Fatherhood
Brian Kocourek
Good morning friends, this
morning We will look at paragraph 55 again of Who
is this Melchisedec. Here we find Brother Branham saying, Your name was ordained of God and placed on the Book of Life
before the foundation of the world. You were there in His attributes. You don't
remember it, no, because you're just a part of His life. You are a part of God
when you become a son or a daughter of God, just as you are a part of your
earthly father. That's right. You are, ... The male carries the hemoglobin, the
blood. And when that has gone in the egg, then you become a part of your
father, and your mother is a part of your father also. (I think what
Brother Branham is bringing out here is not speaking of the actual hemoglobin,
or the chemistry of the blood, but what he is saying is the Life is in the
blood, and it takes the life in the Sperm to be united with the egg to bring
forth life in the womb. Then he goes on to say,) So
you're all a part of your father. Glory. That lets the denomination out
altogether. Certainly does. God in all, the only place...
Now, this morning I would
like to talk about this thought here. He says, So
you're a part of your father. And since this is Father's day, I
would like to speak on the Subject "Fatherhood".
Now, since everything that
is must have a beginning, I would like to talk about the beginning of
Fatherhood. For you see, God is the author of fatherhood. In God's Word, way
back in the beginning, Genesis 1:1 we read, "In the Beginning God."
Therefore if we are to know the real meaning of Fatherhood, we must find it in
God.
Brother Branham in the
beginning used the term office, when speaking of the different roles that God
played out. Then as the Seals were opened he changed that term from office, to
the word role, as an actor changing his mask. This is important for us to know,
because when we see the different expressions of Love that God has for His
elect, we see first the Role of God, and then the role of Father in the Old
Testament.
From the Message Jehovah Jireh 56-0224 E-5 he said And that Pillar
of Fire that led the children in the days of Israel... I believe it's in Exodus
the 13th chapter, how He led the children of Israel by a Pillar of Fire... Is
that right? We all know that. And then, that was God in the Fatherhood of
God, when he led the children of Israel. And then when He represented
Himself in a body of flesh, His Own Son, that He overshadowed, He was then...
Jesus said, "I came from God, and I go to God." Now, God in Christ
reconciling the world to Himself, then when He left and God raised His body up
and set it on the right hand of His Majesty in glory, and the Holy Spirit came
back, and we find out that the Holy Spirit's in the same form that It was when
It was in the wilderness (Did you know that?), a Pillar of Fire again. How many
knows that?
MESSAGE OF
GRACE 61-0827 37 Now, there is a group of people call
themselves the Oneness or the Jesus Only. I don't agree with them upon their
theory. Neither do I agree with that trinitarian group that says that there are
three different Gods the extreme of the trinitarian. But I believe that the
three, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is One, that they are three offices of one
God. He lived in the Fatherhood in the Pillar of Fire; He lived in the
Sonship in Jesus Christ; and He lives now in the Holy Ghost in His church. The
same Lord Jesus that was made flesh and dwelled among us, is with us this day,
among us in the form of the Holy Spirit.
So we see then that God
lived in the Role of Fatherhood when He dwelt in the Pillar of fire and when He
appeared to Israel in the Cloud. Then if He is the same yesterday, today and
forever, …If He is God and changes not, then today He is back to the role of
Fatherhood. And today we are here to honor Fatherhood.
Now, in the very beginning,
before there was any beginning there was only God. He dwelt alone in His
fullness, and solitariness. He is Sovereign. He did not need the angels, he did
not need children. He was complete in Himself. Yet, there laid within Him
attributes, and yet in His solitariness, He had no way to express these
attributes and thus bring fulfillment to Himself. Therefore He put together a
plan to bring fulfillment to Himself.
A) These attribute
that lay within God, were what and Who
God is; His essentiality and His Intrinsicality.
1) These
Attributes were the very thoughts of God
which are the very attributes of Himself, all together in one, making up
His Being.
2) These Attributes
or thoughts were without expression.
3) God could not be
known in an unexpressed form.
B) Secondly, God then began to bring forth an
expression of Himself, He became then
the Word. John 1: 1 In the Beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD and
THE WORD was GOD.
1) God can not be known "without", if there
is nothing "without". Therefore God had to become God. Before he was
God He was All alone, He was Elohim, the self existent One. (Remember, the
word, "God", is an object of
worship and without anyone or anything to worship Him, He could not be God.)
Therefore, in order to give expression of Himself, the "Who and What"
He is, it was essential that He bring forth others to express Himself to.
1.
God being God, it was necessary for him to create beings to worship
him, FIVE.IDENTIFICATIONS 60-0911E 177 So the
first thing He created... Now, some of you want to know about my Genesis story;
God said, "Let us make man." The first thing He created was angels to
worship Him, then He become God. God being a Father, it was
necessary that He have children to bring forth an expression of His attribute
of Fatherhood. Then when He said, "Let us make
man after our own image," what kind of a man did He make? Spirit man; then
when He made that man, He give him control.
2.
"God being a Saviour, it was necessary that He predestinate a man
who would require salvation in order to give Himself reason and purpose of
being." Then He made man out of the dust of
the earth; then he fell. Then He become a Saviour: a God, then a Saviour.
3.
God Being a Healer, it was
necessary that He predestinate a man who would need healing. Sin brought on sickness; then He become a Healer.
Hallelujah. There ain't nothing going wrong. He knowed all about it before the
world was ever formed. He knew we'd have this meeting tonight. He knowed every
gnat would ever be on the earth, and how much tallow he'd make, and how many
times he'd bat his eyes. He's the infinite God, knows all things. Amen. Aren't
you glad tonight that your name is on the Book?
4.
God being a provider, it was necessary that He predestinate a man who
would need provisions. JEHOVAH JIREH 55-1117 E-20 Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide for Himself a sacrifice. Now,
Jehovah, in the Old Testament appears to the human race in a seven compound
relative Names that He was going to be to the people. He appeared first as
Jehovah-Jireh, "the Lord will provide a sacrifice." Second, He
appeared as Jehovah-Rapha, "the Lord that healeth thee,"
Jehovah-manasses, Jehovah, our banner, Jehovah... seven compound redemptive
names that God appears to the human race, as of the all-sufficient Provider for
every thing that we have need of from the beginning to the end. Now, last night
we were speaking on Abraham, and we left him where God appeared to him in the
Name of Almighty God. And in the Hebrew word was used the "El
Shaddai," which means "the breast, or the--or the breasted One, the
all-sufficient One, the strong One, the Life-giver." And we give the
illustration last night as the breasted--breasted One.
Now, that we have
established the fatherhood of God was manifested in the pillar of fire and in
the Cloud to Israel, I would like to look at this role that God played out and
bring out three points concerning this role of Fatherhood.
Ø
#1) What the role of Fatherhood does. Now, that we have
established that God is the role model for what Fatherhood is all about, let's
see what exactly that role entails. What attributes does Fatherhood express.
I. He was called Yhovah yireh = "Jehovah sees and thus provides"
We see God take on this role of Fatherhood with Abraham on Mount Moriah when He
prevented the sacrifice of Isaac and provided a substitute ram in his place.
Abraham called Him Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Who provides.
II. Yhovah nicciy {yeh-ho-vaw' nis-see'} The second attribute God
displayed in His role as Father he is called Jehovah Nissi, "Jehovah is my banner and shield" In other words,
the Lord is my Protector. This is the name given by Moses when God gave him
victory over the Amalekites. The role of protector is the scond most important
role of a Father. Number One He must be a provider, and then He must protect
what He has provided and to whom He has provided it.
What Good would it do if God
was able to give us good things, but the devil was able to snatch them out of
your possession the minute you received them. And the same with any Father. His
role is first to provide all the essential things a son or daughter need in
life. Not only the physical needs, but to provide for the spiritual and eternal
needs as well. And what good would it do if you were not able to protect your
child from loosing what you have given them.
III. The third attribute of
Fatherhood, He was known as Yhovah tsidqenuw . The
Lord is our righteousness Now, we know the word righteousness comes
from the Word right-wise-ness, or rightly wise. And this comes from
instruction.
PSALMS 111:10 The fear of the
LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do
[his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.
PROVERBS 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it.
HEBREWS 12:6 For whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with
you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if
ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards,
and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
[us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection
unto the Father of spirits, and live?
So we see then that
instruction in the right ways of life is an essential attribute that a Father
must possess if he is to complete his role of fatherhood. Providing for the needs of the children is
number one, then protecting your children from all harm physically and then
spiritually is next. And in order to ensure that the child is protected the
Father must train that child to make sure that child knows its boundaries and
limitations.
IV He was known as Jehovah Jehovah-shalom The Lord is our peace" . And
peace signifies rest and assurance. Therefore this tells us that this attribute
of Fatherhood is one which brings consistency which brings rest and assurance
and thus peace. Being consistent is known in the bible as faithfulness. Having
a father who is faithful brings a rest and peace to the child. Knowing that he
or she does not have to worry about a vascillating father. One who one week is
a real believer and then the next is a heathen sinner. But when you become
consistent in your life it will bring a peace with it, and an assurance to
those you love.
V He is known as Jehovah-shammah or
"Jehovah is Present" Part
of the assurance and peace that a child has is that dad will always be there.
No matter how much the child messes up, if he knows that his dad is there to
protect him, and fight his battles, he has a real peace. I remember, as a child
, when getting into an argument with the neighbor kids, I would say, My dad is
stronger than your dad. I know that I was reassuring myself that if I got into
this fight with the neighbor kid and it was more than I could handle, I knew my
dad would be there to protect me. And thus it is with fatherhood. Being there
is so very important. It's one thing to be a good provider, but if you are a
good provider but are never there for your child, then what good does it all
do. The security and peace they have is that you not only provide for them, but
that you are their to ensure they will enjoy the things you have provided.
VI he is known as Jehovah ra'ah
The Lord is our Shepherd and we see in PSALMS 23: the attributes of the
Shepherd. ¶ The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not
want (There is your provider). 2 He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures (He maketh me, in other
words He is an authoritarian figure, he is leading, guiding, instructing, and
this has to do with eating which is both a part of providing, but is also in
the spiritual sense, providing the spiritual meat in due season, ensuring that
the one being lead is getting the right sort of food physically and
spiritually.): he leadeth me beside the still waters
(Notice these are still waters, cool and refreshing. He leadeth, not
he maketh in this sentence, but by example I follow to the place of rest and
refreshment). 3 He restoreth my soul (He
knows how to help me in times of trouble. How many times does a young person
make mistakes, or hurt themselves in some way, whether it be a physical hurt or
a spiritual hurt, yet the role of father is to be a helper and restorer to his
children. When you spank that child you are instructing it, and yet you do not
cast it off. I remember so many times, after I had spanked my child, I would
then hug that child to assure it that I still loved her, and she was still my
little girl.): he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake (The role of a father is to teach
his child, to know what is right and wholesome and good, and what is eternal.). 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me (How important it
is to know that your father will never leave you nor forsake you. How important
it is to let them know you are there for them, and if there is ever a need,
that they might just call, and you will answer); thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Thy Rod and thy Staff? They comfort me? Now, this is the point I want
you to see. This is not meak and gentle Father, He's speaking about to come and
lead him. But big tough protector
Father, stay close to me. My dad's bigger than your dad kind of stuff.
Now, David was glad
His Father had a big stick. A big, big stick, and the Hebrew word for rod is
shebet and it means a club, for it is the weapon. Therefore the rod is the
weapon part and the staff is the support part.
5 Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Now, I want you to think about this statement. Thou
preparest a table, a meal, food for my nurishment, right in the presence of my
enemies. Now, it is not easy to eat when you are in the midst of danger. But
when your dad was there, you werenn't afraid of anybody.
5 thou anointest
my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (again, the provider) 6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. What a wonderful father-Son
relationship we see here. This is not a young man who had to get away from dad
to FIND himself. This is a young man who loved His father so much, that he
would be willing to live forever in the house of his father.
VII Finally we come to the
seventh and last attribute of Fatherhood, He was
called Jehovah Rapha or the LORD that healeth thee. And should not that be
the role of every father. To not only watch out for your children, not only to
provide for them and protect them, but when they do get sick or hurt, again,
whether it be through their own fault or the fault of others, a real dad is
there to help and to heal. These are the attributes of a real father, and God
shown them to us when He played out the role of a Father.
Ø
#2) What the role of Fatherhood means for his Children.
JESUS CHRIST THE
SAME YESTERDAY 52-0810E E-11 I have a little blond-headed girl setting
back there of six years old. She's my sweetheart. And you know what? You--you
couldn't hurt that child without hurting me. See, that's my baby. See? I love
her. And I got another little fellow at home, just about--a little over a year
old, she's just trying to talk. And she really makes a try. And she goo-goo,
gaa-gaa, just as hard as she can. But you couldn't--you couldn't hurt that
little child without hurting me. See? And if you love... I'd rather you'd love
that child, than to love me. If there had to be love for one or the other, you
love my child instead of me. And I think any fatherhood's like that.
E-12 And what is fatherhood? Is an attribute of
God. Then if we be God's children, then God wants us to love one another. In
doing so, we love God. Is that right? We love His Church.
HE WAS TO PASS
THAT WAY 57-0727 pp 7. You know how
you like to minister and to do good things to your children, how much... That
very strain of fatherhood, of parent to your children comes from God (That's
right.), 'cause He's the Father of us all; and He--He loves us, and He wants to
do for us. If He can just get us lined up with the blessings and so forth, He
can trust us, then there's just... The heavens is open to all of us.
Ø #3) The role the children
must play concerning their respect for the role of their father in Fatherhood.
And what is the role we as
children should play to our fathers? The forth commandment tells us
"Children obey your parents, for this is the first commandment with
promise. Love your fathers, and mothers, love them, and respect them, for
surely their words of correction are not meant to be a putdown, but they are meant
to point you to the way of life.