Sermons on Overcoming Despair:

"Mercy And Compassion–above And Beyond Series

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on May 18, 2003

Three exhibitors of compassion making the point that when we turn to the Lord for refuge we experience his outrageous mercy and compassion.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Unless otherwise noted all scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation of the Bible. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When we started out in Ruth a couple of weeks ago I gave you a homework assignment to read ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-22

Denomination: *other

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

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

Love Trumps Rules Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 8, 2010

We are sorely tempted to institute rules that limit our ability to love. In God's kingdom love always trumps rules.

Luke 13:10-17 “Love Trumps Rules” INTRODUCTION It is amazing to me that a brief story of a diminutive, hunchbacked woman who came into contact with Jesus in a small synagogue in an isolated village in Galilee over two thousand years ago can have such a tremendous impact on our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Lutheran

"Man Overboard" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 17, 2011

No matter how far we run form God He loves us enough to bring us home. This is also a story that when one man sins that God can still save others through our disobedience.

We left off in the last devotional on “Hope” where Jonah was on his way to Tarshish in the opposite direction of Nineveh. A tremendous storm came up and the sailors cast lots to see who was responsible for this problem. The lot fell on Jonah. Apparently Jonah had already told the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:13-16

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

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

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

A Sure Promise Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 19, 2022

We are saved by faith, believing God’s promises. Now let’s live by them. You need to recognize your future is as bright as the promises of God. You held on to the key of promise. Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you. God kept his promise concerning Israel possessing the land.

An elderly believer was facing death. While he lay dying he told his pastor, “For years I have relied on the promises of God, but now in my hour of death I can’t remember a single one to comfort me.” His pastor replied, “Do you think God will forget?” He smiled, “No, no he won’t forget. I can ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 21:43-45

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

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

A Song Of Strength: We Shall Overcome Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jul 13, 2025

"No matter the trials we face, our spirit rises. This is for every heart still holding on—believing in a better tomorrow. We shall overcome… together."

SERMON TITLE: A Song of Strength: We Shall Overcome MAIN TEXT: John 1:5 (NIV) "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." INTRODUCTION Beloved, there are songs that stir emotion, and there are songs that resurrect hope. "We Shall Overcome" is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:5, Romans 8:28, Psalm 126:5, Hebrews 11:1, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

"overcoming The Season Of Droughts"

Contributed by Rev. Mark Orwa on May 7, 2020

Denomination : Presbyterian

DATE: 07/05/2020 TITLE "overcoming the season of droughts" TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-18 Denomination: Presbyterian. Intro. The Covid-19 challenged every aspect of human life. It has brought the season of drought that reminds humanity that Life is full of ups and downs irrespective of any ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Mere Men-8--Sec. 2, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 14, 2014

8 of 10. Paul reveals the traits of unspiritual men. Unspiritual men are unable to exist in harmony. But Why? Because...No mere men can Overcome...

NO MERE MEN—1Corinthians 3:1-23(3:1-9; 9-17; 18-23) —SECTION 2(3:9-17)Their Building—part 3 Attention: Blessed Shot? A nun walks into Mother Superior's office & plops down into a chair. She lets out a sigh heavy with frustration. 'What troubles you, Sister?' asked the Mother ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Giant Killers Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 8, 2020

Overcoming whatever you may be facing in your life.

I love that video. That may or may not have something to do with the fact that that’s my daughter Spence. So hey, good morning and welcome to this place that we call DCC. It is so good to have you with us today that’s always true but especially true if you are brand new. So if that’s you, you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-51