A Reflective Journey: Broken, Burdened, Built

[Compiled based on a series of sermons and discussions which I attended over the weekend.]

Spiritual growth is often a cyclical process, moving us from the humility of surrender to the power of action. This collection of lessons focuses on three vital stages necessary for a vibrant life of faith and service: being broken of self-will, embracing the Lord’s burden for the world, and being built up in His sacrificial love.

Like any journey, our spiritual journey requires proper preparation. Interestingly (and thankfully), our spiritual progression requires us to not worry about our earthly burdens and take rest in the Lord's presence (Matthew 11:28-30).

Broken

The first step toward true spiritual renewal is recognizing our distance from God and laying down the pride that creates separation.

Nearer to Thee O Lord

The Lord’s heart is one of extreme perfection balanced by extreme grace. Our vision must align with His, but human thoughts are not His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). The prophet Jonah demonstrated a profound failure to accept this reality. He understood God's passion for the Ninevites but refused to accept it, since he wasn't following God's vision.

We must examine if we are drawing near to God with our mouth while our hearts remain far away (Isaiah 29:13). The duty to share the Gospel must be propelled by love, not obligation. Forgiveness is the essential measure of this love, reflecting the command to love our enemies.

The journey requires us to be completely broken to be remade. We must pray that our emotions become God's emotions, leading us to understand and accept His fierce passion for those who are far from Him (Jonah 4:11). This is a call to be available Anytime and Anywhere, and to do Anything for Jesus Christ. We are to learn to rest in His presence (Matthew 11:28-29) and recognize that our reluctance to obey could cause harm to many.

Present Challenges of the Next Generation

We must have an accurate awareness of the current environment and the specific challenges facing the next generation. This involves understanding the context in which we serve and how we can best engage the emerging spiritual needs. Forget not that transformation takes time. Specifically, transformation into the image of God takes time and effort (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation process will have us move towards holiness away from total carnality. This transformation is not of the world (Romans 12:2), it is good (Jeremiah 29:11), and not burdensome (1 John 5:3). To work towards the transformation, we need to remember that we are called for this purpose (2 Corinthians 4:17). It might be hard, but we have encouragement (Hebrews 12:6). So, take the Nazirite Vow (Numbers 6:18): avoid indulgence, avoid conformity with the world, get rid of emotional bondages. Remain holy for the Lord.

Biblical Principles of Communication for the Next Generation

To effectively reach the next generation, we must adapt our methods while maintaining the integrity of the message. The message remains the same; the methods must be innovative, leveraging new machines and movements, and we must be the messenger.

This involves understanding how to:
Go without moving: Utilizing digital platforms to reach people globally.
Preach without sermons: Modeling Christ-like behavior in everyday life (though not dropping formal teaching).
Gospel without religion: Presenting the life-changing truth of the Gospel clearly, without unnecessary cultural or traditional barriers (though not dropping essential religious practices).

We have what they seek, but we must meet them where they are. We have the "why?" (which we learn from the previous generation), but we need to learn the "how" (from the next generation).

Walking with the Spirit of God

We are called to be witnesses for God in Jerusalem (our homes), Judea (our workplaces), and Samaria (the wider world). When God calls us to a purpose, we instantly become targets for the devil, who focuses on our weaknesses. The Holy Spirit strengthens us against these direct attacks.

We must move away from relying on the flesh (our natural strength) and live by the Spirit. This is what transformed Peter: from renouncing Christ before servants to boldly proclaiming Him before leaders after the Spirit filled him (Acts 4:8-10). The Spirit brings inner assurance (Acts 10:20) and the capacity for rest in spite of conflict. This is the peace of God that no one can take away.

Anxiety and panic stem from a lack of dependence on God. We must put to death the deeds of the body if we are to live (Romans 8:13) and crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24-25). Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is necessary for strength, power, and the ability to comprehend the thoughts of God (1 Corinthians 2:11). We must identify the things filling our minds that prevent us from focusing on Him.

Burdened

Having surrendered our will, we must now take on the weight of God’s redemptive purpose and align our actions with the burden on His heart.

Reflecting God's Glory

Moses’s plea, "Please show me your glory" (Exodus 33:18), revealed that God's glory is fundamentally His character: Holy, Merciful, and Goodness. Since all have fallen short of this glory (Romans 3:23), Christ is the Rock for us, standing between us and divine judgment. We have been called according to His purpose, predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29), so that we may obtain His glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

We must reflect this glory by doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil. As the temple of God, we must guard His presence. The glory of the Lord leaves when the house of God is filled with the guilt of His people (Ezekiel 9:9). Our mission is to be witnesses (Acts 1:8): a call that requires love, forgiveness, grace, and humbleness. We must deal with the temptation of loneliness and the worldly distractions amplified by technology by cultivating a deep, pious, personal relationship with God.

Awareness about De-addictions

We must approach those struggling with addiction with compassion, not judgment, condemnation, or personal opinions. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the mind, body, and spirit. We must recognize that complete surrender to God is the only lasting cure. This surrender involves addressing character flaws and overcoming the guilty feelings and spiritual pressure that drive the addiction. 

Transformation requires dependence on God, not self-will. We must embrace the burden for the unreached. This awareness must drive our prayers and actions.

Our Personal Testimony

Our testimony is a covenant with God and a tool for His kingdom. Each person has multiple stories to tell. The most valuable of all is our personal testimony of how we were saved by the love and grace of God. When sharing our testimony, we must:
1. Start with the old life, but tell it carefully, without glorifying it or providing excessive detail.
2. Clearly articulate the moment of brokenness and our encounter with Jesus.
3. Be honest about the new life, including current challenges and weaknesses.
4. Focus only on Jesus and our personal salvation.

A more personal testimony would be the one which we tell our children. Speaking of the goodness of the Lord in our day to day lives to our children will ensure that we don't forget to be thankful and will also guide our children to the Lord (Psalm 105).

Rebuilding Fallen Places

We are called to pray for revival and for those who have rejected Jesus to understand His love. We must ask: What are we going to do about this? We are given the mission to rebuild the fallen places (Amos 9:12), rescue people trapped in waterless pits (Zechariah 9:11), and pray for the needs of missionary work. When God has chosen us to give solutions to others, we must resist the devil’s distraction of pointing to our own problems.

Being made aware of the various burdens in the heart of the Lord, it is upto us to proceed in the unique vision He has provided to us.

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” - Henry Varley.

Built

The final stage of this journey is being built up into Christlikeness, a state defined entirely by the practice of unconditional love.

Above All Love

We have been chosen for His purpose to be holy in love (Ephesians 1:4). Love is the single most essential element for eternal life and Christian practice. We are commanded, above all, to love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8). Apostle Paul states clearly that love is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 13).

Our Christlikeness is also measured by the New Commandment: to love others as He has loved us (John 15:12), which elevates the standard beyond loving others as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18). God is love (1 John 4:16); to imitate a fraction of God's love would change the world.

We are called to practice five expressions of Christ's love:
1. Unchanging Love (John 13:1): Loved them to the end.
2. Compassionate Love (Luke 15:20): A lack of compassion often hinders healing and miracles.
3. Accepting Love (Romans 15:7): We are accepted not because we are useful, but to make us useful for God’s glory. We must eliminate jealousy and prejudice that cause discord.
4. Forgiving Love (Colossians 3:13): This involves bearing with one another. Unforgiveness is a serious sin that prevents us from receiving pardon.
5. Giving Love (Ephesians 5:1-2): We are imitators of God’s sacrificial love. While we can give without loving, we cannot truly love without giving.

We must resist being filled without using what we have received; greater love is required for the mission.

Price to Pay

Being imitators of Christ and growing in Christ has a cost. There is a price to pay for being truthful, honest, and good in a world which promotes lies, dishonesty, and evil. Nevertheless, we ought to remain the light of the world. Furthermore, the price we pay in the world is nothing compared to the price Jesus Christ paid on the cross for us. Besides, we have an ever-present Comforter to encourage and guide us; and there is a prize kept for us. 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18