Sermons on Bitter Herbs:

The Secret To Encouragement

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 26, 2007

Everyone needs encouragement from time to time; even the people found in Hebrews 11 did. The epistle to the Hebrews was written to persons struggling in their faith. They needed encouragement to face bitter trials and persecution. These believers neede

The Secret to Encouragement Hebrews 11:1-6 Intro Everyone needs encouragement from time to time; even the people found in Hebrews 11 did. The epistle to the Hebrews was written to persons struggling in their faith. They needed encouragement to face bitter trials and persecution. These ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Salt Covered Road

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 23, 2011

Does your presence at work or home make the world a little more flavorful? Does the way you treat others make life tase better or do you bring people down with a bitter attitude?

A Salt Covered Road Matthew 5:13-16 This week God was speaking to me while I was driving back and forth to Sarnia to attend training sessions for my job. As I travelled I was amazaed to see how much salt we pour out on our roadways to make them safe for winter driving. It got me to thinking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord Who Heals You

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 23, 2014

The plagues of Egypt are still falling today on the disobedient. Only the Tree (Cross of Jesus) thrown in the waters of life can change your bitter circumstances into sweet ones. Let the Lord your Healer do that!

THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU Ex. 15:22-26 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE REAL CHARACTER 1. It’s wild to see the real nature come out. 2. 2 ladies went out to a restaurant to eat lunch They know how big the portions are so they order only one dish of ‘fried fish pieces’ which they intend ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Good News And Bad News Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 8, 2013

The phrase "I have good news and bad news" has pretty much been immortalized. But it reminds us that the sweet and bitter are often mixed together. Revelation paints such a 'good news-badnews' picture of life.

“The Great Unveiling: Good News and Bad News” Rev. 10:1 – 11:19 The phrase of “I have good news and bad news” has pretty much been immortalized. It’s often used jokingly, sometimes seriously; it points to the fact that things could be worse, or perhaps that ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Freedom Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Nov 5, 2023

This morning we look at Matthew 18:21-35 and learn the true meaning behind Forgiveness. Forgiving others is not just a command which Christ gives to us, but something which heals us from bitterness.

The Freedom of Forgiveness (Thanks to Jeff Strite @ Sermon Central for many ideas in this) Our Epistle Lesson begins with Paul thanking God for the Philippians. Their Bishop, Epaphroditus, brought Paul a substantial love offering to help cover his costs while he sat in house arrest in Rome. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Anglican

Foolish Husband's Choices Can Shatter The Family's Harmony. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 20, 2024

Proverbs 14:29 tells us, "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." His foolish decisions bring pain and sorrow to his family.

I want to write to you about the importance of being a godly husband, by examining the traits of an evil husband as described in the Bible. In the book of Proverbs, it says, "A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands" (Proverbs 14:1). An evil ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:15, Ephesians 5:23-33, Proverbs 19:20

Overcome Anger To Overcome Sickness Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 9, 2021

Oftentimes we get so outraged by things people have said or done to us. We harbor these bitter feelings in our hearts, it will erupt unexpectedly resulting in broken relationships. And with time anger causes sicknesses!

Overcome anger to Overpower sickness We read in Psalm 91:10, “So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.” (ERV) We need to ponder on this blessed promise of God that is available to us His children. We studied earlier that this promise is applicable to those who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:10

Denomination: Other

Do You Want To Get Well? Series

Contributed by Ray Geide on Jan 24, 2022

That sadness that you hold inside of you. That hurt, that anger, that bitterness, that despair, that disappointment, that worry. Do you want to get well? This sermon gives four things that we must do in order to get well.

Do You Want To Get Well? John 5:1-15 (this sermon was preached on the first Sunday of the year. The text in parenthesis was added for that occasion.) Turn in your Bibles to John chapter 5. This passage tells the story of a man who was an invalid. Let's start reading in verse 1. John 5:1 ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 25, 2016

Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed I Kings 18:1-8, 41-46 Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers. But God is not at fault – we are. We are the one’s who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Pursuit

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Aug 21, 2008

Many of us are sitting around with 20 year old prophecies. It’s so easy to become disappointed, disillusioned or bitter when it seems like God hasn’t come through like we expected.

Spiritual Pursuit - Proverbs 2:3; Matt 7:7 & Luke 11:9 Intro.: In our “crying out and lifting up our voices”. We find that God has a sort of soft spot. He is tender concerning our spiritual poverty, persistence and hunger. Jesus related a story in Luke 11:5-8 that illustrates persistence. We are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-10

Denomination: Charismatic

Iron Or Clay

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on May 16, 2011

Immediately after the defeat of the Egyptians at the Red Sea, came the bitter water of Marah. After a mountain-top experience, prepare for a valley attack. And the higher and glorious the mountain-top experience is, the deeper the valley. The more the po

The topic of our message this week is entitled, “Iron or Clay.” Luke 4:1- 7 says, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing and when they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sacrificial Service Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jun 12, 2016

Ruth displayed her sacrificial love and service to her mother in law, Naomi by her willingness to glean in the field of Boaz even in the heat of the sun. Such godly character produced a blessing that transformed Naomi's bitterness into hope and joy.

We are continuing our study in the book of Ruth. Last week, we studied chapter one concerning a man from Judah named Elimelech relocating his entire family to Moab, the land of pagan idol worshipers. Elimelech lived during the time of the Judges, was married to Naomi and they had two sons, named ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Obedience Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Apr 28, 2010

Yes, obedience can be a big, difficult and sometimes bitter-tasting bill to for us to swallow. It costs us, sometimes richly, in pride, preference, personal control and self-sufficiency. Nevertheless, it is absolutely necessary if we are to maintain our

OBEDIENCE Series: “7 Spiritually Healthy Habits” Perth Bible Church Sunday, November 1, 2009 AM Rev. Todd G. Leupold INTRODUCTION: Ron Dentinger warns: “Health care is getting far too expensive. I just got a prescription. The instructions read: 'Take one every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord At Marah

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 9, 2025

Israel quickly went from victory/ gratitude to grumbling. Moses prayed and God showed him a piece of wood (symbolic to Christ's Cross) which when thrown into the bitter waters made them sweet.

THE LORD AT MARAH Ex. 15:22-26 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Interviewer to Millionaire: To whom do you owe your success as a millionaire? " Millionaire: "I owe everything to my wife." Interviewer: "Wow, she must be some woman. Interviewer: "What were you before you married ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Right Amount Of Salt, Please!

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 13, 2025

Chefs have to learn the exact amounts – say – of salt to add to the food. Too much salt and the food becomes bitter. Too little salt and the food is bland. So it is with our use of "salt" in witnessing!

THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SALT, PLEASE Col. 4:5-6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. I heard about this man, he was taking a walk in the woods with his friend when suddenly they encounter a huge grizzly bear about 20 yards in front of them. They both froze in their tracks. As the bear intently stared them down, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God