discouragement

Say No to Discouragement “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God” (Ps. 42:5). I. Return to the Lord “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts” Mal. 3:7). A. When discouraged, many Christians drift away from the Lord, neglecting prayer, God’s Word, and church attendance. B. God’s Word admonishes, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). C. Say no to discouragement. Return unto the Lord. Revive your prayer life and Bible meditation. Restore your church attendance and support. II. Radiate for the Lord “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” (Matt. 5:16). A. Radiate means “to give forth or spread happiness, love”—Webster. B. When discouragement strikes, some Christians spread gloom and doom. They see only the bad in others, the church, and in circumstances. C. Say no to discouragement. Replace negatives with positives. Look for the good, not the bad. III. Rely on the Lord “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Ps. 37:5). A. Some Christians rely on temporal possessions more than on God. Others rely too much on people. They come to disappointment. B. “It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works,” said the psalmist (Ps. 73:28). C. Say no to discouragement. Rely on the Lord. Depend on him. He never disappoints or fails. IV. Rejoice in the Lord “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). A. Many Christians fall into discouragement because they fail to offer enough praise to God. They are too involved with selfish pursuits. B. It is difficult, if not impossible, to rejoice in the Lord and be discouraged at the same time. C. The psalmist said, “I will bless the Lord at all times” (Ps. 34:1). Say no to discouragement. Rejoice in the Lord today.

Russell E. Spray, Positive Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1991), 50–51.