Embracing Healing Through Acknowledging Our Brokenness
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter the reality of our brokenness. This brokenness is rooted in our self-will, which is inherently destructive, turning both inward and outward, leaving us dysfunctional. This is a universal human condition, and it is crucial to understand this before we can embrace the remedy offered through Christ. In Galatians 5, Paul provides a vivid depiction of this brokenness, highlighting the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. He presents this struggle as a fundamental aspect of human life, akin to a social scientist or psychologist analyzing human behavior.
Paul describes the works of the flesh and the opposition between the flesh and the spirit, emphasizing that this conflict prevents us from doing what we truly desire. Our brokenness manifests in three main dimensions: moral failure, unhappiness, and the incapacity to achieve the good we set before ourselves. Often, we find ourselves unable to do what is right, overwhelmed by external and internal challenges. Fear, for instance, is a significant barrier to truthfulness and love. It is fear that often leads us to lie, as we worry about not getting what we want if we are honest.
The key to overcoming this fear and brokenness lies in knowing that the Lord is our shepherd. With this assurance, we can tell the truth and genuinely care for others, rather than being consumed by how they affect us. Furthermore, many people struggle with unhappiness and a lack of peace, feeling broken and unable to find rest. A critical question arises: how can we accomplish the good we desire in this world? This is not merely a religious pursuit but a fundamental human aspiration to create good and be a blessing to others. We all wish to leave the world a better place, a desire ingrained in us as part of being made in the image of God. However, we cannot achieve this on our own; we need divine guidance and strength.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Our Brokenness: Recognizing our inherent brokenness is the first step toward healing. This brokenness stems from self-will, which is destructive and prevents us from functioning as we should. Acknowledging this universal condition allows us to seek the remedy found in Christ. [00:24]
2. The Conflict Within: The struggle between the flesh and the spirit is a fundamental aspect of human life. This internal conflict often hinders us from doing what we truly desire, highlighting our need for spiritual guidance and strength. [01:42]
3. Overcoming Fear with Faith: Fear is a significant barrier to truthfulness and love. By trusting in the Lord as our shepherd, we can overcome fear, enabling us to be honest and genuinely care for others without being self-centered. [03:14]
4. Finding Peace Amidst Unhappiness: Many people struggle with unhappiness and a lack of peace. Recognizing our brokenness and seeking divine guidance can lead us to find rest and fulfillment, even amidst life's challenges. [03:53]
5. Aspiring to Create Good: Every person has an innate desire to create good and leave the world a better place. This aspiration is part of our nature, reflecting the image of God within us. However, achieving this requires divine assistance, as we cannot do it alone. [04:35]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - The Reality of Brokenness
[00:43] - Galatians 5: A Picture of Brokenness
[01:03] - Paul as a Social Scientist
[01:22] - The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
[01:42] - Brokenness 101
[02:02] - Inability to Do Good
[02:22] - Overwhelmed by Challenges
[02:38] - Fear and Truthfulness
[02:58] - The Little Girl's Insight
[03:14] - The Lord as Our Shepherd
[03:32] - Genuine Care for Others
[03:53] - Unhappiness and Peace
[04:14] - Creating Good in the World
[04:35] - The Desire to Leave a Better World
[04:58] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:17
- Psalm 23:1
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he talks about the "flesh setting its desire against the spirit" in Galatians 5:17? How does this relate to the concept of brokenness discussed in the sermon? [01:42]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three main dimensions of our brokenness? How do these dimensions manifest in our daily lives? [02:02]
3. How does fear act as a barrier to truthfulness and love, as mentioned in the sermon? Can you recall any examples given? [02:38]
4. What is the significance of knowing "The Lord is my shepherd" in overcoming fear and brokenness? [03:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the internal conflict between the flesh and the spirit prevent individuals from doing what they truly desire? What might this struggle look like in a person's life? [01:42]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fear can lead to moral failure? How does this connect to the broader theme of brokenness? [02:38]
3. The sermon mentions a universal desire to create good and leave the world a better place. How does this aspiration reflect the image of God within us? [04:35]
4. How does the assurance of the Lord as our shepherd provide the strength needed to overcome personal brokenness and fear? [03:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where fear prevented you from being truthful or loving. How might trusting in the Lord as your shepherd have changed your response? [02:38]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel broken or dysfunctional. What steps can you take to seek healing and guidance through your faith in Christ? [00:24]
3. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by challenges, both internal and external. How can you apply the sermon’s teachings to find peace and rest amidst these struggles? [03:53]
4. Think about a specific good you wish to accomplish in the world. What practical steps can you take to pursue this aspiration with divine guidance? [04:14]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of genuine care for others, focusing less on how they affect you and more on their needs? What changes might this require in your daily interactions? [03:32]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about leaving the world a better place. What is one tangible action you can take this week to contribute positively to your community? [04:35]
7. How can you remind yourself daily of the assurance that "The Lord is my shepherd" to overcome fear and brokenness? Consider creating a personal reminder or practice. [03:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Universal Brokenness
Understanding our brokenness is the first step toward healing. This brokenness is rooted in our self-will, which is inherently destructive, turning both inward and outward, leaving us dysfunctional. It is a universal human condition that prevents us from functioning as we should. Acknowledging this allows us to seek the remedy found in Christ. By recognizing our brokenness, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation and healing through divine intervention. This understanding is not just a religious acknowledgment but a profound realization of our need for something greater than ourselves to overcome our inherent flaws. [00:24]
"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." (Psalm 51:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific areas of brokenness in your life do you need to acknowledge today, and how can you invite Christ into those areas for healing?
Day 2: The Inner Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
The struggle between the flesh and the spirit is a fundamental aspect of human life. This internal conflict often hinders us from doing what we truly desire, highlighting our need for spiritual guidance and strength. Paul describes this battle vividly in Galatians 5, where the desires of the flesh are opposed to the desires of the spirit. This conflict is not just a personal struggle but a universal human experience that requires us to seek divine help to align our actions with our true desires. By understanding this conflict, we can better navigate our spiritual journey and seek the strength needed to overcome the flesh. [01:42]
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you experience the conflict between the flesh and the spirit in your daily life, and how can you seek spiritual guidance to overcome it?
Day 3: Overcoming Fear with Faith
Fear is a significant barrier to truthfulness and love. By trusting in the Lord as our shepherd, we can overcome fear, enabling us to be honest and genuinely care for others without being self-centered. Fear often leads us to lie or act selfishly, as we worry about not getting what we want if we are honest. However, faith in God's guidance and protection allows us to move beyond fear and embrace a life of truth and love. This shift from fear to faith is essential for living a life that reflects the love and truth of Christ. [03:14]
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a fear that is holding you back from being truthful or loving. How can you trust God to help you overcome this fear today?
Day 4: Finding Peace Amidst Unhappiness
Many people struggle with unhappiness and a lack of peace. Recognizing our brokenness and seeking divine guidance can lead us to find rest and fulfillment, even amidst life's challenges. This pursuit of peace is not just about avoiding difficulties but about finding a deeper sense of contentment and joy in the midst of them. By turning to God for guidance and strength, we can experience a peace that transcends our circumstances and brings true fulfillment. This peace is a gift from God that allows us to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. [03:53]
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to find peace? How can you invite God's presence into that area to experience His peace?
Day 5: Aspiring to Create Good
Every person has an innate desire to create good and leave the world a better place. This aspiration is part of our nature, reflecting the image of God within us. However, achieving this requires divine assistance, as we cannot do it alone. Our desire to create good is not just a personal ambition but a reflection of God's character in us. By seeking God's guidance and strength, we can fulfill this desire and become a blessing to others. This pursuit of goodness is a lifelong journey that requires us to rely on God's wisdom and power to make a meaningful impact in the world. [04:35]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can create good in your community today, and how can you rely on God's strength to accomplish it?
Quotes
and we are faced with the fact that to begin with we are broken and the character that we have as human beings lies fundamentally in self-will that is essentially destructive and it turns inward on the self as well as outward and leaves us where we don't work broken just means we don't work and of course that's the common human condition [00:00:08]
this is basic instruction about the realities of human life and in this passage Paul is talking about the works of the flesh and the conflict between the flesh and the spirit and this is basic brokenness this is brokenness 101 verse 17 the flesh sets its desire against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh for these are in opposition to one another [00:01:28]
so that you may not do the things that you want to do you may not do the things that you want to do in the 3 main dimensions our brokenness our moral failure unhappiness and incapacity to accomplish the good that you set before you there's three things inability to do well you know to be right I mean of course sometimes you can but then many times you can't [00:02:02]
you're overwhelmed by the things around you and the things within you and so just doing the thing that is right for example just telling the truth just being sensitive and loving to other people number one thing that gets in the way there's fear I mean that's that's why people don't tell the truth it's fear they won't get what they want if they do [00:02:31]
say yeah I may have told you about the little girl in Sunday school who's asking what a lie is and she said it's an abomination to God and a very present help in time of trouble she kind of got her scriptures mixed up there see she's right on she understood now see and fear comes into the life that's why it's so important to know the Lord is my shepherd [00:02:58]
I shall not lack so I can tell the truth Laurie is my shepherd I shall not like so I can actually pay attention to other people be aware of them and not just be thinking about how they affect me see and so I don't want to go into this at length I hope you see how that works and then just happiness people are so unhappy [00:03:20]
and they can't find rest and peace they're broken and then one of the things that is so important is how can I accomplish the good which I find before myself in this world I'm not talking about anything especially religious here I'm just talking about creating good things and being a blessing to others and achieving the aspirations of my heart [00:03:47]
to count for something good in this world see everyone has that there really isn't any exception to it everyone wants to leave the world a better place than they found it and that's built into us that's a part of our nature in the image of God is having a desire to create what is good but we can't do that on our own [00:04:26]
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