Tag: signs and wonders

“Where’s the stuff?”

John Wimber
John Wimber

Peanut Gallery: John Wimber asked a simple question after reading through the New Testament – “Where’s the stuff?”

Why aren’t the “signs and wonders” prevalent in the Gospels, and particularly in the Book of Acts, evident in the Church today?

That was in the ’70s and ’80s and not much has changed. Our theological constructs, organizational development skills, and fear of the unknown (or loss of control) have pretty much squeezed the Holy Spirit out of the normal daily life of the Church.

The video below is a short introduction to John Wimber and the topic of “signs and wonders.”

YouTube contains numerous conference videos dating back to the 80’s when Wimber was teaching MC510 – Signs, Wonders and Church Growth – at Fuller Theological Seminary… click here for more videos on YouTube.

More video teaching resources by John Wimber can be purchased at Vineyard Resources – click here.

As you might imagine, John Wimber and the topic itself were not without controversy. Nevertheless, significant numbers of people were healed, and many more lives were changed, as ordinary Christians learned to live and act… as led by the Holy Spirit.

So… the question still remains to be answered today – “Where’s the stuff?”

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Morning Reading: Acts 5.12-16 NLT – signs and wonders

Reading: Acts 5:12-16 NLT

The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.

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Apostles Peter and John
Pieter Aertsen, 1575

And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.

Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.

As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by.

Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Advance your Kingdom purposes in our time. Fill your people with your Spirit… heal the sick and demonized… and expand /and enlarge your family into every tribe and nation throughout the world. To you be all the honor and glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Spirit Song” – John Wimber

Morning Reading: Acts 4.23-31 NLT – give us boldness

Reading: Acts 4:23-31 NLT

As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God:

“O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’

“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.

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Iris Ministries in Mozambique.

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Prayer: Lord God – Hear my prayer. Give your servants great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And may you receive all the honor and glory due your name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Show Your Power” – Kevin Prosch

Morning Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT – model community

Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT

Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.
Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Make me a believer who is devoted to learning… to breaking bread with others… and to prayer. Holy Spirit – Give me a spirit of joy and generosity… freely sharing with those in need. Lord Jesus – May my life and witness bring honor to you… and may you add to your number those who are being saved. Amen.

Devotional Song: “A Morning Prayer” – Godinsight4me