Sermons on Total Despair:

"Don't Give Up Hope" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 14, 2011

It is never to late to turn back to God. This is a three part series on Jonah.

I love the story of Jonah. Maybe because so many times in my life I have also been like Jonah. Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something and you didn’t do it? If so you are not alone. I am going to give an outline today of the study for the next few days. But I believe the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Nothing New Under The Sun?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 3, 2014

Life apart from God is a death of fathomless despair. Life in Christ is an inextinguishable hope.

Nothing New Under the Sun? Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 The “Preacher” has just examined the course of “nature” and has come up with a pessimistic conclusion that everything is useless or meaningless. We as Christians who can see above the horizon of the sun to God who has made ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:8-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Blessed Hope

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

There are those who think it foolish to hope that this world will one day know peace and be ruled by justice.

The Blessed Hope Titus 2:11-13 Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:13 while we wait for the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doing More With Less

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 9, 2010

In times of scarcity or stress, two personalities respond: fear, the cup half empty; and faith, the cup half full.

A few moments ago we sang, "Drop Thy still dews of quietness, Till all our strivings cease; Take from our souls the strain and stress, And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of Thy peace." Those are beautiful words; they are lofty sentiments. But how? How can such things happen? In an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Part 10 - Why Am I So Depressed? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 19, 2010

Depression is common....where does it come from, what does it look like, and how do I get rid of it?

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Psalm 42:5a (NRSV) If I were going to give this message a subtitle it would come from what one of my friends wrote to me about my question: How does depression feel? She wrote: Depression feels pretty good when you are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:5

Denomination: United Methodist

Ups And Downs

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 25, 2013

Be aware that we go through various cycles in our Christian walk.

Ups and downs 2 Corinthians 4:8 - We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Be aware that we go through various cycles in our Christian walk. There are times when we are strong and on fire for God, but there are also times when we are weak. This is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8

Denomination: Charismatic

From Crying To Crying Out

Contributed by Thomas Giddens on Oct 23, 2014

Things change when we turn from crying about our circumstances to crying out to God about them.

Isaiah 30:18-26 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Permission To Feel Despondent Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 15, 2010

In Psalm 88, God gives us permission to be fully human, to face the realties of misery rather than deny them, and to pour our complaints, despondency, and miseries before Him in prayer.

Permission to Feel Despondent (Psalm 88) 1. This is the time of year when many experience a seasonal depression attributed to the fact that the amount of sunlight is declining. We certainly are all familiar with feelings of sadness, grief and loss. But at the deepest level, we can get to the point ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hope

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 21, 2010

Hope (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Psalm 13. Ill: Years ago an S-4 submarine was rammed by a ship off the coast of Massachusetts. • It sank immediately. • The entire crew was trapped in a prison house of death. • Every effort was made to rescue the crew; • But all ultimately ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

Out Of The Depths

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 25, 2018

The proper fear of the LORD is based upon acknowledging God's right to judge as well as His willingness to show mercy.

Out of the Depths (De Profundis) Psalm 130 Psalm 130 has a long liturgical history, first in Israel and then in the church where it is has been put to many musical texts. It is known as “De Profundis” which is part of the Latin text of the first verse. We get the word “profound” from this word, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Sermon For Losers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Aug 8, 2015

Are you feeling like a loser? Are you feeling in over your head? Maybe God has something to say to you in Psalm 130

Reading of the Word: Psalm 130 130 From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD. 2 Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help! 3 If you kept a record of our sins, who could escape being condemned? 4 But you forgive us, so that we should stand in awe of you. 5 I wait eagerly for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When You Are In The Cave

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 9, 2014

Lessons from God are often better taught in a dark cave.

Have you felt like you were in a cave driven there by despair, sin, your physical or spiritual enemies? It's dark and dank and you wonder if God sees your predicament and cares. You are afraid to even look out the entrance lest your enemies find you and torment you. David had a similar ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Emmaus Road

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Apr 6, 2024

traveling from despair to hope

THE EMMAUS ROAD Luke 24:13-35 Have you ever been to Emmaus? Lana and I have been there a few times. And I believe that most of you have been there to. If you haven’t been there yet, pack your bags there’s a road trip just ahead. Where is Emmaus? It’s the place where dreams go to die. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of Hope

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 12, 2022

Even though the English word “hope’ may have an element of uncertainty in it, the Greek word in the New Testament always speaks of a sure expectation of some good outcome or positive result. There is a certainty in the hope given in the biblical record.

Alba 7-10-2022 THE GOD OF HOPE Romans 15:7-13 In one of Charles Shulz's Peanut’s cartoons, Lucy and Linus are sitting in front of the television set when Lucy says to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water.” Linus looks surprised, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Go The Distance

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 14, 2004

This is about total commitment to Christ.

I am sure you have seen that wonderful bumper sticker that says something to the effect, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” It seems that is the way many people think about life. The chief goal in life for many people is comfort and luxury. Many of the “poor” in the United States have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Wesleyan