Sermons on Overcoming Despair:

God’s Bucket List For You

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 12, 2022

God desires for us to fulfill during our lifetime what is available to us that are identified in scripture. I call them God’s “bucket list” for us.

Your Bucket List Turn with me to First Timothy 6. On Tuesday I will have a birthday. I mention that because the verse we’re going to read hit me in a different way – in a way that it has never hit me before. It reminded me that there are things that I probably need to go back and do a self check ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:7, Matthew 4:4, John 17:21-23, Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 4:6, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:35-37, 1 John 4:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Great Mission

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 5, 2008

Humans tend to one of two extremes when we look at the problems plaguing this world. One extreme declares, “We can solve these problems. We can clean up this mess if we all work hard enough.” The other extreme cries out in despair, “We will never solve

Introduction: “Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life. It is no accident that you are [here this morning]. God longs for you to discover the life he created you to live – here on earth, and forever in eternity.” Citation: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, © 2002, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Beyond The Veil

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jun 13, 2011

Isaiah is given a vision of God's glory. But what he sees in his vision fills him with terror and despair. Fearing for his life he cries out, "Woe is me! I am ruined!" Yet God is not done with him and Isaiah experiences first hand the mercy of God. H

Beyond the Veil - Isaiah 6 - June 12, 2011 If we were to stand in Jerusalem this morning one of the structures that would certainly draw our attention would be the Islamic mosque known as The Dome of the Rock. It stands in the old city, upon the Temple Mount, and with it’s golden dome ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: *other

Stand Still

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Dec 8, 2021

Have you ever been in a place of total despair? A place where you didn’t see any possible way out. The bank said you needed to file bankruptcy, the lawyer said take the plea deal, the doctor said you don’t have much time.

Stand Still By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: Have you ever been in a place of total despair? A place where you didn’t see any possible way out. The bank said you needed to file bankruptcy, the lawyer said take the plea deal, the doctor said you don’t have much time. You find yourself ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-2, Exodus 14:13-14, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Apostolic

Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 21, 2022

Beloved, to miss our purpose in life, is to miss everything because our purpose is what drives our vision and without the proper wisdom to use the knowledge we have learned, we will miss our assignment causing our life and ministry to end-up shipwrecked on the rocks of doom and despair.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Proverbs 4:5-6) (5) “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” (6) “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” (Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, Matthew 12:24, John 1:4, Proverbs 6:16-19, Ephesians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ready For Anything (Part 4: Going On The Offensive) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

This exposition from Ephesians 6:10-18 deals with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. The prayer called for in verse 18 is part of the teaching concerning spiritual warfare. While a good defense is necessary, Christians must go on the offensive and fulfill the Great Commission.

Intro We are dealing with spiritual warfare using Ephesians 6:10-18 as our text. Every Christian needs to know how to do spiritual warfare because every Christian is a soldier. Like it or not, you are in a fight with the devil. His intentions toward you are not good. He hates you because he hates ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Timothy 2:3, Proverbs 3:1-8, 2 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 10:1-38, Psalm 140:7, Hebrews 4:12, Luke 4:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 13:1-8, Romans 8:1-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Tale Of Two Trees Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 1, 2023

There were lots of trees in the Garden of Eden, but two specific trees figured centrally in that story. Is it possible that they both tell us something about what Jesus did for us? (Spoiler Alert - yes, they do).

Years ago, a magazine called Collier’s published a story about a little girl in an orphanage. The little girl was very unattractive and had VERY annoying, And as a result, she was shunned by the children and disliked by the staff. In fact, she was so annoying that the director of the orphanage ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-5, Genesis 3:22-24, Galatians 3:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Prayed Again (6 Prayers Of Paul)

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 25, 2020

We may find obstacles and hindrances to prayer. We must overcome our prayer struggles to find peace and joy. When all is said and done about prayer, is more said than done? Paul taught prayer

HE PRAYED AGAIN… (6 PRAYERS OF PAUL) By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com David had seasons of spiritual failures to the point of hopelessness and despair. But David refused to allow his failures to define his prayer life. David could have allowed his guilt and sin to hinder his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:9, James 5:17-18, Romans 15:30-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Two Promises

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on May 23, 2019

The last words that Jesus gives His disciples are a two-fold promise. You will have tribulations and He has overcome the world. As Christians, we know and experience these two promises. An illustration is weaved throughout to bring these points to life.

I love movies. I do, I really do. I always have and always will. I often fall asleep to them and literally seen some more times than I can count. I enjoy rewatching movies. Once I know the whole story, I love re-watching the movie to see how knowing the end changes how I see conversations, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:22-33, John 16:33

Denomination: Lutheran

"The Big Empty"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Apr 3, 2017

What we can learn from the Big Empty or tomb that the early followers discovered: the empty tomb speaks to us of an absence, but it also speaks of an presence, the empty tomb gives us hope, the ability to rise above, and it teaches us to overcome.

The Big Empty Mark 16:1-8 1. On the morn of resurrection Mary Madeleine encountered a Massive Void "The Tomb was empty". • Mark 16:88Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Elijah: Fighting Depression

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 29, 2016

In a contest on Mt. Carmel, he was God's instrument to prove to Israel that Jehovah was the Lord. But after that amazing victory Elijah sank into the depths of despair. He sat down under a juniper tree and asked God to take his life. Does that surprise you about a man of God? I hope not.

Tom Lowe 6/26/16 ELIJAH: FIGHTING DEPRESSION (Text: 1 Kings 18-19) Depression is the common cold of our emotions. Eventually it touches everyone—even God's people. I know this because I am a born-again Christian who has battled depression for many years. Just recently, I passed through a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Positive Thinking Series

Contributed by Brian Moon on Apr 3, 2003

Part 2 of this life-changing series that is looking into how to "Break Free" from the junk in the world. This message deals with overcoming the negative thoughts that we often struggle with.

“The Power of Positive Thinking” Breaking Free from Negative Thoughts Brian A. Moon Do you ever find yourself in this situation? You are watching TV or thumbing through a magazine or even just walking around at the mall and all of a sudden this rock hard guy comes on the scene or some girl that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17, Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Just Food. . .or Is It

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jan 29, 2008

This message explores the spiritual discipline of fasting from the perspective of overcoming the stronghold of food. Extensive inspiration for this message taken from Mike Bickle’s "The Rewards of Fasting."

Okay, repeat after me. “This Morning. . .I will be. . .truly honest with myself. I will not hide. I will not deny. I will not lie. I will listen for God’s voice. And apply it to my life.” So now this isn’t between you and me. This is between you and God. And just between you and God, I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Was Tempted!

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 20, 2008

For Jesus, as for us, overcoming temptation was not a one-off fight. The temptation experience that we read of today was, if I might extend the boxing analogy, more like one...

It’s the first Sunday in Lent and we’re back in the wilderness with Jesus.Every year we make this journey - 40 days and 40 nights it lasts! - and every year it continues to be a painful trek (as I think it‘s expected to be). And I’m conscious of the fact that a lot of ink (real and virtual) has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

When Dry Bones Live

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Jan 7, 2008

There are places we dislike, graveyards and dead churches. Each of these places have the same message. This sermon helps us to overcome this message that might be crying out in our congregations

WHEN DRY BONES LIVE TEXT: EZEKIEL 37:1-14 THEME: THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GIVES THE POWER TO LIVE Have you ever walked through a graveyard at night? It is a quiet place. It is a place of reflection and fear. It is a place that we avoid at night. We do because of all the dead bodies in the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