Bitterness on SermonAudio

The Holiest of All - Lesson 60 - The Lord's Love and Discipline - Part 2 - Hebrews 12:7-11. "Is there no way for us to 'share in His holiness' but through chastening? It would seem so from the wording of this verse. The Lord, as our loving Father, makes use of the rod so that He may make us to be truly holy. – Spurgeon

Sermon Points: 1) Obedience to God involves resistance to the devil and sin 2) Repentance is the very act of drawing close to God 3) Make your heart bitter towards sin and humble yourself always

This sermon explores the biblical command to honor one's parents, defining honor as giving weight and value to their authority rather than merely complying with instructions. It distinguishes between the stages of honor, noting that while obedience is required for children under a parent's roof, adults are called to honor their parents through respect and care without submitting to their authority. The message clarifies that honor does not equate to blind obedience, religious exemption from care, or approval of parental sin, using Jesus' example to show that faith does not negate the duty to provide for aging parents. For those with difficult or abusive parents, the sermon offers guardrails that allow for safety and boundaries while still maintaining a posture of honor. Finally, it encourages believers to release bitterness through forgiveness, do their part in seeking peace, and find their ultimate identity and security in God as their true Father.

The sermon explores the call of Ezekiel to minister to a rebellious house, emphasizing that the prophet's strength and direction came entirely from the hand of the Lord rather than his own natural ability. It highlights the necessity of spiritual preparation, described as eating the scroll, where believers must assimilate God's Word and wait for divine timing before acting. The message applies this principle to daily life, urging believers to seek the Spirit's guidance in difficult situations, such as reconciliation or hardship, rather than relying on their own understanding. Through the example of Ezekiel's silence and subsequent obedience, the text illustrates that God uses periods of waiting and affliction to refine His people, ensuring that their actions and words are aligned with His will. Ultimately, the sermon points to Christ's example of humble obedience and the comfort found in trusting God's sovereignty during times of trial.

Putting on the New Man

This sermon explores the biblical causes of personal trouble, identifying them as specific things, people, locations, or unresolved bitterness that hinder spiritual progress. Drawing from passages in Joshua, Proverbs, and Ephesians, the message argues that partaking in 'accursed things' or harboring unforgiveness invites conflict and stagnation into one's life. The speaker emphasizes that God allows trials not merely for punishment, but to refine believers and equip them to comfort others through their own experiences with grace. A central theme is the necessity of diligent self-examination to remove sinful influences and toxic relationships, thereby closing doors to the enemy. The sermon concludes with a call to put away bitterness and wrath, choosing instead to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, reflecting the grace of Christ in order to experience true peace and restoration.

If you were moved by the sweet, transformational faith of a starving London street child in Jessica's First Prayer, today we step right back into that fog-draped alleyway to see what happens when that new faith is put to its ultimate test. In Hesba Stretton's compelling direct sequel, Jessica's Mother, the frail young girl's life is suddenly upended by the return of her estranged, hardened mother—a woman ruined by alcoholism, bitter toward the world, and desperate enough to test the practical compassion of Daniel Standring and his church. What unfolds is not a neat, sanitized Victorian fairy tale, but a raw, deeply moving study of unconditional grace, maternal brokenness, and the true cost of Christian charity. Pick up where we left off: the story of Jessica's Mother.

Romans 12:19–21 calls Christians to refuse personal vengeance, trust God's perfect justice, and overcome evil with good. Dave Jenkins explains the difference between sinful retaliation and legitimate justice, addresses the place of boundaries and accountability, and offers practical help for resisting bitterness. Looking to Christ's example and saving work, this episode shows how the mercy we have received equips us to respond to wrongdoing with faithfulness and grace. For more from Anchored in the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/anchored-in-the-wordpage/