You can’t heal what you won’t reveal! This weekend Pastor Devin Gough shared a message from Jesus’ story about the Prodigal Son.
Luke 15:28
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
The older brother in Jesus’ story couldn’t celebrate because he was consumed by bitterness. How do we break free of bitterness?
1) ANALYZE THE CAUSE: What’s fueling the fire?
Bitterness starts as only a spark. It needs fuel to grow. Comparison is the fuel that keeps bitterness burning.
2) REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES: What’s the price of holding on?
The older brother stood outside of the celebration because he was focused on what he thought was unfair rather than the Father’s faithfulness.
3) UTILIZE THE CURE: What’s the way out of bitterness?
Bitterness loses its grip when we shift our focus from what we lost to what God has given us. The Father in the story reminds his son of three things:
* REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. You don’t lose when God blesses others.
* FOCUS ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. Everything you need, God will supply.
* DO THE RIGHT THING. You don’t have to feel like it to do the right thing.
On the other side of the door was a great celebration. Don’t let bitterness cause you to miss out on the joy that God has prepared for you!
