Defeating Bitterness Series

“Defeating Bitterness”

Luke 23:39-43

As we once again look into the subject of prayer we are looking at two prayers face to face with Jesus on the cross.

I. First Prayer

Vs. 39 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”

Malefactors - evil doer, of a bad nature, that which one undertakes to do.

Guilty, guilty, guilty…!

Railed - to speak reproachfully, revile, calumniate (make false and malicious statements; get louder), blaspheme.

Look at our two (2) prayers from these men on the cross beside Jesus.

The first is one with demands and expectations.

“IF thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”

Hate to mention this; but is this not like many prayers of today?

In this first prayer we are looking at a man who is mad.

He wants HIS way.

I have reached a conclusion about this man.

Bitter.

Bitter is not a new phenomenon in the life of man.

Genesis 27:32-36 “And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. 33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. 35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. 36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?”

Law of First Mention: Where it is first mentioned in the Bible gives us the foundation of the word.

Bitter - bitterness, chafed, angry, discontented, heavy hearted

This is the first time Bitter is used but the first action of Bitterness is found when Cain killed his brother Abel.

Let me make a personal observation about Bitterness:

1. Bitterness will keep the Gospel message away from you.

2. Bitterness will keep family from the Gospel.

3. Bitterness will keep our lives in bondage.

4. Even those who are saved; bitterness will keep those from growing in GRACE.

5. Bitterness will keep your testimony from knowing God’s power.

6. Bitterness will keep people cynical. Will mock whenever they have opportunity.

II. Second Prayer

Luke 23:40-42 “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

BUT GOD

Don’t you just love it when God shows up?

This man was just being honest enough to know why he was there.

Allow me to make some more personal observations:

1. Victory is not in me but in the darling Son Of God!

2. Surrender brings us to the feet of Jesus. Vs. 41

3. Peace is not man made but God given.

Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

4. Only GOD gives to His children the true Fruit of the Spirit.

III. Answered Prayer

Vs. 43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Verily – Strong’s = Amen, firm, surely, truly, of a truth.

I say = To teach, I intend, To speak out

Today – This very day, now!

With – after, behind

Paradise – A transliterated word = a place where those who died in salvation where they await for the resurrection.

Root = enclosed garden

Parts of speech = masculine. Hmmm

Conclusion:

Bitterness is a tool that Satan uses to keep people from truth

Bitterness is also a tool that Satan uses to keep the child of God in bondage.

BUT GOD – sent His son that the chains of sin can be broken and we can not only find salvation but can live in victory.

Bitterness is not overcome by self, but is overcome by death.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”