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Sermon Texts Beginning With J
Jesus Keeps All Of His Appointments (64-0418E)
| Jesus Keeps All Of His Appointments (64-0418E) |
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E-1 ... remain standing just a moment and bow our heads for a word of prayer. And now, as our heads are bowed, and our hearts, I--I wonder, this being the night that we have set aside now, for--for the night of salvation, for coming to Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit, I wonder how many has a request, and would like to say this, "Lord God, remember me. I want to be right with you now?" Would you raise your hands now? Lord bless you.
E-2 Our heavenly Father, we are so thankful for Your Presence, and for honest-hearted people who really believe that--that You are coming, and that they must make ready for this great event that the whole world has waited for all these thousands of years. And we're living just, as it was, watching time and history run out, and eternity beginning to move in. And we see this appearing, so our hearts are strangely warmed. And we pray, Father, that You'll search our hearts tonight and try us. And if there be any sin in us, Lord, take it out. We have noticed this week, in Your great Presence, as we've watched You over this, and among this congregation going right down and digging out the very thoughts of the heart, and revealing it to us, telling us these things. E-3 Well, it's certainly good to be back at the--at the auditorium again tonight, and under great expectations for the Lord to visit us tonight, as we've set this night aside from praying for the sick to the--to seeking salvation for our souls. Each one of us needs to rededicate our lives anew. And this week we have seen the Presence of Jesus Christ, the vindicated Scripture, Him right here among us, watching what He did--the same things that He did on earth when He was here before, He's doing it just the same.
E-4 Now, if we see in the ministry as it's climbing, just like we're growing unto a perfect day, a perfect church... We started out just like--like we was saying this morning in our lovely little fellowship this morning... We certainly had a wonderful time at that breakfast. I thank the brethren for their fine cooperation. I got to shake the hands of many of them, these fine men that's sponsoring this meeting, bringing us in here to...
E-5 And now, speaking this morning on the thought of the church growing (See?), coming like a seed in the ground... And that seed, as it's planted, grows from glory unto glory. And it becomes after while into a blossom and then goes back to the seed. And that's like the original seed that was planted.
E-6 And then after that come Calvin, and on and on. Finally the church got in such a condition there--had to have another reformation. And God sent John Wesley with a message of sanctification, cleanliness of the spirit. And then he and Whitefield, and many of them went on in the great reformation, and Asbury, they come to the United States. And that great revival saved England and the world at that time.
E-7 And then come the great reformation again, Pentecost, coming out of those organizations with the restoration of the gifts, speaking in tongues, Divine healing; great miracles and signs come off. That went for a long time. It's been fifty, about fifty-eighty years now, since the Holy Spirit begin to fall on old Azusa Street out in California, here in the United States, where it started falling. A great time come.
E-8 And just like Israel... Little did Israel know that when they were shouting the victory on the bank of the river, they were only about four day's journey (about forty miles) away from the promised land. They didn't realize they were--forty years it'd take them. But what was it? Grace had provided them a prophet, a Pillar of Fire, a sacrificed lamb, a deliverance. And still they wanted a law. They wanted something they could have something to do into. They wanted to put their hands to it. That was the most rashal mistake they ever made, in Exodus 19, when Israel rejected grace and accepted law.
E-9 Now, I think it's a very beautiful type here, that we find out. Long ago when our forefathers in the Pentecost, they raised up. They had the old general council. From that formed the Assemblies of God. Out of that come the UPC, and the United, and so forth, till they got organization after organizations, fussing and fighting. God just let them set right there, marry wives, raise children, speak in tongues, shout in the Spirit. But now, there's a new group come up.
E-10 Just like the pyramid... Did you notice how the pyramid was made (not a pyramid doctrine now, just a pyramid)? Look on your one dollar bill. The seal of the United States is that eagle. Well, why does it say over there on the pyramid, "The Great Seal?" Why would it be greater here in United States than--and the seal of the United States, the Great Seal, the eye watching? And the--the capstone that goes upon the pyramid was, it was rejected. It never was on the pyramid, isn't to this day: the Stone of Scone, they claim. But it never was put on, the capstone. Why?
E-11 Just like this, when my shadow here of my hand... If I never seen my hand, seen the shadow, it kinda... It gets pale as it gets away. But as it gets closer and closer, the negative and positive are coming together, until they both become the same thing. And that's exactly when the church and the Word has to be one, like Jesus and God was one, just exactly. The... E-12 Now, tomorrow afternoon, the Lord willing, is going to be the closing of this service, this part of the service. And we're going to designate that altogether for praying for the sick. And everybody that wants to be prayed for may come out and get a prayer card, to come through the prayer line. Now, the reason we give prayer cards on these is to keep them lined up. And then if you don't, they just keep passing around, and around, and around (You see?), and they... So they just... We give them a prayer card. You have a prayer card, and come in the line, and you'll see and believe you'll see the glory of God take place. It'll be great.
E-13 And now, we thank you for all that you have done, for the great welcome that we've had amongst these minister brothers and so forth. Now, tomorrow is Sunday, and these churches will be open. There'll be no service here tomorrow morning. There'll be Sunday school. And you visitors... I've got some friends in here myself that--that's with us in the party, and some that's come down from my hometown here to be with us.
E-14 And you Who gave your life to Christ this week, and you don't have a church home, why don't you talk it over with them? They believe this same thing, or they wouldn't be setting up here representing it. See? So now, you--you--you find you a nice--one of these nice churches tomorrow, and go to it. And I'm sure they'll do you good. They'll help you. They'll help you to believe. And if you haven't been baptized, ask them. If you haven't received the Holy Ghost, ask them about it, and they'll help you right on through to Christ, and shepherd you right on down the road until He returns. Now, the Lord bless each one of you. E-15 And now, for tonight I have chosen some Scripture reading here, out of the book of St. Luke the 7th chapter, beginning with the 36th verse. And now, all week long I've been working on a--a thought that come to me on the road coming down here, on the unveiling of the mighty God. But when I got through looking at my Scriptures and things, I had nearly twenty pages. So I'd never get through that in no hour here. So I thought I'd have to change it tonight, so I have. And I believe it's the will of the Lord that I say these things.
E-16 Now, in the 7th chapter of St. Luke and the 36th verse:
... one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and begin to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself... (remember, not out loud; within himself),... saying, If this man... was a prophet, he would... know who and what manner of woman this is that touched him; for she is a sinner.And Jesus answered and said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he said, Master, say on.There was a certain creditor which had two debtors and they owed... the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou givest me no water for my feet: but she has washed my feet with tears, and has wiped them with the hairs of her head.And thou givest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss my feet.My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman has anointed my feet with oil.Wherefore I say unto her... I say unto thee, Her sins, which were many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.And they that set at meat with him begin to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
E-17 Let us pray. Lord Jesus, this story taken place many years ago. But it's a true story, for it is written in the pages of our Bible, and we know that it's true. And now, we would by no means try to portray this again tonight, but we would like for You to help us to bring this as a message tonight to the people, that they might see that--that You're still the same Lord Jesus. And we pray for Your blessings upon us all, as we are needy people. We have need of Thee, Lord.
E-18 If I should call it now just for a few moments... And I try not, each night... I have to apologize to you, because that you've been so nice, and I... You're such an easy audience to preach to, till you just don't know when to stop. And that makes a minister know that you're feeding, or receiving the words that I'm saying. And I come to you when I've been... I'm the tiredest I've ever been in I don't know when.
E-19 And so, and ice melted, I'm taking them and all... A great bunch of trappers, and hunters, up and down the Alaskan Highway are all meeting with me to be baptized and accepting Christ. They seen the Lord show a vision of a certain thing, where a certain bear would be, how much he'd weigh, what kind he was, and where a certain animal would be staying, how--who would be there, and what they'd be wearing, and all about it. And told them before it happened. E-20 My subject tonight is "Jesus Keeps All His Appointments." I want you to bear that on mind as we speak. And I--I won't talk too long. And I want you to think it over now that--remember, you've got to meet this One that's present with us tonight someday.
E-21 Now, it must have been almost sundown when our sitting starts out tonight. It must have been about sundown. And this courier had run all day, maybe two or three days. He was trying to find Him. He went down, maybe, almost from Dan to Beersheba, because Jesus in His ministry was going speak here, perform His signs and wonders, and the people would all gather; He would take off somewhere else. "I must go to another city."
E-22 And he wanted to see Jesus. He had a message for Him. And now, Jesus had twelve men around Him that kept the people away from Him, 'cause they'd just have come in upon Him. And so they... (I'm making this in a drama, so that everybody can catch it.) And so, we find that in this, Jesus' men... He must've come, let's say he come to Philip. And Philip might've said something like this, "Sir," or, "Young fellow, we would certainly like to let you see the Master, but--but He's so tired, and we--we just got to watch Him, because He--He just goes till He almost drops. And we've been in so many meetings and so forth, lately, till... I'm sorry, I don't believe we can do it."
E-23 So finally they--they took him up to the Lord Jesus. And while He was looking at him, the Lord Jesus, perhaps leaving His place (pulpit) from where He was speaking, where the disciples and them had fixed for Him to talk from, as He was looking, why, He looked upon the young man. He must've liked him.
E-24 And He took the note, and read it. And we find out that this certain Pharisee had--was making a feast, and--and had bid Him to come down and be a guest of honor with Him. So Jesus standing for a few moments, and looking at the young man... And yet as busy as He was, but you can never invite Him but what He'll come. I don't care what the situation is, He'll come. E-25 What was the matter with that courier? How could it be? Was he conscious of what he done? The first time, maybe, in his life that he ever stood in the Presence of Jesus, and never even asked forgiveness of his sins. He never--he never took the opportunity. Oh, how it's the same way with people today. Many times they--they realize that they're in His Presence and never ask forgiveness. Well, that... He--he had may be never presented the opportunity another time, and turned down his last opportunity to ask forgiveness. How could he ever have done that? How could this boy ever so been wrapped up in bringing this message from his master, that he failed in the Presence of the Son of God to ask forgiveness? It was all a business affair.
E-26 And you know, that's something like the people today. Church... Christ has become a--a--a business affair, or--or--or a social affair to join church, and get just a--in a little better social standing for your business or something. You stand out a little better in the neighborhood. It isn't a thing of--of really coming and repenting, like a--a sinner should do. Many times in church, people are brought right in the Presence of Christ and turn away and do as rashal a thing as this courier did.
