Bitter Fruit
Sunday March 24, 2019
Notes
Luke 17:1-6 NKJV
17 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should
come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if
a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than
that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if
he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and
seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
KJV
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto
this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the
sea; and it should obey you.
So let’s take a look at this tree and its destructive forces
1. Deep Roots
It is known to have one of the largest and deepest roots structures of all trees.
This is why it was so robust and hearty in this desert region because the hot
temperatures had very little effect on this tree because it’s roots went down deep
underground and tapped into a water source.
You could cut the tree down but it would keep coming back up!
Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the
Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Proverbs 18:8 NLT
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
2. It Starts with A Sting
Struck its stinger right into the heart of the fruit.
Psalm 55:12–14 NLT
It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
3. It’s A Killer
Sycamine trees wood was used for Making Caskets.
Psalm 55:15 NLT
Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
4. Poor And Bitter
The Sycamine tree and the Mulberry fig tree looked almost exactly alike, and
they produce the fruit that looked almost identical.
However the fruit from the Sycamine tree was extremely bitter.
The Mulberry fig was luscious delicious and therefore expensive. Because of the
cost of the screw was primarily eaten by wealthier people. The Sycamine fruit
were poor people.
5. How to Deal With Hurt
Don’t let it stay!
Luke 17:3
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if
he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and
seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him
Ephesians 4:26-27
Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give
place to the devil.
6. Throw it into the Sea
Luke 17:6 KJV
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in thesea; and it should obey you.
Romans 12:3
…as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Your voice represents your authority:
therefore, when you raise your voice you release your authority this is why you
must speak to these attitudes and not just think about them.
If you don’t speak to your emotions will speak to you.
If you don’t take authority over your emotions they’ll take authority over you.
If you don’t rise up and conquer your flash it will rise up and conquer you.