Stop Letting Bitterness Live

Acts 8:22 ESV

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

Acts 8:23 ESV

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”

STOP LIVING BY WICKED MOTIVE

STOP TOLERATING A DYSFUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST

TODAY’S SERMON:

STOP BEING A POISON IN THE BODY

UNDERSTANDING BITTERNESS :

In the Hebrew culture, any poisonous plant was called a “bitter” plant. Poison destroys, and the result of ingesting a poisonous plant would be bitter, indeed. The author of the book of Hebrews uses a “bitter root” as a metaphor for that which would bring harm to the church

I. Bitterness Is Primarily COVENANT DEFECTION:

Deuteronomy 29:18 ESV

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,

Deuteronomy 29:19 ESV

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.

· There, the people of Israel were warned about those who assumed they'd be blessed and protected by God, despite their willful rebellion.

A. A bitter person is someone whose HEART is in the state of not BELIEVING God;

Hebrews 3:12 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

B. A bitter person is someone who PRESUMES that the Lord will OVERLOOK their hard heart

· Hence the mention of holiness – v14

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

II. Bitterness Is Seen In COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

Hebrews 12:15 ESV

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;

· First, we are to be careful that no one misses out on sharing fully in God’s grace. Believers must be vigilant to assist those among us who have stumbled in weakness. We must bear one another’s burdens

· As members of the body of Christ we are responsible for each other. We have the task of overseeing one another in spiritual matters, so that we may grow and flourish in the grace of God and not come short of it. That is, no one should be allowed to straggle, for if this happens he becomes Satan’s prey and will miss God’s grace (2 Cor. 6:1; Gal. 5:4).

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Mutual supervision within the entire body stimulates the spiritual health of the individual members. Avoid, therefore, the indifference to one another manifested by Cain, who asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). Instead we should ask each other about our spiritual well-being, although perhaps not in the quaint wording of the Methodist preacher who inquired, “How is it with thy soul, brother?” But certainly as members of Christ’s body we must put similar questions to our brothers and sisters in the Lord.[2]

When WE act in bitterness towards the body grace is not existent and OTHERS Miss the Grace of God – Fall away into deeper DEPRAVITY

III. Bitterness Results In COMMUNITY INFECTION

Hebrews 12:15 ESV

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;

Here, the "bitter roots" are said to cause trouble and defilement. Whether those persons are outright false Christians, or merely rebellious believers, their influence is the same. They cause controversy and lead others into sin. Such persons cannot be allowed to remain in the body of believers (1 Corinthians 5:13).

[1] Lea, T. D. (1999). Hebrews, James (Vol. 10, p. 221). Broadman & Holman Publishers. [2]Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of Hebrews (Vol. 15, p. 385). Baker Book House.

SO HOW DO YOU BATTLE BITTERNESS?

1. REPENT FOR YOUR BITTERNESS

Tell the Lord that you are sorry for carrying a pain that He died to conquer and heal on the cross.

2. REST IN GOD’S LOVE

Fight to know that regardless of how humans have let you down and have not showed you love - know that Jesus is absolutely in love with those who fight to love and trust His Son.

3. RECONCILE WITH OTHERS

Why did I put “Rest in God’s Grace” before “Reconcile with Others?”

a. True reconciliation with another person is never possible until you have reconciled or returned to the Love of Christ

b. You need to know that your obedience to Jesus is what God holds you responsible for; not the response of others