Sermons on Depths Of Despair:

When Hope Seems Gone Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Mar 28, 2010

Despair makes hope seem an empty dream as we snap awake to reality and we begin to believe the lie, “there's no way out.”...Our lesson today is one of “how” and “what”. “How” can I move from a spirit of despair to a life of hope?

DARE TO BELIEVE – “When Hope Seems Gone” Jonah 2:1-10 This picture (person sitting against a wall, very dark room, small light in the window) is, to me, a powerful image of despair. It creates a sense of aloneness where an overwhelming gloom settles into your spirit and there's ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Finding Confidence In The Desert

Contributed by Wayne Cordeiro on May 16, 2013

For one and a half years, David went to live with the Philistines. It is during this time that we can learn valuable lessons about confidence in the desert. We can also gain understanding in the ways God deals with us and changes our hearts to bring us ba

Saul was jealous of David and all his successes, so he pursued him relentlessly for a long period of time. David had his chances to kill Saul and claim the throne that God had promised him, but he refused. He remained a faithful servant of God and waited upon the Lord to rescue him, except for a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Time Is It?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 14, 2014

How we understand God affects how we see time.

What Time is It? Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Many of us “baby boomers” can still remember the song sung by the Byrd’s, “To Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn written in the 1960’s in which the poem the Preacher writes here is the prominent text. Pete Seeger, who adopted the words for the lyrics for the song was ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Distress To Delight

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Feb 2, 2015

Ps 73:26 – Divided into 3 parts 1.) Despair 2.) Dependence 3.) Delight

Ps. 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Background for Ps 73 - 2 Chron. 20 v.1-2 – Jehoshaphat's distress - Overwhelmed v.3-4 – Fear took hold – His only help is the Lord v. 6-13 – Jehoshaphat Prayed v.14-19 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:26

Denomination: Baptist

New Life For Dry Bones

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 2, 2017

As God brought new life and hope to the dry bones scattered across Ezekiel's valley, God can do the same for us. When there seems to be no way forward, God knows our future. And as we trust him, we get to know God better in the process.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 New Life for Dry Bones When I became a “new cadet,” in basic training at West Point, I had to memorize various items and be willing to recount them at will. One was a paragraph from the 1962 speech of retired 82-year-old General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to the Corps of Cadets, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:10-11, John 11:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by David Nolte on Mar 31, 2020

Not all surprises are pleasant/

Surprised By Joy John 19:17-30 David P. Nolte (Due to coronavirus, this sermon will be broadcast via fm radio during “drive-in-church” at a venue with adequate parking). Life is full of surprises. Not all surprises are pleasant ones, though. You’ll believe that when you step on the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To My Father

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Oct 12, 2020

God is our father. He desires that we communicate wit him. Let's pour the problems bothering our hearts to him like David did. He will answer us, for we are his children.

TEXT: Philemon 1:21(NLT) "I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!" Oct 6, My dear father, "I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:6-7, Psalm 13:3-4, Philemon 1:21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hope In God Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 9, 2014

Paul knew what placing everything in God’s hands had done for Him. He wanted others to place everything, their very existence & its priorities & activities in God’s hands also. God proves Himself totally trustworthy to those who place their life in His Ha

2 CORINTHIANS 1: 8-11 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series] HOPE IN GOD The hope in God which sustained Paul in his relationship with the Corinthians had to first grow and mature in his own life. Paul had an experience in Asia during a missionary Journey that had caused him to hope only in God. This ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Sermon For Losers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Aug 8, 2015

Are you feeling like a loser? Are you feeling in over your head? Maybe God has something to say to you in Psalm 130

Reading of the Word: Psalm 130 130 From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD. 2 Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help! 3 If you kept a record of our sins, who could escape being condemned? 4 But you forgive us, so that we should stand in awe of you. 5 I wait eagerly for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In The Garden Of Surrender: Jesus' Despair And His Acceptance Of God's Will

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Sep 11, 2024

In this moment, we see a side of Jesus that resonates with all of us—the side that feels pain, fear, and even the desire for a different path. Yet, in this same moment, we also see the ultimate example of surrender and faith as Jesus submits to His Father’s will.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to reflect on one of the most poignant and human moments in the life of our Savior: His time of despair in the Garden of Gethsemane. In this moment, we see a side of Jesus that resonates with all of us—the side that feels pain, fear, and even the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Anglican

Getting Rid Of The Delight Deficit Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on May 30, 2011

The followers of Christ are Good-News people whose lives are marked by joy.

Title: Getting Rid of the Delight Deficit Text: Luke 24:36-53 Thesis: Followers of Christ are Good-News people whose lives are marked by joy. The Season of Easter Series: When Jesus Shows Up During the Season of Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Christ as he shows up in unusual and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-53

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Emotional Life

Contributed by Dave Workman on Apr 26, 2011

So oftentimes, emotions function like the lights on our dashboard. When the engine light comes on, something needs to be paid attention to.

Today I want to talk about our emotional life. Maybe this is an area for you that seems out-of-control for you. Or perhaps the opposite: you feel a bit dead, almost feeling-less. Recently Time magazine even ran an article about how to handle your emotions during tough economic times. I’m ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-35

Denomination: Vineyard

Gifts Of Recognition

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 21, 2007

The wise men came to Jesus bearing gifts. The gifts recognize who Jesus was. They recognized him as divine, king, with their gifts. How do you recognize Jesus with what you give to Him and others?

ntro: The background of this story would make any modern day soap opera, or prime time drama writer drool. The wise men meet with a self-absorbed, psychopath by the name of Herod the Great. He was a level headed, friend of the Romans who brought stability to the economy of Judea and built for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 42

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Sep 3, 2001

A psalm of despair with an antidote

Psalm 42 This morning’s psalm is Psalm 42, which has been called a psalm of despair. But it is more than that. It does also contains the antidote. There is a lot in the psalm, but I would like to look at three aspects of it today: These aspects are: 1. Despair is disabling 2. Despair can lead ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 42:1-3

Denomination: Anglican

Root Systems Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 12, 2010

The first in a sermon series on developing spiritual depth and wholehearted discipleship

INTRO unveil the cougars ► Today you feel safe that you can see these wild animals without threat of harm ► Because they are locked behind these bars ► But if I unlock and open the door it would be a different story. ƒ{ The reality is that all of us have a wild animal inside ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational