Deal With It | This Is How We Do It | Week 3

Deal with It

This is How We Do It  Week 3 | Pastor Andrew Cromwell

Ephesians 4:31-5:2 NLT: 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT: 1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ruth 1:20-21 NLT: 20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”

What is Bitterness?

Guilt is what we feel when we sin.

Bitterness is what we feel when .

Bitterness is ALWAYS based on someone else’s sin — whether real or imagined.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV: 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.

The World’s Solutions to Bitterness:

1. it in.
2. it out.

James 3:14-15 NIV: But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

The Danger of Bitterness

1. Bitterness .
2. Bitterness .
3. Bitterness .
4. Bitterness will keep you from receiving .

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV: 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

God’s Solution to Bitterness:

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV: 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Step 1: Be with yourself — Am I bitter?

Step 2: Recognize that bitterness is a that belongs to . 

Step 3: your sin of bitterness to God and through the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 NIV: 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Step 4: the one who has offended you and choose to to them out of love.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV: 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.