10-1-23 Setlist: This Is Our God I'm Listening Holy Forever Way Maker Sermon Notes: Key Verse: Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 Key Verse: Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. Acts 28:1 4 Antidotes to Bitterness: 1. Complaining about what wrecked you never heals you. complaining /kəmˈplāniNG/ noun the expression of dissatisfaction or annoyance about something Key Verse: Do everything without grumbling or complaining. Philippians 2:14 Key Passage: … we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks… Acts 28:1b-3a 4 Antidotes to Bitterness: 2. Contribute even if you don’t feel like you have a lot to offer. Key Verse: The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 Key Passage: … we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks… Acts 28:1b-3a When bad things happen it’s because we live in a fallen world not because it’s God’s revenge upon us. Key Passage: The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. Acts 28:4-6 4 Antidotes to Bitterness: 3. When people talk about you don’t bother listening. If we live off the compliments of people then we will die by the criticism of people. Key Verse: But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. Acts 28:5 4 Antidotes to Bitterness: 4. Shake it off. Key Verse: No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17a Key Verse: Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15b 3 Steps to Shaking off Bitterness: 1. Ask God to reveal any bitterness in your heart. 3 Steps to Shaking off Bitterness: 2. Talk to God about the hurt and allow Him access to the wound. 3 Steps to Shaking off Bitterness: 3. Choose to forgive and leave it behind. Key Passage: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 Discussion Questions: 1. What do you feel like God is saying to you through this message? 2. How can you slay this "dragon" of bitterness and seek after God? 3. Which point really spoke to you during this message? How can you apply it to your life?