Study 28 – MANIFESTING GOD’S GLORY AS YOU GO!
“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 topic, 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
Part I: Called to Manifest God’s Glory
- What will God’s people make known to the “sons of men”? (Psalm 145:12)
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- What did Jesus say would be some characteristics of those who believe in Him and minister in His name? (Mark 16:17b–18)
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- By what means can we accomplish the will of the Lord, and by what means can’t we? (Zechariah 4:6b)
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Believers are common people used by a supernatural God to do uncommon things.
Part II: A Glorious Church
- How did Paul describe the church that Jesus will come for when He returns—the church He died for to sanctify and cleanse? (Ephesians 5:27)
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REFLECTIONS ON CHRIST’S “GLORIOUS” CHURCH
The word “glorious” in reference to the church in Ephesians 5:27 indicates the manifestation of every aspect of the essence of God. Let us remember that the Hebrew word for “glory,” kabowd, is used figuratively in the sense of “splendour,” “abundance,” “honour,” or “glory.” In the Old Testament, kabowd is used variously to describe an individual’s wealth, power or majesty, influential position, or great honour.
Someone glorious is honourable, illustrious, esteemed, wealthy, solvent, secure, of high reputation, and splendid. Accordingly, a glorious church is one that visibly demonstrates the power of God with miracles, signs, wonders, healings, and the casting out of demons. A glorious church manifests the holiness, character, and purity of its King; it manifests His wealth on earth. It shines with the light of Christ, testifying of Him wherever it goes and removing the darkness. This glorious church continually preaches, establishes, and expands the kingdom everywhere. It manifests the resurrection life of Jesus by doing creative miracles, by raising the dead, and by taking dominion in every area of society—politics, science, medicine, business, sports, education, religion, the arts, and more—by shining the light of Christ and dispelling the darkness of Satan.
The end-time movement of God will be a movement of the manifestations of the sons of God.
- (a) Although we undergo various types of pain and suffering in this world, what are these things not worthy to be compared with? (Romans 8:18)
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(b) For what does the creation wait with eager and earnest expectation? (Verse 19)
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- Recall the effect that persecutions and trials “work” for us. (2 Corinthians 4:17b)
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- No matter what we undergo, what are we through Christ and His love? (Romans 8:37)
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The believer who wants to be a vessel chosen to carry the glory of God must cross over the lines of comfort, convenience, and natural reason.
Part III: Demonstrating the Kingdom, Power, and Glory
- (a) What did Jesus say belongs to God the Father? (Matthew 6:13b)
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(b) Recall what we are to pray to God regarding His kingdom. (Verse 10)
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REFLECTIONS ON THE KINGDOM, POWER, AND GLORY
Each of these aspects is distinct: The kingdom is the message of heaven. The power is the ability of heaven. And the glory is the atmosphere or environment of heaven. Jesus powerfully demonstrated the message of the gospel He carried and brought the environment of heaven to earth. We are called to do the same. The main reason believers who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and with fire attend church is to receive knowledge, revelation, activation, and the fire of His glory to take it “all” out there. If the kingdom is not being manifested in the streets, and if the knowledge of the glory is not filling the earth, it is because many believers are not doing anything with what they have received.
- In what two distinct actions was Jesus continually engaged while He ministered on earth? (Acts 1:1b)
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- What reason did Nicodemus give for his conclusion that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God? (John 3:2b)
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New Testament believers should teach, demonstrate, and flow in the supernatural.
- In what manner did Jesus say the kingdom of God had been advancing since the days of John the Baptist? (Matthew 11:12 NIV)
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- (a) In what way did Paul communicate the gospel message to the Corinthians? (1 Corinthians 2:4b)
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(b) In what way was his message not communicated? (Verse 4a)
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(c) What was Paul’s aim in communicating the gospel in the manner he did? (Verse 5)
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The supernatural was designed to be first experienced and then understood.
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.
