Sunday: The Creative Spirit
WEEK 21
SUNDAY
THE CREATIVE SPIRIT
Ephesians 3:7-9
Before we leave the church at Antioch as the church that embodied the koinonia, let us look at one more mark of Christ upon that church—the church was creative. “As they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul to the work I have called them to undertake.’ After they fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on these two and sent them off. After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way . . .” and so on (Acts 13:2-4).
This church was “worshipping the Lord.” The Lord here is Jesus. “Jesus is Lord.” Where a group is worshiping Jesus as Lord, there the Holy Spirit begins to speak. For it is on the right center—Jesus—and when we are there contagion begins; creation sets in.
This was one of the most creative moments in human history. All Western civilization was bound up in this hour. Out of it went two men who went ultimately to Europe and laid there—and consequently in America—the foundation of Christian civilization. Had they not listened, we would not have lived—not as we are. We might still be groping in pagan darkness.
The most absolutely creative thing one can do is to listen to God. Out of that silence motives and movements are born. When a group listens, tuned to one another and to God, then bigger things may be born through bigger receptivity.
Wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is creation; for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Creation. Wherever the Holy Spirit is not, there are stagnation and death. It is a simple test, but a decisive one. If the church is reaching out in evangelism at home and in missions abroad, there the Holy Spirit is at work in some measure. When the church ceases to lay its hands on its members to send them forth, then the hand of the Lord is not laid on the church in blessing and grace.
Note “the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint’” and “After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way”; they belonged primarily to the Spirit, secondarily to the church. Their primary responsibility was to the Spirit not the church. They were agents not ends. They went from Antioch to preach the glory not of the church at Antioch but of Antioch’s Lord.
O Holy Spirit, speak to me today and send me forth on a big errand or little. May I be so attuned that I can hear, and hearing may I obey with alacrity and joy. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I am made for creation; I am happy only as I create; then I shall create.