Sermons on Despair:

The Hope Of The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 31, 2013

We all need hope. But hope alone is not enough - it must be based on a solid foundation. This sermon reminds believers that our Hope is based on the resurrection of Christ.

In the late night hours of July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was struck by multiple torpedoes fired by a Japanese submarine. 500 miles west of the Philippine Islands, far from any port and under orders of secrecy, tt was the last US Navy ship sunk by enemy fire in WW2. The real story of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Feeling Forgotten

Contributed by John Beukema on May 1, 2013

If you have ever been abandoned and disappointed by other people, if you have ever felt forgotten by God, Genesis 40 has a word for you.

(A few years ago, I called the IRS. I was really anxious to have them correct a mistake they’d made. They were saying I only had one daughter, when I knew perfectly well that I had two. In fact, the daughter they said didn’t exist was the one that was costing me the most money. All ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Brethren

Adios To The Cave

Contributed by Craig Benner on Jul 14, 2012

There are times when life drives us to the cave. It is not a matter of if, but when. More important, is the dilema of you getting out of the cave in proper time.

CAVES Ps. 57:1-3,7 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.>> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (KJV) 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-2, Psalm 57:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

When All Hope Is Lost

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 10, 2019

When we feel like giving up, we need to do what Jeremiah did. We need to remember: God loves us, God is faithful to us, and God will save us.

Lamentations 3:19-26 When All Hope is Lost Life is hard at times. Your spouse is unfaithful. Your health takes a turn for the worst. A friend betrays you. Your grandchild goes down the wrong path. Your spouse dies. Sometimes our heart is breaking. We know we can’t do anything to change what is ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 36:5, Matthew 27:46

Denomination: Baptist

Could Even Judas Have Been Forgiven? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 13, 2025

Did Judas have to lose hope? On the third day after Jesus died, when the apostles gathered in the Upper Room, would there have been room for Judas Iscariot? He was, after all, one of the Twelve, chosen by Christ.

Monday of Holy Week 2025 St. John the Evangelist probably had three or four decades or more to contemplate the life and fate of his fellow disciple, Judas Iscariot. He then wrote his clear and crisp description of the man’s moral character. The incident described Mary of Bethany ministering to the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11, Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 42:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

Mental Health In The Psalms: 69 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 26, 2023

God can completely heal mental illness, but even if He does not He still is steadfast in His love and a firm saving grace to us. He gives power to us in our weaknesses and struggles.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 69 PSALM 69:1-36 #mentalhealth INTRODUCTION 1 … POOR BISHOP HOOPER PSALM 69 (EVERY PSALM) youtube.com/watch?v=BRE6-mBWkc8 [3:50] INTRODUCTION 2… Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms. IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988, 76–85. [adapted] We are in a series ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:1-36, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beauty For Ashes

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 6, 2023

The Lord wants to bring good things out of bad things (Romans 8:28). What are some good things that we find here in Isaiah 61 that helps those who grieve and mourn?

HoHum: Last year talked about a Blue Christmas where we acknowledge our losses of loved ones as we approach the holiday season. I was watching the Year Without a Santa Claus (lesser know production by Rankin Bass) and Santa gets a letter and it says, “I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you, I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:2-3, James 5:14, Ephesians 4:22-24, Matthew 5:4, Luke 4:18-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Small Still Voice

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 14, 2001

Even in the midst of despair, we can still hear the small, still voice of God.

The Small Still Voice 1 Kings 19:1-18 1. Even great men of faith have moments of doubt and fear A. Elijah had seen God do great things - Stood before Ahab and predicted drought 17:1 - Fed by Ravens and drank from the stream 17:2-6 - Cared for by the widow of Zarephath 17:7-16 - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Effective Fasting Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 1, 2020

Fast when out of your despair, you feel totally dependent upon God.

One day, Kathy Cash’s husband, of Dallas, Texas, announced to the family that he was going to fast and pray. Ginny, their 5-year-old, had recently learned that fasting meant not eating. “No!” she shouted. “You can't fast! You'll die!” Her dad carefully explained that many men and women ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 58:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Faith Is A Race

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Aug 16, 2025

Faith is a race filled with ups and downs, filled with despair and triumph, and coupled with joy and sorrow.

Faith Is a Race Hebrews 11:29–12:2 1. Faith Is Like a Race Hebrews 12:1 “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. 12;1 • In the 1972 Olympics, Dave Wattle ran the 800 meters wearing his signature white cap. He lagged behind early, but with patience, strategy, and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Think On These Things

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Feb 15, 2024

Victory over Despair and living in the Joy of the Lord can be yours by walking in these Biblical principles.

THINK ON THESE THINGS Pastor Eric J. Hanson INTRODUCTION Many of the battles of life are faced by all of us. We all have to learn the lessons of childhood. We have to get up at a certain time and go to school, regardless of how we feel about it. We have to gradually do more work, just to keep up ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Glimmer Of Light In The Gloom Of Solitary Confinement Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE LONELINESS AND DESPAIR OF SPIRITUAL SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CAN ONLY BE OFFSET BY A VISION OF THE ETERNALITY AND IMMUTABILITY OF GOD

BIG IDEA: THE LONELINESS AND DESPAIR OF SPIRITUAL SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CAN ONLY BE OFFSET BY A VISION OF THE ETERNALITY AND IMMUTABILITY OF GOD I. (:1-7) THE SILENCE OF LONELINESS MAKES OUR HEART WASTE AWAY A. (:1-2) NOTHING IS MORE FRUSTRATING THAN THE SILENCE OF GOD Looking for Answers Looking ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:1-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Setting Hearts Free

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 31, 2004

Jesus Christ sets us free from: 1. Cynicism 2. Despair 3. Self

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who passed away earlier this month at age 82, made his living playing the part of someone chronically depressed and making fun of himself because he “got no respect.” He would complain to his audiences with lines like: “I tell ya I get no respect from anyone. I ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Methodist

The Beginning Of… Covenant Promises Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 22, 2010

God’s promises deliver his people from despair and empower faithful living.

Scripture Introduction Lest we suspect that God is like Santa, winking at sin and hoping we will be more nice than naughty, the Bible records the catastrophic and world-wide flood in the days of Noah – God’s judgment on the rampant violence and wickedness which characterized mankind. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Long O Lord

Contributed by Lee Henry on Nov 15, 2006

This psalm shows us how we can overcome our despair through faith in God.

How Long O Lord Psalm 13 “How long O Lord?” Four times in this brief psalm, David makes this plaintive cry. “How long O Lord?” This psalm was, no doubt, written during a low point in David’s life. Possibly during the time when Saul is pursuing David to try to kill him. This story is told in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