The Root of Bitterness: July 6, 2025
You know that feeling when a sermon just hits different? That's exactly what I experienced after hearing Pastor Miles's latest message! If you're looking for a fresh perspective and a powerful dose of encouragement, you've come to the right place.
Dive Deep with Pastor Miles: A Sermon That Will Stick With You
Pastor Miles, the assistant pastor from Hope in the Valley, brought a powerful message from Hebrews 12 that truly resonated. He reminded us that while God disciplines us to set our paths straight and help us share in His holiness, our responsibility is to then strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
One of the toughest, yet most vital, takeaways was that call to strive for peace with everyone. As Pastor Miles highlighted, that "everyone" includes the person who cuts us off in traffic, the relative with problematic views, or even someone who just stole our seat! It's not about avoiding conflict, but actively pursuing harmony and unity, even with those we find difficult. He emphasized that peace isn't easily obtained; it requires action and effort on our part.
He then connected this pursuit of peace to holiness, reminding us that true holiness comes from a deeper relationship with God. As God shapes and disciplines us, we are enabled to pursue peace. It's a beautiful synergy: drawing closer to God empowers us to be peacemakers.
Plucking the Root of Bitterness and Extending Grace
Pastor Miles also urged us to "see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God." This applies in two crucial ways: within the church, we're called to draw those who stumble into forgiveness and grace, rather than ridiculing them. Externally, it means diligently working to ensure that everyone, including those we dislike or who have hurt us, has the opportunity to hear the Gospel and experience the forgiveness of Christ.
A particularly convicting point was the warning against allowing a "root of bitterness" to spring up. Pastor Miles candidly shared his own struggle with "shower arguments"—those imaginary debates we have when alone, which are often a clear sign that bitterness has taken root. He powerfully stated that when bitterness or any sin takes hold, it defiles not just the individual but the entire church, creating disunity and harming the body of Christ.
Learning from Esau: Don't Sell Your Birthright
Pastor Miles used the story of Esau selling his birthright for a single meal as a vivid example of trading future blessings for immediate gratification. He likened this to us, at times, throwing away God's blessings for "aggressive tweets" or "sign language going down the 91." His message was a stark reminder that while God's grace is abundant, our foolish choices can lead to missed blessings and opportunities for growth.
The core message was clear: these verses in Hebrews are hard, not because they're difficult to understand, but because they are challenging to live out. Striving for peace, plucking up bitterness, and extending grace will cost us something. It might mean apologizing when we feel we're in the right, remaining silent when we want to correct someone, or even compromising on non-essential matters.
The Blood of Christ Matters More
Ultimately, Pastor Miles brought us back to the foundational truth: the blood of Christ matters more. It matters more than our petty squabbles, our political views, our social media debates, or our anger towards others. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our unity and peace far outweighs anything that divides us.
He closed with a powerful call to action: to pray and contemplate how we can strive for peace in our specific relationships and situations. It's a call to let God's holiness within us enable us to become the peacemakers we are called to be, remembering that no private sin truly stays private; it impacts the whole body.
