Spoken Word no. 137
Remembering
the Lord
Brian Kocourek, Pastor
December
30, 2009
This evening we will take our text from I Corinthians the 11th chapter...
I
Corinthians 11:23 For
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord
Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And
when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body,
which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also
he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in
my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this
cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall
eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of
the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man
examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are
weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For
if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But
when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be
condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my
brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And
if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto
condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Now,
communion has many times been the great dispute down through the ages between
Protestant and Catholic. They say the Catholic takes this communion, and they
take it in hopes that they have did something to merit some good thing, that
their sins will be forgiven by doing it. The Protestant takes it as, “in
remembrance” that Christ has already forgive them, and they take it in
rejoicing that they're already forgiven. Paul goes on to say in here how to
come to the Lord's table. If there is anything wrong make it right before we
get there. "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." And now,
we are very, very much to be in prayer when we take communion.
But I've wondered
many times, if that word we use it just right, "communion." Now
"commune" means "to talk to (See?) to commune with." And I
wonder if really when we meet together like this in heavenly places if that
isn't communion, that we are communing with God, talking to Him. And then if we
just set still and let Him answer us back... Many things, and one of the
horrible things that I do, I try to do all the talking, and not set still long
enough for Him to answer me back. We do that so many times in prayer. I think
if we would get off of our heart what's in it and express ourself to the Lord
Jesus, and then just kneel, and just be still awhile, and just see what He
would say back to us. See? And sometimes I've did that, and my whole opinion
was changed. You see? I'd go ask Him something, "Now, Lord, these people
really, they got a... something... I believe they want me over there." And
I'd just start praying, and first thing you know... I'm just satisfied that
that's the Lord's will. But after I pray, if I just linger a little while
(See?) then it's changed altogether sometimes sent somewhere else.
Just commune with
the Lord. Oh, what glorious fellowship, just to get down, and talk, and
commune, and wait for Him to talk back. And to think of what a great Person
that is you're talking to, the Creator Himself, and communing with Him Who put
your life in this volcanic ash that you're living in. And then someday you'll
have to leave there, and then it's in his hands where it goes from there on.
And you have the privilege now to make your choice which way that soul goes
when it leaves. And what a wonderful thing to commune with Him upon the basis
of His promises, then hear Him commune back to you, and say, "It's all
well." My, that really expresses it right. We don't have to look to any
creed. We don't have to look to--to any dogmas. Only thing we have to do is
just know that He witnesses back His Word, that it's settled, and that's all of
it. Then the burden rolls away. I've thought of coming to this table, that we'd
call it tonight, now that I've got it expressed that it's just as much
communion here as it would be taking what we call the Lord's Supper.
Acts 2:42 And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And
they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.
ONENESS
62-0211 3 "I was here last Sunday night and
spoke on the subject of Communion before the communion service. Communion is
not taking bread, commune means "talk to, commune back, talk with
someone."
Notice that Br. Branham tells us that
communion is not just some form of worship of taking bread, but it means to
communicate.
Now, I believe
that he was not saying this in vain. So we see that communion has something to
do with communication. Notice, he says, "Commune means to" So it is
not a one sided effort, but he said, to "commune back" or to
"talk to someone" which means that there is a two way relationship
here, but it is focused upon one thought.
How could you hold a conversation with
someone who was thinking different thoughts. When you commune or have real
communion with someone, you must both be in the same wavelength or shall we say
the same mindset, in order for you to have communion together.
This is the
reason why many parents can not talk to their children. They tell the child
something and wonder why the child either does not listen, does not seem to
hear, or just outright disobeys. Now, modern psychology understands this so
they tell the parent to get down to the child's level and then communicate. But
when you lower yourself to their level of thinking you are not only stifling
the growth of the child, but you are putting your stamp of approval upon where
they are at mentally.
Now, what needs to be done first when
talking to your children is that you must first get there attention which might
be a difficult task but you must do this. Get them aside where it is quiet and
where they will not be distracted. Then create an atmosphere where you let them
know that you want to talk to them about something that is very important and
you want them to listen. You've got to get them thinking in the same mind set
or you won't have communication, you will only have a shouting match.
Then once you
have been able to get their attention, you can begin to tell them what things
you felt to communicate to them.
I CORINTHIANS 1: 9-10 9 God is faithful, by whom ye
were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I
beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak
the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Notice here
that we are called to a fellowship, but he tells us in order to have this
fellowship we must have the same mindset, and speak the same things.
Now I firmly believe the reason we are
missing this oneness with God and the divine fellowship with Him and with each
other and even with our own children is that we are so busy and caught up into
our own daily routines that we do not take the time to create the right
atmosphere for oneness in our homes or even in church service.
