BROKENNESS PART 02_THE WORK OF THE CROSS Philippians 3:10 KJV That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; John 12:24 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. Brokenness is not a one-time event. We cannot go around saying Praise God I am broken. Brokenness is a lifetime event that happens in our daily walk with the Lord. Paul says, I die daily. Therefore, when we think that we have arrived, we had better take another look at our hearts. God will not put more on us than we can bear. Since He knows where we are in our spirit and flesh walk, He also knows what to use to bring about an opportunity of Brokenness in our lives. Remember, we do not have to be broken. God creates the opportunity for us to lay down our lives, but we can choose to live a life that is consumed by the love of self or things. We can even be deceived about this. We can think that we love God and that we are in a state of Brokenness but be in love with the world and our own desires. This would be a state of self-righteousness, such as the Pharisee in Luke 18. That is why we throw ourselves on the rock to be broken, lest the rock crushes us, (die or be killed). Matthew 21:44 KJV And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Luke 18:10-12 KJV Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. To see how the deception of false brokenness can occur and produce selfrighteousness we will look at the Luke 18:10-14 passage. In 18:10 both the Pharisee and the publican went to the Temple to pray, which is a good Biblical religious activity. However, in 18:11 the Pharisee prayed to himself. In other words, he was the center and object of his prayer. His first statement in his prayer was to compare himself as better than others. The act of true heart of brokenness always compares ourselves individually with the standards of God s Word and we all will find ourselves lacking in both what we do and who we are. In 18:12 the Pharisee reminds himself and God of his diligence in the act of religious fasting and tithing. This boasting of his activities reveals his heart of selfrighteousness and his thinking that he was right in his own eyes. The commands of God Pastor Charles Morris Page 1 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com
commanded men to fast one time a year and that was during the ten days of the Feast of Trumpets. In the Book of Zechariah we find that the religious leaders had increased the command of God and had placed a requirement of four fasting times a year. Now this Pharisee has increased the fasting time to 104 times a year. Then the Pharisee reminded God of all that he gave. The law commands that we give a tenth of our income as a tithe to the Lord. The word tithe means exactly that, a tenth. Yet this Pharisee exceeded that and gave a tenth of all that he possessed. This was not required of the Bible tenth or tithe. A self-righteous Pharisee will always add more religious activity than needed that they can boast and appear to be broken instead of dealing with the real issue of the heart. Luke 18:13-14 KJV And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. In Luke 18:13-14 we see the other half of the story. The publican was a Jewish tax collector and was typically hated by both the Jews and the Roman gentiles. The Roman authorities told the tax collectors how much money was demanded from their region. The publican then set out to exceed that set amount for his own personal gain. Many times the tax collector would double the amount that the Roman authorities required so that they could gain riches from heavy taxes of their own brethren. Some of the best known tax collectors in Scriptures, who have their own stories and testimonies, are Matthew and Zacchaeus. We can read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-9 of how the salvation of God came to his house. In Luke 18:13 we see that the humility of the publican kept him from approaching the center place of attention but kept him back. His head was bowed in a state of being a broken man, beating his chest in a state of deep repentance. The beating of the chest is an expression of grief and anguish in view of his sins. Even today it is a sign of deep grief among most nations. His prayer was focused on the greatness of God and the sinfulness of man. He knew he was a sinner and that any religious activity he accomplished would not change that. Instead of reminding God of his religious piety he cried out for mercy. Our Lord Jesus Christ stated in 18:14 that the publican left the Temple and went home justified. The word justified in this passage means to render innocent. God treated him or declared him as righteous. The 18:14 account did not say that the publican left more justified than the Pharisee. It says that the publican left the Temple justified and the Pharisee left not justified. In all the religious activities of the Pharisee he still was not deemed, rendered, or declared righteous by God. One of the key problems was that the Pharisee loved his own life. We will see later more about this but for now I will refer to the John 12:25 Scripture about loving one s own life. Pastor Charles Morris Page 2 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com
John 12:25 KJV He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. So why is the teaching on brokenness so important? In Luke 18:14 our Lord said, for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Those who exalt themselves in their own eyes will be brought low by the Lord. Those who humble themselves in their own eyes and before the Lord will be exalted by the Lord. Therefore, brokenness is a lesson of the heart of being humbled before God and man. Let it be noted by this story from our Lord that fasting, prayer, and tithing did not produce a broken and humble heart in the Pharisee. These religious activities only gave him reference points in which to boast about. The reason I stress this is there is a tendency of some to try to pray, fast, or give themselves to a position of piety, righteousness, humility, and brokenness. Although these are good Biblical disciplines of the faith they do not produce humility or brokenness. Humility and brokenness is a result of the heart condition in realizing who and what I am outside of Christ. The only position of righteousness I currently possess is a result of Christ and Him crucified and not through any religious activity or discipline of faith. Life Work Questions For Continual Study: 1. The Scriptures say in Philippians 2:5 to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. What is this "mind of Christ" according to Scripture? See Philippians 2:1-11; 4:6-9 for complete insight. Philippians 2:1-11 KJV If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Pastor Charles Morris Page 3 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com
Philippians 4:6-9 KJV Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 2. Before we are to be in the likeness of our Lord's resurrection we must first be planted together with Him in? (See Romans 6:3-8) Romans 6:3-8 KJV Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 3. If we are to produce "spiritual fruit" we must do what according to the Scriptures? (See John.12:24) John 12:24 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 4. If we are to keep our life, what must we do according to the Scriptures? (See John.12:25). John 12:25 KJV He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 5. What commands and promises are given to those who serve the Lord? (See John.12:24-27). John 12:24-27 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, Pastor Charles Morris Page 4 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com
there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 6. What are the promises, both positive and negative, given in 2 Timothy 2:11-12? 2 Timothy 2:11-12 KJV It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 7. God, the Father, gave the promise of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus Christ is the Baptizer. What else did the Father promise to baptize believers with? (See Matthew 3:11-12, Luke 3:16-17). Matthew 3:11-12 KJV I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (12) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Luke 3:16-17 KJV John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (17) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 8. What is promised with this "other baptism"? (See Matthew 3:11-12). Matthew 3:11-12 KJV I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 9. The fire that the Lord sends is not a warm fuzzy that is a feel good experience. If we have a heart that leans to protecting or saving our lives than this fire of the father will be an uncomfortable experience. In this fire we will see that the fire which God sends will not bring about peace within the normal household. What is the promised result of the fire of God coming into our homes? Luke 12:49-53 KJV I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I Pastor Charles Morris Page 5 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com
straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 10. How will the Lord work in the lives of those who submit to death and what will He do through them? (See Malachi 3:1-3) Malachi 3:1-3 KJV Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 11. How is Malachi 3:3 related to or similar to Romans 12:1-2? Romans 12:1-2 KJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Pastor Charles Morris Page 6 of 6 email: rsi.ministries.usa@gmail.com