Sermons on Despair:

Lessons From The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Rick Hope on Aug 27, 2006

We learn from the Children of Israel that it’s in times when we are in our most despair that God wants to teach us something.

It was a great day for the Children of Israel! They affirmed a new covenant with God, recognizing they were embarking on a new life. They were no longer slaves in Egypt. They could be their own nation again. But it would mean some changes. It would mean switching some thinking. It would mean new ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

When You Are In The Dumps... Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Jul 13, 2004

Sometimes we feel like Elijah - in the pit of despair. The Lord raises us out of depression by 1. Reprimanding Us, and 2. Revitalizing Us.

Pentecost 12 I Kings 19:9-18 Have you ever prayed an “I have had enough, Lord” prayer? An “I have had enough” prayer usually comes not long after one or more “what next, Lord?” prayers. We’ve all had times like those in our lives: one thing piling on after another, stress after stress, crisis after ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice!

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

In Isaiah 66 God gives his people a reason to rejoice when all signs pointed to despair. We need this kind of hope today

Isaiah 66:10-14 Happy 4th of July! I love the 4th of July because I can’t help but spend some time re-reading some Revolutionary War History. What a wild time in our nation’s history. And what bravery it took to declare independence from the preeminent military power of the day. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are Not Hopeless

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 14, 2019

When people lose hope they make bad decisions and live in darkness, despair and loneliness. Jesus has come to make nigh or close to Him.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Take A Wonderful Walk With Jesus

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 22, 2020

Jesus speaks with the disciples on the way to Emmaus, taking them from sadness and despair to hope through the Word of God. A beautiful story to preach on!

4.26.20 Luke 24:13-35 He said to them, “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

The Sower's Hope

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 13, 2020

Here's the question we must answer: are we called to sow the Kingdom Seeds in despair? Or do we sow them in hope?

July 12, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Isaiah 55:10-13 The Sower’s Hope Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Huge crowds came to see Jesus. People from all over came to see the famous rabbi ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Get Up & Keep On Moving PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon explores depression through biblical narratives, emphasizing God's guiding hand and the possibility of finding hope and strength in Christ amidst despair. Key

Welcome, beloved friends, to this shared time of reflection and inspiration. We gather here, not as strangers passing in the night, but as a family united under the banner of Christ's love. We gather in the name of Jesus, who, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has called us together to seek solace, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18, Psalm 34:17

Topics: Overcoming Depression

Then Came Sunday PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 29, 2024

This sermon explores the power and significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection, emphasizing its role as a testament to life, love, and hope overcoming death, hate, and despair.

Good morning, beloved family. It is a joy, a privilege, and an honor to stand before you today, not because of who I am, but because of who He is. We are gathered here, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of God's love and redemption. We are here to be touched, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-10

Topics: Easter

From The Pit To Praise: Embracing God's Faithfulness

Contributed by Evangelist Thompson Seley on Jul 28, 2023

Life often throws us into pits of despair, but God is always there to lift us up and set our feet upon a rock. Exploring the powerful message of hope and deliverance offered by Psalm 40. Let us dive into this psalm of praise and discover the promises it holds for each one of us.

Title: "From the Pit to Praise: Embracing God's Faithfulness" Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, today we gather in the presence of our loving God to be inspired and reminded of His unwavering faithfulness. Life often throws us into pits of despair, but God is always there to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:11, Isaiah 43:2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 40:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Freedom To Be Like Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 1, 2024

We are no longer, if we live as Christians, able to do wrong and hurt others and then plead “but I’m only human.”

Eighteenth Sunday in Course 2024 While looking over my old homilies in preparation for today, I noted that these same readings, as they will do, came up back in 2018. Keying on the lesson from Exodus about the Israelites constantly griping about the time since God, with a “mighty hand and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:24-35, Ephesians 4:17-24, Exodus 16:2-16

Denomination: Catholic

Hope In The Lord Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 28, 2021

When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, we have the gift of Jesus … the very embodiment of God’s “hesed” … God’s steadfast love … and we have the cross to remind us of the greatest Christmas gift of all, amen?

Advent is a time of tension. There is the joy and anticipation of the season and the stress and strain of trying to prepare for it, amen? But the season itself represents an historical and theological tension as well and I am going to use songs from the Jewish song book and songs from our own ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 7:18-19, Romans 7:24, John 1:5, John 1:14-15, Matthew 16:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

A Fight Plan For Finding Hope When Your Heart Is Heavy

Contributed by Lane Hastie on Nov 6, 2018

Psalm 42 & 43

Hoping to help his church save some money…Pastor Jones decided to paint the church exterior himself. The funds were low and all he had on hand was one bucket of paint. So…he collected as many empty buckets as he could find and gathered them close to the water spicket on the side of the church ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blue Christmas: A Reflection From The 137th Psalm

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 12, 2020

Sometimes it is hard for people to be merry in the Christmas season.

Blue Christmas: A Reflection from the 137th Psalm Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy. It is a time we reflect upon the heavenly army singing “Peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Even the world joins in with Christmas lights and parties and singing songs like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When The Strong Feel Weak: God’s Response To Discouraged Servants Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 15, 2025

1 Kings 19 reminds us that even spiritual giants can feel overwhelmed. Elijah’s moment of fear and frustration did not end his ministry—it became a turning point. God does not abandon His servants when they feel weak; instead, He feeds, speaks, reassures, and sends them again.

WHEN THE STRONG FEEL WEAK: GOD’S RESPONSE TO DISCOURAGED SERVANTS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 19:1-21 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 40:29-31; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Psalm 34:18; Hebrews 4:15-16; Matthew 11:28-30 INTRODUCTION: After the fiery confrontation at Mount Carmel and the dramatic ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Desperate Men Discover Divine Provision Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 17, 2025

This powerful passage teaches us that God often uses the least likely people and unexpected situations to fulfil His purpose and bring breakthrough.

WHEN DESPERATE MEN DISCOVER DIVINE PROVISION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 7:3-11 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:27; Psalm 34:8-10; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 55:8-9; Luke 15:17-20 INTRODUCTION: Samaria was under siege, and famine had ravaged the land so severely that people resorted to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God