Sermons on Pastoral Discouragement:

Plugging The Leak In Your Joy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 20, 2006

Billy Sunday observed "If there’s no joy in your religion, you’ve got a leak in your faith." In a world that is often discouraging and frustrating, how can a Christian keep the Joy of the Lord as their strength?

OPEN: In 1937 architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for industrialist Hibbard Johnson. One rainy evening Johnson was entertaining distinguished guests for dinner when the roof began to leak. The water seeped through directly above Johnson himself, dripping steadily onto his bald head. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Is Time

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 16, 2009

Today we see the ’Body of Christ’ showing disinterest in every matter that is important to God, being discouraged with everything that is going on around them and being dissatisfied with life as a whole. It is now time for certain things to happen in the

Opening illustration: Pressures, demands, expectations and tasks push in from all sides and assault our schedules. Do this! Be there! Finish that! Call them! It seems as though everyone wants something from us ~ family, friends, employer, school, church, clubs etc. Soon there is little left to ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#3 The Wet Blanket Of Depression

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 5, 2015

It might be easier to turn off the light and enjoy darkness than to really change. Depression, discouragement and trials could sharpen our skills and make us better servants. We need the light to expose the dirt?

#3 THE WET BLANKET OF DISCOURAGEMENT... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com THIS IS THE 3RD PART... I. IS IT POSSIBLE TO DENY THE REALITY OF YOUR SITUATION? I AM NOT HAPPY HERE? John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Simplicity Of The Gospel

Contributed by David Scudder on Apr 25, 2011

If we are not careful, we can be so tangled up in a long string of religious ideas and rules that we wind up confused and discouraged. Many things about Christianity and the Bible are very complicated, the Gospel is not complicated.

Purpose: To explain the meaning of the Gospel. Aim: I want the listener to commit (or re-commit) his life to spreading the Gospel and rejoicing in the resurrected Christ. INTRODUCTION: Life can get very complicated. An illustration of this is a traffic sign at an intersection of two superhighways ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 25, 2016

Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers

Why It Rained When Elijah Prayed I Kings 18:1-8, 41-46 Many times we become discouraged if things don’t go exactly our way. We become angry and bitter and often we blame God. Accusing Him of not answering our prayers. But God is not at fault – we are. We are the one’s who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Baptist

When God Shuts One Door He Opens Another

Contributed by John Gaston on May 11, 2024

God guides the steps of His people, but He needs our participation. We must recognize the doors when God opens them, and not become discouraged when some close. He works for our good!

WHEN GOD SHUTS ONE DOOR HE OPENS ANOTHER Acts 16:6-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Celebrating Mothers 1. We all know what today is! It’s the Special day to Celebrate all our Mothers! That’s why Mother’s Day is the 3rd most celebrated holiday, just after Christmas and Easter. 2. If we’re not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Challenge: The Crushing Brings Out The Sweet Fragrance.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 25, 2025

Two men were walking 7 miles, they were so hurt and discouraged. Their dreams were crushed... God's plan is to lift up your head and stay focused not on the past... but to dream forward.

THE CHALLENGE: THE CRUSHING BRINGS OUT THE SWEETEST FRAGRANCE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) TODAY WILL BE A MEMORY TOMORROW. WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING? HOW DO YOU WAKE UP? Someone tied their shoes this morning. The undertaker will untie them. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 123:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Luke 21:26-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Strength To Keep Going

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 30, 2019

Isaiah saw the coming of the great Babylonian armies and knew that they would destroy Jerusalem, take his people captive, and leave the nation in ruin. But in the midst of all this confusion and discouragement, Isaiah received a message from God.

STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING Scripture: Isaiah 40: 27-31 KJV v. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passes over from my God? v. 28 Hast thou not know? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Moved By Afflictions Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 26, 2021

In this particular passage of 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul wants to encourage the Thessalonians in their faith in the midst of trials and doesn’t want them discouraged because he and his companions, including Timothy, suffer trials and hardships.

MOVED BY AFFLICTIONS 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-13 #1Thessalonians3 READ 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-13 Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Setback Can Be A Setup For Something Greater Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 11, 2025

Setbacks are often seen as moments of defeat, delay, or discouragement. Yet, for a believer, a setback is never the end of the story—it is a divine pause that God uses to orchestrate something far greater than we ever imagined.

SETBACK CAN BE A SETUP FOR SOMETHING GREATER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 50:20 Supporting Texts: Romans 8:28, Job 42:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Psalm 30:5, John 11:4 INTRODUCTION: Setbacks are often seen as moments of defeat, delay, or discouragement. Yet, for a believer, a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What’s A Preacher To Do? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 5, 2010

Christians have all kinds of opinions about what preachers should do in their congregations. But what does God want those who enter the pulpit ministry to focus on? What is the "main thing" that these men should devote themselves to?

There’s an old saying: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” We’ll come back to that in a moment. Back in the 1990’s the Indianapolis Pacers Basketball Team had been struggling for more than a decade to be a contender in the NBA. With the exception of a couple of years, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Use Your Sling

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 7, 2021

If you are not teaching against false doctrine and naming names you are not using your sling to protect your flock from the wolves.

Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Out of all the chaos of 2020 with COVID and the election something good, though bad, came out of it. The good thing is that many false ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17, Revelation 2:14-15, Revelation 2:20, Matthew 7:21-23, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry, The Right Way: Free From All For The Sake Of All Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Christians should be obsessed with evangelism. It should be a constant thought throughout our day. The interest in winning others should consume you.

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision that opened the floodgates for abortion in America. It was on January 22, 1973 that the US Supreme Court handed down its decision that women had the constitutional right to an abortion. Nearly four decades later, the argument ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And Women Disciples Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Sep 12, 2024

A common misconception is that Jesus never chose women as disciples.

A common misconception is that Jesus never chose women as disciples. However, this assumption is far from the truth. While the Twelve Apostles were men, Jesus' ministry was inclusive, and women played a vital role. Let's explore biblical examples that demonstrate Jesus' heart for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42, Luke 10:38-42

What It Means To Have An Advocate With The Father

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Dec 22, 2000

I want to thank Pastor Curtis Linton for this outline. It really spoke to my heart. Thank God that we have Someone to plead our case to the Father

1 JOHN 2:1-2 "WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER" * It’s judgment time. * The angel has put one foot on land and one foot on the sea. * He blows the trumpet of God and time as we know it will be no more! * There may be different views about the millennium, but we will all agree that ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist