Sermons on Total Despair:

The Sower's Hope

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 13, 2020

Here's the question we must answer: are we called to sow the Kingdom Seeds in despair? Or do we sow them in hope?

July 12, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Isaiah 55:10-13 The Sower’s Hope Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Huge crowds came to see Jesus. People from all over came to see the famous rabbi ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Lutheran

A Path Through The Deep Waters Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 9, 2025

This psalm is a lifeline for the doubting heart, showing that the way through the deep waters of despair is paved by remembering God's mighty acts of salvation.

Introduction: The Dark Night of the Soul There are times in our walk with God that are not filled with sunshine and easy praise. There are seasons of spiritual darkness, what some have called "the dark night of the soul." It's a time when God feels distant, our prayers feel like ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Get Up & Keep On Moving PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon explores depression through biblical narratives, emphasizing God's guiding hand and the possibility of finding hope and strength in Christ amidst despair. Key

Welcome, beloved friends, to this shared time of reflection and inspiration. We gather here, not as strangers passing in the night, but as a family united under the banner of Christ's love. We gather in the name of Jesus, who, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has called us together to seek solace, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18, Psalm 34:17

Topics: Overcoming Depression

Then Came Sunday PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 29, 2024

This sermon explores the power and significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection, emphasizing its role as a testament to life, love, and hope overcoming death, hate, and despair.

Good morning, beloved family. It is a joy, a privilege, and an honor to stand before you today, not because of who I am, but because of who He is. We are gathered here, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of God's love and redemption. We are here to be touched, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-10

Topics: Easter

White Christmas Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 25, 2009

Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist) declared certain prophecies about the coming Messiah and how He would fulfill the dream of a "white Christmas" for Israel. What were these prophecies, and how did Jesus fulfill them?

OPEN: (I began the sermon by leading the congregation in singing “White Christmas”) I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:57-79, Luke 1:57-79

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The End

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 14, 2019

We see three responses to Jesus' death: despair, deliberation from a distance, and conversion. Which group do you most identify with? The cross confronts us with a decision.

Luke 23:44-49 The End Have you ever felt like you’re at a dead end? Like you didn’t really know how to go forward? Maybe you were in a dead-end relationship. Or a dead-end job. Or a dead-end health prognosis. It can be a very hard place to be. Today we’re going to start at the end. But don’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-49, 1 Corinthians 15:19, John 5:13

Denomination: Baptist

Taming The Tongue Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2003

our words have the same power -- they can bring joy or cause despair. Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death...”

Taming the Tongue Several years ago, Beth and I went to someone’s house for a party. After we were done eating, a group of adults starting playing volleyball while the kids had a scavenger hunt. After their hunt, the kids divided into 3 different groups. Each group picked up a bed sheet and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:3-12

Denomination: Baptist

Coping With Depression

Contributed by Paul John on Nov 24, 2006

To help people understand a Christian perpective of depression and how we can help others

INTRODUCTION Following death of his wife, a well-known Southern Baptist preacher named Vance Havner published a diary of his experiences as he walked through the ’valley of the shadow of death’. He writes about 3 levels of experience in life and concluded that there are ’mountain top days’ when ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Light Of His Presence Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2025

This Christmas Eve meditation focuses on the fact that people in our world walk in darkness, but Jesus came to be the light of anyone who would take Him as their Savior.

THE SETTING: The sanctuary is in complete darkness, and in that darkness I stand at the pulpit with a candle and lighter in my hands) OPEN: Prophesying about the coming Messiah, Isaiah wrote (about 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem) “Those who walked in darkness have seen a great ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Dig Some Ditches

Contributed by James May on Nov 10, 2002

We must "dig some ditches" in our valley of despair if we want God to fill them with the water of blessings, just like Elisha told the Kings of Israel.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:9-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Psalm 1:1-6

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 14, 2000

Even our most magnificent achievements seldom bring total satisfaction - Where do we go to find gusto, to find real joy in life?

"You only go around once in life, so you’ve got to grab for all the gusto you can." Some of us remember that television commercial. But, what exactly is gusto? Well, according to my dictionary, it means "vigorous enjoyment, zest." Good stuff, but where do we find it? Well, according to that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Highest Form Of Faith

Contributed by David Shipman on Dec 8, 2001

Learning to "stand on the Word" can be a hard thing, but when our total confidence is in the Word of God nothing can stop us

Introduction: >Grew up in church since I was 4 >Always heard: Apple of His eye, Chosen people, Blessed and highly favored What does that really mean? 1 Pet 2:9 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Motivation For Commitment

Contributed by Chris Mason on Aug 22, 2001

Motivation is sometimes hard to come by, here are some partical steps in order to keep that motivation for total commitment in your life.

Motivation for Commitment Have you never noticed motivation can be a real problem? I know I need to lose some weight, I’ll start next Monday. I know the grass needs to be mowed, I’ll do it tomorrow. I know the house needs to be painted, I’ll do that this spring. I know the Sunday school ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:15-148, Romans 8:37-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Should Meeting Jesus Make A Difference In My Life?

Contributed by Greg Addison on Nov 27, 2006

The truth of redemption is that we were so changed totally and completely that we have all we need to live as an example of Jesus.

As we drove around Memphis during our Thanksgiving holiday, we realized that we were commenting when we drove by churches how many were struggling. That prompted us to begin a discussion about why isn’t the church stronger? It seems like so many folks are impacted by the world rather than ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Bleating Of Sheep & The Lowing Of Oxen

Contributed by Darren Felarise on Oct 18, 2008

Sometimes we’re not totally obedient to the Lord, & we try to hide our sin, but God has a way of bringing it to the surface.

1 Sam 15:1-3; 7-9; 13-14 15 Samuel also said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: ’I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God