Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Feb. 23, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE LORD’S SPECIALTY IS BROKEN THINGS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-4
Text: Jeremiah 18:4
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Introduction: Generally speaking, when something is broken, it is useless unless it can be repaired. Perhaps you know what it is like to have a broken arm or leg. When a person is financially drained so that he has absolutely nothing, he is said to be “broke.” When a person’s romantic hopes are destroyed, he is heartBROKEN. When a person is broken, he is almost useless, unless he gets repaired.
The first occurrence of the word “broken” in the Bible is found where the description is given of God’s judgment upon the world in the days of Noah:
Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
When things are broken in your life, you are in trouble:
Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
GOD is able to mend:
Broken hearts
Broken homes
Boken hopes
Broken health
Broken happiness
I’m GLAD that our Lord specializes in healing broken things!
Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
When a person is at rock bottom, he is broken. Under God’s chastisement, David said:
Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
Now we come to one of the paradoxes of the Christian life. The word “broken” is almost always negative. However, the word, “break,” can be positive. For instance, when a person gets an advantage in business, it is often said to be “his big BREAK.”
To be BROKEN in heart, health, or hope, COULD be your big BREAK. For instance, God gives you His attention when your spirit is broken, moreso than when your spirit is proud:
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Let me give you a few examples from the word of God of people who were broken, yet became greatly blessed and used of God. The Potter is able to mend the broken vessel and use it for His own purposes and pleasure!
I. JOSEPH WAS BROKEN WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED BY HIS OWN FAMILY
Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
A. Joseph was envied
B. Joseph was expelled
C. Joseph was exalted
D. Joseph was exonerated
II. MOSES WAS BROKEN WHEN HE WAS BRANDED BY PHARAOH AS AN ENEMY
Exodus 2:13-14 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.
A. His motive was pure
B. His mission was providential
C. His meekness was preeminent
- Moses wasn’t a glory-seeker
D. Yet his ministry was pushed away
E. His mansion and money in the palace were parted from him
F. His Master was patient with him
G. His mending was perfect
- It took 40 years but God got him ready to be used like no one in the history of mankind
III. PAUL WAS BROKEN WHEN HE WAS BUFFETED BY A THORN IN THE FLESH
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
A. This was a matter of pain
B. This was a matter of prayer
C. This was a matter of permanence
- He never DID get rid of the problem.
D. This became a matter of power
IV. OUR SAVIOR WAS BROKEN WHEN HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES
Although not a BONE of our Lord was broken, when the Lord was crucified and bore our sins in His body, the Bible describes His body as being broken:
1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
A. His blood promised REDEMPTION
B. His burial promised a REMOVAL
C. His body promised a RESURRECTION
Our Lord was broken, but through His brokenness, salvation was made available for you and me. Hallelujah!
The greatest men of the Bible were broken but God used them.
The greatest men of the fundamental movement were broken, but God used them.
Are you broken? It may be that God is going to use you. Don’t give up! God SPECIALIZES in broken things!
Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.