Sermons on Pastoral Discouragement:

Cleaning Out The Sludge

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How then do we overcome discouragment, disappointment, and resentment?

Gladys Thornapple is fixing lunch when in walks her son, Wilberforce, all decked out in his baseball outfit. Mom asks, "How did Little League go?" Wilberforce growls, "Terrible, I struck out three times." Trying to console her son, Mom says, "That’s all part of the game, honey." Wilberforce ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-46

Denomination: Church Of God

To Whom Shall We Go Series

Contributed by Dewayne Bolton on Jun 25, 2012

In the midst of the journey of life there comes times we are distressed and don't know how to handle the difficult situations of life. But thanks be to God there is one we can go too and know He knows the way through life's difficult times.

John 6:66-71 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO Jesus began his ministry in Judea. His success there seemed to be all that could be desired. However it soon became apparent that the crowds that followed Him misunderstood or willfully ignored His purpose. It seemed they followed Him chiefly for material things. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-71

Denomination: Holiness

When Things Look Down, Just Look Up

Contributed by Michael Bowen on Nov 28, 2001

Two promises God gives to discouraged Christians

When Things Look Down, Just Look Up - Psalm 23:4 Introduction: A husband went to see the doctor for a local checkup. After the checkup the doctor asked the man’s wife to come into his office that he might tell her about her husband’s condition. When she got in the office she asked the doctor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

Always With You Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Oct 30, 2018

Living in God’s Presence means realizing that God is with you anywhere and everywhere you are 24/7 … and that He is more concerned about every part of your life than you could possibly imagine.

Today we’re going to learn about the God who is always here … who is always there [point out into the congregation] … and there [point to a different part of the congregation] … who is always everywhere. Just as God is infinite with respect to time, so He is infinite in terms of space. He is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12, Isaiah 43:1-3, John 14:25-28

Denomination: United Methodist

Every Christian Is A Minister

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 12, 2006

This sermon from Ephesians Chapter Four challenges our laity to be in partnership in ministry with pastors as pastors train them for that ministry.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A MINISTER--EPHESIANS 4:11-13 Since the time I was in the fourth grade, I always wanted to be a teacher. Prior to wanting to teach music, I inspired to be a classroom teacher. I always enjoyed school. Each year I would enter a new grade that became the grade I wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Methodist

Renew Your Passion For Ministry! - 1 Peter 5:2b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 13, 2025

The New Testament has three titles for pastors--each one pointing to a crucial part of his job description.

1 Peter 5:1-10 Therefore to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God's flock that is under your care, overseeing--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2

Do Not Lose Heart! (Part 3)

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Nov 12, 2009

This sermon offers resources for coping with discouragement and help in overcoming despair.

Ask the congregation to write a one sentence description of their life purpose. Instruct them to leave out any reference to their family or their job. Ask for volunteers to share their sentence. Review: The past two Sundays we have been involved in a series entitled "Do Not Lose Heart.¨ The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Encouraging The Discouraged: David’s Faith In Action - 1 Samuel 17:22-37 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 20, 2025

You have massive power to build the faith of others by the way you talk about God.

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. 1 Samuel 17:22-37 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. 23 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:22-37

The Struggle Of Effective Ministers (Col. 2:1–7) Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Jan 19, 2015

Exposition of Col. 2:1–7

The Struggle of Effective Ministers “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shame On The Shepherd

Contributed by Harold Nichols on Apr 4, 2001

Pastor’s who do not lead the flock of God should hang their head in shame.

SHAME ON THE SHEPHERDS TEXT: JEREMIAH 50:1-6 MY PEOPLE HATH BEEN LOST SHEEP: THEIR SHEPHERDS HAVE CAUSED THEM TO GO ASTRAY, THEY HAVE TURNED THEM TO GO ASTRAY ON THE MOUNTAINS; THEY HAVE GONE FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE HILL, THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN THEIR RESTINGPLACE. INTRODUCTION: HAVE YOU EVER ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 50:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Vision Tests Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Nov. 2006 Pastor’s Letter - Determining calling by examining Passions, Gifts and Experiences.

Vision Tests Focusing on a Personal Vision There was only one letter on the first eye-chart I ever saw. It was the letter “E.” I could see it just fine. It was big and bold. I actually knew other letters at the time, but not all of my classmates in Kindergarten did. So there was just the one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Leader And Many Followers Series

Contributed by Dale Krueger on Feb 9, 2009

All pastors are temporary. There is only one permanent pastor, the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:14-20 E3B 1/25/09 Hope Lutheran, Plainwell Pr. Dale B. Krueger One Leader and Many Followers 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Feast Of Trumpets

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 19, 2009

A message from Pastor Pat and Pastor Dana that focuses on the prophetic significance of the Feast of Trumpets

Pat: Those of you who have been with us this entire year will remember that we’ve been taking some time out of our continuing sermon series at the appropriate times of the year to examine the Jewish Feasts and how they are fulfilled by Jesus. We began in the spring and saw how Jesus fulfilled the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Dying On The Job With No Help

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 13, 2016

Naaman has great qualities but his qualities are not suffice as it relates to his real problem.

Dying On the Job With No Help!! There are more than 1500 Pastors that willingly leave the ministry for good each month, not because they’ve exhausted their resources, not because they’ve got fired off the job, not because they can’t get the job done, simply because they can’t get help or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God