E-27 That's why I think so much healing becomes a failure, or professed healing. Because the first place, the people are not ready for healing; they won't confess their wrongs. The Bible said, "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for the other." And we're not willing to do that. E-28 Now, this fellow made a real rashal thing, we would think. We would think, "If I could only take his place. If I could go up before His throne, and--and take a message, the first thing I would do..." What would you do? Be interested in what your organization had sent you up there to find out about, or would you be looking around to see how heaven was decorated? Or in His Presence, would the first thing you'd say, "Lord God, forgive me, a sinner." That would be the right thing to do.
E-29 Now, as Jesus watched the boy and as he went away, might come in His mind... Why didn't that boy do that? Was because he wasn't conscious Who that was. May I say this, not sacrilegious, may I say this, not because it's this meeting, or any meeting, but I think that's what's the matter today. People are not conscious of it. They see the Scripture exactly identified. But they're not conscious of Who it is. E-30 I don't think the boy really realized. He'd been raised up among this Pharisee, which was a--a great ruler, prince, or--or religious man. And he'd been raised up with him, and--and--and just took his side of religion. And the Pharisee had--had laughed at Jesus, and made fun of Him, or something they did, as they--in that day. And he just throwed it off. That wasn't nothing but just an ordinary message he had to deliver. He just set there. And he was in His Presence, and that was all it was to him; it didn't mean nothing to him. But if he'd been conscious, that boy could rise up from the dead today, and set in this meeting this week, he'd have done something about it. He'd have a testimony that would've shook us all. But he wasn't conscious.
E-31 Now, in the scene here there's something wrong. There just isn't... It isn't right, as Jesus watched that boy go away tired and weary, but the whole setting, there's something wrong. Them Pharisees hated Jesus. And why would they invite Him for a guest of honor when they hated Him? That Pharisee had a (as the old gamblers' expression), he had a--something up his sleeve. He had a trick card in his sleeve, 'cause they hated Jesus. And I believe Jesus realized that, right then. E-32 Now, you take people, like you take young people, young teenage children, they don't like to be around with the old folks, because they--they have things in common. The young married couples, they have things in common. The old people, they don't want to be around the kids so much. They--they got things in common. When you see a little girl hanging with grandma all the time, now there's--there's something wrong there. There's too much difference in their age. She's either grandma's pet, or grandma's got a sack of candy somewhere. See? There's--there's--there's a trick somewhere. And I got a grandchild myself, and I know. There's a little trick somewhere. See? And you see her hanging around grandma, grandma's got a--a sack of candy or something.
E-33 So this Pharisee had something up his sleeve. It all happened at a ministerial meeting where they'd gathered together. And the subject was discussed about this Fellow Who called Himself a prophet. And they didn't believe He was a prophet, because they couldn't see a man that wouldn't go along with them, in all their doctrine, that could be a prophet. And so, in this ministerial meeting, they had decided that He wasn't a prophet.
E-34 So we find out that he said, "I'll make a dinner, and I'll invite everybody, and get everybody in the city around. And then we'll prove that he's not no prophet. We'll prove it."
E-35 Now, we find out that the courier returns back and tells his master, "I found him. He promised. And he'll be here, because I just tell the way he acted. He--He'll be here." All right.
E-36 Finally the time come was when the feast was going to be carried on, and he invited everybody to come that he could, to come up, all the celebrity, and all the associations, and so forth, and all the clubs that was in the city that he belonged to. They was all coming out to his great fine palace. It set out high. It stood out as an estate there in the city. And the time arrived for this to be done. 'Course the yard was all taken care of, and the tables were all set, and the banquet room ready. E-37 Then... Let's just look what had--what they had to do for a while. I've been in the orients, and maybe many of you have, and watched how they do it. It's--it's really striking. And you notice, then when everything's taken care of, then when they come in the door, the first thing, the--the keeper of the door asks who they are. And they tell who they are. He looks on his list, and here's the name. Then he checks it. Then what he does, he takes his staff, sets it in the corner. The--the boys take the horses if he's walking--or if he's on the horse, and puts it in the stable.
E-38 Now the next thing he does, he enters into a hall. And in here there's a bunch of--of men what's called the feet-washers, the flunkies. It's the lowest paid job there is, is a foot-wash flunky. E-39 I was up at a big museum not long ago and looking at some of the estimation of a man that weighed a hundred and fifty pounds, how much chemicals there was in his body. You know how much there is when he's all rendered up? He's worth eighty-four cents. Then you'll put a ten dollar hat on a eighty-four cents, and a five hundred dollar mink coat, and turn your nose up. If it rained it would drown you. And then go along taking care of that eight-four cents (Right.) thinking you're somebody. And you don't give a care, or you act like it, about that soul that's worth ten million worlds. The difference, or rashal, how we can get...
E-40 Now, this foot-wash flunky, he had to wash their feet. Now in the--when you travel in Palestine, the Palestinian garment is a robe. It hangs low. And then the underneath garment just comes to about the calf of the leg here, for the underneath garment. And as they... The animals and the men travel the same trail, the animals, of course, going along the trail, and--and as they travel the same trail. And--and the dust would come up from where the animals had been, and there was a stink in the dust. And it got on their feet when they were perspiring. And their feet was shod with sandals. And that would get all full of perspiration, and--and be wet, sticky.
E-41 So they had a way of taking care of that; they had a foot-wash flunky, and he stayed there. And as soon as you come in and your name was registered, the boys taken the horses, or your animals, and taken them back to feed them (one group of boys). And then the doorkeeper recognized you by the chart that he had in his hand. And then you're ready for the foot-wash flunky. E-42 And then the next thing takes place, there's a man standing there with a towel over his shoulder, and he's got some ointment in his hand. And that's a perfumed oil. Now, the direct rays of that Palestinian sun upon your neck, it just blisters you. And another thing, that dust that picks up sometimes gets into their beard and in their hair. And this man stands here, then with ointment, and he holds it out in this little pan. You get it on your hands and rub it in your face, and over your neck. And then you take this towel and wipe it off, and groom your hair. E-43 Now sometimes... This is very rare, 'cause it really gives a--a wonderful odor. They get it many times from way high in the mountains on a wild rose bush. You seen a rose after the petal drops off. Then it gets a little--a little apple, like, on it. And out of there they crush it and get this perfume. It's said that the queen of Sheba, when she come to Solomon, brought much of this fine perfume of that, and give it to Solomon. Very rare. It's so hard to get into the mountains.
E-44 And then, when they wipe this, their beard and across their necks, and with this towel groom themselves, now they're ready to--to meet the host--to meet the one that invited them. See, they wouldn't feel right to go in with all that dirt. That's why feet washing. See? They--they--they was smelling bad, and they had to have their feet washed. And with their big old heavy sandals on them fine rugs, they wouldn't feel right. They'd feel embarrassed. But now his feet's washed, and now he's all groomed. He smells with the perfume that's on him from this ointment--what they call anointing their heads with oil--and rubbing it on their face, then wiping it with a towel. Now, he's freshed up.
E-45 Then the host meets him at the door. And they have a very odd way, and it's still in some of the churches--a greeting with a kiss. So they take a hand, cross this way, embrace one another (men) with--with their arms around each other, like this, and kiss each other on the neck. And when the host kisses you, you are welcome. That's the welcome kiss.
E-46 Now, you get all this done, and anointed, and all fixed up, you're kissed welcome. And then you go in, shake hands then at the banquet. You meet your friends. The host had done kissed you in, and so you're--you're free now. You just feel like you're one of them. You've been invited. You've been cleaned. You've been kissed welcome, and now you're one of them. Go in and have your fellowship.
E-47 Now, I'd imagine Pharisee and all of his friends was tipping the glass one to another, and taking a good healthy drink and of the very best wines there was in Palestine at the time. Because they were rich, they could afford it. And they... Everybody, the women, their fine jeweled women was over in the corner having their fellowship, setting around on divans and so forth, as the--a custom was in that day, and the men, all up having their toast, and talking, and the priest, and all the rabbis, and everything, having a great time. And the--the--the feast is getting pretty well on the way.
E-48 Now, let's look into the room and see what's going on. I can see Pharisee over there tipping his glass and saying, "Rabbi, you know what?" And the great conversation going on, the businessmen talking of their businesses, and everything. The bankets in--banquet's in full swing now, this great feast.
E-49 Could you imagine it? He was invited and He come. And there He is. He got in some way. And unnoticed, He sets over as a wallflower. He was just as much out of place there He is in some of our modern revivals, banquets, so-called religious gatherings. He was out of place. Nobody was paying any attention to Him. They were too busy with other things, although He was invited. But He wasn't welcome when He come.
E-50 Notice. He comes today to our callings too. He comes in our midst. I don't want to say this, but I--I must say it. And in our midst He's understood among us setting there, just as dirty to the people as He was then. That's exactly right: calling Him holy-rollers and everything else. And yet we cry for a revival. And He comes. And when He does come, we treat Him about like they did then.
E-51 We're too interested in our organization or our--our social standing. We're ashamed to be called by His Name. We're actually ashamed of Him. They was ashamed of Him because He was dirty. The guests didn't know Him. And they was ashamed of Him because He's dirty.
E-52 If He could pull some kind of a gimmick, or--or--or do some kind of a--a miracle... Like He did before Pilate... Pilate, his only opportunity he ever had, and he asked Him, wanted to see something done, wanted to... "Let's see some sign." He ought to have repented. That's what this cruel, hell-bound world ought to do tonight, is repent of their sins. That's what these church members ought to do; repent of their unbelief, stand up for Him. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. And He identifies Himself just like He did then. And the people today take the same attitude as that Pharisee took, same kind of an attitude: let Him set, after inviting Him. E-53 What if one of them would've raised up, and said, "That's Jesus of Nazareth. I believe He's a prophet of God"? You know the reason they didn't do it? Because they didn't believe He was a prophet, and they still don't today. They think He's an educator. They think He's a denomination. They don't know He's still a prophet. That's what they had Him down there for, in question. That's the same thing He's in question about today. Nobody's ready to take up for Him. They just say, "Well, I haven't got nothing to do with Him. See? I belong to church. There's my pastor, and all of them setting right here. I'm a good person." And Jesu with dirty feet, nobody cared. The very Bible...
E-54 Now we walk up and shake hands, put our name on the book. And the--the Methodists, if they don't want us, we'll take it over to the Baptist. They kick us out, we'll go to the Nazarenes. The oneness kick us out, we go to the twoness. The twoness kick us out, we go to the threeness. We don't have to put up with none of it, all starchy. That's just the same way we...
E-55 Could you imagine it? Could you imagine people who claim to love God, and have got so mixed up in their creeds, and their denominations and isms? Jesus said, "Your traditions... You've made the Word of God of no effect."
