Brokeness the Key to the Heavenly Life — Zac Poonen

We Had taken three studies on a heavenly light on earth and This is the real message of the gospel That we can taste heaven Right now, and if you haven't There's a major part of the gospel message that you have missed.

Conversion and Tasting the Heavenly Gift

So I want to begin with a verse in Hebrews chapter 6 That describes The experience of a truly born-again Spiritful person in Hebrews chapter 6. It speaks about the foundation and This is the foundation on which we are to build our Christian life in the first verse and then this experience of conversion and Opening our being to Christ and the Holy Spirit is described like this in verse 4 5 We are Enlightened first of all that means a light From heaven comes into our heart.

That's the first thing that happens and We taste of the heavenly gift. You know, it's like a particular type of food which you may have never tasted before a particular type of fruit That you have never tasted before.

There's a taste of something that we have never tasted in our whole life. That nobody in the world's tasted. It's not just living a good life or being nice to people or anything. There's a taste of something heavenly Absolutely not found on this earth.

This is true conversion now very few people have it because most people today are not really truly converted and part of the reason for that As I've often said here is because they've never repented. They've tried to believe in Jesus without turning from their sin.

And so they end up with some third-rate Useless imaginary experience of being born again. They've never tasted of a heavenly gift and the other way it's described is they are made partakers of the Holy Spirit.

Every person who's really born again Is made a partaker of the Holy Spirit. It's you know, like partaking of an inheritance. If your father dies and leaves you an inheritance. When you take possession of it, you can say you're partaken of that inheritance something real and tangible and we partake of the Holy Spirit and Then the other way it's described is we taste the good word of God that's more than reading the Bible.

Reading the Bible anybody in the world can do but to taste the good word of God means Where God puts something like manna into our mouth. He puts something like that into our hearts. You know the children of Israel They Got manna every day from heaven and that there was a taste about it came from heaven things and there it is said in Deuteronomy 8 that God gave them manna every day to teach man one lesson.

That man does not live by bread alone. But by every word that proceeds from God's mouth and that's something they had to receive every day. Yesterday's manna was not good enough. But today yesterday's manna would begin to stink by this morning teaching us that we need to receive the Word of God every day and a person who is born again can taste a word from heaven in his heart not just reading the Bible.

And the fifth thing mentioned here is He tastes something of the powers of The future age something of the powers of the future age there are amazing powers That we're gonna have in the future age. And we can't have all of it.

But we can get a little taste of it. I mean if it's going to be like a river in that future age we can get a Teaspoon of it at least now healing Is like that You know one day when Christ comes back I'm gonna have a Resurrected body a body that is never going to die never going to get sick and I can have a taste of that now.

I Can have a taste of it now and that's called healing. So healing is actually a taste of that resurrection body. That one day we're gonna have. And I believe it's the birthright of every born-again Christian.

I'm not saying that God heals every sickness. Because that would be like having the full powers of the age to come where I never get sick never get never die but That is one extreme of false teaching.

But the other extreme of teaching is that I can never get anything of any physical healing from God at all. I think both are wrong. I can get a taste. That's the balance teaching on healing. I can get a taste of that resurrection body now When I'm sick.

But not in its fullness. So these verses teach us What a truly born-again person can experience it's something of heaven here on this earth in his spirit and a little bit even in his body and his mind.

His mind gets enlightened clearer and think more clearly etc. Now as I look at a lot of Christians who proclaim various ways by which They can live this Christian life. I find many emphases in some groups the emphasis is on rightness of doctrine.

They say if you got your doctrine wrong, then sorry you can't Really live this life. Then there are other people who place the emphasis on prayer and fasting you got to pray and fast a lot Before You can come to this life and there are others who say you've got to have a baptism in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues it's only then that you can come into this life and There are various emphases like this.

You know, there are some who say you must be missionaries. You mustn't just Think of. Then you must quit your job and go out and be a missionary. Some people even say you shouldn't get married to live this life.

But I'll tell you something in 50 years of being a believer I have met all these types of believers. Those who emphasize prayer and fasting those are emphasized missionary work those who emphasize studying the Word of God.

Those are emphasized speaking in tongues and I'll tell you something I've seen among all of them some of the most miserable Christians. I've ever met in my life grumpy sour hard to get along with and Critical and judgmental so I see all these experiences don't don't seem to help them.

Seeking God Rather Than Religious Practices

When I was a young Christian, I used to be in an assembly where we were taught every morning you kneel down and read your Bible on your knees and pray. I remember used to all the group of men and we all be on our knees when he got up in the morning and The same way at night before you go to bed you kneel down and read the Bible and pray.

But in between that morning and night time I saw these people they were Fighting and quarreling and running after money and every other thing. What is the use of kneeling down and praying and I I was confused about it.

But I was a very young Christian and I said Lord what's this this kneeling down and reading the Bible doesn't seem to help these folk and The Lord said to me these people are not spending time with me.

They're spending time with the book. It's very easy to spend time in it with a book even if you're on your knees and not contact God and When that's the case We never come into this life. I have seen old people who are The sweetest of people I met on the face of the earth and very few like that godly Christians.

But I've seen many other Old people in their 70s and 80s who are grumpy and sour and demanding. Saying why don't my children look after me? Why don't people respect me and see are these guys heathen or they Christian?

I've looked at those people who are sour and grumpy and demanding and expecting things from people and I've said Lord Please don't let me ever become an old person like that. And I'll tell you something you will become an old person like that if you don't cleanse yourself now.

That's too late to cleanse yourself in the people who manifest a heavenly radiance and Gentleness and humility and make no zero demands on others when they are 85 years old. Zero demands on others when they are 85 years old who have no complaints on others or no complaints that children are not looking out For them etc. Etc.

These are people who have sought to live a heavenly life from the time they were 30. That's why. So you better start now. Otherwise, I guarantee you'll be a grumpy old woman or man by the time you grow old and it'll be too late to control yourself.

You won't see now you can control yourself because you're young. But it's like older people lose their bladder control and control of many things in their body. You you won't be able to control your emotions and passions if you haven't crucified them now so even if you want to just Do it for your own testimony sake it's good to start living that heavenly life now, but more wonderful than that Why should I live a miserable life on earth when God offers me a heavenly life right now?

So When I see all these things are not the answer I find speaking in tongues is not the answer and praying and fasting is not the answer and missionary work is not the answer. I'll tell you in my life 95 of the missionaries from Western countries.

I've met in India. I have zero respect for they are grumpy sour Arrogant look down on Indians and all that and particularly the ones who come out nowadays. But there is a 5 I've met who are really godly Thank God for them.

They've been a challenge to me so what I say is so many people who got the right doctrine and who say the right things and Say they are filled with the Holy Spirit. They don't seem to manifest the Spirit of Heaven you don't see the graciousness and the humility and the purity and the love and the goodness and the forgiveness of heaven in their lives and When they speak you don't hear words from God that challenge us and stir us and encourage us.

No. Why is that? I have thought much about it and I have come to the conclusion That there's one element That's lacking in all these good people and that is brokenness. If you are not broken That heavenly life will never be manifested in you.

Brokenness as the Key to Heavenly Life

There are many pictures that God uses throughout the Bible to show this but I See many many wonderful Christians who know so much I believe filled with the Holy Spirit and all that but because they are not broken God has not been able to break the strength of their personality.

They remain Earthly for an earthly person to become heavenly. It's not enough that he is filled with the Holy Spirit. It's not enough that he listens to the Word of God every day. That's all good necessary.

It's not enough that he comes to meetings it's not enough that he seeks fellowship. He must Allow God to break him even Jesus and his earthly life was broken. That's why at the end of his life. Did you remember the words when he took the bread?

Let's see if you know it. He took the bread and said this is my body which is Which is not which is going to be broken tomorrow morning, that's the point I want you to know. He didn't say this is my body which is going to be broken tomorrow morning at 9 o 'clock.

But that's the way ninety nine point nine percent of Christians have understood it. What did he say? This is my body. Which is broken for you? Hours before he went to the cross. It included the cross.

But it is more than that. Jesus was very exact in his statements, and if you understand it you've understood the secret of Jesus life. His body was not his own. It was his own, but he gave it to the father so completely that there was something that was broken in his body for thirty three and a half years and That was his own will.

