[August 24. 2008] BACK TO A PLACE OF BITTERNESS
- pastor Dennis Leonard (Heritage christian Center in Denver, Colorado, the US)
John 11:14, 17, 19,21, 34, 43-44
Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been lin the tomb four days. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Marthasaid to Jesus, "Lord, if Youhad been here, my brother would not have died. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
1. God wants you to give vrace to other people.
a. You may have failed people in the past and needed forgiveness; and now you must forgive others.
b. If you fail to give vrace to others, a root of bitterness could spring up in you.
2. Mary and Martha had become bitter toward Jesus after Lazarus' death.
a. They blamed Jesus for not coming more quickly.
b. A series of losses can affect how you feel about life.
c. When you go through enough, you can become bitter.
3. God warns us that we should not be like Esau who gave up too soon and missed his blessing
a. There is something about bitterness that tendsto rob you of your future.
b. You must learn to forgive people instantly, so the root of bitterness does not get inside of you.
4. Jesus said to Mary and Martha, "Show Me where you laid Lazarus."
a. Jesus was telling Mary and Martha to go back to the place they had become bitter.
b. They had lost their faithand He was telling them to go back to that place.
c. Perhaps you are in asituation where God didn't answer your prayers the way you thought He should; and now He si telling you to go back to that place where bitterness got a hold of you.
5. Moses couldn't go into his promised land because he was angry and bitter against the people.
a. God told Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck the rock in his anger toward the people.
b. It was Moses' anger and bitterness that stopped his victory.
6. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
a. In other words, it doesn't matter what someonesaid or what someone did.
b. It doesn't matter whois right or who; all that matter is pursing peace with that person
7. The Bible says of you don't deal with bitterness, you can't walk in holiness.
a. Holiness is not about the length of your hais, whether or not you wear makeup, or whether or not you goto the movies.
b. Holines is about having a forgiving heart.
c. God is concerned about the condition of your heart.
8. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind toone another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even asGod in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
a. If you hold anger on the inside of you, it can torment you and can cause you to become extremely bitter.
b. Bitterness is like a poison that can cause you to become physically ill.
c. Jesus said of you don't forgive others, my heavenly Father will not forgive you. (it's not optional) (Mattew 6:14-15)
9. You were not made to hold onto bitterness, but to forgive and trust God.
a. You can't let anything from your past cause you to put your life on hold.
b. It has been proven that un-forgiveness and bitterness cause so much stress on your immune system thatit can cause sickness.
c. You are at a crossroads today, you will either leave this place bitter, or you will leave better.
10. The Book of Exodus says the children of God became botter against Him because they had gone three days without water.
a. The Lord showed the Children of Israel a tree and Moses threw it in the water. It turned the bitter water sweet and pure. (Exodus 15:25)
b. When Moses threw the tree in the water it was a type and shadow of how when Jesus comes into a situation, He turns your bitter waters sweet.
c. The Lord wil turn your life around if you will release the bitterness you are holding.
11. Since this is your year, you have to let go of the bitterness in your heart.
a. If you are going to see your life turn around,then you have to go back to the place of bitterness.
b. You have to go back to where your bitterness is buried.
c. Itls time to quit talking about your past, and start talking about your future.
