1. “Broken Does Not Mean Token!”
Nehemiah 9

2. …Young man asked the owner if he could buy three boxes of chocolates…

3. Nathan confronting David after his sin… “You, are the man!”

4. Only the broken heart is big enough to permit God to dwell
Only the broken heart is big enough to permit God to dwell. All of which brings us to the point of this message…

5. Purpose:
to see only when we are broken will we face the truth concerning ourselves

6. I Reading the Word and Brokenness Are Linked (9:1-3)
A. Prayer Based on History

7. Israel retraces her history from Abraham to present
Israel retraces her history from Abraham to present. Two things stand out clearly…

8. Here is a pit bulldog that tried to hug a porcupine… No matter how hard God tried, His people stiffened their backs and would not respond…

9. I Reading the Word and Brokenness Are Linked (9:1-3)
A. Prayer Based on History
B. Israel Relived Her History

10. It was time to realize that Israel’s rebellion against God was a story told over and over and over again…

11. II Brokenness is Necessary for Healing (9:32-37)
A. Their Account is Our Account

12. O to grace, how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be
O to grace, how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be Let Thy goodness like a fetter, Blind my wandering heart to Thee,

13. Never let me wander from Thee, Never leave the God I love
Never let me wander from Thee, Never leave the God I love Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

14. II Brokenness is Necessary for Healing (9:32-37)
A. Their Account is Our Account
B. Their Truthfulness Must be Our Truthfulness

15. Only then will we face the fact that sin is not just “breaking the rules.” Sin is also violating a relationship…

16. III Application to Brokenness
A. Acknowledge Our Sin Problem

17. 1 John 1:10

18. III Application to Brokenness
A. Acknowledge Our Sin Problem
B. Affirm God’s Goodness and Sovereignty

19. Psalm 51:4

20. III Application to Brokenness
A. Acknowledge Our Sin Problem
B. Affirm God’s Goodness and Sovereignty
C. Approach God on Christ’s Merit

21. Galatians 3:27

22. Colossians 3:3

23. III Application to Brokenness
A. Acknowledge Our Sin Problem
B. Affirm God’s Goodness and Sovereignty
C. Approach God on Christ’s Merit
D. Accept His Promises of Forgiveness

24. Jeremiah 31:34

25. Isaiah 1:18

26. Psalm 103:12

27. Micah 7:19

28. John Wesley (preacher)
Years ago, a robber accosted John Wesley… The robber took this and was running away when Wesley shouted, “Come back! I have…
John Wesley (preacher)

29. Conclusion/Summary:
Brethren/friend, we are the only ones who can write the last chapter to our story. That chapter must finish at the Cross of Christ… Remember, broken does not mean token!