Put Off Bitterness, Put On Tenderness
Tim Conway exhorts believers to actively reject bitterness and embrace tenderheartedness and forgiveness as essential marks of the renewed Christian life.
This sermon delves into Ephesians 4:31 and Ephesians 5:1-2, emphasizing the need to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice, and instead be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving towards one another as God forgave us in Christ. The pattern of putting off the old ways and putting on new virtues is highlighted, stressing the importance of actively cultivating kindness and forgiveness. The sermon underscores the power of faith in transforming our hearts and minds, leading us to reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ on the cross and how it should inspire us to forgive others.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The biblical pattern of sanctification: put off the old, be renewed, put on the new.
- Christian ethics require both stopping sinful behaviors and starting godly actions.
- The importance of renewing the mind through Scripture for true transformation.
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II
- Examination of Ephesians 4:31's list of sins to put away: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice.
- These sins are interconnected and stem from deceitful desires and the old nature.
- Bitterness as a root sin that hardens the heart and prevents forgiveness.
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III
- The destructive nature of bitterness on the individual and relationships.
- The call to actively 'put away' bitterness and related sins as an imperative.
- The Christian's ability and responsibility to let go of bitterness through God's power.
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IV
- The call to put on kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness as Christ forgave us.
- Personalizing the message: bitterness belongs to the former life, not the new life in Christ.
- The example of Corrie Ten Boom illustrating the freedom found in forgiveness.
Key Quotes
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice.” — Tim Conway
“Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” — Tim Conway
“The Christian ethic says stop the sin, but it never stops there; it always says start doing good.” — Tim Conway
“You can just let go of bitterness; the Bible assumes you have the power to do so.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Examine your heart regularly for bitterness and choose to put it away through prayer and Scripture.
- Practice kindness and forgiveness toward others as a reflection of Christ's love.
- Commit to daily renewing your mind by reading and meditating on God's Word to live a transformed life.