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Voddie Baucham: Brokenness
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Voddie Baucham: Brokenness

Understanding Brokenness in Spiritual Growth

The Importance of Prayer and Worship

  • The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to worship and be in God's presence, emphasizing the importance of focusing hearts and minds on God.
  • A call is made for God to speak clearly through His word, highlighting a desire for understanding and guidance.

Defining Brokenness

  • The speaker introduces the concept of brokenness as essential for spiritual growth, suggesting it is necessary to understand its significance.
  • Brokenness is described as an "off-ramp" from a destructive path, where individuals recognize their insufficiency without God.

Cultural Attitudes Towards Discomfort

  • The speaker critiques societal views that equate discomfort with negativity, arguing that this perspective undermines the value of brokenness.
  • There’s a discussion about how people often seek quick fixes for emotional pain rather than confronting deeper issues related to sin.

Misunderstandings in Counseling Approaches

  • An analogy is drawn comparing ignoring problems (like turning off a car's engine light) to avoiding brokenness; both lead to unresolved issues.
  • The speaker references contemporary counseling practices that may neglect the need for genuine repentance and acknowledgment of sin.

Critique of Modern Spiritual Narratives

  • A critique is offered regarding teachings that downplay guilt associated with sin, contrasting them with traditional Christian beliefs about repentance.
  • Specific examples are given from popular figures like Rob Bell, who promote messages that suggest all is well without addressing underlying sinfulness.

Relationships and Submission in Faith

  • The discussion shifts towards relationships within faith contexts, emphasizing submission not as authority but as love and respect among divine beings.
  • A dialogue between characters illustrates the idea that true love does not force will upon others but respects individual choices while guiding them toward healthier paths.

Understanding Brokenness in Response to Sin

The Nature of God's Relationship with Humanity

  • The speaker expresses surprise at the idea that the God of the universe desires a relationship with humanity, emphasizing that God seeks brothers and sisters rather than slaves.
  • Acknowledges the popularity of a book being sold in Christian bookstores, highlighting its status as a New York Times bestseller, indicating widespread readership beyond just Christian circles.

Cultural Context and Reactions to Doctrine

  • Discusses a cultural aversion to doctrines of grace, God's sovereignty, and holiness, suggesting that many people are uncomfortable with concepts of sin and brokenness.
  • Introduces Psalm 51 as a biblical example illustrating an appropriate response to sin through brokenness.

Historical Context: David's Sin

  • Describes King David's sin with Bathsheba during a time when he should have been at war, framing it as an act of moral failure amidst his responsibilities.
  • References Nathan’s confrontation with David ("Thou Art the man"), which serves as a pivotal moment leading to David's realization of his wrongdoing.

Psalm 51: A Poignant Expression of Brokenness

  • Highlights key verses from Psalm 51 where David pleads for mercy and cleansing from sin, showcasing deep remorse and recognition of his transgressions.
  • Emphasizes themes such as seeking joy after brokenness and the desire for spiritual renewal through repentance.

Theological Insights on Brokenness

  • Discusses how true brokenness is not about self-punishment but recognizing one's offense against God; it is an appropriate response to acknowledging sin.
  • Quotes Thomas Watson on emotional expressions related to sin—David’s tears represent genuine sorrow rather than mere ritualistic acts.

Understanding Sin and Its Consequences

The Nature of Sin and Cleansing

  • The Hebrew Bible describes God's intention to cleanse the Earth through the flood, using a verb that signifies wiping the slate clean.
  • David expresses a need for spiritual cleansing, likening it to washing clothes thoroughly in a river, emphasizing the depth of his desire for purification from sin.
  • The act of scrubbing is highlighted as a metaphor for seeking forgiveness; David's plea is for God to wipe away his sins completely.
  • David acknowledges that his actions have left scars on him, indicating an understanding that sin has lasting effects on one's soul and spirit.
  • The concept of "scar tissue" is introduced, suggesting that while one may be forgiven, the consequences of sin remain.

Generational Impact of Sin

  • There are patterns where iniquities affect future generations; broken homes often lead to similar situations in descendants.
  • Individuals with traumatic backgrounds may find themselves repeating cycles of abuse or dysfunction due to unresolved scar tissue from their past experiences.

The Weight of Sin

  • A lack of understanding about the consequences of sin can lead to a flippant attitude towards it; believers must recognize that forgiveness does not erase all repercussions.
  • Thomas Watson's perspective emphasizes that true believers grieve over their indwelling sin, recognizing its enmity against God and lamenting hidden wickedness within themselves.

