The Purpose of Brokenness – Message 1
Series: Broken in the Right Places – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
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
