When Discouragement Comes, Remember!

When Discouragement Comes, Remember!

04/05/09 AM

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Introduction:

It’s no secret to anyone here this morning that life can be hard! I know that everyone one of us has faced difficult times and felt the discouragement which at times can be so overwhelming. There are times that I have suffered the sleepless nights and anguished thoughts that so often come with discouragement. I know you all know what I’m talking about; we’ve all been there at times. Discouragement is no respecter of persons, rich or poor, young or old, wise or foolish; your station in life means nothing to discouragement. Discouragement comes to everyone, even Paul v. 8 “…that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;” But there are some very important things for us to remember when discouragement comes that will give us strength, comfort, and hope. In these few verses of 2 Corinthians 1, Paul gives us simple reminders of how we can in times of discouragement find encouragement from God!

I. Remember who God IS.

A. Remember that He is God. v. 3

1. No matter what destruction, terrible event, or tragedy, He is God!

2. Romans 8:28—“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

B. Remember that He is Our Father and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. It is because of Jesus that we can call God our Father.

Romans 8:17 “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

2. It is because He is our Father that we have eternal life.

C. Remember that He is the Father of Mercies

1. Just as Satan is the father of murder and of lies, God is the Father of Mercies

2. In His Grace he gives us what we do not deserve and in His mercy He does not give us what we do deserve.

Romans 5:6 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

D. Remember that He is the God of all Comfort

1. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

II Remember what God DOES:

A. Remember what God does for you.

1. Remember that He comforts us IN our problems v. 4

a. He may not take us out of tribulation, but help us through it.

b. One reason why is so we may be able to comfort others who are in trouble.

2. Remember that He strengthens us THROUGH our problems

a. 2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

b. James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

3. Remember that He disciplines us WITH our problems.

a. Read Hebrews 12:1-11

b. Difficulties may arise from within us, from others, from natural circumstances, from Satan, or even from God. When difficulties come, we need to remember what God does for us.

B. Remember What God Does Through you.

1. v. 4-6 Remember that He helps us comfort others

a. Throughout the scriptures we are told of what our relationship to one another needs to be: Serve one another, admonish, encourage, and exhort one another, comfort one another and over and over again we are told to love one another.

b. Through us the body of Christ is made maintained and made healthy.

C. v. 11 Remember that He helps us save others.

1. God has chosen us to be His light in this world, His salt to this unsavory world.

a. We provide the example for the lost to follow.

b. Our lives may be the only “sermon” someone lost may “hear.”

Conclusion:

“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future.

It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow.

It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old.

It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.” - William Ward.

When discouragements come remember who our God is and remember what our God does, for us and through us, and be encouraged.