The Manifested Presence of God

A sermon on "God's Manifested Presence" focuses on the tangible, experiential reality of God's presence in our lives. This isn't just about acknowledging God's omnipresence (that He is everywhere at all times) but rather experiencing His presence in a way that transforms, convicts, and empowers us. Below is an outline for a sermon on this topic:

### **Title**: The Manifested Presence of God

### **Scripture References**:

1. **Exodus 33:14-16** - *"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' Then Moses said to him, 'If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.'"*

2. **Psalm 16:11** - *"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."*

3. **Acts 2:1-4** - The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost.

4. **Matthew 18:20** - *"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."*

---

### **Introduction**

- **Define God's Omnipresence vs. Manifested Presence**:

- *Omnipresence*: God is everywhere, always present. This is a comforting truth for believers.

- *Manifested Presence*: When God reveals Himself in a way that is felt, seen, or experienced directly. This is often accompanied by a sense of awe, conviction, or joy.

- **Illustration**:

- Consider a parent at a child's event: even if the parent is always present, there are moments when they stand up, cheer, or directly interact that make their presence felt in a special way. God’s manifested presence is like this—when He "stands up" in our midst.

- **Thesis**: In this sermon, we will explore how to invite, recognize, and respond to God's manifested presence in our lives.

---

### **I. The Desire for God's Manifested Presence**

1. **Moses and God's Presence** (Exodus 33:14-16)

- Moses didn't want to lead the Israelites without God's presence. He knew it was God's manifested presence that set them apart from other nations.

- **Application**: We should have the same longing as Moses—not to go forward in any endeavor without sensing God's presence guiding us.

2. **David's Longing** (Psalm 27:4)

- David expressed a deep desire to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon His beauty. This was a pursuit of God's manifested presence.

- **Illustration**: A thirsty deer longs for water (Psalm 42:1). We, too, should long for God in this way.

3. **Question**: Do we long for God's presence in our daily lives, or have we become content with just the idea of His omnipresence?

---

### **II. The Impact of God's Manifested Presence**

1. **Transformation and Holiness**:

- When God's presence manifested at Mount Sinai, the people trembled (Exodus 19:16). The holiness of God brings awareness of sin and calls us to repentance.

- **Isaiah's Vision** (Isaiah 6): When Isaiah experienced God's presence, he immediately recognized his own sinfulness.

2. **Joy and Peace** (Psalm 16:11):

- The psalmist tells us that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy. The manifested presence brings an overwhelming sense of God's goodness and peace that surpasses understanding.

- **Example**: The peace and joy felt during moments of deep worship are a glimpse of this.

3. **Miracles and Wonders**:

- **Pentecost** (Acts 2:1-4): The coming of the Holy Spirit in a visible, powerful way resulted in miracles, bold preaching, and the conversion of thousands.

- **Jesus' Ministry**: When Jesus was present, miracles followed. His physical presence manifested the power and love of God tangibly (healing the sick, casting out demons, etc.).

---

### **III. How to Cultivate and Experience God's Manifested Presence**

1. **Pursue Holiness**:

- **Hebrews 12:14** - *"Without holiness, no one will see the Lord."*

- We cannot expect to experience God's presence if we live in habitual sin. Repentance and purity are prerequisites for encountering God deeply.

2. **Worship and Praise**:

- **Psalm 22:3** - *"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."* Worship invites God's presence into our midst.

- **Example**: The story of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25-26). Their worship brought an earthquake, freeing them and displaying God's presence powerfully.

3. **Prayer and Seeking God**:

- **Jeremiah 29:13** - *"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."*

- The early church in Acts 1:14 prayed constantly in one accord before the Holy Spirit descended. Their unified prayer and desire for God opened the door for His presence to be made manifest.

4. **Faith and Expectation**:

- We must believe that God wants to reveal Himself to us. **James 4:8** - *"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."*

- **Illustration**: Like children eagerly expecting their father to come home, we should expect God to show up when we gather in His name.

---

### **IV. Responding to God's Manifested Presence**

1. **Reverence and Worship**:

- When God manifests His presence, our response should be one of awe and reverence. This is seen in the example of the apostles falling on their faces in worship (Revelation 1:17).

2. **Obedience**:

- **Isaiah's Call** (Isaiah 6): After experiencing God's presence, Isaiah responded with a willingness to be sent. Experiencing God should move us to action.

3. **Transformation and Testimony**:

- When we encounter God's presence, we should not keep it to ourselves. Like the woman at the well who met Jesus, we should go and tell others about our experience.

---

### **Conclusion**

- **Challenge**: Are we actively seeking God's manifested presence in our lives, families, and churches? Have we settled for knowing *about* God rather than truly knowing Him?

- **Call to Action**: Let us hunger for God’s presence, seek Him in prayer and worship, and be open to the transformation that comes when He makes Himself known.

- **Prayer**: Invite the Holy Spirit to manifest His presence among the congregation, bringing conviction, healing, and joy.

---

### **Closing Scripture**:

- **2 Corinthians 3:17** - *"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."*

- Let us seek and invite God's manifested presence so that we may experience the fullness of His freedom, joy, and power.

This sermon aims to inspire a deeper desire for experiencing God tangibly in our lives and emphasizes the transformative power of His presence when it is manifested among us.