Sermons on Bitter To Better:

Four Ways To Better Love Those Away From God

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2018

Starting with Jesus hanging between two criminals, this sermon focuses on how Jesus was a "friend of sinners" and offers four ways we can improve in that endeavor.

WHICH IMAGE FITS BETTER: Black tuxedo or orange jumpsuit? - Mark 15:27. - Here we have the stark image of Jesus hanging between two criminals. These are orange jumpsuit kind of people. - On the other hand, we have the respectable crowd, perhaps wearing a black tuxedo to show their classiness. - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 12, 2018

A study in the book of Exodus 8: 1 – 32

Exodus 8: 1 – 32 Anything you can do, I can do better 8 And the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. 3 So the river shall bring ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When "Over There" Looks Better Than "Over Here"

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2018

Meditations on Christian living as I near the end of days. Looking to what is coming enables me to weather the storms of life and to draw renewed strength from the Risen Son of God.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

I See Better When I'm Blind Series

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 14, 2021

This is a narrative sermon on the conversion of Saul of Taurus.

Title: “I see better when I’m blind.” Series – “On mission” Text: Acts 9:1-19 Subject: How does Saul of Tarsus becoming a believer in Jesus? Complement: Jesus reveals himself to Saul with blinding light and personal voice – showing himself alive – providing irrefutable proof of his ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-24, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Can We Become Something Better Than We Are? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 29, 2024

Adam is "the man." Christ is "the man." What do we learn from the first Adam and the second Adam?

A PROFOUND QUESTION: Can we become something better than we are? - Am I stuck being who I am? Is there hope for improvement? TWO REPRESENTATIVE MEN: There is a first Adam and there is a second Adam. - Genesis 2:7, 20; John 19:5. - This sermons series is about the parallels between the early ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Dream For Me Are Better Than My Own

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 25, 2023

God sees the bigger picture of our lives, while we have a limited view. We have dreams of doing things to better ourselves, but our dreams are limited, while God's dreams for us are must greater.

God’s Dream for Me are Better than My Own Ecclesiastes 5:3 “For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.” Today I want us to look at two forms of multiplication of dreams: one good and one bad. So first let us look at the bad form of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:3, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 37:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Offers A Better Drink (John 2:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 6, 2022

The wine Jesus gives, is far superior to Judaism's water. Celebrate the grace given to you in Christ.

Our story continues this week in John 2. In the series of days we've seen so far in the gospel of John, this is day 7. Now, before I do anything else, I want to say this up front: I'm not sure I've ever studied a passage before, and seen so many gifted scholars come to so many ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Amos 9:13-15, Deuteronomy 7:1-16, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Joel 3:17-21  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Offers A Better Bread (John 6:51-59) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

What exactly happens, when we celebrate the Eucharist? And what exactly are we eating?

Today, we continue working our way through John 6. Let's start by simply rereading, starting from verse 22. This verse picks up after Jesus fed 5,000 people the bread and the fish, and after Jesus walked on the water. (22) On the next day, the crowd-- the one standing on the other side of ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-59, John 6:22-50, 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Perseverance In A Dry Place

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Apr 29, 2010

This sermon looks at how God honours our prayers and dedication even when we are spiritually dry. When we do not 'feel' like serving him but serve him anyway. It encourages perseverance, stretching out, prayer and faith that God can do 'big things'.

Perseverance in a dry place John Ortberg from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church recalls A man I'll call Paul (because that's actually his name) told me he recently started going to church. In his mid-seventies, with no faith background, he woke up one morning with a sudden urge to hear the pope, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Covered In The Dust Of Your Rabbi

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Apr 23, 2018

One of the benfits of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High is that He gives you grace to escape the hidden traps of the enemy. Traps are placed in the path which animals usually take to get food/water. The most bitter people you will ever meet ..

Covered in the Dust of Your Rabbi PPT 1 Series Title PPT 2 Message Title May you be covered the dust of your Rabbi is a Jewish saying that basically means may you walk so close to your teacher that you are covered with his dust. (See note at end of message for more info) As we get in to this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christ: More Excellent

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 3, 2002

He is better than the prophets, better than the Law and the sacrifices, better than the angels.

About 6 or 7 years ago a new merchandizing craze began, and although at the time I thought it to be another passing fad, it seems that it has not only not died out...but has really only slowed down a little bit in all that time. I’m referring to angels. The merchandizing of everything ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Orthodox

Growing Up When You're Torn Down Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 29, 2014

Trials are meant to fortify our faith.

Growing Up When You’re Torn Down 1 Peter 1:6-9 Rev. Brian Bill September 27-28, 2014 Offertory: “He’s Been Faithful” On Monday of this week, the pastoral staff and spouses went bowling. It was meant to be a great bonding time and we purposely wanted to keep it light. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Wise And Understanding Among You? (James 3:13-18) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 24, 2022

The answer, in truth, is my mother-in-law. James redefines for us what true wisdom looks like.

Who is wise and understanding among you? (James 3:13-18) In our passage today, James opens up a new section by asking a question. So let's start, the same way. James 3:13: (13) Who [is] wise and understanding/knowledgeable among you? When you look around this room, at the people who are a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

When Love Grows Cold

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on May 16, 2024

This message is about the prophecy Jesus gave about the Church in these last days - that our love could grow cold if we are not actively fighting to keep it burning.

When Love Grows Cold Scripture: John 13:34-35; Matthew 24:12; Ephesians 4:31-5:2 Good morning, Strangers Rest! The title of my message this morning is “When Love Grows Cold.” Before I go any further, I want you to know that I will be driving on everybody’s street today so when I get to your ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, Matthew 24:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Bittersweet Banquet Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 4, 2010

In bitter times we can be thankful, because Christ died for us.

Several years ago, in a small-town church in upstate New York, a well-loved pastor who had been there for 35 years retired. He was replaced by a young pastor just starting out in ministry. The young man had a great desire to do well, but after just a few weeks he began to perceive that the people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free