"pulling Weeds Of Bitterness From The Garden Of One's Life"

Title: “Pulling Weeds of Bitterness in the Garden of Life” Script: Heb. 12:14-15

Type: Thematic Where: GNBC

Intro: Most of you who have know me for any time know that I love to garden. Late in the winter I dig out my 50 year old Reader’s Digest book on Gardening. I begin to think about what to plant and where to plant and how much to plant. Every Good Friday I try to get my first plants in the ground. The past two years I have expanded my gardening to the Wetherby Park Community Gardens with my friend Paul. I love the planting. I love seeing the plants grow. I love the harvesting. One thing I hate: WEEDING! You can ask my friend Paul, he probably gets a little annoyed with my lax attitude towards weeding. Sometimes I try to take shortcuts by mulching plants and ground cover. However, every gardener knows that to produce the best crop possible, you have to weed your garden! Now, in Heb. 12, the Bible compares bitterness to a weed that doesn’t merely spring up in a vegetable garden, but rather takes root and contaminates a soul. The problem is that far too many people deal with bitterness about as directly as I like to deal with the weeds in my garden! Simply ignoring their existence won’t make them go away! Ignoring sin and bitterness won’t make those hurtful items disappear either, and will wreck the harvest of spiritual fruit God wants to grow in your life.

Prop: Today we’ll examine the problem, consequences of, as well as hope for the individual struggling w/bitterness.

BG: 1. Psychologists inform us that bitterness is a huge problem in our society. Not restricted to non-Christians.

2. Plain and simple, forgiveness is the antidote for bitterness, yet it is a costly commodity. Cost Xst’s blood.

3. If we’re ever to realize victory in Xst, must apply Xst’s forgiveness to our life and those issues cause pain.

Prop: Today we’ll examine the problem, consequences of, as well as hope for the individual struggling w/bitterness.

1st: The Problem of Allowing Weeds of Bitterness to Spring up in our Lives – Heb. 12:14-15.

A. I want you to Notice the Problem of Allowing Lingering Bitterness in our Lives.

1. Allowing a root of Bitterness to take hold in Your Life Brings Defilement to Your Soul.

a. v. 15 – defiled – used 4x in the NT, “miaino” – to stain with color, it carries a definite ceremonial or religious theme. Paul uses the same term in Titus 1:15 – “To the pure all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, both their mind and conscience are defiled.”

b. The author of Heb. warns us that as we pursue peace w/ all men and holiness, w/o which no man will see the Lord…” we are to watch diligently so that no one resists God’s grace. You see, bottom line, holiness is a matter of the heart. It is an attitude. It is not necessarily a dress code or a keeping of certain laws. As believers we are supposed to pursue peace and sanctification – v. 14 – Peace w/ man and a right standing with God. Bitterness towards God or man stops both from happening.

2. What is lingering bitterness a sign of in my life?

a. Lingering bitterness in your or by life is a sign that we think we deserve better. Blaise Pascal, the brilliant French apologist, once observed that a crucial element of man’s misery is found in this: “He/she can always contemplate a better life than is provided for him to achieve.” It’s true, and don’t be mistaken, the casino owners, the lotto operators, the touch machines, all know this and appeal to you and me on that basis. Illust – You know, I find it very interesting, my dog Reuben could care less what type of vehicle he gets to ride around in. He could care less with which neighborhood our house is located. I seriously doubt he sits around contemplating a better life and being vexed about the one he has with us! We would all do well to adopt the Dave Ramsey philosophy: When asked how he is doing by those calling into his show, Ramsey always responds: “Better than I deserve.”

b. Now, let me ask you something: Do you think you deserve better? Be very careful how you answer that question. It is a key concept in how we market many things in this country. “You deserve it!” However, let me tell you that often a lack of contentment is directly related to past and present bitterness. And unfortunately, until we seek or ask or grant forgiveness, can’t fully enjoy what do have that will bring joy, happiness or pleasure.