Sermon Central
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The Spirit Of Brokenness
Contributed by Jamie Wright on Mar 3, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Brokenness is a spiritual condition that attracts the attention of God. Brokenness always gives us more understanding of ourselves and Him. Admittedly, we resist this process. It is hard to give up our agendas, objectives, aspirations and interests. B
The Spirit of Brokenness
Pastor Jamie Wright Maranatha Fellowship Church 02-15-04
Brokenness is a spiritual condition that attracts the attention of God
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart. Ps. 34:18
I. Brokenness exposes the flame! (LIGHT)
Philippians 2:15 KJV
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
We can see this illustrated in Gideon’s army.
It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the one hundred men with him reached the outer edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the horns and broke their clay pitchers.
vs. 20
Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their pitchers. They held the blazing torches in their left hands…
The torches were lit but the flame could not be seen. Once the pitcher was broken the flame exploded into the darkness dispelling it.
What needs broken in me so the flame of God can shine out? Is it my arrogance, my complaining or murmuring? Could it be my vanity or my fault finding? What have I allowed to become a cover hiding my light?
Luke 11:33 GN
"No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a bowl; instead, it is put on the lamp stand, so that people may see the light as they come in.
Don’t keep the light in the pot, let it be exposed; become broken. Allow God to break your clay pot open today.
God will use your broken pitcher to expose your shining light in two ways:
1. Affect the lost. Without our lights shining the lost in the world see no hope. They can’t see were they are going. They need light to dispel their darkness. We must be broken so our lights will shine in this dark world.
2. Assist us. We need light to help reveal to us our need for Him.
Brokenness always gives us more understanding of ourselves and Him.
II. Brokenness produces fruit (LIFE)
John 12:24 NKJV
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
Seeds must be broken open and die. Once they die and are buried the transformation begins. Nothing of its former existence remains. It has died in the process of giving life. Gone are its identity, form, independence, value and beauty. All has been surrendered.
Admittedly, we resist this process. It is hard to give up our agendas, objectives, aspirations and interests. But that is what we must do.
Our example is Jesus. His life was broken. He said He came only to do the will of His Father who sent Him. We hear Jesus repeatedly say this. Even in the Garden when He is praying to the Father to take the cup of death from Him. He says, but nevertheless, not my will but your will be done.
The will of the Father was that Jesus’ body be broken and planted as a seed so we all could have eternal life. He was beaten, spat upon, mocked, beard plucked out, a crown of thorns with 2 inch long thorns mashed into his skull. His heart probably exploded in the garden, thus the drops of blood. Then he is given 39 bone crushing, skin tearing, blood splattering lashes on his back and sides until his vital organs are exposed. One lash away from death. Then a splinter filled wooden cross is placed on his back and he was driven through the crowds of people carrying his cross up Calvary’s hill. He is our example. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross. His side was slit open by a spear and blood and water flowed. His body was literally broken for you and for me. He died. Just as the seed dies and is placed in the ground Jesus was placed in the tomb, dead as a seed. What was he going to produce? What fruit would he bear? He was about to come up out of the ground, the first of many brethren to be resurrected. His death produced life. Eternal life for me and you.
We must follow his example. I am not talking about sack cloth and ashes. Crawling up stairs until your knees are bloody. I am not even talking about your physical body being broken as Jesus’ was. But the word of God says
And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
