Sermons on Bitter Herbs:

Encouragement For God's Weary Soldiers

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 2, 2023

We need to adjust our entire mindset on this battlefield. We need to focus on Jesus Christ our glorious, victorious, perfect savior full of perfect love and grace and truth, and find refreshment for our souls.

Soldiers gather on the outskirts of a city. There are about two hundred of them gathered there, though other groups of faithful fighters are gathered in other places, some out in the woods encamped around fires, others in facilities deep within the cities. These soldiers are beat up, bruised, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 123:1, Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Devastating Consequences Of Bloodline Betrayal A Biblical Perspective Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 5, 2025

In many cases, bloodline betrayal can be seen as a manifestation of demonic influence, seeking to destroy the unity and bonds of families.

Bloodline betrayal is a profound and painful experience that can leave deep emotional and spiritual scars. The Bible provides numerous accounts of betrayal within families, highlighting the destructive nature of such actions and the devastating consequences that follow. In many cases, bloodline ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20

Sermon # 21 - Cry Out To God Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 30, 2024

As Jonah travailed in the belly of the fish he called out to God knowing that only God could help him. In the midst of all the trials, difficulties and challenges that come our way do we call out to God? Here’s what happens when we do so.

We read in Jonah 2:1-2, “From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God: When I was in trouble, LORD, I prayed to you, and you listened to me. From deep in the world of the dead, I begged for your help, and you answered my prayer.” (CEV) Jonah called out to the Lord his God from inside the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-2, Psalm 50:15, Exodus 15:25, Nehemiah 9:9, Matthew 14:30-31, Luke 18:37-38, Luke 18:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Rich Fool Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 4, 2018

Why was God angry at the "rich farmer?" What had this farmer done wrong and what can we learn from his story about the need to being rich toward God?

OPEN: The year was 1347. The Black Plague was raging across Europe and people by the 100s and by the 1000s in field and cities all across that part of the world. Some began to suspect the deaths were brought about because of the wrath of God and in one of the cities of Germany (Lubeck, Germany) ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of The Bell Rope Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 31, 2010

Uses a powerful illustration of a bell rope to drive home how we can forgive people who've sinned against us.

OPEN: I get a daily devotion from a website called “heartlight.org” Back in August, I read the following story by Patrick Odum. Apparently, in New Hampshire, a man named Josh Muszynski stopped at a gas station and bought a pack of cigarettes with his debit card. A few hours later he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon # 32 - A Life That God Rejoices Over Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 2, 2025

We are made in the image of God and our emotions too are expressions of the way God feels about us. It’s good to examine ourselves to see if God rejoices over us or is He grieved about us. Also the plans we make should always be in alignment with God’s will so He does not have to scorn them.

We read in Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is mighty in your midst; He will save; He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in His love; He rejoices over you with singing.” (AFV) We also read in Psalm 2:4, “From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs and mocks their feeble plans.” (GNB) It ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 2:4, Genesis 6:6, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:30-31, Luke 15:7, Job 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Sermon # 52 - God's Perfect Timing Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Sep 19, 2025

Often the plans of God may not be obvious to us, but as we move forward with faith, those plans of God will unfold perfectly in His time. May we trust God to make everything beautiful in His time.

For today’s meditation I want to read Micah 5:2, The LORD says, "Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times." (GNB) The birth of the Lord Jesus in the little town of ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2, Luke 2:1-6, Exodus 4:12-14, Exodus 15:22-24, Matthew 6:8, Luke 22:10-13, 1 Corinthians 2:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Forgiven To Forgive: Passing On The Mercy We've Received

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jun 8, 2024

Forgiveness is a cornerstone of our faith, yet it can be challenging to practice. Today, we explore how God's mercy empowers us to forgive others, transforming our hearts and relationships through His grace.

Forgiven to Forgive: Passing On the Mercy We've Received Introduction: Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to delve into one of the most profound and transformative aspects of our faith: forgiveness. Forgiveness is not just a lofty ideal; it is a divine mandate and a path to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37, Mark 11:25, Psalm 103:10-12, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Supernatural Truth Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 28, 2024

Demons and Angels - are they real? And if they are, what significance do they play in our lives as Christians?

The US Library of Congress has a list of about 27 categories of Supernatural beings (https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/tgm010399/) and the list included Centaurs Fairies, Ghosts, Ghouls, Mermaids, Monsters, Vampires, Werewolves, and so on. And on that page (where they list all these creatures) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fires Of Anger Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 30, 2015

God hates it when we lose our temper. But how do we stop doing that? What does God tell us we can do to get rid of our anger?

There’s a story about an actor who was playing the part of Christ in a Passion Play.As he carried the cross up the hill a tourist began to heckle him,and make fun of him, and shouted insults at him. Finally, the actor had taken all of it he could take. He threw down his cross, walked over ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can Be Sweeter? A Study Of All The Scripture References To Honey – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2022

Honey occurs often in the scriptures and the word is associated with sweetness. There is a wonderful study of its applications in the bible and I hope to do that. This is a study in two parts looking at 24 references. Here is PART 2.

WHAT CAN BE SWEETER? A STUDY OF ALL THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES TO HONEY – PART 2 HONEY IS GOD’S PROVISION - THE APPLICATION OF HONEY IN THE SCRIPTURES This study continues the thoughts we saw in Part 1. I hope you found some value in it. God’s word is meaningful in every way. Honey is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:13, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 27:7, Song of Songs 4:11, Isaiah 7:15, Ezekiel 3:3, Matthew 4:4, Ezekiel 16:19, Matthew 3:4, Revelation 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Friends In High Places Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 18, 2014

What impressed Jesus in this story was the faith of the men who'd brought their friend to him - a friend who was crippled and lived in a low place of life. The phrase is "Jesus saw their faith." What does that mean? And what can it mean to us?

A few years back, Garth Brooks came out with a popular Country and Western song called: “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” How many of you have ever heard the song? (when most of them raised their hands, I stage whispered: “Pagans”) It has a catchy tune, but it is NOT a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Highway To Heaven

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 8, 2020

Despise not the chastening of the LORD.

THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN. Hebrews 12:4-17. After impressing us with the heroes of the Faith (Hebrews 11:4-40), the writer encourages us to persevere in the race that is set before us, looking away from our difficulties ‘unto JESUS, the author and finisher’, the pioneer and perfecter, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fatal Food On The Fire

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Oct 14, 2002

The child of God must be careful of false doctrine, which often looks good on the surface, but is spiritually fatal just the same.

FATAL FOOD ON THE FIRE Text: II Kings 4: 39-40; Matt.16: 6-7, 11-12 Intro: Not too many years ago, a law was passed which dealt with truth in advertising. That law required companies not to make false or misleading claims about their products. But in spite of that law, consumers must still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6-12, 2 Kings 4:39-40

Denomination: Baptist

How Sorry Is Sorry? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 25, 2015

The Bible never teaches us to say "I'm sorry". Why not? What is so wrong with saying that simply phrase when you've hurt someone?

OPEN: (We put a picture of a “Sorry” game board on the screen) How many of you recognize this game board? And how many of you have ever played it? Amazon.com says the game of Sorry is the #5 best-selling board game on their site. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