<TITLE>21. Par -</TITLE>L-31-5 He's lost, Christ is lost in the commercial crowd. The commercial crowd's saying, "We got to celebrate Christmas."
A lady said the other day, standing there, when wife and I was standing there, said, "I brought my dad a quart of whiskey."
Other one said, "I'm going to get... I'll tell you what I'm going to get dad: I'm going to get him some cards and some chips. We'll play strip poker (You see?) celebrate Christmas."
Others said, "I've got a carton of cigarettes for mom; what'd you get her?"
Oh, God, He's lost. They lost Him in Christmas. They lost Him in Easter, a bunny rabbit or a new hat, not the resurrection, not the birth of Christ. They lost Him in their creeds when they made three gods out of Him, chopped Him to pieces and made a idol, instead of knowing Who He is. "I and My Father are One." You lost Him.

L-32-3 He's lost in the religious crowd. How'd the religious crowd... He's lost to His church. In the Laodicean the last church--church age, it said He was on the outside of the church, knocking, trying to get in. The most pathetic sight in all the Bible is the condition of the church in the last days before He comes. Not another church age ever put Him out. They didn't know any difference. Now, when they really know the true power of the Holy Ghost, they kicked Him out of the place. On the outside knocking at the door, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." [Brother Branham knocks on pulpit--Ed.] Sure.

L-32-4 They lost Him in their commercial crowds. They lost Him in their religious crowds. That's right. They made creeds out of it. They made denominations out of it. They lost it. They took the--they took the ritual instead of the Bible. They took a bunch of man's ideas instead of what God said. They said, "Put your name on the book. Shake hands. That's all you have to do. Be baptized: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
The whole thing's false. That's right. There's where the church crowd lost Him. When they lost Him, why? Not in their church buildings, not in their what-you-call-its, their--their group of people, but they lost Him when they left the Word. "If that--if ye abide in Me and My Word in you, ask what you will; it'll be given to you. It'll be done for you, if ye abide in Me and My words abide in you," 'cause it's God made flesh again. See? "If ye abide in Me and My Word in you, then just ask what you will, it'll be done for you." That's it. But today they're not abiding; they're this day a Methodist, tomorrow a Baptist, next day a Presbyterian; ain't got nowhere yet. "If My Word abide in you..." And the Word was made flesh and dwelled among us. Hallelujah. Brother Neville, that's so true, the Word made in your flesh, speaking through you.

L-33-1 The Pentecostals lost Him. Oh, yes. They had Him a few years ago, but they lost Him. How'd they do it? By seeing who could build the biggest building, who could have the biggest church, the best trained choir.
If there's anything I don't like, is an over-trained voice, that'll stand up and sing like they got the colic, that [Brother Branham illustrates--Ed.] hold their breath till they're black in the face. They're not singing; they're just making a noise. But what I like is a good old fashion, heartfelt, Pentecostal, borned again person singing from their heart. If they can't carry a tune in a bucket, they still got the Spirit there; you can feel It tearing through you. Hallelujah. I like that--I love that aftereffects, the Holy Spirit blessing it, you know. I love that. That's just real to me. Yeah.


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