Embracing Humility: God's Call to the Brokenhearted

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are reminded of the profound truth that God seeks those with a humble and contrite spirit. As we gather to break bread, it is essential to reflect on the kind of people God desires to dwell with. Isaiah 66:2 tells us that God looks for those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and this is the foundation upon which He builds His church. The breaking of bread is not merely a ritual; it is an opportunity for us to open our eyes and recognize the presence of Jesus among us, just as the disciples did when He broke bread with them.

God's revelation is not reserved for the wise and intelligent of this world but is given to those who approach Him with the humility of a child. Jesus praised the Father for revealing truths to babes, emphasizing that humility is the key to understanding God's Word. The world often values intelligence and status, but God values a heart that is broken and contrite. Even those who are intelligent can humble themselves, as the Apostle Paul did, to receive God's revelation and become more Christ-like.

The Song of Solomon beautifully illustrates the earnest desire of the Lord to fellowship with His people. It is not about outward appearances or worldly standards of beauty but about the heart's condition. God sees beyond the surface and values a heart that is humble and contrite. This is the spirit with which we should approach the Lord's table, seeking to be broken and humble before Him.

In our churches, we must value and seek fellowship with those who may not be considered wise or noble by worldly standards. God has chosen the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong. It is a reminder that in God's eyes, we are all equal, and our worth is not determined by our intelligence or status but by our humility and brokenness before Him.

As we partake in the breaking of bread, let us remember that it is an opportunity to meet the needs of others, to pour out our lives in service, and to walk the way of sacrifice. Let us be gripped by the spirit of humility and brokenness, knowing that in God's eyes, we are precious and valued.

Key Takeaways:

- God seeks those with a humble and contrite spirit to dwell with, as seen in Isaiah 66:2. This humility is the foundation upon which He builds His church, and it is essential for us to approach the breaking of bread with this spirit. [14:26]

- Revelation from God is given to those who approach Him with the humility of a child, not to the wise and intelligent of this world. Jesus praised the Father for revealing truths to babes, emphasizing the importance of humility in understanding God's Word. [16:09]

- The Song of Solomon illustrates the Lord's earnest desire to fellowship with His people, valuing a heart that is humble and contrite over outward appearances or worldly standards of beauty. [18:14]

- In our churches, we must value and seek fellowship with those who may not be considered wise or noble by worldly standards. God has chosen the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong, reminding us of our equal worth in His eyes. [22:00]

- The breaking of bread is an opportunity to meet the needs of others, to pour out our lives in service, and to walk the way of sacrifice. Let us be gripped by the spirit of humility and brokenness, knowing that in God's eyes, we are precious and valued. [26:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:28] - Invitation to Fellowship
- [14:08] - Building God's House
- [15:09] - Where God Dwells
- [15:48] - Revelation to the Humble
- [16:39] - The Danger of Worldly Wisdom
- [17:28] - Humility of the Apostle Paul
- [18:14] - The Bridegroom's Desire
- [19:23] - God's Perspective on Beauty
- [20:11] - Serving Among the Humble
- [21:38] - God's Choice of the Foolish
- [22:34] - Recognizing Pride
- [23:41] - The Spirit of Christ
- [24:33] - Valuing the Humble
- [25:45] - Embracing Brokenness

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 66:2 - "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
2. Matthew 11:25 - "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.'"
3. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 66:2, what qualities does God look for in those He favors? How does this relate to the building of His church? [14:26]
2. In Matthew 11:25, why does Jesus praise the Father, and what does this reveal about who receives God's revelation? [15:48]
3. How does 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 describe the types of people God chooses, and what is the purpose of these choices? [22:00]
4. What is the significance of the breaking of bread in recognizing Jesus' presence, as mentioned in the sermon? [13:43]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of humility in Isaiah 66:2 challenge the way we typically view success and worth in society? [14:26]
2. What does Jesus' statement in Matthew 11:25 suggest about the relationship between humility and spiritual insight? [15:48]
3. How might 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 encourage those who feel inadequate or unworthy in their faith journey? [22:00]
4. In what ways does the breaking of bread serve as a reminder of our call to humility and service? [26:51]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or undervalued. How can the message of Isaiah 66:2 encourage you to see your worth in God's eyes? [14:26]
2. Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to "babes." How can you cultivate a childlike humility in your daily walk with God? [15:48]
3. Consider the people you associate with in your church community. How can you intentionally seek fellowship with those who may not be considered wise or noble by worldly standards? [22:00]
4. The breaking of bread is an opportunity to meet the needs of others. Identify one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week. [26:51]
5. How can you ensure that your approach to the Lord's table is marked by humility and a contrite spirit? What steps can you take to prepare your heart for this practice? [14:47]
6. Reflect on the idea that God values a broken and contrite heart over outward appearances. How does this perspective influence the way you view yourself and others? [19:23]
7. In what ways can you embrace the spirit of sacrifice in your life, as exemplified by the breaking of bread? How can this shape your interactions with others? [26:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility as the Foundation of God's Dwelling
God seeks those with a humble and contrite spirit to dwell with, as seen in Isaiah 66:2. This humility is the foundation upon which He builds His church, and it is essential for us to approach the breaking of bread with this spirit. The act of breaking bread is not just a ritual but a profound opportunity to recognize the presence of Jesus among us, just as the disciples did. When we gather with humility, we open ourselves to the divine presence and allow God to work within us, building His church on the foundation of our humble hearts. [14:26]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a humble and contrite spirit as you approach communal worship and the breaking of bread this week?


