Sermons on Bitter Root:

Serve Only The God Who Can Save

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

How tempting to compromise the Christian faith to fit in with the world around us! How do we stand tall, trusting our God, despite the insults and ridicule? A. Serve him no matter how fearful the threats. B. We serve him trusting his merciful power.

Text: Daniel 3:13-27 Theme: Serve Only the God Who Can Save A. Serve him no matter how fearful the threats B. We serve him trusting his merciful power Season: Epiphany 4a Date: January 30, 2011 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Serve-Only-the-God-Who-Can-Save-Daniel3_13-27.html ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Am I A Christian? Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

As Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us of our purpose as Christians and mentions his mission in coming to earth. Parts: A. Because Christ fulfilled his mission. B. In order to carry out my mission.

Text: Matthew 5:13-20 Theme: Why Am I a Christian? A. Because Christ fulfilled his mission B. In order to carry out my mission Season: Epiphany 5a Date: February 6, 2011 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Am-I-a-Christian_-Matthew5_13-20.html Grace and peace to you from God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Our New Heart Cherishes Genuine Righteousness Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

Jesus aims at our hearts as he exposes sins of anger, lust, and misusing God's name. Only his righteousness can cover us. And with the new heart his righteousness brings, we cherish genuine righteousness wanting our hearts and lives to match his.

Text: Matthew 5:21-37 Theme: Our New Heart Cherishes Genuine Righteousness A. A righteousness pure from sinful anger B. A righteousness pure from sinful lust C. A righteousness pure from misusing God's name Season: Epiphany 6a Date: February 13, 2011 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Love That's Out Of This World Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

How remarkable is God the Father's love toward you and me! Let's see how that changes our hearts toward others, even towards our enemies. A. The Father's love for us while we were still his enemies. B. Our love for others while they're still our enemies.

Text: Matthew 5:38-48 Theme: Love That's out of This World A. The Father's love for us while we were still his enemies B. Our love for others while they're still our enemies Season: Epiphany 7a Date: February 20, 2011 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Lutheran

Your Heavenly Father Takes Care Of You, So Place First Things First Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

Worry steals us away from seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness. With birds and lilies, Jesus brings home how great our heavenly Father's care is. So why worry? Parts: A. How great his care for you!. B. Seek his kingdom and his righteousness.

Text: Matthew 6:24-34 Theme: Your heavenly Father Takes Care of You, So Place First Things First A. How great his care for you! B. Seek his kingdom and his righteousness Season: Epiphany 8a Date: February 27, 2011 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Remember What’s Ahead

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Feb 15, 2010

Why did the wicked prosper and the faithful suffer? Through Psalm 73 our God brings us comfort and strength as we struggle with this question.

Text: Psalm 73:1-28 Theme: Remember What’s Ahead Season: The Last Sunday after Epiphany: Transfiguration Date: February 14, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Remember-What_s-Ahead-Psalm73_1-28.html Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Greed Isn't Just For The Rich

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Feb 23, 2010

Greed brought trouble to Achan. What hope do we have in the grasp of greed's temptation? Parts: A. Greed grabs at our hearts. B. Jesus is greater than our greed.

Text: Joshua 7:16-26 Theme: Greed Isn't just for the Rich A. Greed grabs at our hearts B. Jesus is greater than our greed Season: Lent 1c Date: February 21, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Greed-Isn_t-just-for-the-Rich-Joshua7_16-26.html Grace and peace to you from God ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:16-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Stand Firm With Your Fellow Citizens

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 5, 2010

In our Christian warfare on earth, imitate the example of those like Paul who look only to the cross of Christ, anticipating heaven. Parts: A. Imitating those who, like Paul, are allies of the cross of Christ. B. Anticipating our true country.

Text: Philippians 3:17-4:1 Theme: Stand Firm With Your Fellow Citizens A. Imitating those who, like Paul, are allies of the cross of Christ B. Anticipating our true country Season: Lent 2c Date: February 28, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Divine Lessons From Israel's History

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 10, 2010

What can we learn for our lives today from what happened to Israel as they left Egypt and went through the desert? A. Christ lavishes his spiritual blessings on all of us B. Warning! Don't arrogantly abuse his goodness C. Only his faithfulness sustains us

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Theme: Divine Lessons From Israel's History A. Christ lavishes his spiritual blessings on all of us B. Warning! Don't arrogantly abuse his goodness C. Only his faithfulness sustains us Season: Lent 3c Date: March 7, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-31

Denomination: Lutheran

In Losing Everything, You've Gained Christ's Righteousness

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 21, 2010

Our own doings can not make us right before God. For only Christ's righteousness, which is yours by faith alone, stands in God's courtroom. A. All other gains are garbage. B. Your faith knows the power of Christ's resurrection. C. You strain forward

Text: Philippians 3:8-14 Theme: In Losing Everything, You've Gained Christ's Righteousness A. All other gains are garbage B. Your faith knows the power of Christ's resurrection C. You strain forward toward your resurrection sharing in Christ's suffering Season: Lent 5c Date: March 21, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ's Power Dwells On The Weak

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jul 22, 2009

So often our lives seem weak and frail. Has God failed us? Not at all! Through the Apostle Paul, learn of God’s power and grace that is at work for you. Parts: A. Lord Jesus, use my weakness for your sake. B. Lord Jesus, your grace never falls short.

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Theme: Christ’s Power Dwells on the Weak A. Lord Jesus, use my weakness for your sake B. Lord Jesus, your grace never falls short Season: Pentecost 7b Date: July 19, 2009 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Giving Overflows From God's Grace

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jul 22, 2009

Is giving for the Lord’s work a struggle? Take to heart what Paul says as he points us to God’s grace in Christ and changes the way we think about giving. Parts: A. Give yourself to your gracious Lord. B. Trust his grace with an undivided heart

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13, 14 Theme: Our Giving Overflows from God’s Grace A. Give yourself to your gracious Lord B. Trust his grace with an undivided heart Season: Pentecost 6b Date: July 12, 2009 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Sends Out His Priceless Gospel Of Repentance

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jul 27, 2009

What price could you set on the gospel work a pastor does? Think about that as Jesus shows us what he expects from the preachers he sends and what he expects from the hearers. Parts: A. It comes as a free gift. B. Receive it with open hearts and homes.

Text: Mark 6:7-13 Theme: Jesus Sends Out His Priceless Gospel of Repentance A. It comes as a free gift B. Receive it with open hearts and homes Season: Pentecost 8b Date: July 26, 2009 Web page: www.caughtbyjesus.net/sermons/Jesus-Sends-Out-His-Priceless-Gospel-of-Repentance-Mark6_7-13.html ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Shepherd's Heart Goes Out To You

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Aug 2, 2009

Come, hear your Shepherd, Jesus Christ, calling to you. His heart goes out to shepherdless sheep. What comfort and care his voice brings in his Word and Sacrament! Parts: A. He makes you his first concern. B. He takes care of you as his voice teaches you.

Text: Mark 6:30-34 Theme: The Shepherd’s Heart Goes Out to You A. He makes you his first concern B. He takes care of you as his voice teaches you Season: Pentecost 9b Date: August 2, 2009 Web page: www.caughtbyjesus.net/sermons/The-Shepherd_s-Heart-Goes-Out-to-You-Mark6_30-34.html Grace ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Faced With The Impossible, Entrust It To Jesus -- John 6:1-15

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Aug 9, 2009

How often life can seem impossible! What hardships we face! What good comes from it? Let’s see, as Jesus tells his disciples to do the impossible: Feed 5000+ people. Parts: A. He places the impossible in front of us. B. He works it out his way, not ours.

Text: John 6:1-15 Theme: Faced with the Impossible, Entrust It to Jesus A. He places the impossible in front of us B. He works it out his way, not mine Season: Pentecost 10b Date: August 9, 2009 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran