Here is a video in which John Wimber teaches on Worship.

By Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org

“The disciples came to Him, saying, ‘The place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!’ And they said to Him, ‘We have here only five loaves and two fish’” (Matt. 14:15-17).

I want to talk about how the Lord raises up a mature man or woman of God–the drives and attitudes that propel a person into a fully committed walk with Jesus Christ. It is essential to realize from the beginning that, when it comes to doing God’s will, both the person and God’s provision will always seem inadequate. Oh, you will have been prepared, somewhat. You will have studied and prayed, but not enough. You will have faithfully given of your time and finances, but nothing you do will be something you can confidently rely upon. Indeed, when you’ve done all you could, you will mutter to the Lord your equivalent of the disciples’: “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

Yet, to know that you are inadequate is a tremendous advantage in spiritual growth. It is a milestone en route toward true spirituality, which is born of dependency on God, not human self-sufficiency. Once a person knows he is inadequate, he will not waste years discovering it.

Not a day goes by that I am not aware of my inadequacies. Besides struggling with “feelings” of inadequacy, I know I actually am inadequate. I know the very best of my efforts, in and of themselves, are totally insufficient. The moment I think otherwise, I guarantee failure for myself.

While the Lord has many ways to inspire my spiritual growth, the greatest seasons of increase come almost in spite of myself. The process begins with the Lord revealing some task or need that is both absolutely necessary and totally impossible for me to fulfill. My first reaction is to pray, “Lord, raise up someone who’ll do the job.” But then, when no one else shows up, I realize He wants me to step forward. As I do, I soon hear Him say the words He spoke to His disciples, “You give them something to eat.”

Sometimes, I hide in the “familiar” tasks I know I can accomplish, but a time of reckoning comes. It usually is a time of pressure or stress that, beginning with the rediscovery of my frailties, ends with me broken and waiting upon the Lord. It is right here, as I am contemplating the pitifully small “five loaves and two fish” which I am offering Jesus, that He says to my heart, “Bring them here to Me.” And here is where the miracle of grace begins. For as I surrender myself afresh into His hands, a new dimension in my walk with God starts to unfold, one of supernatural multiplication.

“He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes, and they all ate, and were satisfied” (v.19).

Whatever you give to Jesus He will bless and break. A true disciple always carries these two seeming contradictory characteristics. We know His wonderful, undeserved blessing; and we are broken of pride, self-sufficiency and boasting. He lets us know assuredly that, as Christians, we have one source for all of our power. The sooner we realize our effectiveness does not originate in us, but in Christ, the quicker we will experience the miracles that He produces. Indeed, when He reveals to us our weaknesses, it is only because He is preparing us to receive more of His power into our lives.

Consider: When Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fish, He and His disciples were already weary and needed strength (see Mark 6:31). Added to this came the distressing news that John the Baptist had been beheaded. The Lord was seeking to take His disciples to a place where they could “rest a while.” Yet, great multitudes came, perhaps over twelve thousand men, women and children. It was in this very circumstance of weakness that He performed this great miracle of grace.

As it was with Jesus, so it is with us: It is when we sense our weaknesses most vividly, that God can use us most mightily! The Lord will continually present to us tasks that we have never done before. He will require of each of us to give our all, even as inadequate as we seem. There will be no “knights in shining armor” in God’s kingdom; our armor will have many dings and dents. No, no perfect Hollywood heroes will ride to save the day; just wearied saints who look to God and, in weakness, find Christ’s strength. This, indeed, is the essence of God’s kingdom: divine greatness manifest in common people.

In these days ahead, the Lord is going to show you a need that will seem absolutely beyond you to perform. Your natural response will be, “I’m just an average person with limited resources. I can’t do what He’s asked me to do.” Yet, if you will be still, you shall soon hear your Master’s voice quietly, confidently saying, “Bring the need to Me.”

Do as He commands, for as you give the insufficiency of your skills and your pitiful provisions to Him, He will begin to bless and break you, and then multiply what you give Him miraculously. In all my years of ministry, I know of no transforming grace greater than that which comes when, in spite of our inadequacies, we obey God in the face of the impossible.

Adapted By Bill Jackson, Senior Pastor
Black Mountain Vineyard Christian Fellowship
San Diego, USA

1. STEP ONE: THE INTERVIEW (“Where does it hurt?”)
A. Conducted on two planes
1. Natural
a. Ask the person what they think is wrong, where it hurts, etc.
b. As they talk, try to read not only what they are saying but how they are saying it (facial expression, tone of voice and body posture).
c. Look the person in the eyes. Focus. Don’t be distracted by what’s going on around you. Listening is hard work!
d. Process what you see and hear according to all your past experience in working with people.

2. Supernatural
a. Dial down and tune into the Lord as you do the above.
b. Ask the Lord for the root cause. Listen for words of knowledge, words of wisdom and discerning of spirits.

B. This is not a medical interview.

C. The interview is over when you’ve reached a diagnostic decision (see below) and sense the Lord’s direction on how to proceed.

2. STEP TWO: DIAGNOSTIC DECISION (“What has caused this condition?”)
A. It could be caused by natural factors
1. Living in a fallen, sinful world (e.g., virus, accidents, etc.)

2. Sins
a. Sins they have committed (e.g., fornication leads to VD)
b. Sins committed against them (e.g., incest leaves emotional scars)
c. A combination of the above (e.g., cancer caused by bitterness against an alcoholic father)
d. Inherited sin traveling along family or social lines (e.g., failure to find work caused by being programmed to fail by their father)
e. NOTE: It is estimated by physicians that up to 80% of people’s physical problems have a psychosomatic root (e.g., ulcer caused by self-induced stress).

B. It could be caused by supernatural factors
1. Afflicting demons (e.g., bad dreams, sudden depression)

2. Controlling demons (e.g., chronic sickness, compulsive behavior)

3. Curses
a. Magic
b. Bloodline conditions visiting the 3rd and 4th generation
c. Pronouncements from authority figures (e.g., doctor’s diagnosis, parent’s opinions, etc.)

C. It could be caused by a combination of any of the above.

D. Diagnosing demons
1. Our general rule of thumb is not to cast anything out that isn’t talking to us or obviously manifesting. In our experience they usually use the person’s vocal cords but with a definite personality switch. We have heard of them speaking with different voices altogether. They will use loud, frontal behavior, vile language, speak in tongues, quote scripture, try to intimidate, etc. Don’t dialogue with them except to find out their function to help in leading the person in repentance.

2. Sometimes they won’t talk but will avoid eye contact by the eyes rolling back so all you see is white. Ask the person to look at you. If they can’t, it’s probably a demon trying to avoid confrontation with authority.

3. We have also seen the demons cause contortions in the body posture, bending it this way and that. We’ve heard them make animal noises, animal movements, and have smelled foul smells coming off the person.

4. With spirits whose assignment is to afflict in some way, the Lord will often give the gift of discernment and allow us to see them. We have seen faces, dark patches, and forms on people.

5. We do not want anything being dealt with as a spirit unless the manifestation or discernment is at this level. Suspecting there may be a demon isn’t enough to go on. Never go digging around.

3. STEP THREE: PRAYER SELECTION (“What kind of prayer do I pray?”)
A. Prayer directed toward God
1. Petition
a. Pray the Lord’s prayer. This is what it’s for!
b. Invite the Spirit to bring the ministry of Jesus
c. Ask for healing

2. Intercession
a. Pray for the person
b. Pray in the Spirit (i.e., pray in tongues if you have the gift)

B. Prayer from God
1. Command of faith

2. Pronouncement of faith

3. To devil/demons
a. Rebuke (“Silence !”)
b. Bind (“I break your power!”)
c. Expulse (“Out, in Jesus’ name!”)

4. STEP FOUR: PRAYER ENGAGEMENT (“How are you doing?”)
A. Pray your selected prayer(s). Pray with your eyes open. Look for indications of the Spirit’s presence. Ask the person if anything is happening. Take note of what’s happening in you.

B. Observed phenomena on the person being prayed for
1. Hot flashes in certain parts of the body

2. Tingling sensations

3. Tenderness and tears

4. Brokenness and sobs

5. Stiffness in certain parts of the body

6. Trembling and shaking

7. Falling down under the power of the Spirit

8. Being in a trance

9. Electrical current

10. Light-headed

11. Tired, weary

12. Radiance on the face

13. Ripples or movement on or under the skin

14. Laughter and joy

15. Deep peace

16. Heavy breathing

17. Moaning and groaning

C. Observed phenomena on the person(s) praying
1. Sensations of warmth, especially in the hands

2. Tingling, especially in the hands

3. Slight trembling of the hands

4. A sense of anointing, power

5. Quiet, objective knowing

6. An explosion of power/electricity coming out of your hands

7. A quiet sense of the Spirit’s presence

8. A sense of detachment as if you were a third party watching

9. Sometimes NOTHING AT ALL. This is where we operate out of who we are in Christ and the authority he gave us to forgive sins, heal the sick and expulse demons.

D. If you sense the Spirit’s presence, give Him the “Amen!” “Thank you, Lord, for being here!” “More Lord!”

E. When in doubt, ask questions
1. Some people are programmed to fail. You may have to do counseling here before you pray again (then or later).

2. Some people are so out of touch with their own bodies you might have to probe a bit.

F. If nothing happens, ask the Lord if you should try again.

G. Demons
1. Sometimes they resist talking, cooperating, or coming out.

2. Call the person back to consciousness and have them repent of any sin that relates to the demon or what you are getting from a word of knowledge. In our experience, the demon’s reluctance to come out is related to their right to be there. Often, when the root is taken care of, they just leave.

3. Sometimes when they come out, it can be messy (shrieking, coughing, writhing, throwing up etc.).

4. NOTE: Just because there is noise and mess does not mean there is a demon. Often when there is a loud release, it is the escape of bottled emotional pain.

H. When do you stop?
1. When they get healed!

2. When nothing seems to be happening.

3. When the Spirit tells you to.

4. When you, the team, or the person gets tired.

5. STEP FIVE: POST-PRAYER DIRECTION
A. Help the person process what just happened.

B. Share any encouragement, exhortation, or council the Spirit may have given you.

C. Direct them to follow through on repentance for any sin that the Spirit brought to light during ministry time (e.g., restitution with a family member).

D. If healing has not occurred or is incomplete, affirm and encourage them to keep seeking because God wants to heal.

E. Avoid the following problems
1. Don’t give personal advice.

2. Don’t condemn a person for not getting saved or healed

Having Mountain Moving Faith
A prophetic word by Teresa Seputis (ts@godspeak.org)

The mountains are moved by My spirit and by My power. So why is it
that you look at the mountain that blocks your path and you say to
yourself “I cannot move that”? Of course you can not! You were never
expected to. It is always My spirit that moves the mountains.

Do not look at the obstacles that lay before you. Look rather to Me,
for I am able to move all mountains and I am able to deal with all
obstacles. You cannot do it in your own strength, and you were never
expected to. So lean on Me and draw from My strength.

Watch Me and see how I will glorify My name in your situations. I have
permitted obstacles to come before some of My own. For others, I have
actually caused them to come, that they might be forced to put their
trust wholeheartedly in Me.

The bigger the obstacle, the larger the measure of faith that will be
granted to you, if you come to Me and ask Me for it. Dear child, I
desire to show you how capable I am. I desire to demonstrate to you
that I am trustworthy. And I want you to look to Me, not to your own
resources.

This is a time and a season where I am causing many of My children
to learn to walk by faith. That is why I am allowing the obstacles
to come before you.

I desire that you come to Me for direction, and I desire that you
wait on Me for My timing. My timing is not your timing. You almost
always want it NOW rather than in My timing. So change your way and
trust Me to know the times and seasons. Trust Me to work My glory in
each of your situations.

Child of Mine, My glory and transformation do not come without a price,
for I demand your complete commitment to Me. I expect total obedience.
I expect you to cooperate with Me as I work deep in your hearts and
souls to mold you into the image of My Son. But in return for giving
Me lordship in your life, you will see an increase in your ability to
hear My voice clearly. You will see an increase in My anointing upon
you. You will see yourself walking in a larger measure of My authority.
You will see the mountains that are before move into the sea, so that
they no longer be an obstacle before your path as you walk in My ways.

So, do not look to the mountains and do not look to the obstacles.
Look to Me! Then you will see Me glorify My name in your midst.

“Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

By Don Williams
(Don Williams was the pastor of the Vineyard in LaJolla California, and former adjunct professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary when he wrote this article).

Introduction

There are several answers to the question, “Why Vineyard?” Historically, Vineyard is the fruit of revival. It goes back to the “Jesus Movement,” starting in the United States in the late 1960’s. Through it over three million converts came into the church, and Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California exploded, eventually giving birth to the Vineyard. Vineyard is also the consequence of John Wimber’s charismatic leadership, bringing alive not only the message of the kingdom, but also the ministry of the kingdom in “signs and wonders.” Vineyard continues to grow by practicing Biblical values, offering “culturally current” worship, preaching the gospel, building community, praying for the sick, reaching to the poor, opposing injustice and planting churches internationally. It still fosters personal and corporate renewal, seeking, in John Wimber’s phrase, “to love the whole church.” Where Vineyard prospers it is also because of its clear, central kingdom theology.

What is Theology?

In its strictest sense, theology is the science (logos) of God. Before the Enlightenment it was defined as absolute confessional truth. Dogma was usually equated with revelation, transcending the Bible itself and infallibly interpreting it. This was the task of the authoritative tradition and teaching of the church. With the Enlightenment (18th century), however, theology was judged by reason and the laws of nature (created by nature’s God and as unchanging as he is). Doctrine became relative to reason and had to be interpreted in its historical context. With the end of the Enlightenment (the Modern period) and the rise of Post-Modernism, the intellectual elite dethroned reason as absolute and asserted that there was and is no universal story (no ‘meta-narrative’) which offers a comprehensive picture of reality. Theology is now to be done with out the absolute foundations of either reason or revelation.

For evangelicals, however, “Theology begins with the critique of philosophy” (Karl Barth). There is no controlling philosophy, such as idealism, romanticism, existentialism, Marxism, Feminism, Post-Modernism, or any other “ism”which establishes its presuppositions and framework. Barth holds that theology is both a humble and free science. It comes, not to dominate, but to serve the living God and the cause of his kingdom. It lives in response to the “God who speaks for himself.” It is our response to his Word and his Spirit. Since the gospel creates the church, the revelation of God creates the experience of God. The Vineyard lives in response to that revelation which has broken in upon us in Jesus Christ.

The Theological Structure of the Vineyard

The Vineyard’s “Statement of Faith” represents mainstream, historic Christianity. It is fed by a number of sources. First, the creeds of the Church Fathers. We confess the Trinity, one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the two natures of Christ incarnate, both fully divine and fully human at the same time (God and Man).

Second, as heirs of the Reformation, we agree with Luther, “He only is a theologian who can distinguish between law and gospel.” Abandoning salvation by works or salvation mediated by the church, we hold to Pauline “Justification by Faith” alone. Like the Reformers, we concur that “Popes and councils can err.” Thus we accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the Word of God written, as the only absolute authority for the church. This (sola Sciptura) is the final rule for faith and practice And like the Reformers, we know that “still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe” (Luther). Spiritual warfare is our lot in this world. While we live in Christ’s kingdom, we do battle with Satan’s kingdom, knowing that the victory has already been won. As Luther sings, “Let goods and kindred go. This mortal life also. The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.”

Third, we embrace the themes of the Evangelical Awakening of the 18th century, led by John and Charles Wesley. We believe in the necessity of personal conversion to Christ through the “new birth,” authored by His Spirit, and personal holiness as its necessary fruit. The character of Christ and the works of the kingdom: reaching the lost, healing the sick, serving the poor, and seeking justice for the oppressed, come through this transforming work. As Detrich Bonhoeffer writes (in proper sequence), “Only he who believes can obey and only he who obeys can believe.”

Fourth, we are heirs of the “Great Century of World Missions” (the 19th Century), and believe that the “Great Commission” stands, making us intentional “missional communities.” Calls for conversion and church planting are not optional. As a movement, we exist to bring the nations to Christ.

Fifth, we are also heirs of the 20th Century Pentecostal/Charismatic renewals. We welcome this stream of the Spirit into the church, while remaining solidly evangelical in our theology. As our “Statement of Faith” confesses: “We believe in the filling or the empowering of the Holy Spirit, often a conscious experience, for ministry today. We believe in the present ministry of the Spirit and…exercise…all of the biblical gifts of the Spirit.” This leads to action: “We practice the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Spirit, for healing, and for recognition and empowering of those whom God has ordained to lead and serve the Church.”

Sixth, the “Biblical Theology Movement” instructs us. We see New Testament faith as fully “eschatological.” This means that we are not simply waiting for the End, we are living in it. The consummation of all things has already begun in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the outpouring of his Spirit at Pentecost. We live in the tension of the kingdom come and coming, “the already and the not yet.” We grow in sanctification and build churches knowing that the kingdom is here, but not fully here.

The Theological Story of the Vineyard

Our “Statement of Faith,” offers not only a clear theological structure, but also the story of Redemptive History (“Heilsgeschichte”). Perhaps anticipating Post-Modernism’s stress on stories, we too have a story to tell. It is this story of the kingdom, rather than, say, the structure of the Trinity (as in the Apostles’ Creed), which guides our Statement. It confesses the One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as the true, eternal God, who is also the creator and ruler of all things. It then immediately moves to Satan’s heavenly revolt and his counter-kingdom now infecting this good earth. Through his temptation, our original parents “fell from grace, bringing sin, [and] sickness…to the earth.” As a result, “Human beings are born in sin, subject to God’s judgment of death and captive to Satan’s kingdom of darkness.”

But God still rules his universe. As Luther said, “Even the devil is God’s devil.” God therefore intervened to reverse the effects of the Fall by establishing his unconditional covenant with Abraham, promising blessing to the nations, by delivering Israel from bondage in Egypt, and by giving the law through Moses. Its purpose is to convict us of sin and bring “us to Christ alone for salvation.” Later, God makes an unconditional covenant with David, promising an heir, seated upon his throne forever. This is fulfilled in Christ, the incarnate, eternal Son who comes from his line and reestablishes God’s kingdom over Israel, and then extends it to the nations.

With the Apostles’ Creed, Jesus is confessed as God’s Son, “conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.” But our “Statement of Faith” not only speaks of his incarnation and atonement, but also of his kingdom ministry. “Jesus was anointed as God’s Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, inaugurating God’s kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Gathering His disciples, He reconstituted God’s people as His Church to be the instrument of His kingdom.” This is crucial to Vineyard identity. Jesus preaches and ministers the kingdom, trains his disciples to do the same, and passes this on to every generation of the church. We stand resolutely in this line.

For the “Statement of Faith,” the ministry of Jesus climaxes in his death and resurrection. The meaning of his death is expressed classically: “In His sinless, perfect life Jesus met the demands of the law and in His atoning death on the cross He took God’s judgement for sin which we deserve as law-breakers. By His death on the cross He also disarmed the demonic powers.” Jesus is now the reigning King: “The covenant with David was fulfilled in Jesus’ birth from David’s house, His Messianic ministry, His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven and His present rule at the right hand of the Father. As God’s Son and David’s heir, He is the eternal Messiah-King, advancing God’s reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole earth today.”

Next, the “Statement of Faith” speaks of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. “The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us for spiritual worship, personal sanctification, building up the Church, gifting us for ministry, and driving back the kingdom of Satan by the evangelization of the world through proclaiming the word of Jesus and doing the works of Jesus.” This ministry climaxes with Christ’s visible, glorious return, Satan’s destruction, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Then “God will be all in all; His kingdom, His rule and reign will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth…in which righteousness dwells and in which He will forever be worshiped.”

Conclusion

The Vineyard’s “Statement of Faith” is also the Vineyard’s “Story of Faith.” Through the whole of Scripture, God is King, reigning through his kingdom. Our theology identifies our non-negotiables, the sweep of Biblical revelation from eternity to time, from creation to consummation. It focuses our identity and nurtures us in the truth. It protects us from heresy and idolatry, and steels us for suffering and persecution in this fallen world. It also gives us the “Big Story,” our “meta-narrative” to tell. As we confess our faith, and are caught up in its story, it enlivens our worship and becomes a weapon in our warfare, to bring down Satan’s kingdom, to subvert this world’s systems, and proclaim “Jesus alone is Lord.”

“The Big Story” of the kingdom intersects our little stories and we discover that we were made for this! As we live out this faith, in proclamation and demonstration, we contribute to the larger church. By “signs and wonders,” evangelizing the poor, healing the sick, and driving out demons, and contending for justice, we confront the secular mind-set and manifest God’s intention to fully restore this fallen creation when Christ returns. In this we also answer the question: “Why Vineyard?”