October 6, 2013
Rooting Out Bitterness
Sanctification is to be pursued along with peace. It is never loving to confirm people in their sin.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-17
Sermon Notes:
- There is a great danger for those in the household of faith of irreparable loss through neglect of covenant privileges.
- Jesus Himself warns us not to be hearers of the word only, but also to be doers of it (Matt. 7:21-25; James 1:22).
- We are called to live under the Lord’s discipline; suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned us.
- We are to take up our cross, enduring Christ’s suffering obediently, while trusting in His atonement alone.
- Persecution and suffering are used by God for our good.
- We are to turn our feet away from evil, stop limping on the edge of evil, and walk forward on the straight and narrow.
- After the fall there is a tendency to sinful conflict. We are to strenuously pursue peace with everyone.
- Sanctification is to be pursued along with peace. It is never loving to confirm people in their sin.
- Though conflict abounds around us, we must not let go of sanctification; holiness is the chain that binds us to God.
- If holiness were actually modeled in the Christian community, we would provide a light on a hill to the world.
- Those who hate God’s truth are violent against His people.
- Whatever people worship, that is what they become (Is. 6).
- The god of our day says: Something can come from nothing; anything can become anything else.
- “Pomo-sexuality” is the idea that we can declare our own reality on gender and sexual identity.
- Our culture’s god is our choice; ‘choice’ is the highest good. Its morality is to declare unreal any value higher than choice.
- We are to be peaceable, and yet to hold firmly to godliness.
- We are to show compassion toward those confused. But for those advocating evil, we are to stand firmly on truth.
- Grace is God’s character expressed toward sinners. It is God’s unmerited favour toward those at war with Him.
- If we don’t hold onto grace, we will start to consider our own merit as the basis for our identity (self-righteousness).
- As soon as we start to rely on our own righteousness it leads to bitterness (Deut. 29:18-19).
- Do not bless yourself while defying God’s holiness.
- The false joy of self-assurance can easily be substituted for the true joy of receiving God’s grace.
- When we give generously we demonstrate that money is a broken power in our lives.
- People often think their actions do not count when they are young. But today is the day of salvation (Matt. 7:8).
- You cannot have the Lord without making Him Lord.
Application Questions:
- What are the six marching orders given in Heb. 12:12-17?
- How can we avoid bitterness and a life of unholy living?
- What is the place of persecution in our lives?
- Where should we draw the line between living at peace with all men and upholding the truth?
- Do we ever think that God has pardoned our sins because we deserve it? Why does He pardon our sins?
- Does money have a hold on me? Why?
- What is the “bitter root” referred to in Deut. 29:18-19?
- What should our joy in the Christian life be based on?
- How is biblical truth challenged by the god “choice”?
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