Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:13–14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Peter 2:1 (But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Today we will talk about his tool of Discouragement and Depression

Part 1

Discouragement can lead to Depression which is my largest concern.

Depression is a serious matter, one of which needs to be addressed and the Lord involved in for a solution.

Statistics

Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year.

(National Institute of Mental Health “Major Depression”, 2017)

Major depressive disorder is more prevalent in women than in men.

(Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003; Jun 18; 289(23): 3095-105)

1.9 million children, 3 – 17, have diagnosed depression.

(Centers for Disease Control “Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health”, 2018)

Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of the 30,000 reported suicides in the U.S. each year.

(White House Conference on Mental Health, 1999)

Symptoms

During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy.

(WHO)

During a depressive episode, the person experiences significant difficulty in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other important areas of functioning.

(WHO)

Causes and Risk Factors (healthline)

low self-esteem

anxiety disorder

borderline personality disorder

post-traumatic stress disorder

physical or sexual abuse

chronic diseases like diabetes

multiple sclerosis or cancer

alcohol or drug use disorders

certain prescription medications

family history of depression

age, gender, race, and geography

Have you ever had a time of Disappointment/Discouragement/Depression?

We all get there at times, sometimes we move past it, sometimes we pitch a tent and have us a pity party and stay there.

Let’s take some time today and talk about someone that was Disappointed, Discouraged, in Despair, and Depressed.

Someone that you might not think about.

When you think about Elijah you likely think about all of the great things he did for the Lord such as praying for a Drought and it didn’t rain for 3.5 years, prayed for rain and it rained again, he called out sinners, he helped the little widow and her son that were at the end of their supplies, or you might think about how he was carried by a chariot of fire into heaven, or maybe even that he was with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.

Elijah was a great man of God but he was not perfect, none of us are, you have already seen my mistakes.

But Elijah was obedient to the Lord and did some great things for the Lord.

But how many of us think about this Great man of God as someone that battled Discouragement, Depression, Despair?

Yet he did

Commission before Discouragement

1 Kings 18

1 Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

Commission against the prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18

Conquering the prophets of Baal “how he had slain all the prophets with the sword”

Communication about the prophets of Baal “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done”

A time of Discouragement or Depression or generally speaking being down often comes after a Great Victory or before something Great.

In this case it is both, He just had this great victory over the prophets of Baal, and he is about to call Elisha to be his Mentee and Mentor and grow and disciple him in the ways of the Lord.

I find it interesting that Ahab which had multiple encounters with Elijah over years, he tells that evil Jezebel that Elijah done this but it was Lord that was behind this and done these works.

He understood the assignment

Opposition in the Discouragement

1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah

Who was Jezebel

Wife of Ahab of which she dominated and corrupted (16:31, 21:25)

Queen

she was ruthless (21:11-15)

influenced pagan worship

Wickedness of Jezebel

1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

Worship of Jezebel

She Worshipped Baal and sought the life of any of the prophets of the Lord

Part 2

Declaration leading to Discouragement

1 Kings 19:2b saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

Death Declaration for Jezebel “So let the gods do to me, and more also”

Death Declaration from Jezebel “if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time”

She was giving him a day to leave or die, she was trying to Discount the work of the Lord that was being done by Elijah, trying to Discredit his role as Prophet of God, trying to get the people not to listen or believe him.

One question I have is if she really wanted him dead why didn’t she send an executioner versus a messenger?

think about that.

She was really just trying to scare him, for had she really wanted to kill him she would have done it.

satan is always trying scare and fear tactics to get us to not follow, obey, or share the Lord. he wants us to not fulfill the Lord’s commission of us.

Discouragement is a stronghold in life and if it has you in needs to be broken and Jesus can break that stronghold.

Turn to Him, Talk to Him, and Trust Him

How to deal with depression…ACT

Admit

Cope

Talk to the Lord

Talk to others, seek professional help as needed

Realize you have Hope in Christ

Realized you are loved by Jesus, and us

Realize your triggers and stay away from what pulls you down

Focus on the positives, don’t dwell on the negatives

Lifestyle, Diet, exercise, sleep, abstain from illegal drugs and alcohol, use prescriptions with doctors guidance

Be consumed with the Bible, prayer, church

You are not the only one in this battle

One step at a time, focusing on improving

Trust the Lord and the Process

Desperation in Discouragement that Led to Depression

1 Kings 19:3-4 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Dismay“And when he saw that, he arose”