E-56 And today we leave Him with just as dirty name as He had then. Let them say things against it, and, "The days of miracles is past. There's no such a thing," when the Bible said, "He's the same yesterday, today, and forever." And we're still ashamed to stand out and say something about it. We're ashamed of our testimony, that we--we claim we believe.
E-57 We again let Him set like that, for the same reason. We don't believe He's a prophet. We're ashamed of It. Why? The same reason. We don't believe it. The people don't... No, sir. He can come and do whatever He wishes to. They're set in their ways. And there's no need of trying to fool with them. And, you know, the Bible said they'd be that way? Exactly. The Bible said they'd be that way, lukewarm, form of godliness, and have no power thereof. See? That's right.
E-58 But you know, to hurry with our story, let's change the scene tonight. Let's turn our cameras another way, way down in the alley, a little old dirty alley, way up in the top, of a little old room that was barred with a bar. The door comes open, and a woman steps out. Well, she wasn't very well-liked among the people. She was a sinner, and she made her living in the wrong way. So she strolls out down the little old creaking steps. She gets into the alley, and she goes down all along the garbage cans, and goes out on the street.
E-59 So she moseys down the street, and as she begins to walk, she says, "Well, I'll just have to wait till that's over. And she made her living in a bad way, so she's walking down the street. And after while her little old hungry stomach smelled that roasted lamb. She thought, "My, that smells good. I never had anything like that to eat in my life." Maybe been turned out on the street when--by some parents.
E-60 She's hungry. She smelled that. She said, "My, it smells good. I wonder really how a piece of roasted lamb would really taste in a human's mouth. I--I don't know how It would be. I believe I'll just walk up."
E-61 And she begin to look through the crowd, like that, and her eyes fell upon Him. "Who's that? He's got dirty feet. I wonder Who that... Wonder if somebody would tell me? Say, will you..." Turns away real quick, want nothing to do with her. She's a sinner. So asks somebody else, finally, maybe a little lady that was believing and looking the same way. Said, "Madam, would... Pardon me. But would you... Who is that setting there? How did He... that person..."
E-62 She had a opportunity presented to her. She remembered a story that someone told her. Another woman of her trade, one time up in--in Samaria, in the city of Sychar, had been forgiven of every sin. And she realized that that might be an opportunity for her.
E-63 She said, "I... Is that enough to buy some anointing oil? Let's see if it is. There's twenty pieces of Roman Denarii. Perhaps that's enough. But wait. I can't do that. He's a prophet, and He'll know where I got that money. He'll know how I got it. I just can't do it." So, she, perhaps, laid it back again.
E-64 Now, she has no invitation. But how's she going to get in? But somehow, if you want to do a service for Jesus, He'll make a way for you to get in. E-65 And it might be yours too. Looked down, and her heart begin to swell up. She--she knowed she was in His Presence. There's something happens when you get in His Presence. She noticed the tears begin to fall off of her cheeks, and she was standing there shaking with this box in her hand. And--and she fell down at His feet. And she thought, "I can't look up. I'm so guilty and dirty, I can't look up." So she started crying; they begin to fall upon His feet. And she begin to wash them, like that, with her hands, wipe--trying to wipe the tears off of His feet--and washing His feet with her tears.
E-66 And after while... She didn't have no towel to--to wipe His feet with. So, her hair was hanging down, and she begin to--to wipe His feet with the hair that was on her head. Wouldn't our sisters have a time doing that today? They'd have to stand on their head to do it (See? Sure. That's right.), our sisters today.
E-67 And remember, it was a woman that broke one commandment of God, that caused all this to do that. Do you think one breaking one will get back in? Think of it. Maybe sometimes ministers hasn't got nerve enough to tell you. This is one time you're going to hear it. It's the truth.
E-68 There she was. With her hair she begin to wipe His feet with it, and dry His feet off. She was scared to death. And after while she picked up this bottle of ointment, and she broke it. And she tried to hit it and break it, and pour it on His feet. And she was crying. And every time she'd cry, she'd reach down and kiss His feet. She got hysterically.
E-69 She'd went [Brother Branham makes a sound of repeated kissing--Ed.], kiss His feet and cry, and wash, and wipe, and kiss His feet again. You know, Jesus, if He'd have moved one foot, she'd have jumped up and run out of there. But you know, He just set and let her do it.
E-70 Now let your hair grow out. Now, see, it expresses what you believe or not. That's God Word. There's no Scripture in the Bible but what that's the truth. Why do you do it? Now, notice. Too much Hollywood in Pentecost, that's what's the matter. Now, we find out... That's the truth; it's just too much Hollywood. You watch these things and pattern yourself.
E-71 You just want to. I'll tell you why. Let me tell you, sisters... [Audience applauds--Ed.] Thank you. One of these days you're going to have to answer for committing adultery. You say, "Well, Brother Branham, I'm just as pure to my husband as I can be."
E-72 And we notice that here was this little woman kissing His feet, and washing His feet, and wiping with her hairs of her head. And all at once old Pharisee, over there in the corner, he happened to notice it. Oh, my. His righteous indignation rose, and his--his big chin swelled out, and his face looked like it would burst. Oh, my.
