The Manifest Presence of Christ

Throughout the Bible fire is often used to represent God’s manifest presence!

The blessing came upon me suddenly, like a flash of lightning The blessing came upon me suddenly, like a flash of lightning. For months I had been hungering and thirsting for power in service. I had come to that point that I think I would have died if I had not got it. I remember I was walking the streets of New York. I had no more heart in the business I was about than if I had not belonged to this world at all. Right there, on the street, the fire of God seemed to come upon me so wonderfully that I asked God to stay [hold back] His hand. I was filled with a sense of God’s goodness, and I felt as though I could take the whole world to my heart. This happened years after I was converted. ~ Dwight Moody

The risen, ascended, glorified Christ appears on fire from head to toe! Revelation 1:12-13 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

Churches are the lampstands that contain God’s manifest presence! Revelation 1:20 And the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Presence and the manifestation of the Presence are not the same The Presence and the manifestation of the Presence are not the same. There can be one without the other. God is here when we are wholly unaware of it. He is manifest only when and as we are aware of His presence. ~ A.W. Tozer

How to Welcome Christ’s Manifest Presence into Your Life, Home, Job, Church

1. Consistently invite God’s manifest presence! Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

2. Cultivate God’s manifest presence in your daily life! 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (Passion NT) Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit. John 16:14 He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

4. Always give preference to God’s manifest presence! Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

“I Just Want to Be Where You Are” by Don Moen I just want to be where You are Dwelling daily in Your presence I don’t want to worship from afar Draw me near to where You are In Your dwelling place forever Take me to the place where You are I just want to be with You I want to be where You are Dwelling in Your presence Feasting at Your table Surrounded by Your glory In Your presence That’s where I always want to be I just want to be I just want to be with You

5. Embrace our church identity as a lampstand! Revelation 1:20 And the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Lord, fan into flame the fire of your manifest presence in my life and our church!