Day 2: Childlike Humility Unlocks Divine Revelation
Revelation from God is given to those who approach Him with the humility of a child, not to the wise and intelligent of this world. Jesus praised the Father for revealing truths to babes, emphasizing the importance of humility in understanding God's Word. This childlike humility allows us to receive divine insights that are hidden from those who rely solely on their intellect. By embracing humility, we position ourselves to receive God's wisdom and grow in our spiritual journey. [16:09]

"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.'" (Matthew 11:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you adopt a childlike humility in your daily life to better receive and understand God's revelations?


Day 3: The Heart's Condition Over Outward Appearances
The Song of Solomon illustrates the Lord's earnest desire to fellowship with His people, valuing a heart that is humble and contrite over outward appearances or worldly standards of beauty. God looks beyond the surface and cherishes a heart that is open and sincere. In our relationship with God, it is the condition of our heart that matters most, not our external achievements or appearances. This perspective invites us to focus on inner transformation and authenticity in our walk with God. [18:14]

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your heart remains humble and sincere before God, rather than focusing on outward appearances?


Day 4: Embracing the Foolish and Weak in God's Kingdom
In our churches, we must value and seek fellowship with those who may not be considered wise or noble by worldly standards. God has chosen the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong, reminding us of our equal worth in His eyes. This divine choice challenges us to embrace and uplift those who are often overlooked, recognizing that God's power is made perfect in weakness. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's heart and purpose. [22:00]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community might be considered "foolish" or "weak" by worldly standards, and how can you intentionally seek to honor and learn from them this week?


Day 5: The Breaking of Bread as a Call to Service
The breaking of bread is an opportunity to meet the needs of others, to pour out our lives in service, and to walk the way of sacrifice. Let us be gripped by the spirit of humility and brokenness, knowing that in God's eyes, we are precious and valued. This act of communion calls us to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and to emulate His selfless love in our interactions with others. By serving others, we embody the essence of the Gospel and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. [26:51]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use the act of breaking bread as a reminder to serve others selflessly in your daily life?

Quotes


and then he took the bread and broke it and then their eyes were opened and they recognized him when he vanished so when we break bread it's good to pray that eyes will be opened to see what type of person is the Lord looking for we already heard that the Lord is looking for those who have a broken and a contrite spirit those are the ones will be most blessed in the breaking of bread because the Lord is looking for that [00:13:47]

what did we see in Isaiah 66 he's talking about the house the church that we want to build for the Lord what he can build a church with what type of material the material our people Isaiah 66 verse 2 who are humble and contrite of spirit that's the only type of bricks with which the Lord wants to build his house and when we come to the Lord's table let's ask ourselves whether we are like that [00:14:26]

Jesus said I praise You Father Lord of Heaven and Earth Matthew 11:25 that you hidden these amazing truths from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to babes the main thing Jesus said about a baby was humility unless you humble yourself like this little child you cannot enter God's kingdom so we can say that God's Word is revealed to the humble in the contract not to the clever and intelligent [00:15:48]

the more intelligent you are in relation to this world the less likely you are to get revelation from God you can get clever thoughts but to get revelation from God that changes your life and makes you more christ-like you have to be broken and contrite you've got to be humble like a little child and if unfortunately you have the handicap of being intelligent and clever okay you can humble yourself too [00:16:48]

Paul was one of the cleverest people on earth I believe he would have been a first-class business man or a first-class computer scientist if he were living today but he humbled himself so much he became the greatest apostle so that's not a handicap unless you are proud of it but if you throw all that human ability and into the trashcan and say Lord give me a heart like a little child [00:17:28]

one of the books in the Old Testament where I see that earnest desire of the Lord is in Song of Solomon it's one of my favorite books because it speaks to the bride and the bridegroom thanks I believe it's returning to Christ and this Church believers Christ and believers and you see the earnest desire you've seen many places in Song of Solomon the bridegroom earnestly desiring to fellowship with the bride [00:18:14]

God does not see as man sees I praise the Lord for that man looks on the outward appearance and sees the color of skin and beauty and all that God looks at the heart is it a broken in a contrite heart I'm black psalm solomon 1 verse 5 but in Jesus eyes I'm lovely because she had a broken in the contract spirit not just because she's black no but because she's did a broken and a contrite spirit [00:19:23]

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong the base things of the world and the despised God is chosen the things that are nothing in the world's eyes so that he might bring to nothing but things that are so that no man can boast before God [00:22:00]

there's a hidden inward boasting that rich and clever people have they don't see it themselves I can speak to a believer I mean because I've been serving the Lord now for more than 50 years I can now I have enough experience now that if I speak to a person for five minutes I can find out if he's a proud arrogant believer or a humble broken person almost never mistaken [00:22:34]

how much we need the Spirit of Christ to have genuine brokenness to recognize that in God's eyes I'm a zero it's one of the greatest revelations that we need to see that in God's eyes we are zero and those are the people who can appreciate the breaking of bread the most when people are unthankful or despise us it's a great opportunity to be broken [00:25:45]

let me break bread to meet the needs of others and let me pour out wine to quench the others thirst this is the opposite of the world in the world we are always trying to make people feel I'm needy will you come and help me I'm in financial need will you give me some financial help there are so many subtle ways in which people hint about that and ask for that that's the spirit of the world [00:26:51]

so let's come with broken and contrite hearts and say Lord I want you to dwell with me I'm black but I know I'm precious in your eyes I know you value me minute ugly people don't and I always in my life want to be a broken contract person before you and I testify to that today in the breaking of bread amen [00:28:41]

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Transcript
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