E-73 See if He is a prophet, or not. See, He perceived the thoughts that was in his heart. And all at once He moved. And the little woman raised to look up, her eyes glaring. He looked over, He said, "Simon," He said. "I--I--I got something to say to you. (Oh, my. Here you are, Simon.) I got something to say to you. You invited Me here. I come on your invitation. You invited Me. And when I come to the door, you never washed My feet. And when I come in, you never anointed My head. You let Me come in dirty. And you never kissed Me welcome, though you invited Me. E-74 Notice. Simon didn't give Him anything to wash His feet with, but He had the best water that there could be. Just think. The tears of a repented sinner, washing the dirt off of Jesus' feet: tears of a sinner's eyes washing the dirt from His feet. Oh, men and women tonight, when you see the reproach upon the Gospel, and we're so starchy it would take all the makeup off of our face if we cried a tear, and we'd look horrible when we get on the street. What are you going to be when you face the portals of heaven yonder?
E-75 And there she was. She'd washed His feet, kissed His feet, and was anointing Him, and doing everything that she could, because she wanted forgiveness. And all of a sudden she--she wondered what He was going to do now. He had showed Simon, and it backfired on him. The thing that he said He wasn't a prophet, was proved that He was a prophet, that He was the Word of God.
E-76 Now He turns to her. Her little old heart begin to beat real fast. Now, what's He going to say? There she is. All of her pretty curls was hanging all down over her waist here, and her--her eyes were streaking with tears, and her face and lips were all greasy where she'd been kissing His feet after she'd put that oil on Him. She sure looks messed up, with them great big eyes looking to see what's going to say. He said, "And I say unto her, all her sins which were many are forgiven her." That's it. "All her sins are forgiven her."
E-77 Now, friend, there may be people setting here that can't agree that He's the prophet. You might not agree that He's the Healer. But there's one thing that every church member should agree: He's the Saviour.
E-78 And finally they went up in the attic. They had a--remembered they had an old trunk up there. They got in there, and begin to say, "Well, this belonged to my mama," and "This was my mama's," like that. And they got down in the trunk apiece, both of them kneeling on the floor with the trunk laid open, dividing up what was what, and they couldn't agree.
E-79 You might've disagreed with me this week, to see the Holy Spirit come in, confirm these words, and things to it. You might disagree with that. You might disagree with the sick being healed. But we do have one thing in common; that's the Blood of Jesus Christ that saves us from sins. Will you wash the dirt from His feet tonight?
E-80 Now, heavenly Father, there were many, many hands that went up here just now. And we see that the Name of Jesus Christ has been stomped into the dirt. And everything in heaven's named that. Everything on earth is named that. Every--every church member, every member of the body of Christ is Mrs. Jesus. And we pray, heavenly Father, that we'll see and understand that tonight. And may Your grace come upon these people now, and forgive every sin, that they know that in Your Presence now, and know that You are here.
E-81 And while we have our heads bowed, I wonder tonight... Now, I'm talking to sinners, and to church members, and to backsliders, and to those who have not the Holy Ghost. I'm talking to you. Why didn't Pharisee accept Him?
E-82 Would you like to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If you would, I'm going to ask you to do something. I want you to come up here, right here where I am now. Come right down here and stand right at this pit, right here by me. Every person in here, every unsaved person first, will you walk up here and stand here just a minute? If you believe that He hears prayer, will you come here, stand here just a minute now, while we sing one verse of a song? What Is that? "Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling." All right with our heads bowed, everybody praying, come right up here and stand here, right down here in this pit here.
Softly and tenderly Jesus... (Come, will you, friends, anywhere you are?)Calling for you and...
Jesu in this last days just before His appearing in physical form now, setting with dirty feet, are you willing to come take your stand to take the reproach off of His Name?
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Come home...
Won't... Get out quickly, now. Make up your mind. Come right on now. We got plenty of time. Tomorrow's Sunday. Sunday school don't start till nine-thirty. Come on now.
... are weary, come home;Earnestly, tenderly... (Do you realize Jesus is here?)Calling, O sinner, come home!
Come home...
That's right. Come on out of the balcony. We'll wait for you. Come right on up, each one now and take your place right down here, now just... This is--means your life.What happens? Look at the earthquakes all over the earth, shaking the earth again. Look what's happening everywhere. The time is at hand. And look, the door will be closed after while, and you'll cry to get in and can't.
E-83 I talked to a young woman some time ago. I was holding a meeting in a Baptist church, and I asked her that night to come to Christ. And she wouldn't do it. And then afterwards, she met me outside and said, "Don't you never embarrass me like that again." A year later I passed through the street... She was a honorable young girl. And I passed through the street, her underneath skirts hanging down, smoking a cigarette, going down the street. She was a deacon's daughter. And I said, "Hello, there, aren't..."
Come home, come home,
Turn Him away, and that's what happens. You remember, you'll just turn Him the last time.
... come home;
Earnestly...
He keeps all of His appointments. You've got one with Him. You're going to meet Him at the judgment or meet Him here.
Calling, O sinner, come home!
E-84 You know, I'm so surprised. My heart feels real funny. I thought today, when I was praying... Had another message I was going to speak on. He told me to do that. He told me to say that. I thought every bobbed-haired woman would be standing here at that altar call. See, you just get so hard and so far away. See? You pass that line between that surging (See?), not hearing the Word of God. I thought surely it would happen. But I guess maybe it's later than I really think.
E-85 I cross America constantly, and every year I cross it, it gets worse and worse. So I know there's something wrong. The day of grace is passing by. Don't let that happen to you here in Tampa. You're here in a great, big, fabulous city where everything's full of glamor, just like Hollywood.
E-86 No. And just look at your own life, and the way you do. Not because you belong to church: "I belong to Methodist, Baptist, Pres... I..." That's all right. I ain't saying nothing against that. But I'm asking you, do you know Christ Jesus? Is He living in you? If He does, He'll identify Himself there. If He's there He's bound to let Himself be known. You can't hide Him, He stands out.
E-87 And women, shame on you. Men, shame on you for letting her do it. You men out here, doing those things. And some of you ministers, with that almighty dollar, instead of almighty God's Word, let that congregation get in that kind of a shape, just because some organization...
E-88 Are you conscious that this is your opportunity? Are you going to do like that courier did, pass up your last opportunity? Are you going to do that? Don't you do it. If there's a doubt anywhere, or something wrong, take your place right down here. Take your place. This is your place.
E-89 Jesus keeps every appointment, every commandment you have to answer for. So you better come now if you haven't got the Holy Ghost. He commanded you to. He said in the book of Acts, Peter did, said, "Repent, every one of you, and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to them that's far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." And as long as He's still calling, He's still giving the Holy Ghost.
E-90 Jesus stood up over Jerusalem one time, said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft would I have hovered you as a hen does her brood. But you would not." And a lot of times when I come up amongst... As I told you this morning in the breakfast. You fine Pentecostal people, and all kinds of people, when I come among you, the Holy Spirit down in me is saying, "How oft would I have gathered them. How the church would been standing today, in its power. But you would not." See? You would not.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me,
See on the portals He's waiting and watching.
Watching for you and for...
What if Pharisee could hear that altar call tonight, setting back there? What would he do?
Come home, come home,
He sinned his away--day away. Will you do the same thing? What if that courier boy could stand before Him again? What would be first thing?
... home;Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling...
Come home, come home, (O God.)... who are weary, come...
Do these signs worry you in the earth today, knowing? Or have you passed that place? Is there still a tender spot in there? If there is, come. Let Him come in, take it over right there. He'll make you a new creature. You'll go away from here the happiest person you ever was.
Calling, O sinner, come home!
E-91 With our heads bowed now, let's hum it. [Brother Branham begins humming--Ed.] Won't you come home now? God bless you, young man.
Ye who are weary, come home, (O backslider, come home.)Earnestly, tenderly...
Are you concerned? If you're convinced, then you're concerned. But if you're not convinced yet that it's Jesus, then you can't be concerned.
... come home!
Now, right here in public, you can't speak much about it, and when you've come to make a confession.Some time ago I heard a little story. I want you to listen close now. There was a man named Danny Martin. He crossed the nation here, many great revivals. They claim that he had a dream one night, that he died. And he--he started into heaven; he was met at the gate. He said, "Who approaches?" And he said, "This is Danny Martin." He said, "I'm a evangelist." The--the man at the gate said, "Let's see if your name's here on the book." Said, "It isn't." He said, "Well, I was a minister." Said, "I can't help what you were. If your name's not on here, you can't enter this door. It's latched tight unless your name's in...?... You have to have your name on the book." And he said, "Well, what can I do?" He said, "You might appeal your case, if you want to, to God's white throne judgment." Oh, brother, sister, don't never want to go there. So he said, "I guess I have no other alternative but to appeal my case." So he said, finally started going somewhere, didn't know where he was at.
E-92 (This is the man's dream.) And he said, "I would come into a Light. There's no certain place it was coming forth. But I got slower, and after while I stopped. I heard a voice, said 'Who approaches My throne of judgment--justice?'"
E-93 Wait till you get in the Presence of that Light. You think you're all right now, but just wait till you get there. Try to approach one time with bobbed hair, smoking cigarettes. Just try it one time. See? You think I'm just saying that? I'll prove it to you out of the Scripture here. It's exactly right. Try wearing a pair of slacks, shorts. Find out where you're at, when the Bible says it's an abomination in the sight of God. Try it one time. See? Where's your conscience at?
E-94 Lord Jesus, I pray that You'll be merciful now and grant the forgiveness of these people's sins. They've come here to make a stand. They each want to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Grant that it'll be given to them. I claim them, Lord, for Your glory, while they stand before this audience as a witness.
E-95 Now, I'm going to ask you one thing. Where you won't be out here before the public, we've got rooms provided right back here. If you'd like to repent I want you to go back, 'fore you go back there with them. Come right up the step like this and go right through here. Will you do that for me now? Come right through here. We got places made right in here for you, friends. Come right up this way...?... God bless you every one.
E-96 The Lord bless. Look like every one of them going. I believe they're really deeply sincere. I believe this will be the greatest night we've seen in Tampa in a long time. Won't somebody else come forward now? There's personal workers back there, with tags on them, going in with them. We're going in there just in a few minutes to be right with them there, they'll... on the inside of the door now. You brethren, get right there to meet them as they go in to separate them into the rooms. We'll be right with you just in a minute.
E-97 Would you let Jesus set in this day? You say, "If I'd have been back there, if I'd have seen Him like that, I wouldn't have done that." What about it right now? Your own present attitude identifies what you'd have done then. See? The attitude you take now, you feel like that you're well enough? All right. That's between you and God. I'm not no judge. I'm just responsible for the Word. See? He's here in the meeting. They come out of churches too. But they're going in to settle it right now. That's all of it. They're ready.
