1. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

2. Root of Bitterness Deceive self also: Deut. 29:18-20 (idolatry)
Root: beneath the surface, hidden from view
Known only to you: Prov. 14:10
Deceive self also:
Deut. 29: (idolatry)
Isa. 5: (woe to them)
Heb. 3: (starts in heart)

3. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

4. Springing Up Fruit reveals what root conceals: Matt. 7:16-20
All becomes bitter: 1 Cor. 5:6, Eph. 4:31-32, Col. 3:19, James 3:8-18
Poison (spreads through system) 8
Conversation (actions) reveal
Do not lie about your heart
Purity and Peace (not bitterness)

5. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

6. Troubles You Often overwhelming sorrow (bitterness)
1 Sam. 1:10 no child
Prov. 17:25 foolish child
Ruth 1: lost child
Also anger and hatred: Ps. 64:1-4
Also harmful and repugnant: Prov. 5:3-4
Eccl. 7:25-29

7. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

8. Many Are Defiled
People may prefer bitter, sour, or even spoiled in food (but not in character)
Opposite: Peace with men, Holiness like God
Results: not see the Lord, Fail to get grace, troubled, and defiled
Example: Esau, a profane person
sold birthright: Gen. 25:29-34
sought blessing: Gen. 27:34-36

9. Hebrews 12:16-17
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Repentance (turn around) He could not change the consequences nor what he’d become

10. Hebrews 12:14-15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;