Sermons on Bitter Root:

Slaying The Green-Eyed Monster

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 8, 2025

The green-eyed monster of envy, and its children frustration and bitterness, grow best in an enclosed space. But when we abandon our isolation, entering into our faith community and our common experience of God, the One who is stronger than the world can lift us above it.

Have you ever bought a lottery ticket? ‘Fess up, now... Most of us are human enough to think that life would be a whole lot easier if we just had a little more money. And let’s face it... while money can’t solve all our problems it can certainly take care of the basics, can’t it? Food, clothing, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Building A Joyful Life

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 28, 2019

This sermon is part of our discipleship series where we look at building up the House of God within us. Today we are looking at building up a joyful, or joy-filled life, from the imprisonment of Paul and Silas in Philippi.

Building God’s House “Building a Joyful Life” Acts 16:16-40 You can listen to this sermon at https://mega.nz/#!3dtiECzJ!Ts9z_AMtZvfgM7m9veVtEbT5n9YKmwHKHWTCFepqjts Whenever it comes to this topic of finding joy in the midst of life’s difficult circumstances, which is why we need to build up God’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Foursquare

Living Justly

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 27, 2001

God calls us to live justly in response to His grace and to preserve the community of faith.

Living Justly Ex.23:1-9 By Andrew Chan, PBC, Vancouver, BC Wednesday Night Bible Study Notes June 27, 2001 Get certain things right here: 1. Exodus experience is one of grace, not of works (ex.19:3-6). All glory to God! It is God’s initiative! 2. Hence the requirement to obey God comes out of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Commitment: An Effective Tool In Leadership

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Apr 26, 2017

Commitment is taking that first step forward and then pushing through the obstacles and stretching our limits to make our passion and vision a reality.

COMMITMENT: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN LEADERSHIP Study Text: Acts 20: 17 - 24 Introduction: - Paul demonstrates for us that commitment is a key ingredient in successful Christian leadership. He was very sharply focused, was driven by a clear sense of purpose, both in life and ministry, pursued his goal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Handling Anger

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 15, 2002

Anger is a big universal problem, so we need help, See Christ’s solution in building us up as new people in Him!

How to follow Jesus without embarrassing ourselves: Handling Anger One preacher once said that we live in a world that has gone mad. I believe this statement. We are now hearing new terms to describe uncontrollable anger. Yesterday, I heard a new term "rink rage"- phenomena of Hockey dads ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jehovah Rapha Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Sep 27, 2020

The only way to go from Mar’ah to Elim is to turn to Jesus … who is Jehovah Rapha … the One who heals … the One who repairs.

The sign in the parking lot said: “Crystal Lake – 5 miles.” So you shoulder your pack and begin hiking to Crystal Lake. It’s fun at first … being in the woods … beautiful clear day … the fresh air … the sounds … seeing all the nature … but after a few hours your backpack starts to get a little ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27, Psalm 22:1-2, Job 7:2-3, Exodus 15:1-2, Exodus 15:11, 1 Peter 2:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Have A Slice Of Humble Pie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God doesn’t cause trouble and adversity, but He uses trouble to refine some humility in us. While trouble causes some people to raise their faces to heaven and become bitter, others bow their knees before God and become better.

Have a Slice of Humble Pie Luke 14:1-11 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Maybe you’ve seen Jeff Foxworthy’s “Redneck” list. He says, “You know you’re a Redneck if…”: 1. Directions to your house include, “Turn off the paved road.” 2. You take your fishing pole to Sea World. 3. You have flowers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Bright Hope For Dark Days, Pt. 4

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Aug 24, 2008

Maybe you know someone who has lost their faith. So many times that person becomes bitter, negative and miserable! We have a growing number of people who despise the God of the Bible and now are devoted to the god of the New Age!

It’s truly a sad day when someone loses their faith in God during the dark days of life and walks away from Him. Maybe you know someone who has lost their faith and their life is so different than it used to be. So many times that person becomes bitter, negative and miserable! Do you know someone ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When God Can't Be Explained

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 28, 2006

Tragedy is often difficult to cope with, hard to understand, hard to explain, and it’s hard on our faith. Tragedy often causes people to lay the blame for these events on God. This will often cause these people to become bitter and cynical toward Him. Of

When God Can’t Be Explained Introduction: As we look back over the last several years, we see recent history dotted with some very tragic events. Middle Eastern terrorists have made a number of attacks against America in various ways - their crowning achievement, of course, being 9/11. The tsunami ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Exchange Self-Destructive Tendencies With Spiritual Fruits

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 16, 2003

Do you observe that you tend to get better or worse(bitter, angry and anxious) when difficulties come in to your life? Is your life more characterized by triumphs or turmoil and tension? Irritations have a way of bringing a sense of frustration that leads

Exchange Self-Destructive Tendencies With Spiritually Fruitful Traits (Gal. 5:16-23) Too many people allow themselves to fall into self-destructive practices out of ignorance, neglect or spiritual indiscipline. Some people need to know when to admit mistakes. Take for example what not to put in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Should He Love Us So?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004

On the average, we’re really not all that lovable, are we? All around us we see the bitter fruits of hatred, selfishness, & greed. And, no, I don’t know why God loves us. But He does!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (NOTE: The impetus for the development of this sermon came from an excellent sermon, "Why Should They Hate Us," contributed to SC by Jeff Strite.) John 3:16; Psalms 8:4; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 A. There is a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Choice And Consequence Series

Contributed by James Jack on Aug 20, 2006

God is a consuming fire - just yet merciful. We fall away from him at our peril.

Almost every single passage in Hebrews that we have looked at over the past few months has given us, at its heart, a very simple message. There’s often been a complicated rationale behind it, complex yet profound explanations of the old and new covenants, we’ve really got into the solid theological ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

Forgiven And Forgiving Series

Contributed by David Welch on Feb 14, 2011

5th in series dealing with reciprocating forgivenes on the basis that we have been so fully forgiven.

Ephesians Series #5 “Forgiven and Forgiving” The identity, privilege and responsibility of the Church. I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4 A. Paul blessed God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing 1:3-14 1. Specially Chosen 1:4 2. Purposefully Adopted ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Fear, Torment And Countenance

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 23, 2019

By studying FEAR, we can often find a common root: A LACK OF TRUST. Why do we have fallen countenances? Fear can be a terrible enemy. Panic and anxiety attacks are real. We need to launch into the waters of faith. Fear can kill you!

FEAR AND TORMENT AND COUNTENANCE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Text: 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. There is a healthy fear and a very unhealthy fear. I had ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Luke 21:26, Genesis 3:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Songs Of Ascent – Part 2 – Psalm 120 – Trouble And Persecution Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 27, 2023

The first Psalm of Ascent looks at trouble and what to do with lying lips and a deceitful tongue. We have difficulties and persecution but God is the Mighty Rock and our refuge. We dwell in an evil world but God is in control!

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 2 – PSALM 120 – TROUBLE AND PERSECUTION (A). O, THE GRIEF OF THE TROUBLED SOUL {{Psalm 120:1 “In my trouble I cried to the LORD and He answered me.”}} The Introduction for these Psalms has been done in Part 1, and today we commence with Psalm 120, obviously the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:1, Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 81:6, Psalm 91:14, Psalm 120:2-4, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Psalm 25:2, Psalm 25:19, Psalm 31:15, Psalm 91:5-6, Psalm 91:2-4, Psalm 120:5-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational