Blind Bartimaeus
Like seasons of the year, the church also has seasons for spiritual growth, renewal, harvest and planting. Seasons for self-reflection, seasons for joyful exuberance and seasons for tending the seeds already planted.
We find ourselves in the season of Lent, a time of inner reflection and self-evaluation. During Lent, we confront our own self-righteous attitudes and look at ourselves without restraint in the light of God’s mercy and grace. If there needs to be some house cleaning, this is the time acknowledge the cobwebs and dust bunnies collecting in our lives before they morph into something more sinister.
This week we look at how our brokenness can be the source of new spiritual vitality, healing and strength. Through the story of Bartimaeus,. we must acknowledge our spiritual blindness, cry out for help despite the nay-sayers and the status conscious. We must look past the past and listen as Jesus offers us an invitation to become whole persons.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
But before healing can take place, Jesus asks us all, the righteous and unrighteous the same Big Question: “What do you want me to do for you?” This question is at the core of our worship and our spiritual growth. It answers our deepest longings and it is the seed for abundant fruit. Plant it in your heart, let it roll around in the recesses of your mind and let it produce a fruit you didn’t expect.
“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” Vance Havner
Sermon Audio Confronting Brokenness 3.10.13L
Sermon Slides Worship Slides 03.10.13 Brokenness
Sermon Notes Sermon Notes 03.10.13 Confronting Brokenness
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