Sermons on Bitter Sweet:

What Was In The Cup?

Contributed by Levi Wright on Jun 16, 2007

Have you every wonder What Was In The Cup that cause Jesus, to recoil and cry out, "Father, let this Cup pass from Me." Was it a Cup of Sin? Was it a Cup of Despair..... or Was it a Cup of Betrayal?

Banner of Praise Ministries Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Rev. Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder WHAT WAS IN THE CUP? St. Mark 14:34-36 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:34-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shattered Dreams Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jan 11, 2011

God shatters dreams which leave us short of full joy even if fully satisfied.

Scripture Introduction In literature, a tragedy ends with a negative or sad outcome, a comedy with a happy one. Macbeth is a tragedy; Much Ado About Nothing, a comedy. From a literary view, Ruth is a comedy – the characters pass through difficulty (even heartbreak) to end with joy and hope. The ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unforgiving Spirit

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 20, 2013

To show what are the consequences of not forgiving someone.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have an unforgiving spirit? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show what are the consequences of not forgiving someone. IV. TEXT: Mark 11:26 (Amplified Bible) 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Righteousness Vs. Revengefulness

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 29, 2011

This message reveals the differences between one who responds to life’s hurts and insults according to righteousness, and those who respond according to revengefulness.

Righteousness vs. Revengefulness Text: Eph. 4:31-32; Gen. 50:21 Intro: According to Webster’s Dictionary, revenge means, “to inflict damage, injury, or punishment in return for (an injury, insult, etc.) retaliate for.”(1) A shorter, modern-day definition would simply be “payback, settling ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Applying Wisdom To Anger Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 21, 2012

How do you learn to tame anger? How should you relate to angry people? The one-word answer is “Wisdom.”

Applying Wisdom to Anger (Proverbs 19:8, 10-13, 16,19,20) 1. I knew a guy in high school who was a friend of a friend. 2. He was a big guy, and he seemed nice enough, but he had an anger problem. 3. After we graduated, he got a part time job at McDonald’s. One day, he got so angry at his boss ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:8-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Tongue As A Fire! Extra Material. 20 Seed Thoughts! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

20 undeveloped seed thoughts relating to James' teaching

(Proverbs 18:21; italics mine). Nick Young counted some twenty positive things in the Scriptures that the tongue can do, and twenty negative things. A great ruler once sent a gift of meat, the carcass of an animal, to a philosopher with the request that the philosopher send back the best part and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:9-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace’s #1 Enemy Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 13, 2010

Forgiveness “to set free’ – someone who has wronged you, taken from you, damaged you, injured you, taken advantage of you… Even though we know we should … its like we can’t (100 reasons why we can’t…)

* Bitterness is fruit – Unforgiveness is the root – Tree of ungrace * Grace and forgiveness – Linked * “cycle:” Injury > Penalty / Debt > cancellation (of payment) Unforgiveness – hold hostages (does not set free) Hebrews 12:15 * Creates bondage…the real loser is the one ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

4 Key Questions Series

Contributed by Babatunde Olugboji on Apr 26, 2010

What was it that destroyed Ahithophel? As we saw in the first part of this message, grudge and bitterness led to his annihilation, in other words, his inability to forgive, even when King David did not even know he had that deep a grudge against him.

Designed 2 Disgrace, Designed 2 Destroy (2): 4 Key Questions Introduction: What was it that destroyed Ahithophel? As we saw in the first part of this message, grudge and bitterness led to his annihilation, in other words, his inability to forgive, even when King David did not even know he had that ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Getting Even Somehow Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 3, 2017

The emotion that wells up within us to “get even” is about control, consequences, and vindication. Relational issues are never JUST relational issues!

Getting Even Somehow (Proverbs 25:21-24) 1. Nobody likes a power outage. You may light oil lamps or use LED lanterns. 2. You enter a room, try to turn on a light switch. There is a lot of psychology there. 3. This is even true of an internet our computer outage. We have become so dependent ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:21-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Missing Climax Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 17, 2012

Relationship, the law, bitterness

THE MISSING CLIMAX Luke 15: 25-32 (p 740) Aug. 7, 2011 INTRODUCTION: I bought a murder mystery book last year to take with me on a trip...It was a Sue Grafton book called "P" is for Peril. I bought it used at a bookstore...I like Sue Grafton..She's written these mysteries from every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ree Things Joseph Did Not Do When Everything Was Going Wrong

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on May 15, 2011

Three things that we need not do when things seem wrong

Three things JOSEPH DID not do When Everything was going wrong Genesis 37:18-28 When life is good we smile and enjoy the good times. We respond to others that life is great. Our true character shows up when we are going through times of testing. Why is it when we do face hard times we have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 37:12-36

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Future Focus Motivates A Present Faithfulness Pt 7 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

Part 7 exploring the ability of a future focus to motivate present behavior.

Future Focus Present Faithfulness Series Pt 7 “Finding Grace or Falling Short” Review What is my purpose? What should I be doing with my life? What should direct the decisions I choose and the activities I schedule? If you want a truly Biblically directed life; a purpose directed life, you might ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Future Focus Motivates Present Faithfulness Pt 9 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

Part 9 in our exploration of a future focus specifically dealing with the admonition to address bitterness.

“Uprooting Bitter Roots” Hebrews 12 addresses three specific life goals to consider as individuals and as a church family. It is my hope that they will guide the direction of our church family throughout the year. a) Promote Healing among the body b) Pursue peace with ALL men ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Seven Steps To Forgiving Someone Who Really Hurt You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Feb 10, 2018

Forgiving someone who hurt you is hard work. It is easier to stay wounded and go around talking bad about them. It is easier to let bitterness put down roots and let our hearts get hardened, but Jesus said to forgive...

A preacher tells the story of inviting a guest lecturer to speak to a counseling class he was teaching and asked him to specifically discuss the topic forgiveness. He told a powerful story from his own life that day to illustrate his point that we should forgive. His brother had many struggles, ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Changing Wardrobe Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 12, 2018

37th in a series from Ephesians addressing a change in behavior for those who embrace Christ.

“Changing Wardrobe” Ephesians 4:31 REVIEW I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3 II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6 A. Live in Unity 4:1-16 B. Live in Newness of life 4:17-24 C. Live in Love 4:17-24 1. Speak truth not falsehood 4:25 2. Be angry without sinning 4:26-27 ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance