Sermons on Despair:

Stone One: Action Series

Contributed by Richard Clouse on Dec 19, 2002

David chose five stones before he faced Goliath. These five sermons will illustrates the five "stones" we can use to defeat giants in our lives.

(Five Stones that Kill any Giants!) 1 Samuel 17:1-58 Here are some truths we have learned so far. God is in the miracle business. God wants us to get out of our comfort zones and step out in faith. When we do, mountains will arise to bring discouragement and despair. We know how to move ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Denomination: Baptist

Running On Empty

Contributed by Paul Dawson on Oct 12, 2014

II Kings 4:1-7 - The story of the Widow of the Prophet with the endless bottle of oil

Introduction A. It is thought by some that Obadiah of I Kings 18 could have been the husband of this widow. B. At any rate we know she is the widow of a prophet and prior to his death she had no worries. C. All was well until death came knocking on her door and then her whole life was turned ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Choosing Optimism In The Face Of Adversity

Contributed by Delishia Davis on May 2, 2025

It is important to remain optimistic because your hope is in Jesus.

Choosing Optimism in the Face of Adversity "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived a life that exemplified unwavering ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Standing Strong Amidst Trials SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

This sermon provides encouragement for those currently experiencing suffering, as well as those who may face it in the future. It emphasizes the strength and joy that can be found even in times of hardship.

Today, I want to encourage all of you who are going through difficult times. Despite the challenges we face, we can still find joy and stand strong. No matter what we've been through, we can declare, "I'm still standing!" In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses three main points: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Topics: Suffering, Joy

The Cave, The Call, The Commission

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jul 18, 2025

Even mighty prophets face dark valleys. Today, we discover how God meets us in our caves, whispers through our storms, and transforms our deepest struggles into divine purpose.

The Cave, The Call, The Commission Introduction In the pages of Scripture, few narratives capture the raw humanity of faith more vividly than the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Here we encounter one of God's most powerful prophets not in a moment of triumph, but in the depths of despair. Just ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 32:24-30, Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 16:4-35, Exodus 33:11, Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 1 Samuel 1:12-16, 1 Kings 17:8-16, 1 Kings 19:1-21, 1 Kings 19:3-4, 1 Kings 19:5-7, 1 Kings 19:9, 1 Kings 19:11-12, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:18, 1 Kings 19:19, Psalm 13:1, Psalm 23:1-4, Psalm 42:3, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 142:1, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 12:1, Matthew 4:1, Matthew 11:28-29, Matthew 12:20, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 14:17-21, Matthew 27:60, Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 5:16, John 5:6, John 14:12, John 20:19, Acts 20:28, Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 2:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Depression, Its Cause, Cure, And Prevention

Contributed by John Skaggs on Oct 18, 2000

(Psalms 42 NASB) "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

(Psalms 42 NASB) "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God. {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? (The first thing we notice is that this person is a believer, a Christian.) {3} My tears have been my food day and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1

Mental Health In The Psalms: 88 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 6, 2023

We must cry out and wrestle with God through the sadness and the blame.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 88 PSALM 88:1-18 #mentalhealth INTRODUCTION 1 … POOR BISHOP HOOPER PSALM 88 (EVERY PSALM) youtube.com/watch?v=5n4vKXZ1b_M [5:29] INTRODUCTION… People Talk about Psalm 88, bleacherreport.com/articles/913239-the-50-worst-teams The Psalm that we will be looking at today ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Best Of Times In The Worst Of Times

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 16, 2001

In a bad-news, good-news world, we need to remember that God’s good news 1. Is greater than the world’s bad news. 2. Transforms the world’s bad news. 3. Will do away with the world’s bad news.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Gives Two "Cans" To Those Who Think "I Can't"

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 21, 2003

how Jesus enabled his disciples to carry on after his ascension

June 1, 2001 Acts 1:1-14 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Light Has Come Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 8, 2019

Jesus lights the way for those living in darkness.

Light Has Come Isaiah 9:1-2 Rev. Brian Bill December 7-8, 2019 Great job, Edge Kids! Indeed, the light has come! Special thanks to Sheila Kuriscak, Patty Steele, Cheryl Williams and Wendy Czekalski. And to the leaders of our Beginner Choir – Angela, James and Karol Sheese and Carol and Krista ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-2, Isaiah 64:1, Matthew 4:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

From Morticians To Missionaries

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 5, 2015

When the women went to Jesus’s tomb, they went out to perform the duties of UNDERtakers, only to find that God had OVERtaken events. This sermon has both a salvation and a rededication application as well as application for believers going through trials.

From Morticians to Missionaries Chuck Sligh April 5, 2015 (A PowerPoint presentation for this sermon is available by emailing me at chuchsligh@hotmail.com.) Adapted from a sermon SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24:1-12 – “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Looking For Hope In A New Year Series

Contributed by Chuck Moore on Jan 6, 2024

The New Year is often faced with anxiety and fear. Inflation, world conflicts, political unrest....the list goes on and on. So, where do we turn for real hope?

It’s normally not the Biblical story one associates with Christmas or the arrival of a New Year. But it is relevant. I’m thinking of the story that is normally associated with Easter in Luke 24. Jesus on the road to Emmaus. If you don’t remember the story, here are the highlights. Jesus has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

What Are You Doing Here, Elijah?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 14, 2025

For 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, year c

What are You Doing Here, Elijah? 1 Kings 19:1–18 NKJV And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18, 1 Kings 19:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advent Week 4 - 2012 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 2, 2013

How does Christmas fit in with the tragedy of Newtown, Ct. Many are asking, "Where was God when all of this was going down? If God really came as Jesus why didn't He save these innocent people?" This is my feeble attempt at answering these questions ...

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent The whole reason for the Advent was to initiate the new covenant and to save the lost. Mary’s Song - Luke 1:46-55 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Nazarene

Switched - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 10, 2010

We usually like for things to stay the same. However, sometimes an exchange takes place for our good. Some things need to be “Switched!”

“Switched” Text: Genesis 25:21-26; 32:24, 27-28; 35:14-18 Gen. 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal