Five Traits of the Spirit-Empowered Church

The Hand of the Lord

There have been times throughout God’s redemptive history when he has made himself visibly and tangibly known. In the Exodus God made himself known by exercising authority over creation to prove to Pharaoh and Israel that Yahweh is God.

Exodus 9:3 HCSB

then the Lord’s hand will bring a severe plague against your livestock in the field—the horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.

God also makes himself known by the way he disciplines his people. Samuel warned Israel

1 Samuel 12:15 HCSB

However, if you disobey the Lord and rebel against His command, the Lord’s hand will be against you and against your ancestors.

David pleaded

2 Samuel 24:14 HCSB

David answered Gad, “I have great anxiety. Please, let us fall into the Lord’s hands because His mercies are great, but don’t let me fall into human hands.”

God reveals himself in his judgment and mercy.

God also reveals himself in how he encourages his people

Ezra 7:28 HCSB

and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.

The “hand of the Lord” is not a common saying in the New Testament,but it still conveys God revealing himself. When John the Baptist was born his father, Zechariah was mute because he did not believe the angel who spoke about John’s role as a herald for the Messiah. When he was asked what the baby's name will be, he said “John” and then his , mouth was opened and the people were in awe.

Luke 1:66 HCSB

All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

The phrase is not mentioned again until we get to our text this morning,

Acts 11:21 HCSB

The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Essentially what we know about the hand of the Lord is that God reveals his power and presence in a way that is unmistakable. If the hand of the Lord is upon you, you are either going to have success or you are going to be judged. And God will show himself in powers of grace, mercy, and encouragement, or he will show his disapproval by making your plans fail. Either way the hand of the Lord reveal God is present and more powerful than you and will accomplish his work regardless.

So what do you do when you see a theologically loaded phrase like “the hand of the Lord” or the “Lord’s hand” was with them? You should ask yourself what sense is Luke trying to convey to his readers about God’s power and presence in the church?

He is telling us that the church in Antioch was not an accident. God’s mighty power was with them and because God’s power was with them, they overcame obstacles and added people to the church daily. I like the way Derek Thomas puts it in his commentary on Acts. He says,

“when God is present in the power of the Holy Spirit, no ethnic or social barrier can disrupt his work.” Derek Thomas

God blessed their efforts and the kingdom of God grew. My question for us this morning is

What does the church look like when the hand of the Lord is upon it?

The church looks like a Spirit-empowered people who preach the gospel of Jesus exhorting each other to remain faithful as they fulfill the Great Commission.

There are five traits of a Sprint-empowered church that reveals the hand of the Lord is upon it.

Spirit-Empowered Christ-Centered Preaching (Acts 11:20-21)

Acts 11:20–21 HCSB

But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Luke says that Cypriot and Cyrenian men came to the Hellenists “proclaiming the good news about Jesus the Lord.” The word for proclaiming the good news is euaggelizo. It is used 54 times in the New Testament. Of those 54 times, it is used 36 times in the context of preaching the gospel. Luke uses the word 18 times in the book of Acts, all in the context of preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. To proclaim the good news is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Preaching is, according to Jeremy Kimble,

“the public unfolding and proclamation of the truth of God’s word; it is interpreting, explaining, applying, and exulting over that word in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Jeremy Kimble

Kimble wonderfully summarizes the point and purpose of preaching. Preaching unfolds, that is reveals, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s plan of redemption by lifting the veil of ignorance and unbelief through proclaiming God’s word, His truth, about Himself and his image bearers. Preachers take time to study the bible in order to rightly interpret the bible and explain the bible in a way that encourages immediate application and exultation, all the while depending on the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who hear the good news.

What is the good news?

The good news is

John 3:16–18 HCSB

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

Preaching is not preaching if the message does not exult the One and Only Son of God: his life, his death, his resurrection, and his ascension.

Spirit -empowered preaching proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ. It makes much of Jesus. The exultation of Jesus is central the mission and message of the church. The church drifts from the kingdom of God toward the kingdom of darkness when it has a low view of preaching God’s word because a low view of God’s word is a low view of Christ.

In six days, many churches will celebrate Reformation Day instead of Halloween. Reformation Day remembers when on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis on the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church. He posted the 95 thesis because the Catholic Church had drifted away from a high view of Scripture which led to a low view of Christ and made the church unrecognizable.

Martin Luther said,

Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church The Church Proclaims the Word of God

“the holy Christian people are recognized by their possession of the holy Word of God.”

For Luther, preaching the word was the central mark of the church because the word of God reveals Jesus. He was not alone in his thinking. John Calvin, another reformer in Luther’s day said,

Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church The Church Proclaims the Word of God

Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard …—it is not to be doubted—a church of God exists. For his promise cannot fail.”

The hand of the Lord is upon a church marked by a high view of scripture that is exercised through faithfully preaching God’s word in order to make much of Jesus.

Why dos God use preaching?

Preaching generates faith.

Consider Pentecost for a minute. The moment the Holy Spirit came down and empowered the disciples, what was Peter moved to do next? He preached the gospel Acts 2:14-41. Why? He preached the gospel because the proclamation of God’s word generates faith.

Romans 10:14 HCSB

But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:17 HCSB

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Faith comes by what is heard. God has ordained hearing to be essential to salvation. Hearing what? Hearing a message about Jesus Christ.

Once again, consider Peter’s first epistle. How are unbelievers are born again?

1 Peter 1:23 HCSB

since you have been born again —not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

Faithful Christ exalting bible saturated preaching generates life changing kingdom living faith.

David Brainerd, the famous missionary to the American Indians, said of his preaching,

“I never got away from Jesus and Him crucified in my preaching. I found that once these people were gripped by the great evangelical meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, I did not have to give them many instructions about changing their behavior.” David Brainerd

Brainerd insight displays the fruit of faithful Spirit-empowered preaching.

Another trait revealing the hand of the Lord upon the church is

Spirit-Empowered Exhortation (Acts 11:22-24)

Acts 11:22–24 HCSB

Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

When Stacy and I found out we were having a son, I began petitioning her to call the boy Barnabas. She was not thrilled with the name because it seemed antiquated and he could be called Barney. I think the name is solid. Barnabas means son of encouragement.

Remember, we learned about Barnabas Acts 4:36-5:11. Barnabas was highlighted as a genuinely Spirit-empowered believer who prioritized people over his possessions, the kingdom of God over the kingdom of the world. He was particularly noted for being an encouraging brother. Barnabas is a nickname the disciples gave him because it described his character. Luke describes him as a “good man,” “full of the Holy Spirit,” and “full of faith.” It makes sense that the apostles sent Barnabas to the new Gentile Church in Antioch.

What do encouraging brothers and sisters do for the church?

They see the grace of God.

Barnabas arrives at the new church and his heart is excited to see the grace of God in the people. What is the grace of God Barnabas sees?

God’s grace in salvation

The New Believers exhibited new life. They embrace the message, the good news of Jesus Christ. The text says that many were added to the Lord. The Barnabas’s of the church rejoice in seeing salvation come to the lost. They had a real love for their enemies and their neighbors. They were so committed to the Way, that the people of Antioch began calling them Christians. Their love for Jesus and their commitment to obeying His commands made Barnabas a happy man. The hand of the Lord was upon these new believers.

God’s grace of faithfulness

He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord. Being true to the Lord is being faithful. He was happy to plead with them hold fast to the truth that is preached and taught. Barnabas encouraged the church to be resolved with a purpose of joyfully advancing the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in the church, community, and home.

I’m reminded of how Paul encouraged young Timothy

2 Timothy 3:8–10 HCSB

Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also. But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,

Paul commends Timothy to be resolute with a purpose to the truth, to progress in teaching, conduct, faith, patience, love, and endurance. Barnabas is seeing God’s grace do theses things in the new church and he is encouraged them to hold fast and continue in these things.

Oh, how the church needs Barnabas's today! One of the ways we know the hand of the Lord is upon our church is when God’s people are more known in the community and home as being a people who are encouraged by the gospel, and encourage one another in the gospel. We are peacemakers who reconcile sinners to God and each other. We are more known for what we are for than what we are against.

The hand of the Lord was upon Barnabas. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and was wise. His encouragement came from a heart of lowliness. He put the church above himself. He chose to see the grace of God in people instead of their depravity. As I look at his life, I see a man who was able to acknowledge that we are all broken, but put his effort into living out his redemption for the sake of Jesus in others.

The third trait that the hand of the Lord is upon a church is

Spirit-Empowered Discipleship (Acts 11:25-26)

Acts 11:25–26 HCSB

Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Barnabas saw the potential of the church in Antioch and knew he needed some help. Saul, who was now Paul, was a couple of years in his growth as believer. Barnabas knew Paul was an outstanding bible teacher from watching Paul’s boldness as he preached in synagogues (Acts 9:20) and his effectiveness as he defended the faith in Jerusalem (Acts 9:23). Barnabas recruits Paul to come to Antioch to help disciple new gentile believers. For an entire year Barnabas met with the church and taught large numbers. What you see happening here is discipleship as commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission.

The Great Commission states

Matthew 28:19–20 HCSB

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It is not enough to get people in the church. Evangelism is the task of making disciples. However, the hand of the Lord does not stop at evangelism. We must teach new believers to observe everything jesus commanded. That makes evangelism and discipleship like twin brothers in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

What is discipleship?

Discipleship is, as Ed Smither defines it,

“the task of training believers to become mature followers of Christ, growing in their knowledge of, love for, and obedience to the Lord.” Ed Smither

Training believers to become mature followers of Christ is what Barnabas and Paul were doing for the year they were in Antioch. Teaching is not just about sermons. Jesus commanded that that his people learn to observe everything he commanded. To observe his commands means to conform ones actions or to practice. Discipleship is about learning how to obey Jesus in the church, community, and home.

Jesus says

John 14:15 HCSB

“If you love Me, you will keep My commands.

The churches mission is not not only make disciples but to also mature and deepen new believers love for Jesus so that they will desire to obey his Word. Barabbas already saw the grace of God in the church at Antioch. he was encouraged by their love for christ. He wanted to play a part in making sure their love overflowed onto others by their life actions. That is discipleship.

Jesus says, “I am always with you.” He sent his Spirit at Pentecost to empower his people to testify and to mature. The Holy Spirit empowers his people to grow in their knowledge of, love for, and obedience in the Lord. The Church creates the space for the Holy Spirit to mature believers to a deeper love for Christ through discipling and being discipled.

I’m reminded of what someone once said regarding the Christian life.

“A Christian is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps.”

At First Baptist Litchfield, we exist to joyfully advance the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in the Church, Community, and Home. We cannot exist to fulfill this vision without discipleship. Everyday is an opportunity for you and me to disciple each other to think the thoughts of Christ; create a heart that loves how Christ loves; to use our voice to speak what Christ speaks; and to use our hands to help the way Christ helps. A healthy kingdom advancing church is committed to Spirit-empowered discipleship.

A fourth trait revealing the hand of the Lord is

Spirit-Empowered Ministry (Acts 11:27-30)

The church is not meant to sit and contemplate wonderful theological truths. Theology in your head and heart must display itself in your hands. The new church in Antioch was Holy Spirit-empowered to preach the good news, exhort one another in the faith, disciple each other, and minister to the needs of the body.

Acts 11:27–30 HCSB

In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the time of Claudius. So each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

A healthy Spirit-empowered church thrives with active ministry. Ministry is meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the church, community, and home. A healthy Spirit-empowered church recognizes needs and is eager to meet them through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of good evangelism is making disciples. The fruit of good discipleship is effective ministry, meeting the needs of the church, community, and home.

Jesus has gifted the church special servants who spend their ministry training others for the work of ministry.

Ephesians 4:11–12 HCSB

And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

The body of Christ is built up through discipleship so that it can do the works of Jesus. The work of Christ was to on the one hand preach the gospel so that sinners can be saved and on the other hand bring relief to the suffering. Jesus spent his time teaching and feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and setting the captives free from demonic oppression.

When the church was just beginning at Pentecost, it sold all of its possession and gave to everyone in the community who had need (Acts 2:44-45). Peter healed a man in the temple (Acts 3). From its early beginnings the church has always been marked by ministry that alleviates suffering and hardship.

The Holy Spirit reveals that a famine is coming to all the Roman world. The church did not sit in its hands and feel sorry for itself. The same Holy Spirit who revealed the famine was coming, also empowered the disciples to do something about it. Their heart was spurred to put together resources to alleviate the burden that was coming to their brothers and sisters in Judea. Not only was their heart spurred to do it, they moved off the pew and gave sacrificially to the work. The church did something to bring relief from the burden of living in a Genesis 3 world.

That is what we are doing every time FBCL feeds the community on Monday nights at Breaking Bread, or when we hand out food boxes on Tuesdays. We are trying to alleviate hardship and suffering when we gather 30 plus children in our church everyday from 1:30-4pm. Of course we want spiritual oppression lifted from these families, so we pray for them and share the gospel with them every chance we get. We also want to ease the burden of learning in a COVID world. We want them to know their 123’s and ABC’s so that they will be able to be successful at school and have the skill set to do whatever God calls them to do. We want to show them that God can restore and reconcile and redeem anyone or relationship no matter how broken it is. Church, we are doing ministry. We are doing the works of Christ in Litchfield. That is a sign that we are a Spirit-empowered church and that the hand of the Lord is with us.

Finally, I want you to see the hand of the Lord in leadership.

Spirit-Empowered Leadership (Acts 11:22-26; 30)

I want you to see that a Spirit-empowered church preaches the gospel, exhorts each other in the faith, disciples one another to mature love for Christ, does the work of ministry in the church, community, and home. Finally, I want you to see that a Spirit-empowered Church has spirit-empowered leadership.

Acts 11:22 HCSB

Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.

Acts 11:25–26 HCSB

Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Acts 11:30 HCSB

They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

You will notice that God raised up Spirit-empowered men to lead the church. Barnabas was one of the first deacons in the early church. Paul was an apostle. The role of apostle gave way to the role of elder after the apostles died. The churches proper leadership structure is having elders (pastors who over see the church ) and deacons (servants of the church) work in harmony to keep the church secure and active.

Both elders and deacons, in their appropriate roles, preached the gospel, encouraged the church to persevere, discipled the church to greater faith, and moved the church out of the pews and into the streets to do kingdom advancing ministry. There are people who are called to serve the church in leadership. Some of these people are deacons and deaconesses. Others are elders. The church thrives in preaching, exhorting, discipleship, and ministry when it has the right people serving in the right leadership roles.

This is an area where FBCL can grow in maturity and ministry. We need god to raise up Barnabas's who will serve the church as sons and daughters of encouragement. We need God to raise of men to be elders who will oversee the church in theology, vision, preaching, and discipleship.

What does the church look like when the hand of the Lord is upon it?

The church looks like a Spirit-empowered people who preaches the gospel of Jesus exhorting each other to remain faithful as they fulfill the Great Commission.

Are we a Spirit-Empowered Church?