Sermons on Bitter Times:

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

Pray Graciously Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 7, 2024

In what ways are we to forgive? (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book, the Red Letter Prayer Life; chapter 11 of the same title)

HoHum: It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but it’s real. In recent years, scientists have discovered a kind of bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly called flesh eating bacteria. Once this bacterium enters a human body, it can multiply rapidly. Within 24 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:4, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:23-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Devil's Cup

Contributed by David Dailey on May 24, 2003

THE longer you drink the more bitter it becomes

John 2:9-10 is our text. The Governer of the feast said something here that is a very important truth. As we read this scripture, we see the manner of the world (or the devil) described, and we see the manner of the bridegroom (or the Lord). The Governer said; Every man at the beginning doth set ...read more

Scripture: John 2:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Healing Hand Of God - Exodus Part 14 Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

A sermon about how God healed the grumbling hearts of the people of Israel.

INTRODUCTION • As we move on in Exodus as I told you we were going to move right through the Red Sea! • Exodus 15 begins with the song of Moses. The celebration of being set free from Pharaoh and then seeing the Red Sea open for them and close on the Egyptians. • In Exodus 15, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Serious Sibling Rivalry! Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on May 15, 2023

Based on Genesis 37:12-36 - Challenges hearers to deal with bitterness in their lives.

“SERIOUS SIBLING RIVALRY!” Gen. 37:12-36 FBCF – 5/14/23 Jon Daniels INTRO – https://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/rebuilding-3803-detail Ephesians 4:31 commands us to, “Get rid of all bitterness.” Why? - It’s poison in our relationships. - It’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36, Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15, Romans 12:18

Denomination: Baptist

It's About Time

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 30, 2008

Here is your chance…come to the altar…the waters are being stirred up even now! Your season is now…it’s about time for your breakthrough!

It’s about Time Illustration: New Year’s Resolutions… John 5:1-8 (NAS) 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep {gate} a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.3 In these lay a ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

When The Hurt Comes

Contributed by Wes Gunther on Mar 19, 2019

How to respond when we've been hurt by others.

When the hurt comes - I Samuel 18:1-15 (David and Saul) I. Why do Christians hurt other Christians? A. We are sinners (I Peter 4:12-13) B. We are often so adamant on our stand (right or wrong) II. What is my response to be? (I Peter 3:8-11) A. I am only responsible for my actions ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-15

Chasing The Wind - Time! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 12, 2017

Solomon tells us that timing is everything in life and life goes through many stages and we need to know what time it is.

Timing! -- Ecclesiastes pt. 4 Opening Illustration: Blue Fish TV “There is a Time for everything!” Illustration: What happens in 30 minutes of time put the timer on set it for 30 minutes? Thesis: Solomon tells us that timing is everything in life and life goes through many stages and we need to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22, Ecclesiastes 2:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Harvest Time

Contributed by Tommy Davis on Aug 6, 2001

This is a sermon that was delivered by Pastor Davis, as guest speaker for Homecoming Services at the Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama.

It’s Harvest Time Text: Ruth 1:19-22 19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Marah Is Not The End Of Life's Journey. Series

Contributed by Peter Silway on Nov 5, 2014

At one time or the other we all come to a place of Marah (bitter).but then bitter or better, is really our choice. We cannot choose what comes to us, but we can choose how we respond to it, and that is what determines whether we become bitter or better.

MARAH IS NOT THE END OF LIFE’S JOURNEY. “And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Time Is It? Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 22, 2006

Funerals are a time of remembering and comfort.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven - A time to give birth, and a time to die: A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Many Times? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore the power, necessity, and example of forgiveness as demonstrated in Matthew 18:21-35, emphasizing the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dig deep into the power, the necessity, and the example of forgiveness as shown to us in Matthew 18:21-35. It's a passage that might make you squirm a little, but boy is it powerful! Before we dive in, I want to share a quote from Dag Hammarskjöld, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Topics: Forgiveness

Little Concern For ‘the Way Of Promise’ Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 10, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews 12: 14 – 29

Hebrews 12: 14 – 29 Little concern for ‘the way of promise’ 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel