Vineyard is all about zealously or passionately “doing the stuff”. Why do we feel this way? What has influenced us?

One of the main influences, if not the major influence on John Wimber’s life was an understanding of the kingdom of God. Learning about the kingdom of God gave John a new perspective. In his own words, his Christian life took on an entirely different meaning. Attending church was no longer a dreaded activity, but became, exciting gatherings in which the people of God are equipped to go and preach and demonstrate the gospel.

The kingdom of God gave John (and all of us who are a part of the Vineyard movement which he founded) our biblical and theological key for power evangelism and experiencing signs and wonders today. The kingdom of God has shaped our approach to ministry, and given us the basis and motivation for equipping the saints and joining the fight against Satan. Teaching about the kingdom of God has become a deeply ingrained practice in Vineyard churches.

We will reproduce a number of blog posts about the Kingdom of God in the coming days, that had been featured in discontinued NLV online site.

TOPICS
Ignore at your own peril!
Beginging to end: About restoration
Rejecting Jesus is rejecting the kingdom
The kingdom creates the Church
Kingdom authority
Sometimes heroes
Being filled with the Spirit
Overwhelming our personality

Last year the Reading Vineyard (UK) brought healing to the streets. Here is a video of the event including some testimonies.

Dear church,

I guess our church theme this year could be called, “Will you go?”

How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone showing and telling them? Romans 10:14.

There is a call to go and gather, to show and tell others about what we know of Jesus Christ, the King and his Kingdom.

Taking our cue from John 4:35-38:

Do you not say, “Four months more and then the harvest?” I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying “One sows and another reaps” is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Now, is the time to reach out, to bring hope. Not in another four months or in another season. Confident about reaping a harvest, because the really ”hard work’s done” by God. It is the grace of God.

And Romans 15:13 reminds me that, as you put your trust in God for the harvest, he shall fill you with all joy and peace, so that you overflow in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you know that studies on effective gathering show that it could take up to 7 positive experiences before a person can make a meaningful decision about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ? Furthermore, it is often a friend of the person who helped show and tell.

It is helpful for us to see that gathering is a process or progression, from sowing to reaping as described by Jesus. And so in our showing and telling, we should intentionally be:

- Getting people to “know that God is good, and Christians are ok”. (Sowing 1)

- Getting people to “know the content of the gospel”. (Sowing 2)

- Getting people to “know the cost and benefit involved”, and leading them to “take the step of faith into the kingdom and accept Jesus”. (Reaping)

And so to carry out NLV’s theme for 2010, we should be organizing a series of events where friends can bring friends. Offer regular and progressive opportunities for all of us to show and tell, or sow and reap as described above.

As we roll out our plans for the year, will you go out of your comfort zone and routine and help with ideas, and more importantly with the work of championing and organizing the events?

Will you go out of your way and bring friends to our gathering events?

Will go with me, and show and tell others about what we know of Jesus Christ, the King and his Kingdom?

And you know what? Even as we go and gather, we shall grow, and we shall be enlarging the scope of our good works, and come into his promise of great fruitfulness!

If you look at Isaiah 54:1-3/5 you may at first ask, “Is God being cruel here?”

A barren woman in that culture was not only unfulfilled, she was looked down upon, and even considered cursed since children were seen as blessings from God.

The situation is oppressive, the loss of self esteem, self condemnation, envy, bitterness – look what it drove Sarah to do with Hagar.

Look at what is expected of the barren woman.

Sing and shout for joy. And then, from singing, to making physical preparation. Building accomocations for the children to come. Do not hold back in your efforts!

I felt God saying, “You can expect, and order your life for, fruitfulness, in the face of a totally contradictory situation”.

There is simple theology here. God is not cruel. God declared that he is the barren woman’s husband. God is her lover, her saviour and redeemer. Nothing is impossible for the creator of man and all the earth. And it is so appropriate. God is her husband – and he is promising to satisfy a legitimate desire – give her children, make her fruitful!

And you know what? The promise is for you and for me, for everyone who believes in Jesus: Expect fruitfulness in the face of a totally contradictory situation.

Expect to receive in the face of a totally contradictionary experience to date.

The promise is also that a radical shift will take place. For the one who has previously not produced fruit, there is a sudden abundance that overtakes others who had been quite fruitful.

It may be that for you, the barrenness, the area in which you had no success before related to the use of a spiritual gift. In healing, in witnessing or evangelizing, in good works, and so on. No dualism here. It may be barrenness related to your business, your work in the marketplace, or in a particular relationship. Well, expect that to change.

As for many of us in NLV, it is exponential church growth!

I am thankful and grateful that though there is barrenness in some parts of my life, Jesus has finished the work that enables grace to abound to me, and enables me to exchange barrenness for fruitfulness.

I sing and shout for joy at the promise of a huge kingdom break through.

Moving forward by faith, fully trusting in the promises of God, nothing’s going to hold us back!

When I mediated on Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 recently, I felt God speaking to me like this:

Have you not experienced seasons and a rhythm of ebb and flow or ups and downs in life? Have you not observed that most people have to labor for what they want. Have you asked yourself what is the purpose for all that hard work?

If I am not in the picture at all, you are just spinning wheels, like a hamster! I have made everything beautiful in its time. I have seen the ugliness, and I have fixed everything.

I have set eternity in the human heart, in your heart. That’s why you are always hoping that the future will turn out well. And that’s why you innately love great endings in stories. (Don’t you feel that the best endings are the ones where hope beyond hope, the principal character is transformed into the very thing he or she hoped for! Like the ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Cinderella, the ill treated poor step daughter becomes queen. Pinocchio becomes a real boy.)

Haven’t you felt your spirits soar when you see circumstances where justice, and good prevails against evil?

Everything will turn out well in your life only if you will see what I have done, and come to know me. Otherwise, work and life will continue to have no lasting meaning. You will have no lasting significance, and the ugliness will remain.

Because I am real and I am who I am, in Jesus Christ, You are not a cog in the machinery. You are not subject to ”the forces that be”.

On the contrary. Imagine enjoying your life, enjoying the fruits of your labor, and enjoying doing good works – it’s my gift to you!

What was lost? See the King and the kingdom which has come
The world is desperately longing and seeking hope. Yet they do not see that the rightful and righteous King and his kingdom, has come to restore what was ”lost”:

Purpose, significance and authority. Man was made to rule over the other living creatures. Genesis 1:28.

Needs provided for. Safety and security. Man was completely cared for by God. Genesis 1:29.

Belonging and fulfilling relationships. With God and with one another. God gave Eve to Adam. They were to multiply and start a community. It is not good for anyone to be alone or lonely! Genesis 2:18.

How can they see or believe if they have not heard or have not been shown what we know as Christians: God in the person of Jesus, through his life, death and resurrection, launched a divine invasion to overcome evil in the world, and establish his loving and powerful rule. The King and his kingdom has come to make things beautiful in your life!

Our high calling
As people who see, we have the high calling to show and speak or show and tell (desperately seeking) people the King and the Kingdom.

We are made for God’s purpose; In Jesus Christ we are significant. We have been given authority of a Priest and King.

No cog in the machinery. Not subject to the forces that be.

Show and tell people that they are now prince and princess in the God’s household. More than that, a beloved child of God. Hear God say to you, “I knew you even when you were being formed in your Mother’s womb. I was so full of glee knowing the destiny I have for you, and even now I delight in you!’’

On authority: Instead of promoting self interest or using it to oppress those who are weaker. Show and tell about an authority given to us to protect and prosper/bless the people you have authority over.

We are made for putting our trust in God; depending on him for all of our needs. Show and speak about the measure of God’s supply/provision. Out of the glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Look at the care taken to provide for the birds in the air, his concern for the little sparrow that falls to the ground. His amazing work to provide flowers for our enjoyment, even though they will wither and blow away. How much more care and concern he has for us since we are his beloved children. What a wonderful offer he makes to you: Exchanging beauty for ashes, singing for sighing, rejoicing for weeping, eternal life for death, and victory for defeat…

We are made for fulfilling relationships with God and with one another. Show and speak of acceptance and love instead of rejection, judgment and condemnation. Faithfulness and fidelity instead of betrayal!

New Life Vineyard
We invite you to our fellowship if you are curious about meeting and seeing a bunch of people who have gathered to live their lives in response to this high calling. Don’t expect us to be perfect all the time. We’re the first to admit we don’t know how to do that very well at times. But, we don’t think God has given us any alternative but to try.