THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST

From Ever-Learning to Living Revelation

The great burden of the Apostle Paul was not merely that believers would gather information, but that they would come into the full knowledge of the Son of God. The tragedy of many believers is that they are constantly hearing sermons, attending conferences, reading books, and collecting teachings, yet remain spiritually weak because revelation has not become reality within them.

1 Corinthians 2:9–14

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Paul warned Timothy concerning people who are:

2 Timothy 3:7

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

This is intellectual Christianity without spiritual unveiling. It is possible to know Greek words, doctrines, and systems of theology, and yet not know Christ experientially.

The Pauline revelation calls the believer beyond mental assent into spiritual union with Christ.

Paul prayed:

Ephesians 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” 

Notice carefully: revelation comes in the knowledge of Him.

Not merely knowledge about Him.

There is a vast difference between studying Christ and knowing Christ.

Christianity Is Christ Revealed in Man

One Bible teacher emphasized repeatedly that Christianity is not a religion of imitation but a revelation of divine life imparted to the believer.

The central truth of the Pauline revelation is this:

Christ did not merely die for us.
He died as us.

He was not only crucified on our behalf; we were identified with Him in His death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation.

Paul declared:

Galatians 2:20

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

This is not poetic language.
This is legal and spiritual reality.

The Cross was not merely an event in history.
The Cross was God’s dealing with the old creation.

The death of Jesus was the death of the old man.
The resurrection of Jesus was the birth of a new creation race.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 

The believer must come into revelation knowledge of this reality, or he will continue living as though he were still spiritually defeated.

The Cross: God’s End of the Old Man

Many believers know that Jesus died for sins, but few understand that God intended the Cross to terminate the authority of the old Adamic nature.

Paul wrote:

Romans 6:6

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed.” 

The Cross was not simply forgiveness.
The Cross was execution.

God did not improve the old man.
God crucified him.

Religion tries to reform the flesh.
The Gospel declares its death.

This is why self-effort cannot produce victory. The flesh cannot perfect itself. Victory comes through identification with Christ.

Many believers live under condemnation because they still identify themselves according to the old creation rather than the new creation.

But the Pauline revelation teaches that the believer’s true identity is now in Christ.

The Resurrection: The Birth of a New Humanity

The resurrection of Jesus was more than a miracle. It was the inauguration of a new order of humanity.

Jesus became:

“The firstborn from the dead.” 

 Colossians 1:18

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” 

The believer is now joined to the resurrected Christ.

Ephesians 2:6

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” 

Notice the tense:
Not “will raise us.”
“Hath raised us.”

This is present spiritual reality.

The Church has preached too much of a future salvation and too little of a present union with Christ.

The believer is not trying to attain victory.
He is learning to walk in the victory already accomplished in Christ.

The Holy Spirit: The Teacher of Reality

No man can enter this revelation through intellect alone.

Jesus said concerning the Holy Spirit:

John 16:14

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

The Holy Spirit does not merely give information.
He unveils spiritual reality.

Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes only literature. But when the Spirit illuminates the Word, truth becomes life.

This is why two people may hear the same sermon: one leaves unchanged, while another is transformed forever.

Revelation is the difference.

Paul himself declared:

Galatians 1:12

“For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — The Holy Bible

The Church today does not merely need better sermons.
It needs unveiled Christ.

Ever Learning but Never Knowing

One of the greatest dangers in the modern Church is spiritual accumulation without transformation.

People collect teachings the way others collect books.

They move from preacher to preacher, conference to conference, video to video, yet remain spiritually immature because truth has never become revelation in their spirits.

Knowledge alone puffs up.
Revelation produces transformation.

A man with information debates truth.
A man with revelation becomes possessed by truth.

When revelation comes:

• prayer changes,
• worship changes,
• identity changes,
• boldness comes,
• fear breaks,
• condemnation leaves,
• authority rises within the believer.

The believer begins to know:
“I am who God says I am in Christ.”

The Cry of Paul: That Christ May Be Formed in You

Paul’s ministry was not merely to establish churches. It was to unveil Christ in believers.

Galatians 4:19

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” — The Holy Bible

The goal of true ministry is not dependency upon men.
It is the unveiling of Christ within the believer.

The believer must move:

• from religion to revelation,
• from effort to union,
• from self-consciousness to Christ-consciousness,
• from fear to sonship,
• from striving to resting in finished redemption.

The Finished Work Must Become a Living Reality

The Cross, the Resurrection, and the indwelling Christ must become more than doctrine.

They must become the believer’s consciousness.

When the believer truly knows:

• that he died with Christ,
• was raised with Christ,
• is seated with Christ,
• and indwelt by Christ,

then Satan’s accusations lose power.

For the believer begins to stand not in self-righteousness, but in identification with Christ.

This is the secret of bold faith.

Not confidence in human ability—
but confidence in the finished work of Christ.

Conclusion: The Need of This Generation

This generation does not need another powerless Christianity built only on intellectual agreement.

It needs revelation.

It needs believers who know:

• the Father,
• the Son,
• the meaning of the Cross,
• the power of His Resurrection,
• and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Paul declared:

Philippians 3:10

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.” — The Holy Bible

This must become the cry of the Church again.

Not merely:
“Teach me more.”

But:

“Holy Spirit, unveil Christ in me.”

For when Christ is truly revealed in a believer, Christianity ceases to be a religion and becomes the manifestation of divine life in human flesh.

Colossians 1:26–27

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Ephesians 3:16–19

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

 Romans 8:11

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

 

What we must do?

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Colossians 3:1–4

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

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Romans 12:2

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

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Hebrews 10:14

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

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1 John 4:4

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

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Philippians 2:13

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

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John 17:3

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Hunger for God’s Presence

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📜 Opening Scripture Reading:

Psalm 42:1-2 (KJV)
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Exodus 33:15-18 (KJV)
"And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory."

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📖 Introduction:

Beloved, if repentance removes the hindrances to God’s presence, then hunger draws it.
No revival has ever fallen where there was no deep hunger.

Today, God wants to awaken a holy dissatisfaction in us — to stir us until we can no longer settle for dead religion, routine services, and lukewarm Christianity.
He wants to birth an insatiable longing for Himself — not just for His blessings, not just for miracles, but for Him.

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📌 I. The Cry of the Hungry Heart

Psalm 42:1-2 — “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

🔸 The psalmist compares his longing for God to a deer in the wilderness desperate for water.
🔸 True revival begins when believers get desperate for God Himself.
🔸 Not for position, not for reputation, not even for answered prayers — but for His presence.

👉 Can you feel that cry inside you tonight?

Illustration:
A man dying of thirst doesn’t ask for entertainment or possessions — he asks for water.
Likewise, a dry church cannot survive without the water of God’s presence.

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📌 II. Dead Religion vs. Living Presence

🔸 Religion without presence is routine.
🔸 Church without God is just a gathering.
🔸 Sermons without the anointing are speeches.
🔸 Worship without presence is empty sound.

Exodus 33:15 — “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”

🔸 Moses understood — the promised land meant nothing without God’s presence.
🔸 Today, we’ve traded presence for programs, and glory for gimmicks.
🔸 God is calling us to a fresh hunger — to say like Moses: “Lord, if You don’t move, we won’t move.”

👉 What good is ministry without Him? What good is singing if Heaven is silent?

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📌 III. The Promise to the Hungry

Matthew 5:6 — “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

🔸 God never ignores the cry of a hungry heart.
🔸 Hunger is a gift. It’s a sign you’re still alive in the Spirit.
🔸 The devil wants you satisfied with less — content with coldness and formality.

Jeremiah 29:13 — “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

👉 If you’ll hunger, He will fill you!

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📌 IV. Cultivating Holy Dissatisfaction

🔸 Holy dissatisfaction is when you refuse to settle for less of God than what is available.
🔸 It’s when you realize there’s more of His glory, more of His power, more of His nearness — and you won’t stop until you touch it.

Exodus 33:18 — “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”

🔸 Moses had already seen the burning bush, the Red Sea part, manna fall, and miracles — yet he cried for more.
🔸 Revivalists are those who are never satisfied with yesterday’s encounter.

👉 Are you content with what you’ve known? Or do you hunger for deeper?

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📌 V. The Mark of a Separated People

Exodus 33:16 — “Is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated…”

🔸 The presence of God is what separates the church from the world.
🔸 Programs can be copied, music can be imitated, but glory cannot be faked.
🔸 When His presence comes, bondages break, joy overflows, lives are changed.

👉 We must hunger until His presence marks us again.

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📖 Conclusion / Altar Call:

Beloved — revival doesn’t begin with a crowd, it begins with the hungry.
Tonight, if you will pant after Him like the deer for water… if you will cry like Moses, “Show me Your glory”… if you will thirst for righteousness — He will fill you.

Matthew 5:6 promised it.

🔥 Are you hungry for more?
🔥 Are you willing to abandon dead religion for living presence?
🔥 Are you desperate for His glory?

Let’s gather at the altar and cry out for Him together.

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🙏 Final Altar Call Prayer:

"Lord, I refuse to live without Your presence. Stir a hunger in my soul that no earthly thing can satisfy.
Tear down every dead thing in me, and fill me again with the fire of Your glory.
I pant for You, O God. I thirst for the living God. Let revival start in me!"

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jesus Loves You

 

 

A Call to Spiritual Renewal and Empowerment

In today’s world, the Church often faces challenges of spiritual complacency and lethargy. The urgency for revival cannot be overstated, as it is essential for returning to the spiritual vitality and mission that Jesus Christ intended for His Church. In this article, we will explore the key biblical principles necessary for revival, based on the themes from Revive Us Again by Pastor Mark Finley, supported by the timeless truths of Scripture.

1. The Urgency of Revival

The spiritual condition of many believers today reflects what the book of Revelation calls a "lukewarm" state. God’s desire is not for passive or complacent faith, but for hearts on fire for Him. Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV) says, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

This condition is dangerous, and the Apostle Paul echoes this urgency in Romans 13:11 (KJV), “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” The time for revival is now, for the return of Christ is drawing near, and the Church must rise from spiritual slumber to fulfill its mission.

2. The Biblical Foundation of Revival

Revival is not a modern invention; it is deeply rooted in the history of God’s dealings with His people. Throughout Scripture, we see God reviving His people when they turn back to Him in humility and repentance. One such promise is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV), “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

In moments of spiritual decline, God has always been willing to bring renewal when His people earnestly seek Him. The book of Acts offers another powerful example. In Acts 4:31 (KJV), after the believers prayed, “the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Revival brings boldness and power to witness for Christ.

3. The Role of Prayer

Prayer is the foundation of any true revival. Without it, we cannot experience the move of God’s Spirit. Scripture calls us to a life of continuous prayer: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV). Prayer is not just an occasional activity; it is the lifeline of a revived spiritual life.

The book of James emphasizes the power of fervent prayer, stating, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16, KJV). Revival comes when God’s people earnestly seek Him in prayer, asking for the outpouring of His Spirit and the transformation of their hearts. Jesus Himself encouraged persistence in prayer: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7-8, KJV).

4. The Power of the Holy Spirit

No revival can happen without the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 (KJV), Jesus promised, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” The early Church experienced tremendous revival because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The prophet Joel foretold a great revival, saying, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28, KJV). The Spirit brings renewal, power, and the gifts needed to build up the body of Christ and expand His Kingdom.

5. Confession and Repentance

Genuine revival begins with confession and repentance. This was a key message throughout the ministries of the prophets, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself. God’s promise in 1 John 1:9 (KJV) is clear: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Without repentance, revival is impossible. Proverbs 28:13 (KJV) warns, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” When we acknowledge our sins and turn back to God, He promises times of refreshing, as Peter declared in Acts 3:19 (KJV): “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

6. Unity in the Body of Christ

Revival fosters unity within the body of Christ. One of the effects of revival is the breaking down of divisions and the strengthening of love among believers. In John 17:21 (KJV), Jesus prayed, “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.”

Unity is essential for the Church’s witness to the world. A divided Church is ineffective, but a united Church, revived by the Spirit, can make a powerful impact. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:3 (KJV), “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Revival strengthens this bond of peace and enables believers to work together for God’s Kingdom.

7. Personal Responsibility in Seeking Revival

Revival begins with each believer taking personal responsibility. We cannot expect corporate revival without individual renewal. David’s heartfelt prayer in Psalm 51:10 (KJV) reflects this personal responsibility: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

God calls us to examine ourselves and seek personal revival. Lamentations 3:40 (KJV) exhorts, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” We must continually offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, allowing Him to transform us (Romans 12:1-2, KJV).

8. Call to Evangelism

A revived Church is a Church on mission. True revival naturally leads to evangelism. The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV), is a charge to all believers: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The early Church, after being revived by the Holy Spirit, witnessed with great power. Acts 4:33 (KJV) says, “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Revival not only refreshes our souls but reignites the Church’s passion for reaching the lost.

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Conclusion: A Call for Revival Today

The need for revival is as great today as it was in the early Church. Through prayer, confession, the work of the Holy Spirit, and a renewed sense of personal responsibility, we can experience a powerful spiritual awakening. This revival will not only bring unity to the body of Christ but will also ignite a passion for evangelism, fulfilling the mission Jesus entrusted to us. May we all seek God fervently for the revival that will transform our hearts, our churches, and our world.