Sermons on Waters Made Bitter:

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

Applying Wisdom To Anger Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 21, 2012

How do you learn to tame anger? How should you relate to angry people? The one-word answer is “Wisdom.”

Applying Wisdom to Anger (Proverbs 19:8, 10-13, 16,19,20) 1. I knew a guy in high school who was a friend of a friend. 2. He was a big guy, and he seemed nice enough, but he had an anger problem. 3. After we graduated, he got a part time job at McDonald’s. One day, he got so angry at his boss ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:8-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Missing Climax Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 17, 2012

Relationship, the law, bitterness

THE MISSING CLIMAX Luke 15: 25-32 (p 740) Aug. 7, 2011 INTRODUCTION: I bought a murder mystery book last year to take with me on a trip...It was a Sue Grafton book called "P" is for Peril. I bought it used at a bookstore...I like Sue Grafton..She's written these mysteries from every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Tongue As A Fire! Extra Material. 20 Seed Thoughts! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

20 undeveloped seed thoughts relating to James' teaching

(Proverbs 18:21; italics mine). Nick Young counted some twenty positive things in the Scriptures that the tongue can do, and twenty negative things. A great ruler once sent a gift of meat, the carcass of an animal, to a philosopher with the request that the philosopher send back the best part and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:9-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unforgiving Spirit

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 20, 2013

To show what are the consequences of not forgiving someone.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you have an unforgiving spirit? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show what are the consequences of not forgiving someone. IV. TEXT: Mark 11:26 (Amplified Bible) 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Outbreak: The Downside Of Being So Negative Series

Contributed by Charles Whitmire on May 22, 2008

This message looks at what being negative really gets you...

Where does joy come from? I think so many times we equate joy with stuff. If I have all the right toys, the big house, enough money - then I can be happy... Other people equate joy with relationship. If I am getting along with all my friends, if my family is in order, if things are going well... ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

High Strung

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 10, 2008

Had any conflict at your house this week? Be honest. Maybe it was one of those he-said-she-said things. First came the noise of quarreling, then even worse—the deafening silence. So much of the pain in life flows from relational conflict. We think i

Had any conflict at your house this week? Be honest. Maybe it was one of those he-said-she-said things. First came the noise of quarreling, then even worse—the deafening silence. So much of the pain in life flows from relational conflict. We think it’ll go away if we just sweep it under the rug ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Changing Wardrobe Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 12, 2018

37th in a series from Ephesians addressing a change in behavior for those who embrace Christ.

“Changing Wardrobe” Ephesians 4:31 REVIEW I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3 II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6 A. Live in Unity 4:1-16 B. Live in Newness of life 4:17-24 C. Live in Love 4:17-24 1. Speak truth not falsehood 4:25 2. Be angry without sinning 4:26-27 ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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

What Can Love Do Here? (September 25, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 23, 2022

Didn’t Jesus command us to make His love contagious so that others will know that we are His disciples? Aside from germs, viruses and sickness, have you ever wondered what is contagious in a crowd?

WHAT CAN LOVE DO HERE? Text: John 13:34 – 35 I John 3:18 John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (35) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 John 3:18

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Even Somehow Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 3, 2017

The emotion that wells up within us to “get even” is about control, consequences, and vindication. Relational issues are never JUST relational issues!

Getting Even Somehow (Proverbs 25:21-24) 1. Nobody likes a power outage. You may light oil lamps or use LED lanterns. 2. You enter a room, try to turn on a light switch. There is a lot of psychology there. 3. This is even true of an internet our computer outage. We have become so dependent ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:21-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Naomi The Reformer Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 25, 2024

Naomi a poor widow in a foreign land, bounces back with new life through strong determination and courage. She became a wise and righteous woman.

Theme: Naomi – Reformer Text: Ruth 1:16-23   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.   Introduction: The book of Ruth revolves around three personalities namely, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. The aim of this book is to connect the birth messiah back to David and further back to ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-20

Denomination: Methodist

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

Lord’s Prayer 12: As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us Series

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 3, 2024

How often do we say this phrase everyday when we say the Lord's Prayer - AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US? Do we stop and think what we are saying and really mean it? Should we expect God our Father to forgive us if we can't forgive those who wrong us?

Lord’s Prayer 12: AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US As a young priest, John Wesley spent a short time in Georgia, USA serving as a missionary in Savannah whilst his brother Charles served as chaplain to the governor. On hearing the general say, 'Sir, I never forgive', John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-45, Matthew 18:21-22, 1 Corinthians 13:5