"And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord" Acts 11:21. The passage you have read discusses the concept of the "Hand of the Lord," also known as God's favor. This refers to God's power manifested in both judgment (Exodus 9:33; Deut. 2:15; Jos. 4:24; 1 Sam. 5-6; 7:13) and blessing (Ezra 7:9; 8:18; Nehemiah 2:8, 18). In this context, the Hand of the Lord signifies blessing. Despite all the articulate preaching in the world, it is only through God's intervention and the power of Holy Spirit, that a sinner can be led to salvation.
The effectiveness of a sermon in bringing about salvation lies in the influence of the Holy Spirit within the message. The Holy Spirit works to draw individuals and predispose their hearts to receive the message even before it is delivered. As stated in 1 Corinthians 1:21, "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." What may seem foolish to humans is considered wise by God.
Therefore, the reference to the "hand of the Lord" serves as a reminder of the power of God at work in the lives of believers, guiding them in their mission to share the message of salvation and leading others to a life-changing encounter with God. It is a testament to the transformative impact of God's presence and blessing in the midst of His people, demonstrating His faithfulness and sovereignty in fulfilling His purposes.
Dedicated to Naomi Harris-Callion, the first sermon that I ever seen.
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