No Bad Apples: Week #4 – Pick Out Woundedness
Ephesians 4:29-32 Victory Fellowship
July 17, 2022 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. You’ve heard the saying, “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” It usually refers to a person unwilling to work well with others and consequently undermine the task at hand. The same can be true of certain attitudes that keep us from experiencing living in the unspoiled fullness of the Spirit of Christ.
b. My sermons will focus on an attitude (bad apple) that needs to be eliminated from the life of a Spirit-filled Christian in order to preserve our faithful witness.
c. This series, No Bad Apples, deals with improving our walk of faith, similar to picking out the bad fruit in order to make the bunch more appealing.
d. The topics each week will include:
i. Being too Stubborn to Change
ii. Negativity
iii. Self-Centeredness
iv. Woundedness (playing the victim)
v. Fault-finding (blaming others)
II. This week I want to focus on picking Woundedness and Unforgiveness out of our lives.
a. Sometimes choosing a bag of fruit involves preparing for the unexpected.
b. The container or bag may have hidden damage or improper packaging techniques that can add up to another trip to the market and $ increases.
c. When this occurs it would be foolish to stop buying fruit because you are upset with what happened - even though it cost you time and money.
d. It is most productive not to cuss and fume over it or ignore or mask over the problem.
i. You let it go and deal with the situation at hand.
III. Application:
a. In order to keep our spiritual life fresh we must avoid hanging on to wounds of the past. We forgive others as Christ forgave us.
b. It is not productive for us to bad-mouth the person responsible or become paralyzed in bitterness.
c. As Paul said… Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them and Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
d. Depending on the situation it’s not always easy to do. But God helps us. Remember, (God) has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
e. The Holy Spirit will help us and heal us of wounded-ness
IV. Conclusion:
a. Let’s agree to ask God to help us examine our lives - and if we see any of these behaviors present - I say it’s time we throw them out!
i. Being too Stubborn to Change
ii. Negativity
iii. Self-Centeredness
iv. Woundedness (playing the victim)
v. Fault-finding (blaming others)
This week especially let’s examine in what areas we may need to forgive others and let go of wounded-ness. Let the Holy Spirit continue His work in us!
Prayer
SONG: Oh My Soul
Ephesians 4:29-32 NLT Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
