Allow God to Break You - Zac Poonen
Watch the live stream of the Sunday service from CFC Bangalore. For more information, please visit www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The message emphasizes the profound responsibility of parents to raise their children to be Godly offspring, citing Malachi 4:16 which states that the restoration of the fathers' hearts must precede the children's. True parenting involves prioritizing the spiritual life of the child—making them witnesses for Christ—over material success, and this work must begin even before the child is born. The speaker encourages the congregation to dedicate their children to God and to maintain a focus on spiritual maturity.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Bringing up a godly offspringReferring to Malachi, the speaker emphasizes that the purpose of marriage is to raise godly offspring rather than just feeding and educating children like the world does.
The necessity of continuous spiritual progressDrawing from 2 Corinthians, Zach points out that just as the inner man should be renewed daily, Christians must experience continuous spiritual growth rather than remaining stuck in spiritual infancy.2 Corinthians 4:16
The foundation of assurance and security in GodA primary reason believers fail to grow is a lack of assurance of God's acceptance, which the Holy Spirit bears witness to in our spirits so we can cry out to God as our Dad.
The grain of wheat must fall into the ground and dieAnswering the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, Jesus explained that true fruitfulness and seeing Him require a grain of wheat to fall into the earth and die, losing its outward attractiveness.John 12:20–24
Brokenness illustrated through loaves and perfumeJust as Mary broke the alabaster jar to release perfume and Jesus broke the loaves to feed the multitude, God must break us after blessing us to multiply our usefulness.
Remaining little in our own eyesExamining King Saul's downfall, Zach notes that God exalts people only when they are little in their own eyes, and losing that smallness results in losing the kingdom and anointing.
The mark of smallness: refusing to be offendedA clear sign of not being broken is getting offended when people say false things or disrespect us, leading us to nurse hurt feelings and justify ourselves.
God allowing Peter's fall to break his prideBecause Peter was proud and self-confident, God permitted him to fall into the serious sin of denying Jesus so that he would be thoroughly broken and fitted for Pentecost.
Stopping self-justification and quick apologiesBelievers who are unbroken constantly defend themselves and struggle to apologize sincerely, whereas a broken person dies to reputation, accepts correction, and lets God increase.
