so grateful to You, that we can even be privileged to
address You as our Father, for "Father" means that we have been
begotten of the great God that created the heavens and earth. And we are so
happy for this privilege, that we can think in our hearts, and then, that we
are sons and daughters of Yours. And then to see You strictly identify Yourself
in the midst of us, that You are our Father, changing our thoughts from the things of the world, and changing our
motives and objectives and attitudes, and every phase of us, to love You and to
believe You, and know that Your promises are true.
Now, remember, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:31 I show you a
more excellent way, and then he moves us into Love and what Love is all about.
1 Corinthians 13: 1 If
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding
gong or a clanging cymbal. 2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess
to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain
nothing. 4 Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. 7
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
Roman nobleman 55-0621 P:28 Now,
there's nothing could be hid from Him. Whatever that Voice was, speaking just a
few moments ago, it wasn't your brother. It was Jesus Christ using my voice.
Now, it depends on the man's approach to
that, what he thinks about it, will determine what he receives from it
This day this scripture 65-0219 P:23 Now,
we find Him, as He would not join up with them; He would not have nothing to do
in their ranks; then He was an outcast. He would not have any... Besides that
He went into the temple one day. A man went in there and found the house of God
just about contaminated as it is today. They were buying, selling, changing
money, and He turned over the money tables took ropes and plaited them and beat
the moneychangers out of the temple and looked upon them with anger. And said,
"It's written (Hallelujah.), My Father's house is a house of prayer and
you've made it a den of thieves. And you with your tradition has made the
commandments of God of non-effect." Oh, could a bunch like that ever
believe in Him? No, sir. They had been so hog-wallowed in the muck of societies
and filth of the day until they were so ecclesiastical froze up until they
couldn't feel the vibrations of the power of Almighty God. No wonder the little
woman could touch His garment and get healed by it, and a drunken soldier could
spit in His face and feel no virtue. Depends
on how you approach It; depends on what you're looking for. When you go to
church it depends on what you're looking for.
PSALMS
51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Now, attitude is the number one destroyer of any
ministry. If you can not love the people you are trying to help, then you
should get out of the ministry.
Brother Branham said the reason his ministry was so
effective, is because of his great love for people.
DO
YOU
Matthew 18:1 At
the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little
child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And
said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe
in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he
were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe
unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore
if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than
having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck
it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one
eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I
say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my
Father which is in heaven.
Mark
9:33 And he came to
Mark
10:35 And
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him,
saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for
us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto
them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may
sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink
of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said
unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink
of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But
to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom
it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye
know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship
over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest,
shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Let us bow our hearts reverently in prayer. Dear
Gracious and Loving Father, we have seen this morning the right attitude to
have concerning our serving you is to show it by serving your children. Help
all those in the field live a life worthy of your Gospel and may they begin to
show humility in the way they walk in Grace and Faith. Help me father as I go
overseas to reflect the true nature of Your Spirit that lives within me, and
help me to never think a boastful thought, and may the only thing I lift up be
the bloody cross of your son, as He said, “take up your cross and follow me.”
May that be my prayer for I ask it in Jesus Christ’s lovely name, Amen.