He didn't do with his body what he wanted to do. That's why I say his body was a broken body. You know how you and I have a body just like Jesus. But we use our eyes as we like we read what we like you look at what we like.

We use our tongue as we like we speak what we like and We go where we like we use our hands as we like. You Understand brokenness. Jesus said I never do my own will. He could have he never did it. There are many things that Jesus could have done to please himself.

But the Bible says that Romans 15 3 he never pleased himself. He never felt that he had to coddle his body and comfort and take care of it. See for example people who say I'm tired. I can't go for the meeting.

Do you think such people will manifest a heavenly life in a hundred years? They coddle their body take care of it. Oh, my body will get a little bit wet in the rain, or I'm a little sick today. I'm a little tired.

Yeah, yeah, I understand. God knows that we need rest. But I'll tell you something the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. We really need to understand this brokenness to change your life if you understand it.

And then that heavenly life, which you may have received. I don't question the fact that you've received it, but it's not coming forward. 1 Corinthians 9 and verse 27 the Apostle Paul remember says I discipline my body.

Make it my slain otherwise. After I preach to others. I will be disqualified and the Living Bible says I Make my body Do what it should do and Not what it wants to do. That's that's meaning of making it my slave.

I Make my eyes read only what it should read Not what it wants to read. I make my eyes look only at things it should look at not what it wants to look at. I Allow my feet to make my feet go take me where I should go and not Where I want to go.

That's brokenness. He says if I don't I don't do that. I just go around preaching to other people. At the end of it all I'll be disqualified myself so There are a number of pictures God uses of this in nature and in the Bible.

The Broken Vessel in Jacob's Life

One of the greatest examples that we have discovered in our in the last 100 years or 50 60 years is the atom the atom. The olden days 100 years ago. They thought it was the smallest part of matter, which is not able to be seen.

The atom is so small That you can't even see it under a microscope it's part of the building block of nature atoms. But we have discovered in the last science is discovered in the last few years that you can take a uranium atom and split it and It releases such tremendous power That you can give electricity to the whole of Bangalore.

Just that small little thing. Imagine who could have believed who could have believed that inside that little small atom. Which you cannot even see under a microscope. There is power to give electricity to the whole city.

Amazing it's a parable in nature. You don't have to be very gifted brother sister. You don't have to be very mighty or powerful or great or famous. You can be small and unknown like an atom. But if God can succeed in breaking you such power will be released through you.

You're bigger than an atom. I'm more valuable than an atom that Eight million people can be blessed. Eight million people in Bangalore get electricity. There's a tremendous parable there in nature and throughout scripture you see that That thing taught in various ways in the lives of different people.

For example in the life of Jacob. I Could not become a prince with God. Until one day God broke him. He was a shrewd clever manipulator God-fearing, but you know seeking his own like many many Christians till one day it says and you know, he was Just about 60 years old and those days when people lived up to 175.

It's like being 25 years old today in terms of age in those days God Dislocated the hip of his his hip. So that he couldn't walk straight anymore. And there were no surgery for fixing those things those days.

So all he could do was take a cane and walk with a cane. For the rest of his life. Now if you want to understand the humiliation of that Think of some young 25 year old brother here. Who comes to the meeting every day with a cane?

If you were 25 years old you had to come with a cane and you're 60 years old you come with a cane you Probably feel a bit humiliating. But imagine a 25 year old coming every day with a cane the Bible says in Hebrews 11 and all that list of faith, you know Moses did this and Joshua did this and All these other people did all these wonderful things.

Split the walls of people down the walls of Jericho split the Red Sea. Shut the mouths of lions raised the dead in the midst of it all you'll find this one man Jacob. But what did he do by faith, it's a wonderful verse Hebrews 11 21 by faith.

He worshipped leaning on the top of his staff. That's about a hundred years later. He's talking about you know, his blessing the sons of Joseph. For a hundred years he had walked with a cane. Till the time of his death is like you.

Now people die around 80 85 or something imagine from the age of 25 you walk with a cane for the next 60 years. That's what it meant for Jacob and that is listed in the list of what the mighty miracles that people did by faith.

Do you know that is perhaps one of the greatest miracles in that chapter. Greater than 99 year old Sarah getting a baby? Greater than pulling down the walls of Jericho greater than splitting the Red Sea because God can do these things in a moment.

