Brokenness to Fullness – Part 5 | Sunday Service | July 26, 2020

Good morning Church! Welcome back to the house of God, let us listen His word today, that He gives and be encouraged! We understand, you are not physically present here, yet we are together virtually, for it is written, “When two or more people are gathered in my name, I will be present among you.” We believe God is with us and this is indeed His day.

We will be continuing with our ongoing “Brokenness” series. Today we will dive further in understanding this message in this series further, talking about “Brokenness to Fullness” (Part 5)

The best way to begin todays service considering current situation cannot get better than the following verse…

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Last Sunday we were talking about the work of God. Today is a very vital message as we see a lot of losses. Loss of life, freedom, jobs and the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, God is active and He is in control and be assured that He will take us to places where we are supposed to be.

For thus says the Lord : When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord , and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord , and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

The written word of God is as truly given by inspiration of God as his spoken word. The zealous servant of the Lord will use every means to profit those who are far off, as well as those who are near him. The art of writing is very profitable for this end; and by the art of printing it is rendered most beneficial for circulating the knowledge of the word of God. God’s sending to the captives by this letter would show that he had not forsaken them, though he was displeased, and corrected them. If they live in the fear of God, they may live comfortably in Babylon. In all conditions of life, it is our wisdom and duty not to throw away the comfort of what we may have, because we have not all we would have. They are directed to seek the good of the country where they were captives. While the king of Babylon protected them, they must live quiet and peaceable lives under him, in all godliness and honesty; patiently leaving it to God to work deliverance for them in due time.

Let men beware how they call those prophets whom they choose after their own fancies, and how they consider their fancies and dreams to be revelations from God. False prophets flatter people in their sins, because they love to be flattered; and they speak smoothly to their prophets, that their prophets may speak smoothly to them. God promises that they should return after seventy years were accomplished. By this it appears, that the seventy years of the captivity are not to be reckoned from the last captivity, but the first. It will be the bringing to pass of God’s good word to them. This shall form God’s purposes. We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God’s designs are all against us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the end he has promised, which will be the best for them. When the Lord pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer. He never said, Seek ye me in vain. Those who remained at Jerusalem would be utterly destroyed, notwithstanding what the false prophets said to the contrary. The reason has often been given, and it justifies the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners; Because they have not hearkened to my words; I called, but they refused.

What we need to understand is how they were in captivities? The book of Daniel tells us about the good things during captivity. In a place like that, God helped them what we can now affirm was a supernatural provision of God and the people became the best administrators of that land.

In the OT, during 70 years, the following books were also written…

– 1&2 kings.

– 1 & 2 Chronicles.

– Jeremiah.

– Lamentations.

– Ezekiel.

– Daniel.

– Psalm137.

Good things happen and power of God will work in you and you cannot even imagine what God can do in your life.

Talking about the life Daniel, his stories are loved by children and even keeps every age group fascinated.

Youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

Daniel was taken away from his homeland. Eventhough, we don’t know how did they manage to take him, but it is certain that he was taken as a captive, not as a free man. Another thing we may note that kings changed but God didn’t.

What are the lessons that we can learn from the life of Daniel?

Daniel practiced praying three times a day. Kings changed but Daniel never changed his schedule, he remained faithful towards God.

In current scenario, we need to compromise from time to time. It is understandable people of God, but do not comprise when it is about being faithful towards God.

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Make godly decisions. Don’t listen to your heart or what people say, but make a decision that God tells you to make. If you make a godly decision then God will take your brokenness to Fullness.

Sometimes convictions keep us from moving from any certain pressures. Convictions gives us stability during the time of our Brokenness because with convictions, we wait unto the Lord, even if we are alone and all by ourselves. That is what Daniel did. Your convictions are important, people of God!

Many times, when we are broken, we cease to be obedient to God, yet Daniel never ceased to become obedient even when he was under captivity.

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

Daniel had a choice whether to be obedient to God or to the king. Daniel continued with his obedience and remained faithful towards God. Daniel chose obedience towards God rather than being obedient towards king, eventhough Daniel knew that he would benefits with many opportunities being obedient towards the king.

Like Moses said, “I prefer to suffer with my people…”

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

Daniel submitted to God and God moved Daniel from his brokenness towards fullness. People of God, hold on to the God with convictions.

The infamous story of Daniel in the Lion’s den shows how Daniel slept peacefully among the lions yet the king couldn’t sleep. Daniel didn’t moved because he knew who was his promise keeper and miracle maker.

People, God has a plan for you and He will not put you to shame. He will take you to places and new heights where he has planned and not where you want to go, because He knows who you are and He knows that His plans are greater. The question is, are you willing to go to greater places and greater heights with God? The places you haven’t even imagined even exist?

If your answer is a “Yes“, then you need to be convinced of the following three things…

To sum up this all, read the following lyrics of a beautiful song…

With conviction and oberience, may you all be brought from your brokenness to fullness. Dear Church, we hope you are encouraged with today’s word. We look forward to see you all next Sunday. God Bless!