WHEN SOMEONE IS DISCOURAGED
1. In the 1980’s there was a famous heavy weight boxer (James Tillis).
2.
In the 80’s Tillis was boxing in
3.
This man described his first day in
4. He got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under his arms.
5. He stopped in front of the SEARS tower and put his suitcases on the ground.
6.
He looked up at the tower and said, “I am going to
conquer
7. When he looked down his suitcases were gone.
THIS
WAS A DISCOURAGING WAY TO BEGIN A CAREER IN A
A. This event is a good reminder of a simple fact from everyday life.
B. We are surrounded by people who face problems and are often discouraged.
C. The reasons for dampened spirits vary, but many struggle with discouragement.
D. Does the Bible have anything to say about discouragement?
E. Who gets discouraged? How should it be handled?
F. How can we help people who are discouraged?
G. As Christians we often find people who are discouraged.
2. Some are discouraged by health issues.
3. Others are troubled by the behavior of family members or friends.
4. Discouragement exists because of difficulties on the job.
5. Does God want us to do anything when we find people who are discouraged?
6. Let’s first consider the fact that discouragement is found in the Bible.
7. In fact, this is one of the first problems that we find in the Old Testament.
8. Gen. 4 says that both Cain and Able brought their offerings to God.
9. God was not pleased with Cain’s offering and Cain got angry.
10. The Bible goes on to add another little detail in Gen. 4:5 – READ .
11. The face of Cain “fell” (dropped).
A. Some who are discouraged are discouraged and sad.
B. Others like Cain may find that discouragement is coupled with anger.
C. God asked this man why he was angry and why is countenance had fallen (verse 6).
12. A second example of discouragement in Genesis is found in the 21st chapter.
13. Sarah told her husband Abraham that Hagar had to go.
14. Sarah insisted that this woman and Abraham’s son be kicked out of their house.
15. Sarah laid down the law.
16. This was undoubtedly discouraging for Abraham (verse 11).
17. Here is what is said in verses 14-16 – READ .
18. This woman was so despondent she “cast” her son under a bush.
A. I looked at the verb translated “cast.”
B. This literally means that she threw her son under a shrub.
C. Here was a woman who was truly discouraged.
D. The first chapters in the Bible tell us about and show examples of discouragement.
19. Perhaps we think that only unrighteous people or the spiritually immature get discouraged.
20. After all, the first two Bible examples are hardly people like the apostle Paul.
21. Does the Bible tell us anything about discouragement among the spiritual giants?
22. Let’s look at the next book—Exodus.
23. In
Ex.
24. He would go see Pharaoh and demand that the Hebrews be released.
25. The response that Moses gave has been used in different ways.
A. Some have said that he demonstrated a lack of faith.
B. Others have said that Moses was afraid.
C. There is truth in both of these explanations.
D. The response given by this great man is broad enough to include discouragement.
26. Ex. 4:1 – READ .
27. Moses
was not very anxious to go see the leader of
28. Instead of being encouraged about his assignment, he was discouraged.
29. He basically said that God’s plan would not work.
30. If we want an even better description of discouragement it is in Num. 11.
31. Num.
32. “God, if this is your will for my life just kill me right now.”
33. Moses was really discouraged.
34. The Old Testament shows us that people from all walks of life can suffer discouragement.
35. The non-religious person who wallows in sin can face it.
36. A homemaker like Hagar can fall victim to it.
37. Prominent religious leaders can be affected by it.
38. Moses was by no means the only religious leader who became despondent.
39. We see this same problem in the lives of Elijah, Jonah, Job, and Jeremiah.
40. What we see in the Bible is still found in our modern world.
41. SINCE THIS IS A BIBLE SUBJECT, WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT? THE REST OF MY MATERIAL IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS—APPLICATOIN FOR CHRISTIANS AND APPLICATION FOR NON-CHRISTIANS.
