1. Opening HOSTAGE Video

2. Bitterness

3. Bitterness : a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation; "holding a grudge"; "settling a score”; a feeling of deep anger and ill-will Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb 12:14-15

4. BITTERNESS HAS A DANGEROUS ROOT. See to it that…no bitter root grows up… Hebrews 12:15 Roots absorb and store and grow.

5. BITTERNESS HAS A POISONOUS FRUIT. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:16 defile: miaino (me-ah'-ee-no); stain, pollute or contaminate. …whenever (the bitter root) springs up, many are corrupted by its poison. Hebrews 12:15 NLT

6. The Fruit of Bitterness ✴ J✴ J✴ J✴ Justify their bitterness. ✴ B✴ B✴ B✴ Become overly critical. ✴ S✴ S✴ S✴ Secretly celebrate misfortunes. ✴ W✴ W✴ W✴ Write-off entire groups of people. ✴ S✴ S✴ S✴ Struggle to see bitterness in the mirror. WITH WHOM OR AT WHAT ARE YOU BITTER?

7. HOW DO YOU KILL THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS? 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. Eph 4:31-32 KILL BITTERNESS WITH COMPASSION. Be kind and compassionate to one another… Ephesians 4:3

8. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:32-35 Cancel their debt. Give up your claim to revenge and blame.

9. KILL BITTERNESS WITH FORGIVENESS. …forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

10. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luk 6:27-28 Bless your offender Bless: eulogeo (yoo-log-eh'-o) to speak well of

11. What we need? DEEP SPIRITUAL CLEANSING For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15 With whom or what are you bitter?

12. PERSONAL PRAYER “God, I admit that I’ve allowed a root of bitterness to grow against _______________. Please forgive me of this sin. By your power, give me a heart of compassion and forgiveness toward this person. I pray you would restore my wounded relationship(s). In Jesus’ name, Amen

13. Bitterness Ps Michael Chrisdion

14. Worry Video Promo for Next week