TITLE: Break Me, Lord!

TEXT: II Corinthians 12:1-10

PROPOSITION: Before we can be of service to God, we must be broken.

QUESTION: Which?

KEY WORD: Steps

READING:

INTRODUCTION:

          1. God wants us to useful in His kingdom.

          2. Song "Into the Heart of Jesus" (2nd verse)

          2. There is a three-step process of preparation.

I. Take Me

          A. God calls us

                    1. Isaiah 6:8 "Whom shall I send, who will go?"

                    2. I Samuel 3:4 "The Lord called Samuel"

          B. Today? Yes!

                    1. II Timothy 1:9 "called us with a holy calling"

                    2. Hebrews 3:1 "partakers of the heavenly calling"

                    3. II Peter 1:10 "make your calling sure"

                    4. How?  II Thessalonians 2:14   "by the gospel"

          C. How to answer the call

                    1. In faith

                    2. Obey

                    3. Commitment

                    4. Totally - even though it means ---

II. Break Me

          A. The Bible teaches

                    1. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "glory in infirmities"

                    3. 2 Corinthians 4:7 "treasure in earthen vessels"

                    4. Colossians 3:4-9 old man-dies; put on new man

                    5. Romans 6:3-8 "he that is dead is freed from sin"

                    6. John 3:5 "Ye must be born again"

          B. Examples -

                    1. Moses - in the wilderness

                    2. Hosea - buy back his wife

                    3. Peter - denial - Pentecost

III. Make Me

          A. Jeremiah 18:1-6 "as it seemed good to the potter"

          B. Psalm 51:10 "create in me a clear heart"

          C. Hebrews 13:21 "make you perfect in every good work"

Conclusion:

          1. Say, Here am I.  Use; Send; Mold; Take; Make; Break;

          2. Let God break the OLD YOU - to make a NEW YOU.