There is a principle that runs throughout the scripture that runs contrary to everything in our culture.

That means it runs contrary to everything you learn in schools.

It runs contrary to everything you see on television, the media in general.

It runs contrary to how some businesses are run.

It runs contrary to the books that you read. It runs contrary to how some businesses are run. It runs contrary to the books that you read.

It runs contrary to even the way some churches operate. And the principle I'm talking about is that

principle of paradox. Let me just refresh your memory. The world says that if you want to get ahead,

it doesn't matter who and how many people you trample upon to get up to where you set your goals to reach.

The Bible said, if you want to be first, become the least.

The world said, if you want to become rich, grab for everything you can. And the Bible said, if you want to become rich, grab for everything you can.

And the Bible said, if you want to be rich, give away everything you can.

But perhaps there is no greater area in which this principle operates than in the area of brokenness.

The world says, don't ever let them see you sweat, right?

The Bible said that a broken and contrite heart, God will not despise.

That there is a blessing in brokenness.

And in fact, you see this principle throughout the scripture in symbolic terms,

and you see it in real terms throughout the Bible. You see it when Jacob became broken in Penel, he was closed with power.

It was when the rock of Horib was broken by Moses's rod that water gushed out and satisfied their thirst. It was when Gideon's

chosen 300 warriors broke their jars, symbol of breaking of their lives before God, that light shone

and their enemies were defeated and disbanded. It was when Mary broke her

expensive alabaster box and anointed the feet of Jesus that aroma filled the room, and he was

anointed. When Jesus broke the five loaves and he distributed them and become multiplied

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