You think it is difficult for God to? Give a baby to a 99 year old woman like Samara. Sarah not at all. You think it was difficult for God to split the Red Sea is not difficult for him to create the universe.

But when it when he had to break Jacob, it took him 20 years. That's why that was one of the greatest miracles when God can succeed in breaking a man and that staff for Jacob was a picture Of God. I have to lean upon God now for the rest of my life.

And how do I look in the presence of others? Pretty humiliating. Doesn't look nice for a 25 year old man walking around with a cane. And leaning upon it can't walk without it. Imagine if God were to do that to you brother some brother sister here 25 years old just married with a few small children and You had to walk with a cane.

Would you have a few complaints against God? Why did you do this to me? You know what Jacob said when God broke the hip his hip? He said Lord. I won't let you go unless you bless me. And he blessed him.

God said to him from now on your name will not be Jacob. Your name will be Prince of God. Because now you have power with God and with men. The same power that's released when an atom is split. That's what made Jacob into an Israel, and that's what will make you and me Heavenly and God succeeds in breaking us.

Moses and the Breaking of Human Ability

It was the same with Moses another great example in the Old Testament a Man who had the greatest education that any man on earth had at that time at the age of 40 he had the type of technical knowledge to build pyramids and He was the living in the richest man's man of the richest man in the whole world the most powerful man in the whole world.

Pharaoh's palace. All the privileges everything and God says you are not fit to serve. You know sometimes Christians think that because I have some earthly talent I can serve him. Find that particularly someone who can speak well.

You know speak well as a human being thinks he can serve God. Not at all. I Could never speak. And the days before I was born again, I never stood in public even once I was just mortally scared of it.

There are people who have musical abilities who think ah I can use my music for God. No you can't. You can play some instrument. But you can't serve God till you're broken. You think you had more ability than Moses at the age of 40.

Whatever ability you have God said you are useless in my service. And he had to take him out, and you know how long it took to Moses Jacob. It took only 20 years Moses. It took 40 years. To break him and break him and break him and break.

Finally God succeeded, and I believe that God planned to do it only in 10 years. But it didn't take them you know it's like. It takes usually takes about five years to go through medical college, but it can take 15 years also you know that.

There are some people who break records like that the number of years they take to get their medical degree. So God planned only for 10 years to break Moses. There's proof of that in Scripture because God told Abraham in 400 years your children will come out of back here.

But we read in Exodus 12 they came back after 430 years. Why that extra 30 years? Was it a mistake God made. Couldn't you see the future. No because God's man was not ready. We should have been ready in 400 years, but he was so God had to spend another 30 years.

That's why I know God planned for Moses to Be broken in 10 years, but it took 40. The reason I mentioned that is God may have planned for you to be broken in Six months, but it may take 60 years. Can't say.

Depends on you whether you go through medical college in five years or 50 years is up to you. Whether you go through school, whether you ever finish school. Even after 12 years it's up to you. Many people take much longer some never finish, so it's like that God's education.

Some finish some don't finish. Some took a very short time like Peter. He fell once and that was it. He was broken for life. He was ready to serve the Lord in the day of Pentecost. It's wonderful if God can do that.

God can do a quick work with some people break them but what I want to say is. There is another picture here in the Old Testament of the tabernacle, and that's a picture of the church. The tabernacle as you all know had three parts the outer court the holy place in the most holy place.

The Torn Veil and the Crucifixion of Self-Will

The most holy place was covered with a very thick curtain called the veil and when Jesus died that veil was torn. Symbolizing Hebrews 10 says the tearing of the flesh in Jesus. Now it says that the veil that is his flesh was torn.

It says in Hebrews 10. That means it symbolized the breaking that took place in Jesus life. In 33 years that was the meaning of that Veil that was torn that veil. We read if you don't know where that verse is let me show it to you it's good to know where these verses are in Scripture.

Hebrews in chapter 10 and Verse 20 Jesus made a new and living way into the most holy place through the veil which symbolizes his flesh and You know what flesh means? Flesh means flesh in the New Testament.

