INTRODUCTION
• PC VIDEO CLIP SEABISCUIT
• SLIDE #1
• As we continue examining how to deal with some of the dark emotions we face in life, today we will look at another emotion that can cause a lot of problems if we do not learn to cope with it.
• The issue of bitterness is something that has destroyed many families, many careers and many lives.
• I would imagine that each one of here this morning can think of a situation in which a root of bitterness has been allowed to take root in a person’s life, and I bet we could tell stories about the devastating effects bitterness caused.
• I would imagine there are some here today who are struggling with this issues.
• If we allow bitterness to take root in our life, we run the danger of letting it control our life.
• We will unfold Hebrews 12:14-15 together this morning in an effort to better understand how we can deal with bitterness and the damage that allowing bitterness to overtake our life can have.
• Let us begin in trek this morning by turning to Hebrews 12:14-15
• SLIDE #2
• Hebrews 12:14–15 (ESV) 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
• Before we look at the negative effects of bitterness let us first…
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Focus on positive pursuits.
• Life is about what you focus on. We have to make a decision as to what we are going to focus on.
• Will we put all of our focus on what makes us bitter or will we focus on what makes us better?
• In our clip this morning, Red the jockey was so filled with bitterness he lost focus on why he was on the track.
• When we get consumed with bitterness we too will lose focus as to why we are on the track of life.
• So what does the Hebrew writer suggest we focus on in order to be better instead of bitter?
• SLIDE #4
A. Pursue peace with all.
• Verse 14 encourages us to STRIVE for peace with everyone.
• To STRIVE means to make EVERY EFFORT.
• Peace is an inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Jesus.
• In personal relationships it is an absence of conflict, a harmony.
• "Peace" is more than the absence of fighting; it is a state of well-being.
• If we are focused on being bitter, we cannot experience inner peace nor can we experience relational peace with those around us.
• People will hurt us, they will make us mad, they will frustrate us, but one of the marks of a Christian is the ability to pursue peace with others.
• SLIDE #5
• Romans 12:18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Jesus speaks a lot on the subject of peace. Too many times we are not willing to pursue peace because someone has hurt us or we are just angry at them to the point we do not even want to be in the same room with them.
• Before we jump to the next pursuit take note that both pursuits are tied together with the word AND.
• This indicates that the failure on our part to pursue peace means an absence from the presence of the Lord.
• The pursuit of peace is very important to God. One can justify all they want as to why they refuse to obey God in this area, but the bottom line is NO PEACE with man equals no peace with God.
• The next important positive pursuit is …
• SLIDE #6
B. Pursue holiness.
• This means that we need to focus on being dedicated to Jesus.
• We are called to focus on Spiritual growth. This is to be a continual thing.
• We are called to pursue it during our whole life.
• To do this we must submit ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance in our life.
• If we are focusing on bitterness, we CANNOT be focused on be set aside as a vessel to be used by God.
• SLIDE #7
• 1 Peter 1:16 (ESV) since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
• Holiness has to do with our loving God. It speaks of the pure, obedient, holy life we live set apart for God’s glory, because of that love. When we love Him, we will want to be like Him, and when we are like Him, others will see Him in us and be attracted to Him. Love toward men and love toward God are inseparable.
• The holy life is not an elective or optional matter for Christians, but is demanded and required of all who hope to enter heaven.
• and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
• SLIDE #8
C. Encourage others in the same pursuits.
• We are not only called to look into our own heart, but we are to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others.
• In verse 15 is begins with…
• See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God;
• The Hebrew writer is encouraging the folks not to leave the faith in the midst of persecution and trials.
• The way one can fail to obtain the grace of God is to abandon the faith.
• These are pursuits that will be good for us; they will help keep us strong in our faith.
• Let us now look the specific issue of bitterness.
• SLIDE #9
II. Focusing on bitterness will poison you.
• Verse 15 in part remind us, See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble
• Many feel this phrase is an allusion to Deuteronomy 29:16-21. They equate “bitterness” with unbelief.
• The expression, "root of bitterness", is derived from the Septuagint of Deut. 29:18, where Moses warns the Israelites against any inclination to fall into idolatrous practices, which would be "a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit."
• SLIDE #10
• Deuteronomy 29:18–19 (ESV) 18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, 19 one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
• In the Old Testament the word BITTER was a symbol of hard bondage, misery, and ruin that follows immorality. Exodus 1:14 is an example of the use of the word.
• During the Passover God commanded the Hebrews to eat bitter herbs.
• SLIDE #11
• Numbers 9:11 (ESV) 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
• This was to remind the people of the slavery they lived under and the hard life they lived as a result.
• I believe there is something in this thought for us today.
• When we live in bitterness in our heart, we are enslaved to that emotion, it guides all we do. As I said from the clip we showed earlier, Red was driven by his bitterness to being cut off to the point that he forgot his plan and his calling for the race.
• This bitterness can take control of our life.
• It starts out as a root, then the root grows to maturity, then it produces bitter fruit.
• This fruit poisons our whole being.
• Now let us conclude with this thought.
• SLIDE #12
III. Focusing on bitterness will poison others around you.
• In verse 15 the author in saying that "many may become defiled", is showing the importance not allowing bitterness to rear its ugly head in our life.
• When we allow bitterness to rule us, our fruit will be poison to others.
• As others feed on the fruit of our life, they will be poisoned by bitterness also.
• The best example of this comes when a couple divorces. One or both of the participants are angry and hurt.
• They have bitter feelings toward their former or soon to be former spouse and then their attitude spills over to other people. Sometimes they do not mean for it to, but it does.
• Sometimes they will to fill their children with the same bitterness they are feeling.
• We have to do everything we can to guard against that.
• The best way to deal with it is to focus on what is healthy.
• When you think about it, is your bitterness accomplishing the righteousness of God?
• I have to be honest with you, and I too have to face this at times.
• I REALLY GROW WEARY OF CHRISTIANS WHO THINK THEY CAN RATIONALIZE BEING BITTER AND SPREADING THAT POISON TO EVERYONE IN THEIR PATH!
• If you marriage feel a part, deal with it, deal with it as a Christian. If someone hurt you, deal with it as a Christian. If someone wronged you, deal with it as a Christian.
• SLIDE #13
• Galatians 5:24–25 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
CONCLUSION
• I know it can be difficult to not be controlled by bitterness. I have to tell you, I used to really struggle with this when I was younger.
• When I grew up I felt a lot of bitterness toward those who would not accept me into their crowd.
• When I was consumed by bitterness it opened me up to doing things I should have never done.
• I do not want to make light of the things that contribute to being bitter, BUT as A Christian, we MUST pull bitterness out by the root as soon as we can.
• Through Christ I was able to overcome my bitterness and so can you!
