Transformative Journey: From Brokenness to Wholeness
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the concept of change, particularly the transformation that occurs within us. This transformation is not merely a passive experience but an active pursuit that requires our participation. The essence of this change is rooted in the promises of God as revealed in the Scriptures, which assure us that a life in God is not only possible but profoundly good. The transformation we seek is a change of heart, a healing of our brokenness, which is fundamentally a broken will. This brokenness is often manifested in our self-will, the insistence on having our way regardless of the consequences.
The Scriptures, particularly passages like 1 Corinthians 13, offer a vision of love that is patient, kind, and devoid of envy or arrogance. This love is not something we can achieve on our own; it is something we receive from God. The challenge lies in whether we feel safe embracing such love, as it requires a shift in our vision of God and ourselves. The healing of our hearts involves understanding the interplay between our will, mind, and feelings. Our feelings often dictate our actions, but through discipleship and apprenticeship to Jesus, we learn to align our will with God's, escaping the tyranny of our emotions.
The family, as the primary social context, plays a crucial role in shaping our will and mind. Brokenness often originates within the family, perpetuated by self-will and the desire to control. Yet, Jesus offers a path to healing, assuring us that in Him, we find sufficiency, freedom from dread, and the promise of eternal life. This path is not just about professing faith but involves a committed discipleship, a practical apprenticeship where we learn to embody the teachings of Jesus.
Ultimately, the transformation we seek is a journey from brokenness to wholeness, from self-will to a will aligned with God's. It is a journey that requires us to confront our deficiencies, fears, and desires, trusting in God's promise of healing and restoration.
Key Takeaways:
1. Active Participation in Change: Transformation is not passive; it requires our active participation. We must engage with the promises of God and take steps to align our will with His, allowing His love to transform us from the inside out. [01:31]
2. Understanding Brokenness: Our brokenness stems from self-will, the insistence on having our way. Healing begins with understanding this root cause and allowing God's love to reshape our desires and actions. [14:09]
3. Role of Family in Shaping Will: The family is a primary context where our will and mind are shaped. Healing within the family involves addressing self-will and fostering an environment of love and generosity. [15:14]
4. Discipleship as a Path to Healing: True transformation comes through discipleship, a practical apprenticeship to Jesus. This involves learning to embody His teachings and aligning our will with His. [24:16]
5. Freedom from Dread and Deficiency: In Jesus, we find freedom from dread and deficiency. His assurance of eternal life and constant presence offers us the security and sufficiency we need to overcome brokenness. [21:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - The Power of Change
- [00:43] - Singing the Right Song
- [01:04] - Change from the Inside
- [01:31] - Active Participation in Change
- [02:20] - The Promise of Scripture
- [03:47] - Receiving Love
- [05:08] - Vision of God
- [07:20] - Finding the Way In
- [08:08] - Understanding Brokenness
- [09:12] - The Role of the Will
- [10:23] - The Tyranny of Feelings
- [11:34] - Healing the Body
- [12:24] - Restoration of the Soul
- [13:33] - Source of Brokenness
- [14:09] - Self-Will and Brokenness
- [15:14] - Family and Brokenness
- [17:07] - The Creative Will
- [21:55] - Freedom from Dread
- [24:16] - Discipleship and Healing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
2. Galatians 5:17-21
3. Mark 7:21-23
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are the characteristics of love that are highlighted? How do these characteristics contrast with self-will? [02:20]
2. In Galatians 5, what does Paul describe as the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit? How does this relate to the concept of self-will discussed in the sermon? [36:38]
3. What does Mark 7:21-23 say about the source of evil actions? How does this passage connect to the idea of brokenness originating from self-will? [35:42]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of family in shaping our will and mind? What impact does this have on our journey from brokenness to wholeness? [15:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest we can actively participate in our transformation? What steps are necessary to align our will with God's? [01:31]
2. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between our feelings and our actions? How can discipleship help us escape the "tyranny of feelings"? [10:23]
3. How does the concept of discipleship as a practical apprenticeship to Jesus provide a path to healing and transformation? What does this look like in everyday life? [24:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus offers freedom from dread and deficiency? How does this assurance impact our understanding of brokenness and healing? [21:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your self-will led to brokenness in your life. What steps can you take to allow God's love to reshape your desires and actions? [14:09]
2. Consider the role your family has played in shaping your will and mind. How can you foster an environment of love and generosity within your family to promote healing? [15:14]
3. Identify an area in your life where your feelings often dictate your actions. How can you practice aligning your will with God's to overcome this challenge? [10:23]
4. Think about your current understanding of God and yourself. What changes might be necessary for you to feel safe embracing the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? [04:10]
5. How can you actively engage in discipleship and apprenticeship to Jesus in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to embody His teachings? [24:16]
6. Reflect on any feelings of dread or deficiency you may experience. How can the assurance of Jesus' presence and promise of eternal life provide you with security and sufficiency? [21:55]
7. Choose one characteristic of love from 1 Corinthians 13 to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate this characteristic in your interactions with others? [02:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Engagement in Transformation
Transformation in faith is an active process that requires our participation. It involves engaging with God's promises and aligning our will with His, allowing His love to transform us from within. This change is not passive; it demands intentional steps towards embracing God's vision for our lives. By actively participating in this journey, we open ourselves to the profound goodness of a life rooted in God. [01:31]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can actively engage in aligning your will with God's today? What practical step can you take to begin this transformation?
Day 2: Understanding the Root of Brokenness
Our brokenness often stems from self-will, the insistence on having our way regardless of the consequences. Healing begins with recognizing this root cause and allowing God's love to reshape our desires and actions. By understanding the interplay between our will, mind, and feelings, we can escape the tyranny of emotions and align ourselves with God's will. This journey requires confronting our deficiencies and trusting in God's promise of healing and restoration. [14:09]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where your self-will led to brokenness. How can you invite God's love to reshape your desires in similar situations moving forward?
Day 3: The Family's Role in Shaping Will
The family is a primary context where our will and mind are shaped. Brokenness often originates within the family, perpetuated by self-will and the desire to control. Healing within the family involves addressing self-will and fostering an environment of love and generosity. By embracing Jesus' teachings, families can become spaces of healing and transformation, where individuals learn to align their will with God's. [15:14]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Reflect on a family relationship that needs healing. What steps can you take to foster an environment of love and generosity in that relationship today?
Day 4: Discipleship as a Path to Healing
True transformation comes through discipleship, a practical apprenticeship to Jesus. This involves learning to embody His teachings and aligning our will with His. Discipleship is not just about professing faith but involves a committed journey of embodying Jesus' teachings in our daily lives. Through this apprenticeship, we find healing and the strength to overcome our brokenness, aligning our desires with God's will. [24:16]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one teaching of Jesus that you find challenging to embody? How can you take a step towards living out this teaching in your daily life today?
Day 5: Freedom from Dread and Deficiency
In Jesus, we find freedom from dread and deficiency. His assurance of eternal life and constant presence offers us the security and sufficiency we need to overcome brokenness. By trusting in His promises, we can confront our fears and deficiencies, knowing that in Him, we find sufficiency and freedom. This journey involves embracing the security that comes from a life rooted in Jesus' love and promises. [21:55]
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Reflection: What fear or deficiency is currently holding you back? How can you lean into Jesus' promise of freedom and sufficiency to overcome this today?
Quotes
"Change is not passive; change is active, and there are things that will absolutely work to change you no matter what the issue is. Let me just begin with this statement that everything that is promised in the scriptures about life in God is possible, and it's a good thing. It's not a bad thing; it's a good thing." [00:01:41]
"Love is patient, love is kind, and it is not jealous. Love does not brag; it is not arrogant. It doesn't act like a jerk. That's, you know, that's why it's talking about, you know, if you say it doesn't act unbecomingly where the old version does not behave itself unseemly." [00:02:35]
"So now the question that really comes to us is would we feel safe being like that? That's an honest shrug because the truth of the matter is when we think about these things that are presented in the scriptures, when we really think about them, I think most of us, at least until we get into it very well, aren't really sure we want that." [00:04:16]
"The will is central, and the will is really the heart, and the broken heart is really a broken will. And when something is broken, it's non-functional, isn't it? You know, when your kid has a toy and it's broken, what does that mean? It means, you know, work, and that's the story on human life." [00:09:22]
"Self-will is a matter of saying I must have my way no matter what. That's what self-will is. It's not will. You got to have will, and will is a good thing. There used to be talk of breaking the will as a process of discipline for young people, and it's an unfortunate thing because very often it meant domination by a will that was not broken but needed to be." [00:15:29]
"One of the great gifts of healing that comes from Jesus is his assurance that those who know him and love his word will never experience death, and they'll never experience desertion, and that they are sufficient in God, and that there's really nothing to dread. You believe that, can you?" [00:21:29]
"The healing of brokenness, overcoming the brokenness, comes from a path of discipleship to Jesus, not just faith in Him. And we had to recognize that we have a form of Christianity today that accepts that and says, well, you can have faith in Christ and not change; you can have faith in Christ and not be a disciple." [00:23:20]
"Apprenticeship, because it has that practical aspect to it, we still have that in some of the trades, don't we? Apprentice. And now please try to think about your faith in Jesus as confidence in him and understand that when you have confidence in him, not just something he did or something he said, you have confidence in him." [00:24:44]
"Now, of course, something you want to drink of water, you can normally get that. But when you think about your life as a whole, what kind of person do I want to be? Am I the kind of person I want to be? Am I genuinely full of joy and peace, or am I just hanging on by my toenails?" [00:36:39]
"People generally desperately want to be good. I've never met a person who didn't want to be good, never. And I've said that in front of audiences in many parts of the world, and I often say it in front of my classes at USC. I've never met anyone who doesn't want to be good desperately." [00:33:07]
"Because of the brokenness, we develop a place to hide, and actually, it's in our bodies. And one of the main things that our bodies allows us to do is to hide from others. That's a shocking thing. I quote you Shakespeare: God has given you one face, and you make yourself another one." [00:39:57]
"God is always reaching out. God is always trying to find the human being in their brokenness, and it's hard for us to believe somehow that he could actually love everyone, but he does." [00:40:37]
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