I don't have time to go into it. He's another word for saying my will. My will that's my flesh. Every sin That you ever did or do in your life Comes out of wanting to do my will not God's will. And to crucify the flesh is where God's will goes one direction and your will goes the other direction.

You die on that cross. That's taking up the cross dying my will God's will. I died in my will. I choose God's will. That's what it means to take up the cross every day. That's what Jesus did for 33 years.

That's what it means to be broken that's what it means for the flesh to be torn and that was symbolized in the veil being rent and When Jesus said it is finished. It was not only the punishment of our sin that was finished.

This human will in man Was completely torn in his earthly life torn by being exposed to every single temptation that any One of born of Adam can be tempted with. Jesus went through the whole range of it in 33 years and in every temptation.

He was tempted to do his will he said no millions of times. He said no, I will do God's will. No I'll do God's will. The veil was rent. See we don't understand the tremendous faithfulness Jesus in his inner life.

External Religion and Inner Holiness

I find there are two types of Christians one we can call external Christians and the other are inward Christians. External Christians are those are only concerned about their external testimony. Inward Christians are those who are more concerned about their inner walk with God and the inner purity of their heart.

These are two completely different categories of Christians and you know, which category you are in this morning. But those who are external Christians, they will only see the external life of Jesus. Even if they're a hundred years old, they will see.

Oh Jesus was so nice. He washed the disciples feet. He Did so many nice things he put his arm around the leper. He healed the sick. He did miracles and they are external and they see only the external life of Jesus.

But those who are inward Christians The Holy Spirit shows them something of the inner life of Jesus, which is not written in any Page in the Bible. It's there are little hints of it here and there. Like he was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin, that's a little hint and The Holy Spirit takes that and begins to show the inward type of Christian.

The amazing faithfulness of Jesus in times of temptation now you and I know how many times we are tempted in one single day to sin in thought. Word deep even in one hour attitude motive so multiply that by 24 hours a day and Multiply that by 33 and a half years and you get a few millions of times that a person can be tempted in 33 and a half years and particularly when you're surrounded by people who don't like you like your own four brothers at home and people who misunderstand you and Who Accused you falsely tell lies about you and then to remain Faithful, can you imagine the brokenness that came to Jesus as a young boy?

When he walked down the streets of Nazareth remember Nazareth was not a city like Bangalore. Where we don't eat don't know each other in a little village even in India in a small village everybody knows everything about every other family and in the little village of Nazareth.

Everybody knew everything about what happened to Mary that she became pregnant before she got married. You know, we don't talk about it, but we know it that's how they were and They must have whispered to one another but Joseph knew Mary knew that this was of God.

All the other people in Nazareth with their wagging tongues. Said some Roman soldier Exploited Mary and she got a baby and when Jesus is a ten-year-old would walk down to school with the boys. I Mary's child.

It's not Joseph's son and that would have come to his ears. Imagine a ten-year-old boy going to school and some of his Fellow children saying hey, I hear your Joseph is not your father. You will discover when you stand before the Lord there were people who said it.

I know. Because I know Jesus was tempted like me. Brothers and sisters if you want to know what Jesus went through in his inner life in 33 years. Seek to be an inner type of Christian. Give up this parasaical type of external righteousness and say Lord.

I want to be holy inside the Lord will show you things about Jesus. How you can hear it from me, but it's more exciting if you hear it from God, I'll tell you that. You're getting it from second hand from me.

Now if you have the opportunity to get a first-hand car and a second-hand car, which do you choose? It's like that. Get it first hand from God and you can get it if you are we seek to live an inner line.

The Father's Will and Christ's Obedience

Those are the situations in which God broke Jesus. There's an amazing verse in Isaiah 53. Which says Isaiah 53 verse 10. Speaking about the father. The father was pleased to crush Jesus. Pleased to crush Jesus.

Which father is? Pleased to crush his son. Not crush his personality. Jesus personality was never crushed and we should never crush the personality of our children or their individuality. But that self-will.

That stubborn streak that we've got from Adam that is in all of our children Jesus had a will of his own. He says that in Gethsemane. My will is I don't want to drink this cup father. Your will is different.

I'll choose yours. He says in John 6 38 I came from heaven not to do my own will. This thing called my will is what the Bible describes as the flesh and The flesh lusts against fights against this Holy Spirit means the Holy Spirit is always fighting against you not to do your own will.