Memories Associated with Sin

  • Sin creates lasting memories; unlike God who can forget our sins, humans retain these memories which can cause ongoing emotional pain.
  • Many people struggle with thoughts about their past sins despite being told they are forgiven; this highlights human limitations in forgetting transgressions.

Importance of Remembering Past Sins

  • Acknowledging past sins allows individuals to testify about God's goodness and grace effectively; forgetting them would diminish personal testimonies.
  • Human beings are designed not to forget easily; this serves as a reminder of our need for continual repentance and awareness regarding our sinful nature.

Understanding the Importance of Memory in Sin and Redemption

The Impact of Past Sins

  • Many individuals, even within the church, share testimonies about regretting past sexual relationships before marriage, wishing they could erase those memories to enjoy their current spouse more fully.
  • The ability to remember our sins serves as a warning against repeating them; forgetting would lead to ignorance of consequences, similar to walking among fire without recognizing its danger.
  • God allows us to remember our sins not for self-punishment but as a means to urge repentance and brokenness, reminding us of the need for correction.

Reflection on Personal Growth

  • Remembrance of past struggles enables us to appreciate spiritual growth and victories; it fosters gratitude towards God for delivering us from previous circumstances.
  • Personal anecdotes highlight the emotional weight of returning to familiar places tied to past experiences, emphasizing how these memories can evoke deep reflection on one's journey with God.

The Nature of Brokenness

  • Acknowledging our sins leads to brokenness, which is an appropriate response when we understand that our actions create lasting memories that shape our relationship with God.
  • Brokenness is essential because sin is an affront to a holy God; true acknowledgment involves recognizing that all sin ultimately offends Him rather than merely human relationships.

Understanding Sin Against God

  • The speaker emphasizes that sin is primarily against God, referencing scripture where David acknowledges his wrongdoing directly towards God rather than others involved in his sins.
  • This perspective challenges cultural narratives that downplay personal accountability by highlighting the importance of recognizing one’s own sinful nature before a righteous Creator.

Misconceptions About Jesus

  • There is concern over contemporary portrayals of Jesus as needy or overly sentimental; instead, He should be understood as self-sufficient and sovereign over creation.
  • Revelation 19 depicts Jesus as powerful and authoritative—contrasting sharply with softer images often presented in modern culture—emphasizing His role as judge and warrior against unrighteousness.

Understanding the Wrath of God and Authentic Worship

The Nature of God's Wrath

  • The speaker emphasizes the severity of God's wrath, demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, highlighting that this act was not taken lightly.
  • A contrast is drawn between a trivialized view of Jesus and the reality of sinning against an almighty Creator, stressing the gravity of our actions.

The Importance of Brokenness

  • The speaker argues that recognizing one's own brokenness is a fitting response to understanding God's grace and mercy.
  • Sin is described as a barrier to true worship; brokenness allows for genuine connection with God.

Scriptural Insights on Repentance

  • Reference to Psalm 51 illustrates a plea for cleansing and restoration, emphasizing that only God can provide joy and gladness.
  • Critique is offered regarding modern church practices that cater to consumer preferences rather than focusing on authentic worship.

Critique of Contemporary Worship Practices

  • The speaker critiques churches for prioritizing entertainment over spiritual depth, suggesting they often seek approval from congregants instead of glorifying God.
  • There’s an emphasis on how this man-centered approach leads to superficial worship experiences lacking in authenticity.

True Worship vs. Superficial Offerings

  • Citing Isaiah 1:10–15, the speaker warns against empty rituals that do not align with true repentance or righteousness.
  • Without genuine brokenness over sin, worship becomes mere appeasement rather than heartfelt devotion.

Conclusion: The Path to Authentic Worship

  • Genuine brokenness is presented as essential for authentic worship; it allows individuals to magnify the Lord effectively.
  • A call is made for believers to reach a state where they recognize their need for God amidst their sinfulness.

The Path to Brokenness and True Worship

Understanding Our Weakness

  • The speaker references "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas à Kempis, emphasizing self-awareness: recognizing one's own nothingness and total weakness without God.
  • Acknowledges that true strength and joy come from God's presence, highlighting the transformative power of divine grace when one reaches the end of themselves.

The Role of Brokenness in Faith

  • Discusses the necessity of brokenness for understanding the depth of Christ's sacrifice, quoting a hymn that reflects on personal pain and God's love.
  • Emphasizes that without experiencing brokenness, individuals cannot fully appreciate Christ's majesty or their need for Him.

Seeking Divine Restoration

  • Analyzes verbs from Psalm 51 (e.g., "have mercy," "wash me," "create in me"), illustrating David's recognition that all he needs is found in God alone.
  • Contrasts self-reliance with reliance on God; highlights David’s realization that human efforts are insufficient for spiritual restoration.

The Misconception of Grace

  • Critiques contemporary teachings that downplay brokenness, arguing it is essential for recognizing one's need for God's cleansing and forgiveness.
  • Questions how genuine transformation can occur if pastors promote superficial understandings of faith through misleading literature.

The Importance of Acknowledging Sin

  • Expresses concern over minimizing the significance of sin; emphasizes that acknowledging our sinful nature is crucial to appreciating God's grace.
  • Affirms that brokenness should lead to worship rather than despair; it allows believers to grasp the magnitude of God's mercy and grace effectively.
Video description

Dr. Voddie Baucham demonstrates from Psalm 51 that brokenness over sin is absolutely appropriate, and exposes a dangerous movement within evangelicalism that strives to eradicate it. "Brokenness is the place to which we come when we recognize that all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do in and of ourselves is sorely and miserably insufficient, when God crushes us under the weight of our own sin." — Voddie Baucham An illustration of repentance and of brokenness (2:07) Clarification of what is meant by brokenness (17:00) A GREAT TRAGEDY CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WITHIN EVANGELICALISM (3:30, 5:38, 6:00) Proponents of this dangerous movement: Rob Bell, Joel Osteen, The Shack, Eugene Peterson (7:25, 7:40, 33:30) * Notice: Voddie Baucham mentioned Stephen Curtis Chapman by mistake. He clarified in a subsequent blog post that he meant to say Michael W. Smith. It is Michael W. Smith who has endorsed The Shack. "David sometimes sang with his harp; and sometimes the organ of his eyes wept." — Thomas Watson Brokenness is appropriate because: 1. Our sin stains and scars our very souls. (17:25) 2. Our sin creates memories that remain with us. (24:00) 3. Our sin is an affront to a holy God. (32:18) 4. Our sin is a hindrance to the true worship of God. (39:00) It is only in brokenness, when we come to the end of ourselves, that: We truly recognize God is worthy of our worship (46:27) We truly see the matchless majesty of Christ (47:44) We truly recognize the answer to our problem Therefore, know this: apart from brokenness, you are incapable of authentic worship! (41:40) 3 reasons why it is good that we do not forget our sins (53:50) If you could forget your sin: 1. You could never testify of the goodness of God. (26:25) 2. You would never be warned against doing them again. (28:30) 3. You could never rejoice in your victories or see growth that the Spirit has produced in you. (29:35) "You can't have the memory of my sin—I won't let you take it. It reminds me of God's goodness to me; it reminds me of His grace in my life. It reminds me of where I was and where I never want to be again. It reminds me that His work in me may not be complete, but it is effectual—I'm not who I ought to be, but Hallelujah, I'm not who I was!" — Voddie Baucham (31:17) "It is there You show me to myself—what I am, what I have been, and what I am coming to; for I am nothing and I did not know it. Left to myself, I am nothing but total weakness. But if You look upon me for an instant, I am at once made strong and filled with new joy. Great wonder it is that I, who of my own weight always sink to the depths, am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by You." — Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (46:00) "I despise the picture that is painted in our culture of this sissified, needy Jesus. … He's just yearning for you, He's longing for you, He wants friendship and relationship with you. He needs you. Oh, you're breaking His heart. No—He's going to break you! Newsflash: by definition, God is self-sustaining, self-existent, and self-sufficient, therefore He needs nothing. God does not need you!" — Voddie Baucham (34:30) Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV) Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on His thigh He has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. "That's my Jesus. That's the God whom I serve, not the sissified Christ that's preached in pulpits around the United States of America. I serve the great God of the universe, who gets angry and pours out His wrath, and who demonstrated His wrath when He poured it out on His own Son. It amazes me that we believe this: that God would crush and kill His own Son but let you slide! Not for a minute! The spotless, sinless Lamb of God suffered and bled and died because of the wrath of God—that propitiation, the satisfaction of the righteous wrath of God. That's what was experienced on the cross—how dare we take that lightly. That's the One against whom you have sinned!" — Voddie Baucham