Sermons on Bitter To Better:

New And Improved Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2002

Years before Hebrews was written, God had declared there would be "New Covenant." This new legal contract had better promises than the Old one, but what is better?

OPEN: After the death of Elvis Presley it became fairly common to read headlines in the Tabloids such as: "I was Elvis’ Love Child" or "Elvis’ Ghost is My Father". Many people claimed to be related to "The King" either for the prestige of wearing his name or possibly to try and get a share of his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hatred

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 15, 2011

They know the way they are living, so to put a Christian down makes them feel better about themselves.

Strife-bitter conflict or rivalry: bitter and sometimes violent conflict, struggle, or rivalry Hatred is inescapable. Sooner or later, despite all our precautions, someone, somewhere will hate us. And if we're followers of Jesus, it will happen sooner rather than later. In John 15:18-16:4, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Priority Of Faithfulness

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Mar 20, 2005

God doesn’t require us to be intelligent, articulate, handsome or eloquent. He requires us to be faithful.

INTRODUCTION: Ø Paul had reminded the Corinthians that they served a faithful God (1:9). Ø He also declared that God can be depended on to be with them in any trial (10:13). Ø He further encouraged them to be zealous with the assurance that their labor will not go unrewarded (15:58). Ø Every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Christ's Example Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 5, 2001

forgiveness in practice

Jesus’ Example of Forgiveness – Matthew 26:47-56 Illustration:Chuck Swindoll reports that a seminary student in Chicago faced a forgiveness test. Although he preferred to work in some kind of ministry, the only job he could find was driving a bus on Chicago’s south side. One day a gang of tough ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:18-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reversal Of Revenge

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Revenge may be sweet for awhile, but it turns so bitter that it is never a long range value. This reversal of revenge, however, can add sweetness to life that lasts for time and eternity.

Aaron Burr could have been a great name in American history. He was elected to the U. S. Senate, and in 1800 he was a candidate for President of the U. S. Thomas Jefferson won that election, and Aaron Burr became Vice President. His future was bright, but then he was insulted by another famous ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Revenge Is Sweet—or Maybe Not Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 16, 2020

Samson may have thought revenge was sweet, after he took his own revenge on the Philistines, but revenge surely seemed to leave a bitter aftertaste.

Introduction: Between chapters 14 and 15, a period of time has gone by. Samson, at the end of chapter 14, was furious with his bride after she used her tears to basically ruin their week-long wedding feast. Several of the wedding guests—whom Samson didn’t seem to invite in the first place—placed a ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

When God Teaches His People To Obey (Exodus 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 23, 2022

God breaks his people from a slave mentality, and teaches them a better way to live.

Let's start today by rereading last week's little passage, Exodus 15:22-27: (22) And Moses led Israel from the Sea of Reeds, and they went out to the wilderness of Shur, and they walked three days in the wilderness, and they didn't find water, (23) and they came to Marah/Bitter, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-33

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

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

Heaven Part Two

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 14, 2010

The reality of heaven is infinitely better than anyone can describe.

Heaven: Part Two Introduction: A Have easel, poster board, finger paints on stage. 1 Begin finger painting a landscape picture of mountain, streams, cabin. (After about 45 seconds, have picture of mountain, stream, & cabin put on screen.) a The best picture I can paint for you with my fingers is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

Eternity Is A Long, Long Time

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 13, 2011

Salvation and damnation; they are both eternal. You better get it right.

Eternity Is a Long, Long Time June 12, 2011 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Salvation and damnation; they are both eternal. You better get it right. Focus Passage: Luke 16:19-31 Supplemental Passage: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

It Is Your Bible Use It

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Aug 1, 2011

We must read the bible in order to serve the Lord better.

IT IS YOUR BIBLE USE IT David used his bible daily how about you? Psalm 119 1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When You Are In The Cave

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 9, 2014

Lessons from God are often better taught in a dark cave.

Have you felt like you were in a cave driven there by despair, sin, your physical or spiritual enemies? It's dark and dank and you wonder if God sees your predicament and cares. You are afraid to even look out the entrance lest your enemies find you and torment you. David had a similar ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Learning By Example (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Sep 20, 2012

Who better to teach us how to witness, than Jesus!

John 4:10-15-Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get ...read more

Scripture: John 4:10-42

Denomination: Baptist

Look At The Cross, Then Look At Yourself

Contributed by Don Schultz on Feb 13, 2014

The best place to go if you want to be "better" as a Christian - the cross...

Look at the cross, Look at yourself Philippians 2:6-8 (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran