CREATIVITY
Character Tour 5 of 8
November 11, 2007
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
Creativity is part of God's framework & woven into His very being.
Though it doesn't make it into most lists- it is FOUNDATIONAL to the life of a Child of God.

Our God is the author of creativity & order in the bible.

I. CREATIVE ORIGINS - The Father Gen. 1:1
A. God started with creativity- & has been creating ever since.
1. It is STAMPED on His identity - & in our identity.
Gen. 1:26 "In our image"- trinity…
B. People look for creative ways to be spoken to - or to speak to others.

II. CREATIVE EMBODIMENT- The SON
A. Jesus continuously modeled it…
- First object lesson water into wine.
* Jesus was always creating new ways to communicate His message.
Matt. 13:34 "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:"

* What we at Paradise are doing- not changing the MESSAGE / The Truth, SAME THEOLOGY but the METHODOLOGY is changing to communicate the gospel in 2007- Creatively!

III. CREATIVE EMPOWERMENT - The Holy Ghost

* Series @ CHARACTER- "an outward reflection of an inward connection.
- So once I get saved Christ is in my life- The King of Creativity is in my life - He places the Holy Spirit in us to reach our CREATIVE POTENTIAL…
* When I submit to Him - the Holy Spirit makes creativity thrive…
2 Cor 3:14-17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
* There is "LIBERTY"- not restriction… the veil is removed- true creative genius.

Note: Have you ever asked yourself the question, "what can I do to be more creative?"
That is not the right question… "Lord what is BLOCKING me from being more creative?"

Why is creativity so hard?
A. It is an Intense Conflict - Because it is a WAR
- Every time God creates Satan contradicts & counterfeits it.
* God wants a creative Marriage- (Husband like Jesus love the church) Satan fights that.
* Advertising- Creative ways to sell - basic stuff. (Super Bowl commercials…)
The Church has the greatest thing EVER- we are not creative at all in getting the word out.
* Satan fights hard to counterfeit what God has made- it is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE!

B. It is a TEAM thing- (Gen 1:216 "… let us…" a creative team)
- Moses / Jethro Ex 18:17-24
- First "They" that speaks of people in scripture Gen 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." TEAM.
NOTE: Power of NEGATIVE team- Gen 11:1-6
- We have a leadership team-
- We have a development team
- We have children's ministry team /AWANA
- Discipleship to get a potential team member…
* Who are you connecting with that has a "team mentality"?

* The church should be the MOST CREATIVE entity on the planet.
WHY? Because we are serving & worshipping our CREATIVE CREATOR!

C. It is a DEMANDING RESPONSIBILITY (God has not called to an easy task)
- When we let the King of creativity (Jesus) in our lives- yield to & let Him work from the inside out- we then INDIVIDUALLY & then COLLECTIVELY are creative.
* Marriages- I see what it is, but it is TOO MUCH work so…
* Single parent- I see what I need to do with love & discipline, but it is TOO MUCH work…
* Career- I see what I need to do - to be innovative, but if I do then… TOO MUCH work…
* That's why you are in a rut?
That's why there is no change?
That's why there is no creativity?
* It is a demanding responsibility!
* It takes e EFFORT; and hard work
* The Devil doesn't want it to happen for you - or the church!

How can we connect with this right now?
1. A creative MARRIAGE- sit down share creative WISH lists with one another.
2. A creative FAMILY- sit them down & ask how can we be INNOVATIVE in this family?
(Not TV in HD)
3. A creative CAREER- even if you do simple work - ask others HOW you could be more creative- read, go to seminars,
4. A creative CHURCH- get together with others of similar interest & ask the tough questions of creativity.

Challenge:
1. Make a high risk, high Yield investment -
Hit your knees and ask God to unleash creativity in you.
2. Carve out creative time -
Time to think in a creative way - WHERE? coffee shop, golf course, backyard, beach, pool…
3. Build a creative team around you
"I don't know any creative people." Yes you know them- your family, one sitting next to you now… co-worker, fellow Christian… (Small groups)