Lesson 16: Separated Unto the Holy Spirit, part 1

"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen… and Saul.

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed unto Seleucia."—Acts 13:1-4.
 
In the story of our text we shall find some precious thoughts to guide us as to what God would have of us, and what God would do for us. The great lesson of the verses quoted is this: The Holy Spirit is the director of the work of God upon the earth. And what we should do if we are to work rightly for God, and if God is to bless our work, is to see that we stand in a right relation to the Holy Spirit, that we give Him, every day, the place of honor that belongs to Him; and that in all our work and (what is more) in all our private inner life, the Holy Spirit shall always have the first place. Let me point out to you some of the precious thoughts our passage suggests.

First of all, we see that God has His own plans with regard to His kingdom.
 
His church at Antioch had been established and God had certain plans and intentions with regard to Asia and Europe. He had conceived them; they were His, and He made them known to His servants. Our great Commander organizes every campaign, and His generals and officers do not always know the great plans. They often receive sealed orders, and they have to wait on Him for what He gives them as orders. God in heaven has wishes, and a will, regarding any work that ought to be done, and to the way in which it has to be done. Blessed is the man who gets into God's secrets and works under God.


Some years ago we opened a Mission Institute. At our opening services the Principal said something that I have never forgotten: "Last year we gathered here to lay the foundation- stone, and what was there then to be seen? Nothing but rubbish, and stones, and bricks, and ruins of an old building that had been pulled down. There we laid the foundation-stone, and very few knew what the building was that was to rise. No one knew it perfectly in every detail except one man, the architect. In his mind it was all clear, and as the contractor and the mason and the carpenter came to their work they took their orders from him, and the humblest laborer had to be obedient to orders, and the structure rose, and this beautiful building has been completed. And just so," he added, "this building that we open today is but laying the foundation of a work of which only God knows what is to become."

God has His workers and His plans clearly mapped out, and our position is to wait, that God should communicate to us as much of His will as each time is needful.

We have simply to be faithful in obedience, carrying out His orders. God has a plan for His Church upon earth. But alas! we too often make our plan, and we think that we know what ought to be done. We ask God first to bless our feeble efforts instead of absolutely refusing to go unless God go before us. God has planned for the work and the extension of His kingdom. The Holy Spirit has had that work given in charge to Him. "The work to which I have called them." May God therefore help us all to be afraid of touching "the ark of God" except as we are led by the Holy Spirit.