THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CREATION

Muddled theology

• In our prayers.We sometimes begin with the Father, move on to the Son and end up with the Holy Spirit while appearing to be addressing the same person.

Muddled theology

• In our fearsSome of us who had Catholic backgrounds are sometimes confused by the idea of the Holy GHOST and we begin to think of Him as some sort of ghost.

Muddled theology

• In our spiritualityPerhaps the most common confusion is to think that because He is Spirit, He has nothing to do with anything material.

• The Holy Spirit is indeed involved in material things.

These include the things created by God as well as things made by man

Relationship between the spirit and material

Just as there are three persons in Divinity so are there three parts to humanity. We are

body, soul and spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our human spirit is not independent. It is capable of being controlled by either the Holy Spirit or by the Evil Spirit. Our mind is capable of choosing which spirit to submit to. Whichever one it does submit to will determine how our physical bodies will act and feel. Thus in our own selves we begin to perceive the relationship between spirit and matter.

The Holy Spirit is responsible for…

Creation’s origin

• Gen.1:1,2In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.• Though it is the earth that is mentioned here, it is

apparent that the entire cosmos is what is meant. When it was first created, it was probably gaseous – thus formless empty and dark.

Creation’s sustenance and renewal

• Psalm 104:28-3028 When you give it to them, they gather it up;when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.29 When you hide your face, they are terrified;when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

• The earth is subject to wear and tear.• This results in death of organisms and structures.• But it is also renewed by the Holy Spirit’s influence and power.

Creativity of humanity

• Human ingenuity is a gift of God. Therefore everything made by man is really made by God. Man may put it to evil use, but the fact is that it is God that gives us the ability to modify our world.

• Ex.35:30-36:2• 30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the

LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze

• , 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers – all of them skilled workers and designers.

Creation’s current groan

Since the Holy Spirit created, sustains, renews and enables man to innovate with creation, one would have expected creation to be perfectly wholesome. But obviously that is not the case. Rather creation is tumultuous.Scripture says that even this state of affairs is brought about by the Holy Spirit.

• Romans 820 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

• 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Creation’s hope• The current groan of creation is not permanent.

When Jesus returns, the Holy Spirit will transform creation.

Is.32:15-20till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.16 The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence for ever.

• 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling-places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.19 Though hail flattens the forest and the city is levelled completely,20 how blessed you will be,

ApplicationWhat is my attitude to• Creation and environmental issues? Since it was

created by the Holy Spirit and renewed by Him how should I be involved?

• Human creativity? Since it is given by the Holy Spirit, I should– Receive it with gratitude to God– Seek to promote its positive rather than negative

use– Seek out my own gift if any in this area

• the promised hope of earth’s restoration?