So let's just
look at this atmosphere a moment. First let's look at it in the home with our
children. When we go on a vacation together, we prepare in advance for our trip
by doing activities that will prepare us for our journey. We decide what we
want to wear as far as clothing, we plan what we want to see, where we want to
go and we come to some sort of agreement or mindset as to what we want to get
out of our vacation. Maybe one wants to fish, another wants to just relax,
another wants to boat, and another just wants sit around and read. So we
determine a place where we can go that each of us can be fulfilled in our
desire. right?
Preparation. Then we decide what we will
need to wear as clothing. How long we will be gone. How much we can budget,
etc. What we are doing is creating an atmosphere of expectation that builds up
in excitement right up to the trip.
Shouldn't our journey to the Millennium
be the same way? Do we talk about our journey and being clothed in the Word of
God?
When we pack
our clothes for a trip, we say, "bring a jacket, it may be cold where we
are going". But when we talk about God's Kingdom that we are entering
into, do we say “be dressed in Righteousness?” Or do we make excuses for our
kids and say, well they are just young and it doesn't really matter. If I took
my daughter somewhere where it is very cold I would make sure in the natural
that she is properly dressed so she won't get ill or sick. Then what about our
Eternal abode? If my daughter is not properly dressed to meet the weather
conditions it is my fault if she gets sick. And if my daughter is not properly
dressed to meet God's conditions and she gets spiritually sick, I am also to
blame.
Brother Branham
said, it is not juvenile delinquency but parent delinquency. We pray that our
kids will make it, but when it comes right down to it, we can't be to concerned
because we are not applying the Token. To apply paint you've got to take it out
of the can and put it on the wall. To apply the Word of God you've got to take
it out of the Book and place it upon your children.
You may think it will be a big fight but
if you had a vision and could see your child dying of aids in a few years,
you'd do everything in your power to save that child from making that fateful
mistake. Whether
you want to face up to reality or not, God is not a doting old grandfather. He
does not have grand children He has children. And if your kids are not in the
same mindset of God that you must come into, they won't receive a body change.
Applying the Token is not a crap shoot. To apply it means to make it stick. And
only those with the mind of God will go in the Rapture. Too many of the people
in this message are just playing at believing it, and the reality of the day
and hour has not really sank in yet.
1) the quality or state of being one;
singleness or unity.
2) unity of mind, feeling, or purpose
So we can see that brother Branham's
message will have to deal with the mind or mindset in this sermon, and that is
why I believe he begins by talking about communion.
If we are going
to someplace very important like to visit the white house, we would say, bring
your best dress and make sure your hair is combed properly, and we would fuss
with it until we got it all just right and in place because we want to make the
right impression. Yet when we come to church to meet the King of Kings, do we
stand before a mirror with the mindset that says, "Today I am going to
meet with The greatest King in all the Universe."
What is our mindset, when we come to
church. Do we come right as the music begins to play, or stand outside and talk
right up until service begins. Are we preparing our minds and our hearts to
hear from heaven or are we just coming to fulfill a religious obligation.
We should be in
our seats at least 10 to 15 minutes before the song service begins. The piano
and guitars should be playing softly music that will help you set the right
atmosphere for worship. We want to create a mindset where we are all in one
accord and that can not be done if we are out talking.
GOD HIDING IN SIMPLICITY 63-0317 1M 6-1
When a minister walks into a congregation of people praying and the anointing
of the Spirit, you're bound to hear from Heaven. There's no way to keep from
it. But if you walk into confusion, then you're so confused, and the Spirit is
grieved.
REVELATION BOOK OF SYMBOLS 56-0617 58
"Your pastor, when he stands here on the platform, ministering the Word of
God, he is God's angel to the church, messenger to the church. Therefore a
pastor should never leave that Word, but stay straight with the Word, because
the word pastor means "shepherd." Look it up and find out if that
ain't right. A pastor is a shepherd, and the Holy Ghost has made him overseer
over His Church and flock, to feed them. What with? The Word of God. Amen.
I want you to see how
important it is every time we come together, we should be at our best because
this is God’s place, this is His home, that we are here to come together to worship
Him here. Let us come reverently as we come together to worship here.
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the
passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of
this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he
loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended,
the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to
betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had
given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After
that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and
to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then
cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus
answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know
hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never
wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with
me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet
only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus
saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean
every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For
he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken
his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have
done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye
say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should
do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these
things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not
of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled,
He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now
I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I
am he. 20 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and
he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When
Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then
the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now
there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that
he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He
then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus
answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when
he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan
entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he
spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought,
because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we
have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went
immediately out: and it was night.