E-98 God bless them. Is there someone else will come, while we sing lowly now?
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling, O sinner, come home!
Come home (...?...), come home,Ye who are weary, come home;Now, earnestly...
The Holy Spirit just seems be in my heart just crying out. I know there's so many missing it.
Calling, O sinner, come home!
From the balcony, from everywhere, remember I offer to you Jesus Christ. Will you receive Him? Will you receive Him? Will you, my sister, will you, my brother, come and make your--renew your vows tonight, and make a pledge that you will serve Him?
E-99 And you know that I wouldn't be standing here speaking to you, if I didn't know...?... Somebody's getting their final call. Now, it's embarrassing to pull people out that's not received. We realize that. But it's--it's a shame; it's--it's pitiful, but I guess it has to be that way. Inside of me, it's just something tearing me up.
E-100 Here sets an old woman there setting right here at the end. She just come into this country today. She come from Georgia. She's got a great big tumor on the inside of her, very bad off. If she'll believe, she can be healed. She just come in; her name is Mrs. Turner. If you believe with all your heart now, Jesus Christ will make you well. Do you believe it?
E-101 Now, the same Holy Spirit that's saying that, it's just pumping against the people right here. See? See, He's identified, folks. Don't--don't do that. Don't 'cause you're--you're making a rashal mistake. I love you. Remember, you come to hear. I appreciate that. Love is corrective. You see your kid out here in the street, would you say, just say, "Junior, you oughtn't to do that." He'll go out, and make him stay in, if you love him. Love is corrective, not patting you. I have to scold you. Remember, it's even your offerings, and things, that pays for this meeting, and makes it possible for to be here.
E-102 Don't make that mistake. Don't you trust in speaking in tongues for the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost speaks in tongues. But don't you trust that and doing the things you're doing, dancing in the Spirit, some kind of a sensation. Christ is a Person. Certainly...?... And He's the Word. And if He's in there, He always makes His Word work just exactly the way It's supposed to. When you turn it down, how could it be Christ?
Come home, come... (The door is still open. Remember, at the judgment I am not guilty.)Ye who are weary...
Jesus Christ identified among you, proving that that same Spirit... He said, "In the days when the Son of man will be revealed..." He's the same yesterday... The very same Jesus that set with dirty feet. Would He back up a hypocrite? Would He back up somebody that didn't know His Word? That's the identification that it does know the Word. I'm telling you truth. Don't pass it.
E-103
Come home...
The last time... Standing here ready to meet you. The rooms are...?... in there. People have knelt everywhere.
Ye who are weary, come home...
God have mercy, have mercy. Can't you feel that grieving?
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;Calling, O sinner, come home!
Come home, come home; (God bless you, young man. Great stand for the...?...)... come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;
Calling, O...
What is a sinner? Not them who smoke. Smoking's not a sin; drinking's not a sin. Cursing is not a sin. Committing adultery's not a sin. No, no. That's attributes of unbelief. You do that because you're not a believer. There's only two: one, you are a believer, or you're not a believer. If you're not a believer, no matter how religious you are, you're still a sinner.You're still a sinner, if you don't accept every Word of that Bible, every Word of it. For both heavens and earth will pass away, but not one jot or one tittle will pass from that. And we'll give an account for it. You say, "Well, I belong to church. My people don't..." That don't matter. "I do this." I don't care what you've done. You're either a believer or a sinner. That's pretty strong. But I'm just saying this because the same One that knows the hearts of you, is telling me to say it. Are you finished? I see a few more coming. I'm just waiting, 'cause I don't know if... There might be somebody else. Just one moment. E-104 Why don't you come get in while the water's troubled now? Be a great thing just in a few minutes, back here. Come, won't you? Raise up from there; make your vow to God. "Lord God, forgive me for what I've done. I promise You. I said I was a Christian. But, Lord, there's something in me tells me I--I--I'm condemned right now in the Presence of this One that's identifying Himself as the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm condemned right in my own heart, and knowing that in You're making this so plain. I'm condemned. I'm going in to make this right, right now. I'll pledge God right here, that from this night on, I'll absolutely live for Him." Won't you do that? All right.
E-105 While... If that's all, now let's stand up, you out there, just a minute. I wished I could sing. I'd like to sing that song.
Forgive me, Lord, and try me one more time.
I'll be Yours, dear Lord, if You'll be mine.
If I fall, or if I fail, let me rise and try again.
Forgive me, Lord, and try me one more time.
How many out here now is a Christians, and believe that you're anchored in Christ, and you're ready for the coming judgment? And you'll be able, that when the trumpet sounds, there won't be one thing to do but be caught away? It'll be done so quick, you won't have time to do nothing else. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, what will it be one of these days? What if you've missed it? It's forever, for eternity, forever, ever, ever. What will this little time of worldly pleasure mean? Nothing.
E-106 Now, I think we all ought to dedicate our lives right here to Christ, don't you think so? How many'd like to rededicate your lives upon this tonight? I'll rededicate myself, right now.
E-107 Lord Jesus, I--I--I... Your Presence was so great just a few moments ago, that I could hardly even catch my breath. Seemed like that I was going to leave. And I know that there's some reason that You want this done this way. I--I don't understand it, but You do, Lord. You're God. But You've clearly identified Yourself. You're here. We believe You. We know You're here. | ||||||