Sermons on Bitter Sweet:

A Salt Covered Road

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 23, 2011

Does your presence at work or home make the world a little more flavorful? Does the way you treat others make life tase better or do you bring people down with a bitter attitude?

A Salt Covered Road Matthew 5:13-16 This week God was speaking to me while I was driving back and forth to Sarnia to attend training sessions for my job. As I travelled I was amazaed to see how much salt we pour out on our roadways to make them safe for winter driving. It got me to thinking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do Not Worry

Contributed by Paul Zwarich on May 28, 2008

This sermon highlights a person who had been graced by God to mourn without bitterness, to sorrow without anger, to trust without resentment, and to rest in the peace of Christ which surpasses every man’s understanding.

Lectionary 8 Matthew 6:24-34 Money! One thing that I have learned as a Pastor is that people worry about money. Even when I meet with couples that are planning to get married money is a number one concern. Worrying about money is said to be one of the biggest concerns in our society today. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 25, 2016

Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed I Kings 18:1-8, 41-46 Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers. But God is not at fault – we are. We are the one’s who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Baptist

Overcome Anger To Overcome Sickness Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 9, 2021

Oftentimes we get so outraged by things people have said or done to us. We harbor these bitter feelings in our hearts, it will erupt unexpectedly resulting in broken relationships. And with time anger causes sicknesses!

Overcome anger to Overpower sickness We read in Psalm 91:10, “So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.” (ERV) We need to ponder on this blessed promise of God that is available to us His children. We studied earlier that this promise is applicable to those who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:10

Denomination: Other

Do You Want To Get Well? Series

Contributed by Ray Geide on Jan 24, 2022

That sadness that you hold inside of you. That hurt, that anger, that bitterness, that despair, that disappointment, that worry. Do you want to get well? This sermon gives four things that we must do in order to get well.

Do You Want To Get Well? John 5:1-15 (this sermon was preached on the first Sunday of the year. The text in parenthesis was added for that occasion.) Turn in your Bibles to John chapter 5. This passage tells the story of a man who was an invalid. Let's start reading in verse 1. John 5:1 ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Freedom Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Nov 5, 2023

This morning we look at Matthew 18:21-35 and learn the true meaning behind Forgiveness. Forgiving others is not just a command which Christ gives to us, but something which heals us from bitterness.

The Freedom of Forgiveness (Thanks to Jeff Strite @ Sermon Central for many ideas in this) Our Epistle Lesson begins with Paul thanking God for the Philippians. Their Bishop, Epaphroditus, brought Paul a substantial love offering to help cover his costs while he sat in house arrest in Rome. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Anglican

Foolish Husband's Choices Can Shatter The Family's Harmony. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 20, 2024

Proverbs 14:29 tells us, "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." His foolish decisions bring pain and sorrow to his family.

I want to write to you about the importance of being a godly husband, by examining the traits of an evil husband as described in the Bible. In the book of Proverbs, it says, "A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands" (Proverbs 14:1). An evil ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:15, Ephesians 5:23-33, Proverbs 19:20

How To Forgive The Unrepentant Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 19, 2022

Perhaps the toughest person to forgive is the unrepentant? More than that, why does God ask us to forgive the unrepentant when He doesn't? The Apostle Paul explains to us how we deal with such people in II Timothy 4:14-18 and Romans 12:17-21.

This past week the famous and formerly beloved comedienne, Bill Cosby, has been on trial. And I happened to watch a documentary about his accuser, and the 50-some other accusers whose cases have extended past the statute of limitations. Among those who were interviewed was one of his first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21, 2 Timothy 4:14-18

Denomination: Bible Church

Part 7: Prayer When Life Is Unfair Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 29, 2024

What should we do when life is unfair? 1. Beware of the bitterness trap (vs. 1-10). 2. Take our troubles to the Lord (vs. 10-18). 3. Give our best to God (vs. 11). 4. Rely on God to remember us (vs. 17-20).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 7: Prayer when Life Is Unfair 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 29, 2024) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to 1 Samuel 1 to see a great prayer when life was unfair. Chuck Swindoll tells us that the events "in 1 Samuel took ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pt. 3 Healing In The Old Testament Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 17, 2013

Egypt enslaved the people of God for 400 years when God stretched out His hand to rescue His people, deliver them to a better life. Ex. 15 records their journey into the Arabian Peninsula where they were tested at the spring of Marah. (Marah means bitter)

Healing in the Old Testament October 28, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A Egypt enslaved the people of God for 400 years when God stretched out His hand to rescue His people, deliver them to a better life. 1 The Israelites stood on the eastern side of the Red Sea ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Junction Or Journey

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jul 29, 2007

We’re too often guilty of aiming and nothing and hitting it every time. “Visionaries can see life for what it is, can see God for who God is. They are people who can read the “signs of the times”, not the “signs of the future”.” (Leonard Sweet)

“Where there is no vision the people perish” (Hebrew Proverb) “Where there is only vision, people have nervous breakdowns.” (Postmodern Hebrew Proverb as quoted by Leonard Sweet) – having the vision and dreams but not doing (not able to do) anything about them. Larry of the Three Stooges caused ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-4

Denomination: Salvation Army

Morphing Jesus In America

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 30, 2009

Leonard Sweet in his book Soul Tsunami wrote: "our post modern American culture wants tolerance of all beliefs..." the result is the morphing of Jesus into syncretism. Americans are deeply spiritual and secualar. We cook up our own religion to our taste

In Jesus Holy Name May 3, 2009 Text: Acts 4:12 Easter IV - Redeemer “Morphing Jesus in America” (Begin with a “transformer” as an illustration of how one thing changes into another…. An example of “morphing”.) Michael Jackson is a great example of one who has chosen to morph his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:8-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Lord Don't You Care?

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 21, 2018

Title is not original. Some thoughts from Rev. Ken Klaas, and others with quotes from Leonard Sweet "Aqua Church" on risk taking for a church to change and grow. This sermon is about who we trust in the "storms of life". Does God really care? Yes.

In Jesus Holy Name June 24, 2018 Text: Mark 4:35-41 Pentecost V Redeemer “Lord Don’t You Care?” (read the text) Our story takes place on the Sea of Galilee. The story begins with Jesus having put in a long day of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Lutheran

When The Cheers Turned Sour

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 21, 2013

Christ rode into Jerusalem as the crowds gathered and cheered. But the sweet sounds of cheers turned sour and faded over the next few days as they gave way to shouts of “Crucify Him!” To understand this we must first understand why the crowds followed Chr

When the Cheers Turned Sour Matthew 27:15-26 In fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy (Zech. 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

"The Anchor In The Midst Of Doubt”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 14, 2021

Woody Allen had no anchor for his soul. Fear dominated. On that first Easter fear dominated the disciples. The resurrection gave an anchor to their soul. The key... Jesus transferred the Holy Spirit to every disciple. with the result of Acts 4:1-13 (Leonard Sweet quote)

In Jesus Holy Name April 18, 2021 Text: Luke 24:36,38-39 Easter III Redeemer “The Anchor in the Midst of Doubt” Woody Allen could not sleep at night. He was a restless soul. He needed an anchor. Fears ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-39, Acts 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran