MASTERPIECE No. 21

God with Skin on

Sunday morning, August 28, 2005

Rev. Brian Kocourek

This morning we will continue in our Study from Br. Branham’s sermon called THE MASTERPIECE 64-0705 and this will be number 21 in our series. We will continue now at paragraph 17 and read. Now, before we read I want you to keep in your mind that the sermon brother Branham is bringing to us here is called the masterpiece, and speaks of the pattern whereby God used His Son to be the pattern for every son of God. The reason I bring this up again is because brother Branham is speaking here about a desire to go to Africa and teach the doctrine there but has been kept out because of the organized churches. But watch his stand and you will see the masterpiece all over this testimony.

THE MASTERPIECE 64-0705 17 Now, I want to read some out of the Bible. And before we read, I'd like to say that I believe tonight is the Communion night. And you who are here locally ('course the other people probably will be going back to their homes, 'cause they have to go to work)--you who are locally here in the assembly, remember, the brethren will be giving Communion tonight. 18 Now, I'm waiting for a, the final call for Africa. They won't let me in as a missionary. So the only way I can go in, I'm going to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika. And the only way I can go in... First, the churches won't let you in, 'cause they want me to preach something on this side and that side down in Africa. And I won't go in like that. I wouldn't be hypocrite enough to do that. So I either tell them, "No sir, I'll just preach just what God puts on my heart and that's all." See? And I'm sure it won't be what they're trying to get me to teach. So, triune baptisms, and so forth like that, and fussing with them. 19 But I've been asked to a big convention by Brother Boze. He's just on the verge of coming to seeing some daylight of what we believe. And so I've asked to come in like I was going on a hunting trip. If they'll let me in, like going in hunting... If I can get somebody to say they'd take me hunting, then when I get in there (the doctor there at the embassy is a personal friend of mine out of Chicago), and as soon as I get in there, he'll say, "Well, here's Brother Branham over here. Let's have a meeting." So after I'm there the embassy can't turn me down. So they're trying to work it through now. So I trust that, If it's God's will it'll work out that way. See? it's just committed to Him. If not, then I'll notify you.

Now, notice how sometimes God has to do things for the benefit of his children that may not seem right to the understanding of man, but for the glory of God and for the children of the kingdom, sometimes God has hidden Himself from men in such a way that He appears only to those who are looking for him. Even the prophet Nathan came and cloaked his true reason for coming so David would not be aware of his impending rebuke from God. He came to David and told a story about a farmer and his one sheep and how a rich neighbor who had many sheep came by night and stole his only sheep so he could feed it to his guests, and when David pronounced judgment on that neighbor for doing so, then Nathan revealed to David that he was that man who stole the bride of Uriah.

II SAMUEL 12:1 ¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich [man] had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor [man] had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, [As] the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die. 15 ¶ And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

Even Jesus hid himself on more than one occasion in order to conceal his identity to protect himself.

JOHN 7:1 ¶ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 14 ¶ Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Again we see another instance where Jesus had to hide himself from the people to secure his safety. JOHN 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Now, brother Branham’s intensions to go to Africa were to preach the doctrine to the people freely, but it was not yet the time for it, as the people were under the control of the organized churches at that time. And so he thought if he could go as a hunter then when he got there the doors could open then, but he never did make it to Kenya, and Uganda and Tanzania.

I have had brothers over in those countries tell me that God could not send His prophet at that time because the time was not ripe, and they have told me that the time is now ripe for the doctrine to come to those countries and it has come to those countries through the ministry of the Message Doctrine teaching. I do not say this with any thoughts of pride for bringing the doctrine to these countries because God has said if the people hold their peace the stones will cry out, and I am just thankful that perhaps being considered a small stone in his kingdom. As David said, PSALMS 84:10 I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Now we see also the attitude of the apostle Paul and how he carried out his duties to God and man in I CORINTHIANS 9:1 ¶ Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 ¶ Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 ¶ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Does that sound like a man that is looking for glory? Does that sound like a man that was looking for fame? Do you think brother Branham wanted to go to Africa as a hunter just to be able to get one over on the governments there? Do you think he wanted to go just to put on a show? I think not. But as the Apostle Paul said, “woe is me if I preach not the Gospel of Christ.” He said, 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? And so if God calls a man to do something and he doesn’t do it, then woe to that man if he doesn’t do what he is called to do. Paul said a dispensation of the Gospel was committed unto Him and woe to him if he did not do what he was ordained to do.

I never wanted to go to Africa or Asia. I even told the brothers here that I would never go to those places, and later the Lord shut Himself off from me until I recognized my error and then in the deepest of sincerity I consented to go wherever He would open the doors, and no sooner had I said that than a man from Africa came to where I was to preach in Sweden and after hearing the message doctrine, he asked me to come, and there rest is history how I tried even then to put it off until finally I heard from 58 ministers asking me to come. Then the rest is history and how God has opened the doors to so many to understand the doctrine of Christ in a way they have never thought before. I didn’t wish to go to Asia either but God sent a man one of my books through Br. VanKlink and there has been a revival on both continents ever since.

I have open invitations to go to Kenya, Uganda again, Rwanda, Northern Congo, Southern Congo, Morocco, Gabon, Nigeria, Cameroon again, and the doors keep opening up to come and teach the doctrine of Christ in other African countries as well, and I get daily requests for the books and CD’s and whatever things we have published concerning the doctrine. What was closed 40 years ago has now opened up by the Grace of God, and there appears to be no stopping it at present. Even those churches that rose up against us have become silenced and can not undo what God has begun to do and teach. I didn’t ask the brothers to translate the work? They did it because they read it and hungered to tell others and make it available to others. And there are now seven languages that these messages have been translated into, and last night I received a letter from a brother who wishes to translate the studies into another language for the brethren in India.

Brother Erling from Sweden said to me this past June in Cameroon, “You have to be careful what words you say”, He said, “I remember when you told me that you would never go to Africa, and now it looks like God has made you His apostle to Africa”. Then woe is me if I preach not the gospel of Christ.

Now, you all may get something else out of what Brother Branham is telling us about his desire to go to Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika which is now modern day Tanzania, but to me there are brothers from all these countries that have asked for me to come and teach them the message doctrine. Therefore, these words of the prophet have a special meaning for me seeing that God would not allow him to go there at that time, but has now opened the doors to the same doctrine he taught without compromise to come to them in this late hour without compromise.

Many have gone to these countries before from America Canada and Europe, bringing with them message books and tapes, but the brethren in these countries have told me as God is my witness, that I am the first minister ever to come and address the doctrine of the message to them. Therefore when brother Branham expressed in this sermon his desire to go even if he had to disguise himself, I find it a marvelous thing that God has opened the doors at last for the doctrine to sweep across the heart of Africa where brother Branham so dearly wanted to it to be preached.

CONVINCED AND THEN CONCERNED 62-0521 E-10 Today we find, though, that people get away. They get away from the Word, get away from the interest. There seems to be not very much interest in it. We find that in amongst even our own people, the people, Full Gospel people, that we come to a spot that we're over-fed. Now, a person gets over-fed gets drowsy, lazy. Our doctor friend there can sure tell you that. If you've overeaten... And I think we Pentecostal people have overeaten. We've seen so many great things, till it becomes common to us. You see?

E-11 And like it was told one time in England... There was a poet who had wrote the poems of how beautiful the sea was, and the sea gulls, and how it reflected its beauty of the sky in itself. And so, he Never seen the sea, but one day he was on his road down to the seashore. And on his road down he met an old, what we would call, an old salt, old sailor. And he said, "Where goest thou, my good man?" He said, "Oh, I am a poet. I've wrote of the sea." And said, "I've never seen it as yet. I've only written on what I've read about." And said, "I'm going down now to have my first experience. I want to smell the briny waters, and I want to hear the call of the sea gull as it circles in the air; and see its frolicking waves, as it throws its whitecaps, and the blue skies reflect itself into the water." And the old salt stood there, and puffed on his pipe a few times, and spit, said, "I don't see nothing so thrilling about it." Said, "I've been on it for fifty years. I was born on it." Said, "I don't see nothing about it." See, he had saw it so much till it become common to him.

E-12 And I believe that tonight that that's a whole lot the matter with our churches in our Full Gospel ranks here in America: that we have seen so much of the goodness of God till it's become common to us. We just don't respect it like we should. We think we do, but I really believe that we should give more earnest heed to that which we have heard, lest any time we should let it slip. Now, I believe that that's true. And when, maybe for instance, one single act of God here, probably you would walk out and say, "Well, that was all right." But that one act, maybe, in some jungle back there in South Africa, or Tanganyika, wherever it might be, Kenya, would cause maybe thousands to fall on their face, and give glory to God, just that one thing take place. So you can see where the great power of the pulling of the Spirit is to go where the Word is made manifest.

E-13 Now, we have sent missionaries into the foreign fields for years. I found the same thing when we come into South Africa, where I missionaried here with our brother. And what did we find? Mostly was reading, writing, and arithmetic. Now, I have great respect for Africa and for my Afrikaans, also brethren. But what it takes to make a man who don't even know which is right hand and left hand... How you going to tell him anything or lead him to Christ, about a tract that you might pass to him that he can't read. See? What he wants... He reads of a God and he knows about another god, and all kinds of gods. But what he wants is something in action, something he can see. That's the reason the apostles was endued with power, because they were in a day of pagans, and different gods was being worshipped. And they wanted to see the manifestation of a truly living God, that could make Himself known.

E-14 Therefore, I feel that maybe the work is kind of quietening down for me here, as the Lord's sending me to the field there. Because in Durban, South Africa, at one altar call, when I seen a boy on the platform was healed... And a doctor (medical doctor) run at the platform and said, "I want to ask. What did you do to that boy?" I said, "I never touched him." And he said, "I can understand your psychology, or telepathy, reading their mind." I said, "Doctor, I'm not reading their minds." I was telling him the things and so forth, as you know what takes place. He said, "Well," said, "I put that boy on the stage right there about five minutes ago, and he was hideously cross-eyed." And he come right through here, and I met him. And I said, "Now, the little fellow anyone can see is cross-eyed. I know nothing how to do it. If I was a doctor, and could perform an operation, I'd certainly do it for the little lad." But I said, "I'm not a doctor." And I said, "Now, Maybe by a Divine gift that might cause him to have faith, might cause him to have faith enough for his healing..."

E-15 And watching, after a few things had taken place, and that same sort of Divine revelation, or seeing visions... And no one could condemn that. Our Lord Jesus' ministry was made up of that. He said, "The works that I do shall you do also. And the Word of God," according to Hebrews 4:12, "is sharper than a two-edged sword, and a discerner of the thoughts of the heart." And the Word's made flesh when we receive it, and so forth.

E-16 So this little lad... It said, "I see you come from a Christian home, and the home where you go into your little..." What is it they call those little huts they live in? I forget now. [A brother answers, "Banga"--Ed.] What? "Banga." Said, "there was a picture of Christ hangs at the right hand side of the wall." And the little lad standing there he'd just eaten his diet, and his belly was all dirty, and where he'd let his food fall down on his little tummy. And he was looking around, and his little eyes setting together. And I said, "The baby, he's a Zulu." And I said, "But his father and mother are small." And the father and mother stood up, and that was correct. And said, "Now, but the thing is that the little baby, when he was born, he was born cross-eyed." And the mother and father raised again out there; that was true. I said, "The mother, when the baby was born, while the father was looking into its eyes, and noticed it, and took it back to the mother." Correctly, they raised up their hands. I looked back, and the little boy was looking at me just as perfect as he could look. I said, "Well, I won't have to pray for the little boy because he's already healed. You can pass by."

E-17 And a little British doctor back there, he was certainly curious about that. He ran up there real quick, and Mr. Bosworth said, "Don't do that." Said, "We can't do that now." Said, "We don't want any trouble, 'cause they're separated, the tribes out there now." And many hundreds and hundreds and hundreds, and thousands of them was seated around that Durban racetrack, and many waiting to be prayed for. And then, when he said that, this doctor said, "Well, here. I want..." Said, "Mr. Branham, what did you do to that boy?" I said, "Nothing. I never touched him." He said, "When he was standing there; he was cross-eyed; standing here, he isn't cross-eyed." He said, "Did you hypnotize that boy?" I said, "Doctor, if hypnotism will straighten cross-eyes, don't you think you fellows better practice a little hypnotism?" I said, "You know better than that." And he said, "Well, I..." I said, "Don't you believe there's a God?" He said, "Sure, I believe there's a God." Said, "The lilies..." (you know how pretty your big lilies is there in Africa), said, "I believe that if there's a... God's in that lily or it couldn't live." But said, "Tangible enough to make a cross-eyed boy..." I said, "Well, you'll just have to take my word for it. That's all I can tell you." I said, "There he is standing there, and I never touched him. And the Lord God, which is present now, made him to be perfectly whole, and there he stands. There's nothing can be said about it." I said, "Call the next one." He said, "Just a moment." He said, "Mr. Branham, I'm just a church member. If there is a God that's tangible enough to make that boy's eyes come straight on the platform, I want Him for my Savior." When I was leaving Durban about three weeks later, there was thousands out there waving good-bye. He jumped over the fence, run out there, and put his arms around me, and begin speaking in unknown tongues. And he said, "The Lord's called me to the mission field to be a medical missionary now." I said, "Praise the Lord."

E-18 See, that's what it takes. That's what we confront today. Reading and writing is all right. But what the people need is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we've been falling away too much in this country from that. The church is fell from it, now, not concerned about it. People don't seem to want it. They see many bogus things that goes along, sure. How many ever read the life of Martin Luther? I was reading in his life, and it said it wasn't a strange thing, so much, that Martin Luther could protest the Catholic church and get by with it; but the strange thing that he could hold his head above all the fanaticism that followed his revival, and still stay clean, and clear with the Word. That's it. See? It's stay with the Word. That's the thing that leads you out, 'cause God is the Word. And we know that Christ is the Word.

E-19 But today, it's kind of... Instead of so much of getting people to the Word, and to God, and to the Bible; it's come join the church, support some radio program, or build some great buildings. You know how it is. And you know what I believe the reason that this is? Is because that they haven't been convinced yet that it's God with us. I believe that. I believe that people really do that sincerely, and think that God is in programs of organizing churches, and making big denominations, and bringing more people in, and building finer buildings, and so forth like that that is God's program. That isn't God's program. It never was. He never did commission us to do that, though as good as they are. He never did say, "Go into all the world and build schools." Yet we like them. They're all right. They're... He never did say, "Go build hospitals." Yet, thank God for every one of them. That's the other people's business; but the minister's is, "Preach the Gospel." And the Gospel come not in word only, but through power and manifestation of the Holy Ghost. That's the commission that to a missionary, and always a missionary is right. Yes.

E-20 Oh, the people believe, of course, that they believe those things. But they're... As my old southern mother used to tell me, "Your actions speaks louder than your words." That's right. When we see that people turn down the Gospel... How can you say you believe the Gospel, when you turn down the very thing you say you believe? It just don't work. Now, Jesus said, "If you love Me, feed My sheep." That's it. Now, we don't want to feed them educational programs, and we don't want to feed them denominational weeds. But sheep eat sheep Food. That's what it takes to make a sheep fat, is sheep food. That's exact right. And sheep Food is the Gospel of preaching of the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing Him in Person to the people. He's not dead; He's alive, and alive forevermore. He's here tonight, and that's the Gospel.

And so I hope you all can see the importance of the preaching of the presence of Christ among us and to understand the doctrine of Christ, for to know he is here brings a reality to the Gospel and opens the channel of our hearts to see God manifest Himself to us in His supernatural way. Yes the books are great and very helpful, but as the brothers told me what they need is God with skin on it. And so that is why we go. Because brother Branham told us the ministry of the Holy Ghost in this hour is God in action in the church.

Spoken word original seed 62-0318E P:13 God the Father was a God that lived in the Pillar of Fire. He was trying to draw Israel to Him. They wouldn't come. God the Father lived in the Son, which made Him God the Son, same God, expressed image of God, the seed of God manifest, trying to draw the people to Him; they crucified Him. The Holy Ghost is the same God that was at the beginning in the Son of God, and now here the other office of God in the last days, living in the church, trying to bring the Word (the spoken Word like all the two offices did) to the people, and they reject It. It's the same thing. It's the three offices or manifestations of one God in action. And God in His people today in action is God in action. See? It's God in the people.

And the people want God with skin on, and that is why the meetings over in them countries have created such a burning revival and continue to sweep the heart of Africa. Not a man, But God using the skin of men to bring sons unto the same glory.

Why are we not a denomination? 58-0927 P:43 Now, you stop, find that all through these church ages here, pulling out. The Holy Spirit speaking out how those gifts would be working in the last days. Now, we've got gifts of healing working. Oh, it's going good. Well, brother, there's other gifts. That's just one of them. That's just a little minor thing. Why, here's a far greater gift right here. Which would be the best, the gift of the Holy Ghost of wisdom to put the Word of God together and to show the church where we're standing, than just to get somebody healed? We all want to be well; but I'd rather have my soul well, than my body well anytime.

Let us bow our heads in prayer…