Power Evangelism

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

The proclamation of the Word of God....
Demonstration of the Power of God....
Why?
The demonstration validated the truth of the Word.
As a Vineyard pastor, we refer to the combination of these dynamics as "Power Evangelism". 
The manifestation of the rule and reign of God among a group of people who have gathered together. 
Such an event is never to focus on anyone person who may be in charge. It should always point back to Christ. In fact every meeting, every service that falls under the covering of church, should always point to Christ. People should go away from the meeting having fallen a little more in love with Jesus. 
We have a tendency to forget that God is a God of power. That the very things we label as being "Supernatural" are, in fact, very natural to Him. They appear supernatural to us because we live out sub-natural lives when it comes to God. We sometimes have a tendency to create a God in our own image. Because many of us had never seen a manifestation of God's power in a meeting, we then automatically put God under a category where such was not suppose to happen. "God doesn't act that way!" Of course He does. 

Have you read that Book?
That's a weird book....
Weird things happen in that book.....
Ax heads float....
Seas divide themselves and provide escape routes...
The Sun stands still......
A man dunks himself seven times in a muddy river and loses his leprosy....
Dead people come back to life....
Cripple people walk again.....
Blind people are given their vision back....
Demonized people are set free through a spoken word....
That is a weird book....
But it all points to a God who is all about revealing the truth of who He really is, through a demonstration of what He is capable of doing.

II Corinthians 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not lie in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

I am pleased to announce that beginning this Sunday, at Gadsden Vineyard Church, Josh and Regine Brady will begin a teaching series on "Power Evangelism". The sessions will begin after the main service  (around 12 noon). You are encouraged to bring a lunch with you. It will be an informal time of learning one of the key beliefs and values that we hold in the Vineyard. 
1.) Everyone gets to play --  That is a Vineyard term that means we all are called to participate in the Kingdom work of sharing our story with others. Along the way, there will be opportunities to pray with and for the people we meet, and see the power of God demonstrated in their lives as they receive this good news.

2.) God still operates in the same manner as we read about in the Bible. He still has a heart to save and heal those who have been marginalized by the sin from experiencing the fullness of life when relationship with Him has been established.

3.) The Kingdom of God is here but not yet. 
John 4:23 - But the hour is coming and now is when the true believers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth....Did you catch that? The Hour IS COMING and NOW IS. When we look around we see evidence of the rule and reign of God in our midst. But we do not see the complete rule and reign. Sin is still at work here....there is disease and illness...there is death and suffering. But the Father is at work, and is still in control, of His plans for humanity an for this planet.

I hope that you might consider coming and being a part of this incredible teaching on Power Evangelism. Gadsden Vineyard Church is located at 419 Broad Street between 4th and 5th street.

God on you....
mb