Sermons on Contempt Bitterness:

Under Trials Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Sep 9, 2024

When trials come, we have a choice to trust God in joy or wallow in bitterness.

James: Practical Faith  James 1:1-8 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  09-08-2024 Dancing in the Rain  I watched the sky grow darker and felt the wind kick up.  I checked the radar, and sure enough, a thunderstorm was about to let loose.  Maxine and I ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To The Book Of Ruth Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on May 12, 2022

Mounting losses threaten to leave us bitter, but God restores life to His people.

Introduction to the Book of Ruth What is wrong?—Mounting Losses Threaten to Leave Us Bitter ‘She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.”’ [Ruth 2:20] What is true?—God Restores Life to His People. 14 ‘Then the women said to Naomi, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:20, Ruth 4:14-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Discerning The Source Of Criticism Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 21, 2025

When criticism is based on lies and bathed in bitterness, it is essential to recognize that it is not coming from God.

As Christians, we are not immune to criticism. In fact, Jesus promised that we would face persecution and criticism for our faith (John 15:18-21). However, not all criticism is constructive or godly. When criticism is based on lies and bathed in bitterness, it is essential to recognize that it is ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-21, Ephesians 4:15

When Life Turns Sour Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 15, 2009

When life turns sour, tell yourself the truth, complain to God, and He will deliver. Message focuses on Dylan Thomas’ poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night; rage, rage against the dying of the light."

On a warm spring evening in 1952, at his home in Swansea in Wales, David John Thomas lay on his deathbed. Once a soldier who had fought in the Second World War, later an English teacher, Thomas had become very frail in his later years. There was no doubt that he would die soon. There was no ...read more

Scripture: Job 10:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 3, 2012

A study of the Gospel of Luke 15: 8 – 32

Luke 15: 8 – 32 The Recovery Of Treasured Possessions 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-32

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Ruth Chapter One: "Open Your Eyes" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Feb 15, 2012

To overcome bitterness, we need to open our eyes to see the personal concern of others and the providential care of God.

Today we are beginning a series of messages based on the book of Ruth. This book as often referred to as one of the greatest love stories in the Bible, if not one of the greatest love stories in all of literature. When such an observation is made, of course, it is the love relationship between ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 15, 2009

In Ruth 1:19-22 we see a New Beginning moving from a 1) Total Loss to a 2) Total Gain.

The chalk cliffs of Beachy Head on England’s south coast are the British answer to the Golden Gate Bridge: a place of beauty and stillness that has a terrible allure, both practical and aesthetic, for suicidal people. Neil and Kazumi Puttick, a married couple jumped to their deaths on the evening ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Other

Friends For Christ's Sake

Contributed by Tim Adams on Dec 1, 2009

A sermon on the value of soul friendship in the church.

"FRIENDS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE" I SAMUEL 18:1-5 (Focal Text: Verse 1) On March 11, 1991, eight-year-old Anthony Henderson upset the distinguished leader of our nation, President George Bush. President Bush was visiting Anthony’s school and had sat down beside Anthony to read him a book. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Where You Go I Will Go Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jun 5, 2016

This first chapter of Ruth will help us see that there are great possibilities ahead that we are not aware of. God has been working all along in the background even if all around us is full of darkness and despair.

We are going to start a new series today in the Book of Ruth. What do we know about that Book of Ruth? For one thing, this short Book consisting of only four chapters and 100 verses is a link between the time of the judges and the kings of Israel. Remember that during the time of the Judges, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Encounter Two. Simon Peter And The Rooster. (Includes Discussion Questions At The End) Series

Contributed by Paul Hardy on May 3, 2022

Three strikes, you’re out. That’s usually how we roll in life. You get three opportunities for tolerance and forgiveness.

ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS ENCOUNTER TWO SIMON PETER AND THE ROOSTER How will I introduce the message? Three strikes, you’re out. That’s usually how we roll in life. You get three opportunities for tolerance and forgiveness. It’s like the farmer: The Farmer marries back in the horse and buggy days. ...read more

Scripture: John 18:15, Luke 22:62, Proverbs 29:25, Hebrews 12:14-15, 1 Peter 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Eleventh Station: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 18, 2022

We are challenged today to enter more fully that mystery, and to pick up our own cross and follow Jesus.

The Eleventh Station: Jesus Nailed to the Cross (Those of us who have had the privilege and honor of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land always make Jerusalem part of the holy time. There, although the Jewish Temple has been replaced by a grand mosque, we can see the very places we read about in the New ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-35, Matthew 6:12, Luke 22:34, John 12:31-33, John 3:16-17, Luke 9:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Revelation Lesson #10 Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Mar 27, 2024

We have completed six of the seven trumpet’s calls. In between the sixth and last trumpet, one with great authority over both land and sea appeared. In his hand was a little book which caused the one with authority to cry. When he cried, ‘seven’ ‘thunders’ spoke.

A thorough study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Rev. 1:1) Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John. I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Know That You Are In The Light

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Jun 14, 2025

You know you are in the light if you do not harbor hatred against anyone. 1 John 2:9 says, “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” Hatred is a poisonous heart condition that makes us treat others as enemies.

Song: I have the light of God in me /2x I have the spirit of the Son of God I have the light of God in me. This is one of the choruses we sing as Christians. Let us think through this song and measure ourselves against the scale of the word of God. Let us read 1 John 2:7-11, which ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11, 1 John 3:14-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Polluted Sacrifices

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 28, 2012

God accused the Israelite priests of sinning in two ways... treating the sacrifice with contempt and teaching the people to do the same. We, as a Priesthood of Believers, have the same job as the priests and perhaps are guilty of the same failures.

POLLUTED SACRIFICES MALACHI 1:6-14 INTRODUCTION: Every year Americans leave in their wake 20 million tons of paper 26 billion bottles and 3 million gallons of water In our scripture for today, the prophet, Malachi was also talking about pollution because the effects of pollution had hit ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

Grace, Repentance, And Forgiveness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 8, 2014

The bitterness that we feel when we first realise what we have done is compared to the bitterness of losing an only son. Perhaps in this we begin to understand what it cost the LORD God to secure the free gift of our salvation.

GRACE, REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS. Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ loved us before we loved Him (1 John 4:19). God ‘so loved’ us that He sent His Son Jesus into this world to die for our sins (John 3:16). Christ died and rose again, and ever intercedes ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 12:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational