Preparation
#59 The Sacrifice of Praise
Wednesday January 5th, 2000
HEBREWS
3:1
¶ Wherefore, holy brethren,
partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of
our profession, Christ Jesus;
This
evening I would like to come to a close on this Message of Preparation. In
these last few pages that we will read from in this Message, you will see one
central point being made as brother Branham closes down this sermon and begins
the healing line. That central point is the idea that we must make our
confession openly in order for Jesus, the High-Priest of our Confession, to
bring our confession before God.
HEBREWS
4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our]
profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need.
Notice
the way we are commanded to come before the Throne of our High-Priest. He said
boldly which is the Greek word parrhesia
which has to do with our attitude and our speech. Parrhesia: freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech;
openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment; without ambiguity or circumlocution;
without the use of figures and comparisons
2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness,
assurance 3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures
publicity.
I
want you to notice that this freedom of speech is one which comes forth as one
of the last three stages that the Bride must go through at the Appearing of
Jesus Christ.
I
PETER 1:5
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time. 6 ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Notice
the three stages that we go through at the Appearing of Jesus Christ. Peter
speaks of Praise, Honor and Glory, and I used to think that this was the order
of the attributes that we go through at the revelation of Jesus Christ, but
after more closely studying this verse, I see that the order is Praise, then
Glory and finally Honor. Now, the argument can be made for the order as praise
first, then honor and finally Glory, which I have taught in the past, because
we begin giving back to God what He said, then we bring our bodies in
subjection to what he said, which the word honour comes from a Greek word,
time' which means a valuing by which the price is fixed; hence the price
itself: and finally we receive
the very Glory or Doxa which is the very opinion, assessment, and judgment of
God.
But
tonight I would like to look at this result of our faith, or as Wuest put it,
and several other translations list it, as Praise, Glory and Honor. But no
matter which translation we read, the first thing that must come forth is
praise. We must come to the point of praise.
The NIV says these trials are necessary so that your faith may be proved
genuine and may result in praise, then Glory and finally Honor. The Wuest
translation says, your faith is examined by testing for the purpose of being
approved, and that the approval may be discovered after much scrutiny to result
in praise, Glory and Honor. The Amplified speaks of Praise, Glory and Honor,
and the Diaglott speaks as well of Praise, Glory and Honor.
The
only major translation which differs is the Lamsa and it was written from the
Aramaic, and not taken from the Greek text as the others were. It speaks of
glory, honor and then praise.
Regardless
of the order, all translations speak of these attributes of praise, honor and
Glory as being the proof of your faith which comes forth in an outward
manifestation and full expression through these three attributes or
manifestations.
Martin
Luther spoke of this in his commentary
on Peter, when he said, "
Peter sights in clear words the use of the cross and the fruits of such
persecution, which overtake believers both from tyrants and from the rabble,
when he says: they serve to the end that faith thereby may be preserved and be
found approved and more precious than perishable gold purified and tried by
fire. For just as the fire does no harm to the gold, devours it not, neither
diminishes it, but only serves it, for it takes from it all dross so that it
becomes indeed pure and genuine, even so does the fire and heat of persecution
and of all opposition indeed grieve us and cause the old Adam pain beyond
measure, so that those exercised thereby become sad and for a time impatient, yet
their faith will thereby become pure and genuine, like refined gold or silver.
The
very nature of the Christian life is that it constantly increases and becomes
holier and purer. We come to faith first through the preaching of the gospel,
and through faith more over we are justified and sanctified before God. But as
long as we still live in the flesh, which is not without sin, it bestirs itself
continually and pulls us back and hinders us from becoming as perfectly holy
and pure as we indeed should become. Therefore, God casts us into the midst of
the fire of opposition, suffering, and tribulation, by which we are cleansed
and proved until the end of our lives; so that also in us not only is sin more
crucified the longer we live, but our faith also is preserved and increased. As
a result, from day to day, we become more assured of our calling, we grow in
the understanding of the divine wisdom and knowledge, and the scripture becomes
ever easier and clearer. This allows us to admonish more powerfully with wholesome
doctrines those committed to us, and to punish the gainsayer. Had not the devil
here of late years both with force and cunning attacked us so strongly, we
would never have come to this certainty in our doctrine; neither would the
articles of faith on the righteousness of the Christian and the doctrine of
Faith be developed as fully as they are. Hence, Paul says in 1 Corinthians
11:19 "There must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among
you," and Christ says in Matthew 18:7, "it must needs be that
occasions of stumbling or offences come, "etc.
May
we not rejoice and even laugh when we see that the enemies of the divine truth
have their will and desire realized in everything . That they have here every
pleasure and joy, are wealthy, esteemed and influential, and that there is no
limit or end to their daring and boasting. At the same time, we are poor,
miserable and despised. But Peter seems to be saying, When things go thus, then
is it well with us, for our faith must be proved to be genuine through various
temptations, and we are strengthened and comforted in the face of such
offenses, so that we are not provoked because of the godless. We pity them, and
think what would it all amount to if they were even twice as rich and merry and
had in addition the glory and power of the whole world? How long could they
retain it? They are not assured of it for a single moment. Yea, before they
expect it there is a change, so that with the rich man they perish forever and cannot
have a drop of water, and in place of their short pleasure they must receive
eternal suffering and sorrow.
Again,
although we now suffer anxiety and tribulation here for a brief period, yet we
have peace with Christ. We have it because we possess the pure treasure, which
is better and more precious than the glory and riches of the whole world,
namely, His beloved Word, which preaches to us concerning the eternal, heavenly
treasures that Peter says are reserved in heaven for us. Here , we and all the
elect may suffer for a short time,
nevertheless tale up your cross and follow Christ. In company with Him
endure abuse and in patience wait for His to Appear gloriously with His saints
and wonderfully will all believers. Then will we receive our honour, praise and
glory which God will give . But also will come the tribulations, since we know
that tribulation worketh patience (Romans 5:3)
To this end should the cross and all kinds
of reverses serve-to distinguish between false and true faith. God lays his
hand upon us therefore, to try our faith and reveal it to the world, that
others may be induced to believe, and we also be praised and honored. For just
as we exalt God, so will he return exalt, esteem, and honor us, insomuch that
the false hypocrites, who do not go to heaven in the right way, shall be put to
shame.
All scripture likens temptation to fire.
Thus Peter here compares the gold that is tried to the trial of faith by
temptation and suffering. The fire does not take from the gold, but makes it
pure and bright, so that all dross is removed. Hence God has imposed the cross
upon all Christians, that they might thereby be purified. And it has been well
said, let faith remain pure as the word is pure so that we depend on the Word
alone and trust to nothing else. For we need such a fire and cross as this
daily, because of the old corrupt Adam.
This is done for the good of the Christian
life that it may continually grow and become more holy; for if we are led to faith through the preaching of the
gospel, then shall we be justified and grow in holiness; but while we remain in
the flesh we can never be fully purified. Therefore God throws us into the
midst of the fire, that is, into suffering, shame and calamity, so that we may
become more and more purified until we die. To this we can not attain by any
works of our own. For how can an outward work make the heart inwardly clean?
Moreover, if faith is to be tried and purified, all that is additional and
false must be separated and removed. Thence will follow glorious honors,
praise, and thanksgiving, when Christ shall be revealed.
And
how was Christ revealed in this hour? He came with healing in His Wing. But the
healing was not the revealing of Christ, it was only the Epiphanaea of Christ.
The Shining forth to attract our Attention. What was the Revealing of Christ?
Well, Who is Here? God the Word? Then Who is being Revealed? The Word, and Who
was knocking at the door of the
Laodicean church? The Word which is the Judge, right? Then we have got to
confess it, and believe it, and believe what he said about you that He no
longer calls you church, but bride.
PHILIPPIANS
1:9
¶ And this I pray, that your
love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of
Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 12 ¶ But I would ye
should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have
fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in
Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places]; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord,
waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without
fear.
Notice
Paul said, that the suffering, even his own suffering emboldened the Believing
Christians of His day.
HEBREWS
13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without
covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say,
The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the
word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their]
conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to
day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and
strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with
grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied
therein. 10 We have an altar, whereof
they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood
is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without
the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with
his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his
reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 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. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget
not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do
it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you. 18
¶ Pray for us: for we trust we
have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19 But I beseech [you] the rather to do this,
that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in
you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom
[be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
EPHESIANS
1:5 Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory
of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. EPHESIANS 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in
one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
[even] in him: 11In whom also we have
obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him
who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his
glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also [trusted],
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise
of his glory.
Now,
with this in mind, having shown unto you the importance of the trials and the
subsequent praise that should result, I would like to conclude the reading from
this message on Preparation and I want you to notice brother Branham as he tries
to get the people to make this confession and how he keeps repeating over and
over again the words, "Let's stand to our feet./ everywhere and give
God praise and glory."
