Sermons on Mara:

The Making Of Mara (Bitterness) Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jan 25, 2011

God’s wondrous workings may take us through a deep struggle with sovereignty.

Scripture Introduction One old commentator wrote about our text: “Names are given to men and women, not only to distinguish them from each other, but also,—1. To stir them up to verify the meanings… of their names. Wherefore let every Obadiah strive to be a “servant of God,” every Nathaniel to be ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Mara To Elim

Contributed by Larry Semore on Feb 9, 2017

A great message about overcoming hopelessness and bitterness

From Mara to the Wells of Elim Exodus 15:22-27 NKJV “So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27

Denomination: Church Of God

The Long Road Back Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 21, 2018

The disappointment which Naomi has at being a widow becomes the event God uses to bring His wondering child back home. For Ruth the road to redemption starts very unexpectedly.

Message Ruth 1:6-22 “The Long Road Back.” Disappointment. The word immediately brings to mind all sorts of situations … doesn’t it. We have organising a project and all sorts of people make a commitment to give help, or support, or be part of a project. Then, when it comes to the crunch, they ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Elims Of Life

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

There is another day beyond this one. There is an Elim just beyond Mara. An "old-fashioned" Pentecostal faith-builder.

The Elims of Life Exodus 15:23-27 -- "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 LORD ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:23-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ruth And Naomi Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 24, 2023

Ruth became the great grandmother of King David. She was in the family genealogy of Mary and Jesus. She experienced personal redemption and was part of the greatest redemption story of all history.

You can’t make this story up. The story of Ruth is way too far-fetched to be manmade. The likely author of the book of Ruth is Samuel, who was a contemporary with Ruth as both lived in the days when judges ruled. There is just no way Samuel would come up with the idea on his own to include Ruth ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Who Heals You Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 19, 2022

God heals. He is Jehovah-Rapha. That is the name that God revealed in this passage, the Lord our healer. We see the miracle in the desert where bitter water becomes sweet. Our need is to be healed from spiritual sickness of sin.

Have you ever heard someone say something like this? I faced a situation in my life where all seemed hopeless from a medical standpoint. But God, in response to prayers of His people, worked a miracle in my life. God healed me! You have likely heard something like that multiple times. What do we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

From Pleasant To Bitter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 30, 2013

Upon Naomi's return home she said, "Don't call me Naomi [Pleasant] anymore. Call me Mara [Bitter]" This sermon examines her bitterness, now destructive bitterness is and how to deal with the trials in life.

From Pleasant to Bitter Chuck Sligh Series: Ruth July 28, 2013 TEXT: Ruth 1:19-22 – “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, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 4: From Pleasant To Bitter Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 7, 2019

Upon her return to Behtlehem, Naomi told people to stop calling her Naomi, Hebrew for “Pleasant, and to call her “Mara,” (“bitter”). Naomi was bitter against God. This sermon explains why Naomi was wrong and how her sorrow was the prelude for the biggest blessing of her life.

Sermon 4: From Pleasant to Bitter Series: Ruth Chuck Sligh July 7, 2019 [PROP: Find a pebble for object lesson in point III. Make sure it’s big enough for all to see.] NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Last Second Salvation Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” The story of the thief receiving salvation is the most amazing example of saving faith in the entire Bible. It’s never too late to turn to Christ and even the worst of sinners can be saved at

Last-second Salvation Last Sunday I mentioned that it’s much easier to preach about forgiveness than it is to practice it. This was made very clear to me right after the second service when I was talking to a 9-year-old boy. He had a scratch on his forehead and I asked him if he had gotten into a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Bitter, But Now I’m Better

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Sep 30, 2025

Isn’t it something that one of the most honored women in history, the mother of Jesus, the Savior, the Christ, carried a name that meant bitter?

Ruth 1:20-21 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. As I stand before you today, I want to lift up a thought that will stir your spirit: I Was Bitter but Now I’m Better. Touch your neighbor and say: “Neighbor, I’ve been through ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

God's Grace In Our Grief Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Oct 23, 2025

2. It’s difficult to see hope in the middle of grief, but God’s grace always supplies us with hope even in the darkest night.

GOD’S GRACE IN OUR GRIEF Text: Ruth 1:19-22 Introduction 1. Illustration: Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world just beyond the horizon.” 2. It’s difficult to see hope in the middle of grief, but God’s ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Methodist

Éxodo 15. Entrénate Para Ser El Mejor Series

Contributed by Pastor: Jose Luis Dejoy on Feb 1, 2020

La gran mayoría de nosotros los seres humanos queremos ser los mejores, bueno posiblemente no todos hay casos de casos y es muy posible que alguien diga yo no quiero ser el mejor.

La gran mayoría de nosotros los seres humanos queremos ser los mejores, bueno posiblemente no todos hay casos de casos y es muy posible que alguien diga yo no quiero ser el mejor. Para los que queremos ser los mejores, no podemos pretender ser los mejores sin esforzarnos o entrenarnos. El ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

La Historia De Dos Mares

Contributed by Amat Fernandez on May 30, 2003

Aqui encontramos dos mares, uno que reparte todo lo que tiene y posee vida y otro que quiere retenerlo todo y tiene nada.

LA HISTORIA DE DOS MARES Lectura: 1 Timoteo 6:10 10 porque raíz de todos los males es el amor al dinero, el cual codiciando algunos, se extraviaron de la fe y fueron atormentados con muchos dolores. INTRODUCCION: En Israel hay dos mares que estan unidos por un rio, el Jordan, uno se llama el Mar ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Jesus Family Tomb: Have We Found The Bones Of Jesus?

Contributed by Galen Hackman on May 23, 2007

The Christian faith is founded on the confession that Jesus has Risen. If the Tomb that has been making all the news lately is that of Jesus, what impact does it have on the Christian Faith? Can we still believe?

The Jesus Family Tomb: Have we found the bones of Jesus? John 20:1-18 A few weeks ago, on March 4th, the Discovery Channel aired a documentary entitled “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.” If you saw it, you may have noticed right up front that it was very well done. Obviously behind its production ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Brethren

The Long Road Home

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 17, 2020

What began as an intended temporary stay in Moab, turned into ten years of despair and suffering. Upon hearing the Lord had visited His people, Naomi made the wise decision to begin the long journey home. It would prove beneficial.

The Long Road Home Ruth 1: 19-22 We know that Naomi had left the land of Bethlehem-Judah with her husband to sojourn in the land of Moab. What began as an intended temporary stay turned into ten long years of difficulty and heartache. Now Naomi heard the Lord had visited His people in ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist