Accurate exegesis of the Bible does not necessarily guarantee good preaching.
Spirit empowered preaching is something more and it brings deep conviction of sin and changed lives. Some of the main NT texts which address this vital matter are found in Acts 2, 1 Thessalonians 1 and in the Upper Room discourse in John’s Gospel.
Spirit empowered
These passages were much in evidence at the Grace Baptist Partnership Conference held at The Hayes, Swanick 22-24 August, which took as its title Spirit Empowered Preaching. It was wonderful to see both Reformed truth and Holy Spirit fire brought together during these days. 54 churches were represented, many of which are church revitalisation schemes which the Lord has begun to bless across the country. The excitement of what God is doing and the ethnic mix of the 200 or so brothers and sisters was notable.
Sense of God
The main speaker was Art Azurdia who leads a church of a few hundred new converts, ‘mostly tattooed’ young men and women, in Portland Oregon. Trained under the late Edmund Clowney, Art has written on the Spirit Empowered Preaching subject of (Evangelical Press) and his two addresses were a detailed and yet extremely lively and challenging exposition of Acts 2. As the last days unfold toward the cataclysmic return of Christ, the church must witness concerning the identity of Jesus as the only king and Saviour in the power of the Spirit, with huge concern for the lost in the light of eternity. The sense of God’s approval was palpable.
Big society?
Barry King, who leads the Partnership, spoke from 1 Thessalonians 1 on how the Triune God guarantees the triumph of the gospel. The emphasis here was that modern-day Britain is not too hard for the Spirit. Chola Mukanga, who pastors a London church, spoke from the same chapter reminding us that, though David Cameron’s Big Society has been consigned to the political dustbin, God is creating a new community in Jesus Christ which has a great future and which grows through the sharing of the good news in the power of the Spirit. Jeff Noblit from Grace Life Church, Mussel Shoals, Alabama provided the stimulation for pastors and preachers to stick at their work both in the study and in the pulpit with wisdom from the Pastoral Epistles.
There was much fervent prayer at the conference. These sessions were helpfully kicked off with brief expositions from Peter Schild, who for the last couple of years has been church planting in Frankfurt, Germany and now has a regular congregation of around 70 people.
One man said to me as he was leaving: ’This conference is always good, but it has moved up a gear this year.’