A. For our scripture reading we heard the first five verses of 2 Cor. 1.
B. Paul said that God wants to “comfort” His people.
C. There are times when God’s people become discouraged.
D. When these times arise, God says that He wants to “comfort” the saved.
E. The word that Paul used (if the noun and verb form of it are counted), appears 10 times in this chapter.
F. God knows that people get discouraged and He is in the comforting business.
G. Someone has said that only two types of people do not need comforting:
H. Those who are unborn and those who are dead.
42. When a Christian becomes discouraged a good place to turn to is 2 Cor. 1.
43. This chapter tells us in the clearest possible terms that God wants to make us feel better.
44. This is what God wants to do, but does He really do it?
45. Does God actually comfort His people, and if so, how?
46. Let’s skip over a few chapters to 2 Cor. 7:6.
47. One of the people that Paul spoke well of was Titus.
48. This passage tells us a little something about this man who was one of Paul’s Colossians-workers.
49. 2 Cor. 7:6 – READ .
50. There are two points to extract from this verse.
51. Paul said that God does comfort people.
52. Paul added that he had a clear cut example of this comforting. He had seen the process work.
53. How did this “comforting” work?
54. How was God able to help those who were discouraged?
55. God insured that Titus was sent to people (Christians) who needed help.
A. Was this a miracle? No.
B. Was this a means of help and strength to those who were discouraged? Yes.
C. God comforted His people but He did not reply upon a miraculous act.
56. This is one way that God can comfort His people; are there any others?
57. At times we cite Col. 3:16 to discuss the kind of music wants.
58. This passage is appropriate for that but it has some other uses.
59. Paul said, quote – READ -- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you, in all wisdom,”
A. Let’s compare this passage to an imagined event in the world.
B. Let’s suppose that we work at a certain company in Elkhart county.
C. Tomorrow morning there is a plant wide meeting.
D. At this meeting we are told that there are going to be some major changes.
E. Each employee will be getting free health insurance that will cover 100% of their bills.
F. Each employee will be getting a 40% raise, work 5 hours a day, and have Friday off.
G. If people came to tomorrow’s meeting feeling discouraged, what would happen to them?
60. This information just described would encourage and strengthen them.
61. The minds of the employees would be dwelling on what was said.
62. What did Paul say to the Colossians?
63. Let the word of Christ dwell in you. Let it dwell in you “richly.”
64. Why, Paul? It will help Christians overcome discouragement.
65. This is not the only reason or the primary reason, but it is a reason.
66. Another well known passage is found in Heb. 10.
A. This passage is explained in different ways.
B. My explanation of it is based upon other parts of the book and the entire New Testament.
C. The Hebrew writer spoke of a “day” that was approaching.
D. My understanding of this “day” is the destruction of Jerusalem.
E. This destruction was a traumatic period.
F. Being invaded and attacked is something that is discouraging.
G. People are hurt and killed. Property is damaged, destroyed, or confiscated.
H. Here is what the Hebrew writer said – 10:24-25 – READ .
67. In a time that would have been discouraging the writer said, “exhort one another.”
68. Coming together and meeting with fellow Christians is a way to overcome discouragement.
69. I have had people tell me, “I am too discouraged to come and meet with the church.”
70. People who feel this way have not gotten the point of Heb. 10.
71. The church is the right place for people who are discouraged.
72. This is one of the tools God has devised to help comfort His people.
73. Instead of running from the assemblies, those who are discouraged should run to them.
74. THESE ARE SOME THINGS THAT RELATE TO CHRISTIANS AND DISCOURAGEMENT. WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN WE FIND NON-CHRISTIANS WHO ARE FACING DISCOURAGEMENT?
A. In Lk. 18:1 Jesus taught men to “always pray” and “not to faint.”
B. In other words, the Lord pointed people towards God.
C. This is one of the things that we can do.
D. When we find unsaved people who are discouraged we can give them hope.
E. The gospel is “good news” and we have good news for those who are discouraged.
F. We cannot offer a miraculous cure for things like AIDS, cancer, and similar conditions.
G. We cannot wipe out world hunger or take care of all the poverty in the world.
H. We can help every single person who is discouraged.
I. We can give people access to the very things that help Christians beat discouragement.
J. This is done by pointing people to Christ and the gospel.
K. If people in the world want encouragement and hope it is all found in Christ.
75. We have a new home in Christ. If people are discouraged about their home, we have good news.
76. We have a new life in Christ. The people who are discouraged about their existence can have hope.
77. We have new friends in Christ.
78. We have boundless riches and wealth in the Lord.
79. We have a hope that is beyond all hopes if we are in the Lord.
80. There is a new way life in Jesus.
81. Have we found that life and are we profiting from it each day that we live?