Manifestations of God


God is invisible and it is understandable that He manifests Himself to us so we are NOT easily deceived. In many ways, He has done so; including our consciences, using words and overt physical signs. Lack of these “manifestations” do not in any way invalidate the existence of God, but may suggest the absence of people that could be utilised to show forth the POWER of God. He is able to use anything when humans are unavailable. God is not unsure of Himself and does not show up in order to prove He is God, but so that we are helped to keep our trust in Him. This is particularly so for unbelievers, so they are able to put their faith in Him to the saving of their souls. Paul echoed to the Corinthian church that his message to the church at that time was not according to men’s wisdom, but the POWER of God, so that their faith will be in God and not men. We must thus crave the manifestations of God in order to get men to hold on to the substance of what we believe rather than on what we preach only.
 Texts: 1Cor 4:20
 Discussions:

1.                   In which way does God manifest Himself to people by His word? 1Sam 3:1,21; 9:27, 2Sam 7:4, Luke 5:5, Eph 6:19
2.                   How do gifts of the Holy Spirit manifest the presence of God? Mark 16:17, 1Cor 12:7-11
3.                   Can men invoke the power of God to the world? Isaiah 45:11, Dan 3:16-18, Acts 13:11
4.                   Where is the role of the church in proving the existence of God? Eph 2:10, 3:10, John 14:12 
Summary:
We (the church) are God’s workmanship, suggesting that we are tools in the hands of God. In many ways, the church has assumed the role of the carpenter and thus became stiff-necked to the use of the master. We have been struggling to use our intellects and caprices to convince the world rather than allow God to use us to CONVICT the world. If the world must change, it will be from the method God uses rather than ours.

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