“Break” or “Broken” is a word that is very sensitive to context.
- Give me a break.
- Don’t break the glass.
- Let’s break bread together.
- Break it down for me.
- You deserve a break.
- I’m broke.
At first glance, it seems that break takes on a different meaning in these phrases. But it really doesn’t – it means the same thing. When I use it in different phrases – it is like looking at the word from a different perspective. I want to talk a little bit today about brokenness.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:17 (NIV)
The word doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? But really – it depends on your perspective.
Let me just go ahead and tell you where I’m going with this message. We’re going to use the word in three different ways, to illustrate a different perspective of the same process in our lives.
- I must experience breakdown
- so Jesus can break through
- and allow me to break out.
So the subtitle for my message today is Breakdown, Breakthrough, Breakout.
To illustrate this concept, let’s look at the story of Jacob:
Gen 32:22-31
Jacob was a man that wanted desperately to get somewhere. His desire was demonstrated even at birth. The Bible tells us that there was something about Jacob’s spirit that God loved. But Jacob kept getting in the way! He lied to his dad. He cheated his brother. He stole from his uncle. So here Jacob is in chapter 32 – rich, but still not happy. He is a broken, middle-aged man with a family and no place to call home. His uncle Laban is pursuing him from behind. He’s just heard that his vengeful brother is bringing his armies out to meet him. Jacob has just split his large family up and sent them in two different directions, in hopes that at least some of them will survive the slaughter that is sure to come.
You might ask – why is this happening to Jacob? I thought the Bible said that God loved him! I thought Jacob was the child of promise…
He is. And God does. The problem is – there has just been too much of Jacob in the mix. God can hardly get a word in edgewise. You see – Jacob needed a breakdown – of his pride – his will.
BREAKDOWN
Some of you may be experiencing some struggles, some difficulties in life. Oh yes – God loves you. As a matter of fact – He loves you so much that He isn’t going to let you mess up his plans for you! He’s working against the pride, the strong will. As long as you stubbornly persist in having it your way – He can’t do anything.
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (NIV)
Paul spoke about how God worked against pride in his life:
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10 (NKJV)
You see, He has to break before He can bless.
- Disciples gathered twelve baskets of bread that had been only 5 loaves – broken and blessed.
- Mary left the Pharisee’s house with a broken alabaster box – and a Word from God.
- Jacob walked away from God’s presence with a broken leg – and a new name!
- The resurrected Christ still bore the marks of a broken body.
As a matter of fact – it is the mark of his broken body that he uses to prove his identity. Like Jesus - the sign of a true Christian will be healed wounds.
Paul bore these marks:
Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Gal 6:17 (NIV)
That’s why Peter tells us:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
You see – we get a different perspective when we realize that the same thing that is breaking us down is the very thing that will allow him to break through!
A breakdown prayer: Jesus, forgive me for being so much like me. Forgive my proud insistence on having it my way. Forgive me for fearing that you don’t love me, or don’t know what is best for me. I’m letting my guard down now, Lord. Let there be less of me, and more of you.
BREAKTHROUGH
Of course, we’re enjoying this story today because Jacob’s breakdown was God’s breakthrough!
What is a breakthrough? It is the passage through some barrier – something that has been blocking progress. From a human perspective, there are medical breakthroughs. We break through speed barriers. There are social breakthroughs.
We all love a breakthrough – that “Eureka” moment, an epiphany. Someone turned the light on. We’ve all faced barriers in our life, and we’ve all experienced breakthroughs.
But the greatest barrier of all was caused by sin:
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
We are in a desperate plight, because we cannot get through this one.
9 So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. 10 Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. Isaiah 59:9-10 (NIV)
As it regards spiritual things – the problem is that many of us are looking to break through something. But we have no hope of breaking through. We need Him to break through!
16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:16-17 (NIV)
That sounds remarkably like Eph 6 – where we are instructed to take on the armor of God. But He put it on first, for us! He fought the great fight – be broke through the veil of sinful flesh.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, Heb 10:19-20 (NIV)
Jesus told his disciples about a breakthrough they would receive – because of His breakthrough. He told them about the Promise of the Father. In Acts 1:8, he spoke of a power that they would receive when the Holy Spirit came upon them. In chapter 2 – it happened. What a transformation.
Some of you have been seeking a breakthrough – thinking that you were going to get through something. What you should be seeking for his for Him to break through! (Acts 2:39)
A breakthrough prayer: Lord, my walls are down. I invite you to break through my pride, break through my fear, and break through my doubts. Let my weakness be an opportunity for your strength. Let your light pierce the darkness in my life. Explode into my world now, and fill me with your Holy Spirit.
BREAKOUT
Of course, God broke through into their lives for a purpose. He wanted them to break out! Acts 1:8 tells us why the Holy Spirit was to come upon them… You will be witnesses…
10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." So he named him Israel. 11 And God said to him, "I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. Gen 35:10-11 (NIV)
What God wants to do in your life isn’t just for you… It is for us. It is for our community. It is for our nation. It is for our world.
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Mark 16:20 (KJV)
A breakout prayer: Jesus, thank you for filling me with your Spirit. Now let that Spirit lead me to someone else that you want to touch, and let it speak through me. Give me boldness to speak faith into people’s lives, and let your Spirit confirm that word in their hearts. Here I am - send me today.
