Study 29 – Manifesting God’s Glory As You Go II
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” —Mark 16:15
Introduction
Will you carry the presence and glory of God everywhere you go, manifesting His works? In this final study, we will see how to step up to another level of passion and boldness that will compel us, through the love of Christ, to go out and win souls for Jesus, disciple believers, and be witnesses who manifest God’s glory through miracles, healings, and other marvels. People of every race, culture, and socioeconomic status are being transformed into vessels that manifest His glory. Jesus said that signs would follow believers, and you are no exception! Allow God to manifest His presence in your life, to His honour and glory.
Study Questions (Continued from last week…)
Part IV: Steps to Manifest the Glory of God Today
- The first step to manifest the glory of God is to believe wholeheartedly. Recall what Jesus told Martha she would see if she believed. (John 11:40)
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- The second step is to make yourself available to God for the purposes of His glory. Recall what Isaiah replied when God asked, “Who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8b)
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- The third step is to commit to go and manifest the glory of God.
(a) What commission did Jesus give to His disciples just before He ascended to heaven? (Mark 16:15)
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(b) In what places did Jesus say His disciples would be witnesses to Him? (Acts 1:8)
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KEY DEFINITION: The word “go” in the phrase “Go into all the world” (Mark 16:15) is translated from the Greek word poreuomai, which means “to go on one’s way, to proceed from one place to another”; it “is more distinctly used to indicate procedure or course.”
- In what manner did the apostles begin to fulfil Jesus’ commission as they gave witness to His resurrection in Jerusalem? (Acts 4:33a)
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- Jesus’ followers preached the gospel in Jerusalem, where the church had been established. However, what did it take for many of them to move on to the regions of Judea and Samaria? (Acts 8:1)
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- (a) In what way did Philip expand the ministry of the gospel in fulfilment of Christ’s statement about where His followers would be witnesses to Him? (Acts 8:5)
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(b) How did he continue to expand the reach of the gospel? (Verse 40b)
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- (a) Whom did the Lord call to preach the gospel primarily to the Gentiles? (Acts 9:11, 15; 26:14b, 17)
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(b) To what peoples did this man preach the gospel in fulfilment of Jesus’ commission? (Acts 26:20a)
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You will experience the power and the glory of God only as you go.
REFLECTIONS ON “GOING INTO ALL THE WORLD”
The Greek word translated “world” in Mark 16:15 is kosmos, which means “orderly arrangement” or “world.” In its immediate sense there, it apparently refers to the physical earth as the scene of human habitation, since Mark used a present participle, “as you are going about into the world.” Yet, in another sense, the word kosmos can denote “‘the present condition of human affairs,’ in alienation from and opposition to God.” I consider that sense of kosmos (cosmos) to be the social order that is organized or structured in the world in which we live, and is designed to work against the system, government, or kingdom of God, because Satan is the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31). What are the systems of this world? The major systems are: political, judicial, artistic (theatre, movies, music, and other entertainment), economic/financial, educational, communicational, medical, and religious. Even though there are believers working in each of these areas, these systems are generally controlled by Satan and his human agents— people who serve him (knowingly or unknowingly) in maintaining the systems. We can “go” with God’s power, kingdom, and presence to remove the demonic powers that control these systems, so that people will come to know Christ and so that those who belong to the kingdom of God can influence these areas.
Part V: Demonstrate the Supernatural as You “Go”
- As we go to those who do not know Christ, what are we to do in addition to sharing the message of the gospel with them? (Matthew 10:8)
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- (a) Whom can we rely on to work with us as we preach the gospel, as was the case with the early Christians? (Mark 16:20)
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(b) Recall what God will use to confirm His word. (Verse 20b)
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- What did Paul ask the Thessalonians to pray on behalf of him and his ministry team, which we should also pray as we minister the gospel? Complete the following: 2 Thessalonians 3:1: “Pray for us, _________ _______ __________ ____ _______ _____________ _________ _________ _________________ ________ ______ ____________________, just as it is with you.”
The only movement able to generate transformation in society is the outpouring of the glory of God.
Conclusion
When you spend time in God’s presence and glory, you discover the true purpose for which you were created, and there is nothing more satisfying than that—your life finally makes sense. You live each day passionately, as you see the supernatural power of God flow through your lips and hands. Most of the time, Jesus demonstrated before He taught. The supernatural demonstration makes people’s hearts receptive to believe and receive the Word. You can join the “new wine” generation of men and women whom God is raising up to demonstrate His glory, whose mission is to impact cities, nations, and continents. You can become an instrument that God will use in releasing the greatest flow of miracles the world has ever seen and to gather the final harvest of souls.
Each chapter in the book of Acts was written for you to receive knowledge and revelation, impartation and activation, so that you could immediately go and do the same. The moment you learn something, you become responsible before God to practice it. If you merely convert it to head knowledge, you will become one more religious person who knows truth but does not live it. Therefore, before this happens, or even if it has already happened, I challenge you to make the decision to go to your “world”— your home, office, business, and city—and testify of Jesus. I assure you that the glory of God will manifest with unquestionable signs, because this is the time for the manifestation of the glory in and through believers. The signs follow those who go and obey, according to the Word of God. Become God’s instrument as a carrier of His presence and manifest His glory as you go!
Prayer of Activation
Father of glory, we will make known in the world Your mighty acts and the glorious majesty of Your kingdom. Empower us to go to others in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that the people who come to faith in Jesus can build their faith on Your power and not on man’s wisdom. People all over the world need to know that You are real, and they need Your Presence in their lives so they may be transformed spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Someone must go to them with Your presence and glory. Here we are, Lord— send us! In the name of Jesus, amen.
Action Steps
- If you have never received Christ as your Savior and Lord, take the opportunity to do so right now. Only if you have a relationship with the heavenly Father will you be able to reflect His glory and take that glory to the world. Repeat this prayer: Heavenly Father, I recognize that I am a sinner, and now I repent of all my sins. With my mouth I confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and I believe in my heart that the Father raised Him from the dead. In the name of Jesus, I am saved. Amen!
- As you go out to your “world,” tell others the gospel of Jesus Christ, asking God to confirm His Word through you with accompanying signs of healings and miracles. These things will take place when we forget about ourselves and become centred on others. When you wake up in the morning, ask God to place across your path someone in need—someone who is sick, depressed, or lost. Ask Him for boldness to manifest His presence so that person can see His glorious light and be saved and delivered.
