Sermon # 41 - Remain In God's Grace - Uproot Bitterness Series

In Hebrew 12:15, “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;” (ESV)

The Holy Spirit of God cautions us through the word of God, that if we allow the root of bitterness to get embedded in our hearts, we are in peril of failing to obtain the grace of God which He has lavishly bestowed on us. It is that unfathomable grace of God that protects us, preserves us and keeps us well and alive.

We will study in detail on the basis of the word of God, these two important aspects mentioned in Hebrews 12:15 namely; obtaining the grace of God, and uprooting bitterness from our hearts.

The Grace of God

• Noah found grace in the eyes of God

We read in Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (KJV)

The times in which Noah lived was one where wickedness filled the earth. People in Noah’s day, sought after their own affairs, and had no inclination to seek after God. It was in such a chaotic period that Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.

Sadly, we too are living in a day and age when so many are caught up with the busyness of the mundane, having no time whatsoever for things pertaining to God. Today the word ‘grace’ is widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Many refer to the term grace of God nonchalantly, not fully comprehending the meaning and depth of this word. The grace of God has become a license to many to lead sinful, and unrepentant lives. If we can truly apprehend the meaning of the grace of God, only then will we live, and do exactly as Noah did.

• Noah obeyed God implicitly

God’s commanded Noah to construct an ark, because of a great flood that was impending. Noah did not take the grace of God that was showered on him for granted, but immediately went forth to obey God, and began to build the ark.

In Genesis 6:22, we read, “Noah did everything that God commanded.” (GNB)

We read in Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being moved by the fear of God, made ready an ark for the salvation of his family, because God had given him news of things which were not seen at the time; and through it the world was judged by him, and he got for his heritage the righteousness which is by faith (BBE)

Noah not only had faith in God and revered him, he willingly obeyed all that God commanded him to do by building the ark, thereby saving himself and his family. Noah obeyed the Lord implicitly in every detail, just as God instructed him.

As believers we are all recipients of the grace of God, but the question is how many of us like Noah are walking in obedience to God in every area our lives? There are areas in our lives where the Spirit of God is constantly prompting us to change, but we turn a deaf ear, and continue in sin, simply because we have taken God’s grace for granted. Though salvation is the gift of God received by the grace of God, it is only when we walk in obedience, are we assured of entry into the kingdom of God.

Salvation is to be saved from the bondage of sin, death, grip of the devil, hell and destruction and to be transferred into the kingdom of God. This salvation is experienced right here and now, to help us live a life of freedom from every temptation and sin. However, if we continue in disobedience, and expect that we will be saved, we are deceiving ourselves.

Just like God warned Noah in his days, in these last days the Lord is cautioning us that His second coming is close at hand. He is coming again as the King of Kings to take with Him, those who by faith believe in Him, walk in obedience to His word, and lead lives that are pleasing to Him in every way.

Don’t shipwreck your faith

Just imagine if while Noah floated on the ark, after a month or so, he decided to make a hole at the bottom of the ark; sounds preposterous, but guess what would have happened? He and all who were with him would have drowned in the floods. But, there is a way that one can actually shipwreck their faith that Paul talks about.

We read in 1 Timothy 1:19, “Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.” (GW)

In the above mentioned verse, Paul refers to those who by not letting their faith guide their conscience have ship wrecked their faith. Noah built to ark to save himself and his family, he entered the ark, kept up the faith and continued until the day the Lord brought him out onto dry land. Many people in have entered this faith ship, but have failed to walk in obedience to God thereby being in danger of wrecking this journey of faith that they have embarked on. Paul even goes on to mention a couple of names of those who ship wrecked their faith.