October 19, 2012

Acceptable Sins of Christians: Bitterness

Acceptable Sins of Christians: Bitterness (http://www.northridgerochester.com/Sermons/Details/237)

Bitterness
  • Hebrews 12:15: See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
  • "Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."
  • Bitterness bears sinful fruit.
  • The bitter person often ends up looking like the person they are bitter against.
  • When you are keeping bitterness in your heart you are keeping yourself from the grace God wants to give us.
  • Ephesians 4:22-24, 31-32
    • Put off an old sinful habit, think differently about the issue/solution, and put on a new righteous habit
    • Put off bitterness and put on kindness and compassion, forgiving each other like Christ forgave you.
      • Our feelings always follow our actions
      • Kindness ends up drawing repentance from the one who hurt you
      • "Hurt people hurt people." - Don't be a hurt person who hurts people
      • Forgiveness
        • Is not: endorsement of behavior, exemption of consequences, restoration of trust
          • You're only commanded to trust God.  Trust is earned from anyone else.
        • Bitterness = unforgiveness
        • Judicial Forgiveness
          • We give to everyone
          • An issue of my heart
          • Entrusting it to God's justice
            • Let it go to God and not hold it in our heart and life
            • It's not our job to make them pay for what they've done
        • Relational Forgiveness
          • Given to anyone who asks for it
          • An issue of relationship
          • Is making promises to the offender
            • I won't bring the matter up to you, others or myself
              • The best way to overcome bitterness is to be others centered
        • 1 John 1:9



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