Preparation
E-100 Many
other things I could say, hundreds, but I've told you the truth. God has
confirmed it to be the truth. E-101 Now, listen to this truth. Each one of you
standing here are sincere in heart. I believe that. I don't believe you have
come; I believe you're needy. And I want that elderly lady lying there too, and
brother here from New Albany. Aren't you from New Albany? You're the man that
surveyed... You two brothers surveyed my land up there. Is that right? As I see
your mother setting there. See? Now, I know what's the matter with here. I
didn't call her last night. I seen her setting there, but I knowed what was her
matter; and you know that I know these things. I want her to be well. She was
good to me. And you know if anything in the world I could do for that mother,
God knows I'd come do it if I'd have to wade through the river to do it. But
the only thing I can say, mother, have faith. Believe God, accept it, and
you'll get well. And you over, mother, laying bound up in this stretcher too. I
see some crutches laying along there on the floor. Don't pay no attention to
those things; just believe.
E-102
Now, you're standing there right now accepting Jesus Christ like you did
when you come to be a Christian. Is that right? Now, don't look for any
physical thing, any results, just claim it. Now, look, Hebrews 3:1 the Bible
said, that He is the High Priest of our confession. Is that right? Now, it's
"profess" and "confess" is the same word there. Now, He
can't do one thing for us till we accept it, and say that we have accepted it,
and believe it, and testify of it. Is that right? He can't do nothing, no
matter what. You've got to accept it first by faith, and believe it, and
confess that it's right. And He before God makes it right, in your stead
as a High Priest. A High Priest is to make intercessions. Is that right? He's
touched, by the feeling of our infirmities. Now, that's as far as I know to be
the truth, and God knows that. And if you here tonight, every one of you,
would accept Jesus right now as your Healer, and say, "Lord,
this settles it right here. I don't care if I ache twice as bad, if I'm three
times as sick, five times as lame; If I can't do no more than wiggle my finger,
I'm going to wiggle my finger and give You praise, claiming You healed
me." And as far as I know
the Scriptures to be true, God's under obligation if your heart's pure and
clean, to make you well.
E-103
I've seen Him cure sarcomas cancer. If anybody would like to have
statements of that, I got medical statements. That's right. Cancer... Look at
Congressman Upshaw. Sixty-six years an invalid in a wheelchair, rolled him into
a big place there in California. The Holy Spirit moved and showed him just what
was wrong with him, told him, "Rise from his feet." And he hadn't
been on his feet like that, there his crutches and braces and beds, and things
like that for sixty-six years; walked to the platform, touched his feet, turn a
hand spring, went everywhere, a congressman of the United States.
E-104
Everywhere, have faith. Now, bow your heads everywhere. Now, just like
you was coming for salvation, you come for healing. Now, everybody in here, you
out in the audience that's well tonight, you should be happy that God has let
you be well. Look at these old mothers and dads, and little mothers with their
babies in their arms, poor little children leaning against the altar, crying.
Gray headed mothers and fathers standing around here, poor old things just
slaved a long time in life, good, sweet, kind; what if that was your mother?
What if that was your dad? You'd want somebody be awful sincere, wouldn't you,
when they prayed? Well, they do the same. E-105
Now, everybody sincere, everybody believe. Now, I'm going to ask God to heal
every one of you. Now, while I'm in prayer and you feel that God has healed
you, I want you to raise your hand and say with a loud voice, "I accept my
healing." Or give God praise. And I want you to come now with sincerity.
If you're deaf, put your fingers in your ears. If you're sick in your stomach,
lay your hand on the stomach. If you're... Wherever you're sick, place your
hand. And then... or on your child, or on your parents, and let's pray. Now,
heavenly Father, I--I am so happy to know that You're here. And many of us,
years ago, little old bashful boys and girls have now received something that gives
us boldness, great courage, courageous as a lion, because the Lion of the tribe
of Judah has rose in our hearts giving us grace and power. In this building
tonight there's some, maybe two thousand or better people seated here, and
they're under expectations. And I have tried to speak to them upon Your
preparation: the preparation for healing, the preparation for salvation, the
preparation for victory.
E-106 And now, You have give them in their heart
faith enough to come to this altar, and I called them here, and they're here
believing that You're going to make them well. They realize that they can't
live very long unless You do it. And You're the only One Who can do it. And
as far as their healing, You've already done it. You did it at Calvary. And
You're trying to open their understanding right now, that they might
understand that You have did it. And now, in this massive group, as we're
standing here gathered, pulled out, confessing our faith, coming to the altar
believing that You have come to heal us, Lord, I pray now. And knowing this,
that the only thing that's keeping any person in here from being healed if
their heart is right with You, is that shadow of the devil of doubt hanging
over them: doubt, unbelief. If they only had one speck of faith more, they
could be healed; and Satan is shadowing that little thing for them. Now,
Lord God, hear my prayer. Not knowing what hour I have to come and meet You, or
none of us does, and knowing that we have to answer for our ministries
before You, I pray Thee, Father, to give me favor just now before You, that
if I have found grace in Your sight that You'll answer my prayer. E-107 And here's these dear people that's set here
night after night. They're trying to press into the prayer line to search out
their souls and so forth. God, may that take place just now, and may their
souls be searched out. And now, they're standing here wanting to be healed, and
Your Spirit is hovering over here, the very Spirit that can make a little old
timid person stand in the power of the resurrection. And now the devil's
hanging over them, trying to keep them from--just trying to keep them from
believing or accepting their healing. And I ask You, Lord, if I've got grace in
Your sight to give me power to make him leave from before these people, and
cast away that devil long enough that they can get a glimpse yonder of Calvary
to see that old wet coat of Blood going up there, dripping, smack, smack,
smack, against the back that was striped for our healing. O God, grant it. E-108
Now, you devil of doubt that's hanging over the people, come out of them in
the Name of Jesus Christ. I rebuke you, that you leave these people. Come out
of them and let them each one be healed. Lord God, I pray that You'll cast away
Satan and make the power of God so real to them, that they'll look through that
shadow yonder and see the Son of God standing yonder with His striped back,
saying, "By My stripes, you were healed already." And may they
accept it now, Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ. E-109
Throw up your hands every one of you. All that believe now, that believe you're
healed, raise your hands. Amen. Amen. Give God praise and glory. Looky here,
audience. Every one of them's healed. The power of God. Let's stand to our
feet./ everywhere and give God praise and glory. Hallelujah. Looky here,
audience, this whole group of people is healed. What about them others down
there on them stretcher cases; stand to your feet. Get up. And have... Get up,
God heal you. God will do it if you'll raise and believe it. What do you think,
brother, the heart trouble gone now? Going to be well? What do you think,
sister? Female trouble gone? You going to be well? What you think, brother, with your ear? Going to be all right now?
God bless you. A little girl who had the cross-eyes, they're uncrossed. They're
all right now. You're well. You can go home.
E-110
Everyone of you is happy. Let's stand and sing the praises to Him,
"I Will Praise Him." Everyone now, altogether, lift up your voices
and give God praise. These people, if they are not healed, they are not saved.
They've come on the same basis. How many out there believes they're healed?
Raise your hand and say, "Praise the Lord." You're healed. Now, let
this audience, here at the altar, turn towards them out there in the audience
as you accept your healing just like you did your Saviour. Well, turn around
this way and face the audience with your hands up to let them know that you
believe Jesus Christ has now healed you and made you well. E-111
All right, "I Will Praise Him. I will praise Him."...?... It's all
right...?... I will praise Him, Praise the Lamb for sinners slain,
(everybody) Give Him glory, all ye
people, For His blood can was away each
stain. (Let this audience lift that up and sing it loud now, come on.) I will praise Him, I will praise Him, Praise the Lamb for sinners slain, Give Him glory all ye people, For His blood can wash away each stain.
E-112
How many of you would like to hear these people say what they were healed of?
Raise your hand. Just let this one word. All right, let them start right down
at the end now. Just say what you was healed of, just call out, say, "Gall
bladder trouble, stomach trouble." Whatever it was, just say what you was
healed of, let the audience know. Everybody speak what you was healed of out
there to them. Say what you had and was healed of. Say to the audience,
"Lumbago, sinus, colitis, kidney trouble, arthritis, heart trouble, heart
trouble, sinus, (same?) stomach, kidneys." Just listen to that. Let this
audience here now, right here, walk right forward and shake your hand. Come
right down and say, "I'm shaking your hand to thank God for your
healing." How many would like to shake their hand, say, "I want to
congratulate you for your faith to believe that God could heal you." Come
right down. How many of you Christians would like to do that? Everywhere. Come
down and shake your hand, and say, "God bless you, I'd like to..."
They've just been accepted into the Body of Christ, they're healed, they're
going home well. Let's say, "Praise the Lord." I wish some of the
ministers... Looky here, this little old mother lying on the cot, raising up
down there. Been paralyzed, raising up down here out of the cot. Let's say,
"Praise the Lord." Everybody. Let's just raise our hands and bow our
heads and give God praise. "Thank You, Lord Jesus." Come here,
Brother Bosworth, and lead them in prayer, if you will. God bless you.