But to do the will of God. But he won't force you. You can do your own will if you want. There are so many Christians who go and marry whom they like. Oh, someone's a pretty girl. Someone's a rich man.

They don't seek the will of God. They are choosing their own will. You think they can have a heavenly life on earth? Well, they can repent and there's some possibility but if you start out wrong you the battle is even greater.

You listen to your unconverted parents who tell you whom you should marry. God have mercy on you. You listen to unconverted parents who think just because. You know, there are some people who are so loyal to their community.

That they say oh my parents say I must marry like this only. Okay, go ahead and listen to your parents. But I've seen what is the end result of people like that who don't put God first in their life. You know, and I know whether we put God first in our life those important decisions like marriage job many many things.

And I tell you God takes note of the people who put him first in their life. And if he blesses somebody else more than you it's because God sees that in some area in your life. You did not put him first.

You can look very spiritual and come to meetings but God saw that in certain decisions in your life. He was not first. Your parents were first. Your relatives were first your own feelings were first, but God didn't stop you.

You married a believer. Okay? Yeah, you know, it's it's amazing how Jesus never in his life. Did he seek to? Choose anything according to what he preferred or what people told him or what Mary told him or.

Great example Jesus turning around to his own mother and saying what am I to do with you? How many? Wholehearted disciples would there be saying I want God in my life. You know God's work is tremendously limited.

Because we have a whole lot of religious people who speak so much and talk so much and imagine that they are so spiritual. But we're not broken. They they do their own will. They do their own will in a hundred and one areas and they wonder why God is not able to send rivers of living water through Them because the rock is not split.

It's when the rock is broken. That the water flows and you refuse to let the rock be smitten. You wonder why the water doesn't float. Don't be surprised. Everywhere in Scripture is the same thing. It pleased the Lord to crush him.

Total Surrender and the Feeding of the Five Thousand

That's the tearing of the veil in the temple. Think of the story of the feeding of the 5 ,000. There was this boy who had five loaves and two fish. Number one lesson if you want to be a blessing to thousands give everything to Jesus not 10

It's well known throughout India that brother Zach Poonen teaches against tithing. Imagine if that boy had peeled off one tenth of those five loaves and Two tenth of the fish said Lord, this is your portion.

The rest is mine. Nothing would have happened. What did he do. He gave all five loaves both fish. People are to say what are you going to do for breakfast? What are you going to do now for eating you've given everything away.

He got much more. When you give to Jesus you get much more and not only you get much more. 10 ,000 people are blessed through you. That's number one lesson if you are miserly and Calculating in your giving to the Lord.

You will never Experience anything more than that 90 you feed yourself with okay, you gave one loaf to God. You kept five loaves for yourself. That's all four loaves for yourself. That's all you'll get.

Yeah, I've seen that throughout my life. I've seen and I'm not talking just about myself. I've observed other people. I've read the lives of some great men of God and There was a point in their life when they gave everything God.

You are everything for me. I'm not saying actually taking all the money and putting the offering box. That's all Pentecostal pastors teach that. I'm talking about giving it to God and saying God. I don't own anything in my life.

I don't own my house. I don't own myself. I don't own anything. It's all yours. And if you want to do whatever you want with me, you can do it. I don't even own my children. They are yours to serve you as you like.

I'll tell you that is the first lesson we learned but that was not enough. We read secondly that Jesus gave thanks. He always gives thanks when you give everything to him. He took those loaves and thank God that there was one boy who was willing to give all that he had and Jesus always gives thanks whenever he finds some young boy or girl or Older man or woman who gives everything to Jesus and doesn't believe in 10 or 20 Lord.

All that I have is yours and Then it says Jesus blessed those loaves. That's the other thing God does to you when you give everything to God He will bless you in a way that other people will be amazed.

He'll bless you spiritually and bless you physically with healthy bless you. Financially not make you a millionaire necessarily, but give you enough for all your earthly needs. So you never have to make your needs known to anybody.

There's a verse in Psalm 41 I think it says the Lord will make your bed in your sickness if you learn how to give money to the poor. What a wonderful verse. God will make your bed in your sickness When you have learned to be generous with your money.