Episode 196: The Family Altar Audio Devotional – Day 162

Episode Summary:

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:16-26)

34 When Judas fell, by transgression, by the love of money and the pride of life, he fell from grace and went to his place. And the disciples said, “There must be twelve.” And the church, with all of its dignity, to show you what the church is; with all of its dignity and all of its power, it’s still millions of miles short, at its very best. They said, “We’ve got to look out, one among us, who will take the place.” And they chose, by casting lots, Matthias. Mattheas, I believe, or Matthias. Matthias, I believe it is. And whenever they chose him and put him with the twelve, with the eleven, which made up the twelve, he did not do one thing. That’s the only time his name is ever mentioned in the Scriptures. That was the church making its choice.

35 Now, they thought, “He is a gentleman.” No doubt. “He’s a wonderful man. He’s a scholar. He’s smart. He’s educated. He’s a wonderful person. He would take the place of Judas and be one of us.”

36 But, you know, God sometimes makes some of the…to our opinion, some of the most foolish choices. Now, God seen a little hook-nosed Jew, just as full of temper as he could be, with his mouth setting sideways, “I’ll go down, arrest every one of them. I’ll—I’ll throw them in jail. I’ll do this.” That was God’s choice.

The rest of them taken a scholar and a diplomat. That’s the church’s choice.

37 See, you don’t know who that is at the altar. You don’t know who that is you’re testifying, in jail or wherever it is. It might look like a pugilist, his ears broke down, eyes skinned up, and, but you don’t know who that is. You just cast your lot, that’s all, give him the Word. God takes the choice.

38 And God choose this little high-tempered Jew, or chose him, rather. On his road down, “I’ll go down and get them. I’ll—I’ll show them what I can do like that,” and God just knocked him down.

God said, “That’s My choice, right there.”

39 Wouldn’t that be foolish, to the church? “Why, he persecutes the church. He’s a carnal man.” But God knowed what was on the inside of man. See what I mean?

57-0901M – “Hebrews, Chapter Three”
Rev. William Marrion Branham

Order your own copy of the Family Altar at http://store.bibleway.org