The Manifestation Of The Spirit

Summary Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The Father recently revealed that we had not discerned faith. Although He taught us many years ago that faith is the Holy Ghost for the sons of God; we had not fully discerned the operation of it. I want to be clear here: the Scriptures testify of Christ walking in a consistent fellowship and manifestation of the power of God that we have not seen in our generation. Yet, the Father taught us that, as he is, so are we in this world. These teachings placed Christ as the mark of perfection for every son of God; allowing us to discern that the very life that Christ manifested to the disciples, is now living within our mortal bodies.

It is our knowledge of this reality that concerned the leaders of this reformation. Our confidence in what God has taught us about oneness would not permit us to join the religious Church in ignoring that there were parts of Jesus’ fellowship and ministry that had not become a manifest reality among us. The Father raised us to be a ministry of integrity; therefore we do not ignore Scripture, neither gaps that set a variance between the sons and Christ. We carry such concerns to the throne of grace. We know that if in anything we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask our Father. He is always faithful to answer.

The Father has answered the petitions that were placed before Him. He promised to allow us to discern the faith of Jesus Christ. He promised to give revelation of how He and His Son operated as one. Our expectation was built on the fact that He taught us that it is our birthright to …know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Our Father is faithful, He has never failed us. He has kept His word to us, every year and in every conference: He blesses us with a fresh visitation and He feeds us fresh manna. Every word and promise of God is sure. God has visited the apostles and prophets of this reformation and once again poured out a completed revelation that we have not heard being taught in the Church. For

this we give Him praise.

Let’s begin by setting a standard here…The Father confronted us with a hard truth that has set a mark

before us. This mark is no new thing: it is the Mystery of God/Christ that we have preached for many years. However, He has drawn our attention to some details that sets a precedence for ministry in these latter days.

1 Timothy 3:16

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

God pointed to His plan to manifest in the flesh; thoroughly explaining the difference between dwelling or living in flesh undetected and manifesting. The term manifest means, “to make known or to reveal”. It is this truth that points to the mark for the ministry in these latter-days: God manifesting in flesh is to be

‘seen of angels’, and, ‘believed on in the world’ before the Church is, ‘received up into glory.’

Our message (Mystery of God), promotes that the same life that walked the earth many years ago is walking the earth today. However, it is our Faith (Holy Ghost), and the operation of it, that produces evidence of this truth that cannot be seen with the human eye. Consider the summary scripture in its context, which points to this reality:

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The Body of Christ is a multifaceted, many-membered-body, compacted with sons that are given diverse measures, gifts, administrations and operations of the same Spirit, Jesus Christ. It is the same God that lives in and works (manifests) through us all.

Therefore, the scripture sets a standard as it says, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. What does this mean? It simply means that every son is given grace to manifest the Spirit of Christ from within these mortal bodies. This is what makes us profitable at demonstrating

the fellowship with God that we preach. Consider the words of Jesus, as He says “…for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that

the Father hath sent me.” (John 5:36). Jesus was not declaring a fellowship with God that was not manifest in the works that He did.

For example:

John 10:24-25 24

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

Jesus was always able to point to the manifest presence of God in His life and ministry; to bear witness of His identity and oneness with the Father. His stand was very clear: If I do not the works

of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. – John 10:37. It was the holy life, and the power of God manifesting in Christ that testified that He truly was the son of the living God.

John the Baptist, who once testified of Him, also turned at some

point to question His identity. You will notice a consistency in our Lord’s response:

Luke 7:19-22

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto

many that were blind he gave sight.

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Jesus’ response to the disciples were sent by John to question Him was - “Go your way, and tell John what things ye

have seen and heard.” He is pointing to the works manifested in their presence, which testified of His oneness with God.

Jesus knew that the Scriptures were filled with the Father’s testimony of the works that He would do. Therefore, as the works aligned with the Scriptures, His testimony is established. This testimony could either be embraced or rejected, but it was manifest for all to see.

For an example, consider the testimony of Jesus Christ, firstly among the Pharisees (His enemy) and then the disciples (His friends). I believe that this should give a well-rounded view of the life that He manifested, as well as the testimony He obtained.

CHRIST’S TESTIMONY AMONG THE PHARISEES

John 3:1-2

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

The Pharisees knew that both the words and the miracles ministered by Christ was of God. Here we find Nicodemus saying, Rabbi, we know… speaking of himself and the rest of his religious sect. Although they were not given a revelation of oneness, it was manifest to them that God was with Christ.

CHRIST’S TESTIMONY AMONG THE DISCIPLES

Matthew 8:27

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

John 1:14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 1:1-2

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

The disciples beheld a glorious life, fellowship and manifestation of God in Christ. They knew that He was a different manner (kind) of man from them. They beheld the glory of what it meant to be begotten of God. They saw the eternal life of God, and what it meant to be one with Him as they beheld the life of Christ.

How does this pertain to us? Once again, this sets a mark for all sons. The Scriptures record, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. – James 1:18. This makes Jesus, …the firstborn among many brethren, as declared in Romans 8:29. Therefore, marking us to be a part of this same glorious eternal life and fellowship, of which Christ is the author and finisher.

There is something that Jesus said as He declared the ‘greater works’ ministry of the Church that seems to go altogether ignored, or simply unbelieved.

John 14:12-14

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Just as the Father declared the works of Jesus, He has also put on record our works, greater works to be exact. It was for this purpose that He prayed for oneness:

John 17:21-23

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus prayed that the Father would make us one with the eternal life of the Godhead that He lived in. It is this oneness that glorifies (reveals and proves) that the other sons that Jesus suffered, died and raised from the dead to produce are a manifest reality in this world.

Jesus knows that just as His identity would be put at question, so would the identity of the Church. He reveals a deeper truth: there were no words or works that He performed that would change those who are not His. However, He is confident that His sheep

will hear, know and follow Him. He also reveals that He would give this eternal life that He was manifesting to His sheep. In this, He reveals that we are called, not just to be followers of Him, but rather sons that are manifestations of that same eternal life (John 10:24-30).

Let’s consider again Jesus testimony of our works in ministry:

John 14:12-14

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Jesus not only testifies of greater works, He promised that whatsoever we ask in His name, it shall be given… Let us not ignore or avoid this passage. Let’s ask the hard questions: Is this a reality or not? Can we depend on the word of God here or not?

Will God fulfill this promise to answer us or not?

Let’s see what the Apostles taught…

1 John 5:7-12

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of

God hath not life.

This is the record, the sons that have received Christ have been received into the eternal life that is God. The Scripture says, For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell (Colossians 1:19). It is in the following chapter that the writer makes it clear, saying, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality

and power (Colossians 2:9-10). Simply put, It pleased God that every son that would be born into the Church, would be byway of being placed into Christ. Thus, each of us that would become a part of the eternal life of God is byway of our translation into Christ.

Let’s continue on in the passage:

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name

of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

The Apostles are ministering to the sons to be confident in the name of Christ; however, they explain that they are speaking of being confident in knowing that you have eternal life. He very clearly explains that their confidence in Christ was, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. They also

explain what “hearing them” means, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Sons, if we are going to manifest this same reality of fellowship in our generation, we must walk in this same confidence. Christ has promised to never leave nor forsake us, and we should be able to rest in that.

However, here is where many individuals enter into unbelief; and, this is where we are able to see another ploy of the enemy in raising false ministers: when we hear that, whatsoever we ask, it shall be given, we automatically consider the error, lust and greed that we have witnessed in religion. We do not consider the perspective that the Scripture is written from, and for that matter, we do not consider who these passages are written to. However, the Father declared that this is written to sons that have escaped the lust and pollutions of this world; thus, making their abode in Him. This is written to sons that have the mind of Christ, who will ask for things pertaining to Him.

This reality is made crystal clear as the writer continues:

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

This passage is speaking to ambassadors who are asking or speaking according to the revealed will of God. These are sons who need the power of God to manifest, in a way that is relative to what God has asked of them; not someone who is asking for the things of this world.

How does this work? And how do we know what to ask for? Let us be clear, God is not asking us to get in situations, circumstances and/or in relationships and enter into a striving to discover His mind or will concerning such matters.

Consider what Jesus taught the disciples and you’ll see it.

John 15:14-16

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command

you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

This is a powerful scripture, and it brings practicality to fellowship, which Christ refers to as friendship. Jesus says, Henceforth I call you friends, revealing the change in fellowship, where He would

reveal to them the plans of God; before now none of them really understood Christ, or His plans for that matter. He explains that obedience was key to this fellowship. He also explains that it is because He had chosen them to work ministry that He would do whatever they asked.

However, the key is that they would know what to ask, because they would be asking according to His revealed will. In other words, in fellowship, as they walked in obedience, He would always reveal

to them the things that were ahead.