The Purpose of Brokenness - Message 1

City Church of Chattanooga
Series: BROKEN IN THE RIGHT PLACES
Sermon One: The Purpose of Brokenness
Today, we will be beginning a new study on an often
ignored but very vital subject—brokenness. The human soul
is much like an untamed stallion with unbridled energy.
Sometimes it is majestic and powerful; sometimes it is
stubborn and destructively dangerous.
One of the dictionary definitions of “broken” is reduced
to submission; tamed. Keep this definition in mind as we
progress through today’s message.
THE BIBLE AND BROKENNESS
All the great men and women in the Bible experienced
episodes of brokenness.
Brokenness is God’s way to strength and stature.
Scriptures on brokenness:
Psalm 51:16-17, You would not be pleased with
sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a
burnt offering you would not accept it. The sacrifice
you want is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite
heart, O God you will not despise. (NIV)
Psalm 34:18, The Lord is close to the broken hearted.
(NLT)
There is a divine romance between the broken and their
Creator.
DEFINING BROKENNESS
This is a difficult task.
It is easier to recognize it when you are going through it
than to define it academically.
God implements it when he needs to get our attention.
Brokenness is…
…the shattering of my self-will.
…the stripping of self-reliance and independence
from God
…the softening of the soil of my heart.
…the decrease of self so that Christ may increase.
Brokenness removes the focus from the clay jar.
2 Corinthians 4:7, We have this treasure in jars of
clay, to show that this all-surpassing power is from
God and not from us. (NIV)
HOW TO RESPOND IN YOUR TIME OF BROKENNESS
To many of us waste a lot of time trying to rescue
ourselves and others from the cross.
Brokenness is the process by which God
brings us to the end of ourselves
and into total love, trust and
submission to him
In order to respond appropriately to brokenness, you
may be able to answer this question…
What is God’s ultimate priority for my life?
Wrong responses to brokenness: anger
argument
avoidance
Right responses to brokenness: analysis
acceptance
abandonment

Series: Broken in the Right Places - City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Denomination: Church of God
Author(s): Dr. Mike Chapman

Missing audio 445_28.ram