Sermon Central
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Brokenness - The Road To Power
Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Feb 23, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: The most critical need of believers today is not power, but the spirit of brokenness. If we want to partake in the power of resurrection then we must first be enveloped in the fellowship of his suffering. Meekness is the price we pay for power.
TEXT: PSALMS 34:18; 51:17
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
WHAT IS BROKENNESS?
The most critical need of a believer is not more power, but more brokenness. What is brokenness? It is the process of subduing the flesh in order to imbibe the spirit of meekness. It is the crucifixion of the flesh; nailing the passion and desires of the flesh to the cross of Christ. As Apostle Paul said: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24 NIV).
The essence of brokenness was beautifully encapsulated in the words of John the Baptist: "He (Christ) must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30 NLT). The Lord will increase more and more in you, while self decreases to insignificance in Jesus name.
BROKENNESS BEFORE POWER
Many believers are desirous of power without submitting totally to Jesus. Like the 12 disciples of Jesus; we fight and scheme for positions of authority in the church, we want to be the greatest, we desire to be the closest to Jesus, angling to sit at his right hand and left hand, we call fire from heaven to consume those who oppose us; we are not willing to wash each others feet or serve others we think are below us. We covet the gifts of the Holy Spirit earnestly but are unwilling to pay the price - growing patiently, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not more power we need, we need more brokenness. Our constant prayer should be; Dear Lord, by your mercy, destroy every spirit of pride in my life in Jesus name.
BROKENNESS - THE ROAD TO POWER
What did Jesus tell his disciples: "...he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matt 23:11-12). Apostle Paul declared in
Phil 3:10: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." To obtain the power of resurrection, you must partake of the fellowship of his suffering. Brokenness is taking our cross daily, dying to self and empowering the inner man by the help of the Holy Spirit. A true sign of humility is a person who is ready to serve, when no one is looking. O Lord! Break me, mould me, make me conformable to the likeness of your son in Jesus name. Jesus humbled himself by dying on the cross, he was broken before he was glorified and now sits at the right hand of God, with all power in his hands. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Brokenness is the road to the power of God.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Are you broken?
Are you filled with the spirit of meekness or drunk with earthly power?
PRAYER:
Father, take my life and let it be consecrated unto you. I am clay in your hands, break me, mould me and make me who you want me to be in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
I am who I am by God's grace.
God bless you. Shalom.
