Sermons on Bitter Herbs:

Green Olive Tree

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Sep 17, 2021

Why does David compare himself to a olive tree? Olive trees have got lot of significance in early Israel. Olive trees are one of the most familiar trees in the entire Middle East. A bread and olive oil, often dipped first into a mixture of herbs and salt would make a simple Palestinian breakfast.

Psalm 52:8 - I am like a green olive tree in the house of God Here, David declares of himself that he was a green olive tree in the house of God. To understand this verse, we need to understand: A. The background of the psalm B. The significance of olive trees A. Background of Psalm 52. Psalm 52 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16, Jeremiah 11:16, John 15:2, Isaiah 11:1, Psalm 37:6, 1 Samuel 22:6-23, 1 Samuel 21:1-9, Matthew 13:43, Psalm 52:8  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Rick Hope on Feb 20, 2006

Many times, the one thing that paralyzes us is the unwillingness to seek forgiveness or the bitter spirit that won’t grant it to someone else.

We are a funny group of people. We are sue happy. We sue for everything from a hot cup of coffee to hurt feelings. Forgiveness has become a lost art. Now everything is about revenge, getting even, making someone pay. Sadly enough, it’s drifted from the secular world into churches today. When we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 33:1-20, Genesis 33:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen--Full Life, Good Death

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

Stephen is an example of living and dying (1) without fear, (2) without bitterness, (3) focused on Christ, (4)immersed in scripture.

They say that two things are inevitable: death and taxes. The task of an accountant is to minimize the taxes people pay. I read somewhere that the task of a pastor is to prepare people for a good death. Of course, this statement might be overly simplistic theologically. It might be overly ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Will Be A Forgiving Person Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 10, 2007

Forgiving people when they wrong you is sometimes easier said than done, but we need to forgive and let go of bitterness.

“I Will Be A Forgiving Person” Introduction: Have any of you ever been wronged or hurt by someone? If you have you know first hand how easy it could be to stay angry and to grow bitter to a person. God definitely understands what it is like to be hurt and wronged. We through our sins we commit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcome Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Feb 1, 2010

How does suffering affect our ability to minister? As Jesus is overcome with grief how is it that He ended up with compassion, not bitterness?

Back in 2006 my wife and I were presented with an opportunity—go to Kenya and minister to folks who have been unreached by other organizations. On one hand it was an obvious opportunity and a way to serve God by spreading the gospel. On the other hand I was scared to death. We were going to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Christ Has Done For Us Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 4, 2007

God redeemed us from man made religion with a perfect sacrifice, Christ, the eternal anointed one. Through grace, he gives faith and because of this we can rejoice in hope, of the glory of God.

Tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, The Discovery Channel will show The Lost Tomb of Jesus. This program, directed by James Cameron of Titanic fame, purports to reveal the actual tomb of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. How significant would such a discovery be: 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 [13]But if there ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-21

Denomination: Other

God Is Able To Fulfill His Promises – Are We Willing?

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 9, 2023

Is it possible that we could in some ways hinder God from fulfilling the promises that He made to us? This message will teach us what we should let go off to be partakers of God’s divine promises.

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (KJV) As we continue our meditations on the theme ‘God is able’ here are some lessons we learnt. 1. God is able to keep us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8, Romans 4:21, Genesis 37:5-8, Genesis 37:23-24, Hebrews 12:15, Genesis 39:12-13, Proverbs 13:20, Genesis 40:6-8, Galatians 6:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Night Nobody Slept. Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 21, 2010

The night nobody slept. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Exodus Chapter 11-12. Ill: • Some dates are etched into our memories: • January 1st. • February 14th. • November 5th. • December 25th. • July 16th! If you were Jewish one date you would never forget was: • Was the fourteenth day of ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

"How To Handle Failure"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 6, 2003

How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger.

The Apostle Paul -How to Handle Failure- 2 Cor. 4:7-9 2 Cor. 11:24-30 Introduction How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger. In the first church I served as pastor in Kansas City I got ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:24-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Getting Over The Past Series

Contributed by David Beirne on Aug 19, 2005

Part 6 of Joseph the Dreamchaser. You meant it for evil, God meant it for good. See your life in those terms and overcome bitterness.

Joseph: the Dreamchaser Part 6: Getting Over The Past Genesis 50:15-21 The ability to see God’s hand in our past enables us to find meaning and purpose, which in turn can enable the healing process to accelerate. Joseph great strength may have lain in how he chose to view his past. How do you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Bad Things Happen

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Mar 19, 2006

Bad things happen to everyone...even christians. You can become synical and bitter or you can work at making things better.

Bad Things Happen Psalms 22:1-22:31 Where have you heard the first words of our scripture this morning? Jesus uses them doesn’t he? How about you, have you said similar words or thoughts when things are not going right in life….how about when Everything is wrong? When the baby dies, when a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Congregational

Eat The Honey

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Oct 30, 2010

We explore in this sermon an awesome revelation about prepared blessings, you may be in some bitter places but there is some honey waiting on you.

We don’t know how long Jonathon was in this situation: 6 hrs, a day, a week, a month. We don’t know, but what we do know is that he was in the same situation as around six hundred other men. But Jonathon decided that something wasn’t right, he decided that it was not right for the child of God to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:1-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Holiness201

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 4, 2013

We look at part two of holiness series. Being careful not to abuse the Grace of God and not allowing a root of bitterness to grow in our hearts.

Holiness 201 Hebrews 12:14-24 Introduction- For several weeks, we have been looking at practical applications to God’s Word for our lives. We looked at holiness from 1 Peter. Where Peter tells us Verse (13) “Prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hopes fully ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Handling Offences With Maturity

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 26, 2025

Offences are unavoidable, but bitterness is optional. When you respond to offence with maturity, you shut the door to the devil and open the door to healing and peace.

HANDLING OFFENCES WITH MATURITY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 17:1-5 Supporting Texts: Matthew 18:15-17, Proverbs 19:11, Colossians 3:12-13, Romans 12:17-21, Ephesians 4:31-32 INTRODUCTION: Offences are a reality in life and ministry. Jesus said it plainly: “It is impossible but that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blood On The Door Post

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 20, 2001

Without holiness and deliverance, there is no way the children of Jacob will ever posses their possessions

What is the meaning of blood on the door post and what does it stand for in our lives? Readers of the Bible will recognize four instances of great deliverance in the Bible: a. When Joseph in Egypt delivered the members of his family or race from famine. b. When blood was applied on the ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:17, Exodus 12:7-13

Denomination: Pentecostal