Sermons on Pastoral Discouragement:

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Goes To Church!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 27, 2004

I believe the devil spends more time in church than many Christians. It makes sense for him to do so. If he can hang around Christians & create confusion, doubt, division, or discouragement....

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2022) NOTE: I borrowed the title and gleaned much of the content of this sermon from an excellent book, “The Devil Goes To Church” (Covenant Publishers, Webb City, MO), by David L. Butts, founder and President of Harvest Prayer ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 6:12, John 17:20-21, James 1:22, Genesis 3:4-5, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Kings 19:4, Matthew 26:39, 1 Peter 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You A Thermometer Or A Thermostat Christian? Series

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Jul 10, 2008

“Many aspire, but few attain.” – Rev. Dr. Paul Fritz

Are You a Thermometer or a Thermostat Christian? Introduction: Are you a thermometer (circumstantially led) or are you a thermostat (influencer of your surroundings) believer? Let me explain. A thermometer is circumstantially led. Depending on the temperature, the mercury moves up or down. It ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Problem Of Focus

Contributed by George Bannister on May 20, 2008

This message deals with the tendency for believers to develop the wrong focus in life.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4 ETS: Paul encourages the Hebrew believers to keep focused on Christ. ESS: It is of vital importance that believers keep the proper focus in life. OSS: Christians will repent of having an improper focus in their lives; and commit to refocusing on Christ. PQ: What do the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Mountain Of Despair Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Nov 23, 2011

Sometimes our own expectations get in the way of us enjoying God’s pleasure in us.

Last week in our Mountain Moment series, we considered the "Mountain of Choice" as we looked at Elijah’s showdown on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. One man stood against the darkness of a nation. One man represented God when no one else would. When you look at Elijah’s encounter with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Surprise Behind The Door Series

Contributed by Stu Hodges on Jun 11, 2013

God specializes in surprises on the other side of a closed door.

Have you ever been surprised by what’s behind the door? I told you last week that my older brother used to wait behind closed doors just to scare the heeby jeebies out of me. That was always a surprise. In fact, last week I did this thing where all throughout my sermon I opened and closed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Instant Blockbusters Are No Good!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 25, 2012

Just ignore the flakier, crazier sections of people who look for instant blockbusters! Instant coffee may taste good but not success! Are you listening?

Instant blockbusters are no good! Exodus 7:1 “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Just ignore the flakier, crazier sections of people who look for instant blockbusters! Instant coffee may taste good but not ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Savior Helps Us Stop Stumbling

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 14, 2012

1. God steers us away from discouragement (vs. 1). 2. God steers us away from deceivers (vs. 2). 3. God steers us away from misguided dependence (vs. 3-9).

The Savior Helps Us Stop Stumbling Philippians 3:1-9 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 9, 2012 *Have you ever stumbled? -- Of course we all have. The last time I stumbled badly was two summers ago. I went out after dark to turn off the sprinkler. And foolishly, I didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Sad Fate Of Oprah

Contributed by William D. Brown on Jun 6, 2012

Orpah, who was a Moabite woman, a woman that knew not the True and Living God, such was Ruth also, but Orpah was willing to go with Naomi her mother-in-law back to the land of Bethlehem Judah and once there possible could have become a believer in the Tru

Ruth 1: 1-18 THE SAD FATE OF OPRAH 6-9-12 Ruth 1: 1-18 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Complainers Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jul 9, 2012

Sermon #1 in the series of Untold Stories of the Old Testament. Text is Numbers 11-12 and deals with complaining by the Israelites in the wilderness and how Moses handled it.

Series: Untold Stories of the Old Testament #1 Date: CHCC: May 20, 2012 Title: Complainers Text: Numbers 11-12 INTRODUCTION: 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Today we’re going to get some ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Disillusionment: With God And Everyone Else!

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Sep 26, 2015

People often set their selves up for failure and disillusionment. We might even pray to die! But God and Jesus went through the same. We must focus on Him and the faithful few who have a heart for God.

Disillusionment: With God and Everyone Else! By Capt. Kelly Durant 9-27-15 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Faith’s Journey

Contributed by Martin Holland on Mar 21, 2013

Leaving Egypt was just the beginning of journey for Israel. Every step taken would be determined by their faith. So it is for every Christian from the moment they experienced salvation then begins the journey of faith.

Faith’s Journey Deut. 1:1-2, 21-46 Leaving Egypt was just the beginning of the journey for the nation of Israel. Every step taken would be determined by their faith. So it is for every Christian from the moment they experience salvation. Then begins the journey of faith and this passage is a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:21-46

Denomination: Baptist

A Restoring Whisper

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 15, 2011

This message reveals the sources of discouragement and the ways God restores us in times of discouragement.

We are in a life and death battle against the enemy of the Lord. If you are not on his side he is out to take you down. He can do that a number of ways – through lies and deceit (cults and other religions), through self-centered pleasures (worldliness), through unforgiveness and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Never Subtract The Supernatural From Your Life’s Equation

Contributed by C. Scott Ghan on Feb 10, 2014

An encouragement for those on the brink of giving up hope.

TITLE: Never Subtract The Supernatural From Your Life’s Equation! 02-10-2014 TEXT: Psalm 121 I survey my life. Nothing but problems –the cares of this world; --sickness in my family; --financial difficulties;--family problems of every stripe; --failure in almost every endeavor; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lift Off Series

Contributed by Jorge Acevedo on Feb 23, 2010

One great thing about family is the way we encourage each other and lift up each other's spirit; this message is about how to do just that.

“Lift Off” Several weeks ago an American Idol contestant said something like this before facing the judges, “I’m doing this for my best friend who died 4 years ago.” They showed pictures of her and her friend laughing and doing things together. Then, crying she said, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Denomination: Baptist