The Church is Built on Brokenness

Bible text first:

Matthew 16:18 (CSB) - And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Psalm 51:16–19 (CSB) - 16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. 18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

In reading Psalm 51 this morning I was reminded about the importance of brokenness over sin and confessing it to God. This is crucial to one's joy in God, communion with God, teaching other sinners to commune with God, and to pleasing God. I've been familiar with that.

What I wasn't familiar with was how at the end of the Psalm we see that the city of God is built on brokenness. "In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem" (v. 18). In David's time that is speaking about the literal city of Jerusalem. Interpreted and applied to the us today in the new covenant context, the city of God, the place of God, the temple of God, is the church (Eph 2.19-22, cf. Rev 19, 21 and how the new Jerusalem is interchanged with the bride the way Babylon is interchanged with the prostitute in Rev 17-18).

[tweetthis]The city of God is built on brokenness.[/tweetthis]

So, humble yourself before God. Confess your sins personally and corporately. Confess it to God realizing that you sinned against him and him alone (Psalm 51.1-4). Look to Jesus Christ who is the propitiation for your sin in general and your sins in particular. Walk humbly and broken before your God. Then teach others about God's grace in your sin and weakness. Praise God for his grace and strength in your sin and weakness.

The church is built on brokenness.

[tweetthis]The church is built on brokenness.[/tweetthis]