Sermons on Bitter Sweet:

Opportunistic Infections

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Oct 15, 2012

Life can cut you wide open. More dangerous than the cuts of life, is the very real danger that spiritual bacteria will take advantage of the situation and turn a person from God.

Opportunistic Infections An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens, that take advantage of certain situations. These infections usually do not cause disease in a healthy host, a compromised immune system, however, presents an "opportunity" for the pathogen to infect. Today ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ambition

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 4, 2017

James and John wanted to to sit at Christ's side in His kingdom - is this raw ambition? or is there something else here we can learn from?

Ambition Matthew 20:20 - 28 Today we see two of Jesus' closest disciple being ambitious, the request to sit at Christ's side in His kingdom. Ironically in Mark’s gospel it is James and John who actually come to Jesus with this request. In Matthew, today's gospel, it is their mother… ambition. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45

Forgiveness Is Conditional: Basics Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 17, 2020

Forgiveness is conditional and part of a continuum.

Forgiveness Basics (Luke 17:3-4) 1. Twenty years ago, Rwanda experienced a horrible genocide as one tribal group attacked and massacred another over tribal rivalry. Here is one story of forgiveness from that horrid era. “He killed my father and three brothers. He did these killings with other ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:3-4, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-22, 1 John 1:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holding On To Our Past - Resentments, Regrets And Remorse

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 4, 2022

"Holding on to our Past" is something that can inhibit not only our relationships, our outlook on life, but also our sense of identity and spiritual growth in Jesus.

If you are not familiar with an Anglican Service there are 4 readings prior to the Sermon. The assigned readings for this day were: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:7-16 and Luke 20:9-19. I will be Drawing from our New Testament reading in Philippians this morning. And I would like to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16, Luke 9:62, Ephesians 4:31-32, Job 5:2, Job 18:4, Psalm 51:10, Hebrews 12:14-15, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Matthew 5:4, John 11:35, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, Matthew 27:3-5, Matthew 26:75, 1 John 1:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Overcoming Jealousy And Envy Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 13, 2025

The Bible strongly warns against allowing jealousy and envy to thrive in our hearts. These emotions not only damage our connection with others but also grieve the Spirit of God and hinder spiritual growth.

OVERCOMING JEALOUSY AND ENVY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: James 3:16 "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Supporting Texts: Galatians 5:19-21; Proverbs 14:30; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Genesis 4:4-8; 1 Peter 2:1 INTRODUCTION: Jealousy and envy are ...read more

Scripture: James 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Road To Easter Runs Through A Cemetery

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

Good Friday was a necessary part of the Easter journey. The sermon shares a Leonard Sweet story about bell-ringing. (Each person who came to worship received a bell as they entered.)

They thought it was over. Jesus was dead and buried. The religious folks sighed with satisfaction. His followers wept in grief. But they were wrong! They were all wrong! From this side of Easter, we can call Friday “Good” because we know that it was not over, all had not been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Is Able To Stand

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Apr 25, 2001

THIS SERMON SHOWS THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF ENVY WITHIN THE CHURCH BODY AND WHO WITHSTOOD THE PERSECUTION THAT WE SO READILY GIVE OVER TO WITH BITTER STRIFE.

INTRODUCTION ENVY REQUIRES A CRUEL HEART OF A BELIEVER. THE BURDEN OF ENVY TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF ENERGY. THOSE IN WHICH YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH REQUIRES YOU TO GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS WITH THIS HEART FELT DISLIKE FOR THAT ONE WHOM YOU HAVE NOT MADE AMENDS WITH. IN OUR CHURCHES TODAY THERE IS ENVY ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Pass, When You Feel That You Are A Failure

Contributed by Dwayne Williams on Sep 11, 2006

how a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a victorious life or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility, solitary, and anger.

How to pass even though you feel like you are failing 2 Corinthians 4: 6 – 12 Main Focus is 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 I know this title of this sermon doesn’t really make sense to a lot of people on this morning, I know that they will have questions that will pop up in people head like, what do you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Church Conflicts

Contributed by Abiodun Adeniyi on Apr 22, 2025

There are divisions in the Church today as there were in the early Church and there is little or nothing that we can do to completely eliminate it but it might be managed to remove rancour and bitterness.

Church Conflicts. TEXT: 1 Cor. 1:10-13. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Those Weren't In Levi's Genes

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 11, 2025

Levi’s bitter, violent life was transformed by God’s grace. His curse became a blessing, and his descendants faithfully served the Lord.

Introduction What actually determines things in life? Is it just luck? Is it karma? Is it fate? Does everything happen simply by chance or coincidence? Herbert Asquith was prime minister of England from 1908 to 1916. On one occasion he spent a weekend at an estate owned by the wealthy Rothschild ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Be Imitators Of Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

The sermon urges believers to let go of bitterness and embrace kindness and forgiveness, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform hearts and relationships through Christlike love.

Friends, welcome. Pull up a chair in your heart and take a deep breath. Some of us walked in with a smile on our face and a storm in our soul. Honest hearts would admit it: bitterness can linger like smoke after a kitchen fire. Wrath can simmer, anger can echo, and harsh words can hang in the air ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32

Topics: Fruit Of The Spirit, New Creation

Seeing Victory In A Disaster Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Oct 25, 2009

Today we are going to take a step back in our study of Revelation. We have seen the judgments revealed in the seven seals of the book that only Jesus was able and worthy to open. In the pause that we see in today’s text, God is declaring His ultimate and

Revelation 10:1-11 Purpose: To show that the messages of mercy and judgment are often mixed together. Aim: I want the listener to hold on to hope in the midst of any trial. INTRODUCTION: Today we are going to take a step back in our study of Revelation. We have seen the judgments revealed in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Worse Than Leprosy..." By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Jan 4, 2006

A few sweet words and a little bit of kindness can coax the hottest iron out of a fire. So it is with gratitude. Let’s examine this truth together in Lukes story of the ten lepers!

Introduction I read recently of the story of the man who was betrayed by one he thought was his best friend. He went to him and asked, "How could you do this to me? Who picked you up out of the gutter? Who gave you your first job? Who lent you money and bailed you out of jail!" His reply was, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Cain And Abel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 17, 2018

Adam and Eve have been exiled from Eden, but God in mercy has covered them with His grace; therefore, they are animated by hope, assured of the Divine forgiveness, and filled with a sweet peace.

September 10, 2013 Commentary on the Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe Lesson I.C.1: Cain and Abel. Gen. 4.1-8 (KJV) 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Just Deserts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 8, 2012

Jewish people refer to themselves as "desert people" for their wanderings in the wilderness and their instruction there by the hand of God. We all have desert experiences which teach us the sweetness of God in trying times.

1. Story of the water pump in the desert There’s a legend about a man who was lost in the desert, dying of thirst. As he wandered in that terribly hot desert, he stumbled upon a dilapidated shack. There wasn’t much to it, but, at least, it would provide a little bit of shade and respite ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