The Unseen

God works in the unseen, so the seen can be changed.  

Hebrews 12:15-17  (NIV)

15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 

A root is unseen.  

A plant and it's fruit is seen.  

To pretend to be one thing and not to be it, is a burden.  There is a weight in showing what we want others to see rather than what's there.  

16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 

If what is seen is not really you...

1. Our relationships are distorted.

Esau was an ungodly person from a godly lineage, and he forfeited his inheritance which harmed his relationship with his family.    

2.  It distracts our judgement.

Esau traded away his inheritance for a boil of soup, which was stupid.

3. It derails our emotions. 

17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

He was an emotional mess when he realized the gravity of what he has done.

How do we go from bitter roots to better roots.

  

1. We need to focus on the small things that no one sees which will lead to the changes everyone will see.  Things like studying your Bible and Praying daily.

Colossians 2:6-10 (NIV)

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 

2. Stay planted in Godly relationships and with them in worship.

Psalm 92:12-14 (NIV)

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,

3.  Give thanks.  Make a gratitude list.  If you can't think of anything.  Thank God for helping you get to 2019.

  

Have you ever notice when something goes wrong, God gets blamed. When something goes right, we take credit. 

  

The reverse is true.  

When something goes wrong, it's probably our fault.  When something go right, it's God.

  

Let's be sure to give thanks for all the good God brings into our lives.

Hebrews 13:5  (NIV)

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

    never will I forsake you.” 

Expect nothing from people.  Appreciate everything. Give you expectations to God.  

3. Stay connected.  

John 15:5-6  (NIV)

5 “I (Jesus)  am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

We have been trying to produce something while detached from our source, Jesus. 

The secret to big trees is deep roots. 

Let's strengthen our roots with daily prayer, Bible Study, worship, and Godly relationships.

Allen Pedram, Church of the Highlands