Dealing With Discouragement!

Sermon Notes

(Large Print Version)

April 22, 2007

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

 

Hebrews 12:1-6 NRSV

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  3Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; 6for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

 

Hebrews 12:1-6 TEV

1As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us.  So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.  2Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.  He did not give up because of the cross!  On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne.   3Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners!  So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.  4For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed.  5Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his sons?  “My son, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you.  6Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

 

A.  Introduction

 

    1.  Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!

        a.  There is a delightful children’s book about a little guy named Alexander that begins this way:  “I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair.  When I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running.  And I could tell that it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!”  Alexander has a terrible day at school.  Then he has a horrible visit to the dentist and a no good stop at the shoe store.  That night at the dinner table he slumps in his chair and the troubles continue:  “There was lima beans for dinner and I hate limas!  There was kissing on TV and I hate kissing!  My bath was too hot, I got soap in my eyes, my marble went down the drain, and I had to wear my railroad train pajamas!  I hate my railroad train pajamas!  When I went to bed Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep, the Mickey Mouse night light burned out, and I bit my tongue.  The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not me.  It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! 

        b.  We have all had days like Alexander.  And sometimes the days have stretched into months or even years and we became quite discouraged.  Today, in our worship there are folks in the midst of such difficulties.  Someone here is crying out that they are having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! 

 

    2.  Basketball Coach

        a.  Some years back, a High School basketball coach took his team to the State Championship game and they got soundly defeated.  After the game the coach wanted to call an old friend and went over to a pay phone in the lobby of the gym.  He did not have a quarter, so he turned and seeing one of his student’s parents said, “Hey, lend me a quarter so I can call a friend.”  The parent stopped, stared, reached into his pocket, pulled out two quarters and said, “Here’s fifty cents, coach.  Call all of your friends.”

        b.  We’ve all been there.  Everyone here has had a time in which their dreams, their hopes, or a relationship was shattered.  For some the discouragement is too much to handle.  A magazine article a few years ago stated that over 30,000 Americans commit suicide each year.  Over 100,000 attempt to take their own lives.  Others are doing themselves in by other means such as alcohol and drug abuse, overeating, or by being workaholics.  Countless others mentally beat themselves up each day by saying in some form or other, “I am worthless.”

 

    3.  Today’s Scripture

        a.  In today’s Scripture the author of Hebrews gives us good news:  “So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.” (Hebrews 12:3 TEV)  And we are told to “run with determination the race that lies before us.” (See Hebrews 12:1)  Further, we are reminded that life is not easy.  Jesus suffered, and we too will go through difficulties.  However, the Letter to the Hebrews, also, reminds us of the Heavenly help at our disposal.  We are to especially trust God in Jesus.  And finally, just as the faithful in Heaven reach out to us, we are called to reach out to others here on earth.

        b.  My friends, the Bible has a plan for dealing with discouragement.  It is this:  Recognize the truth that Christians get discouraged.  Trust God to help you.  Reach out and help others.

 

B.  Recognize the truth that Christians get discouraged.

 

    1.  Pastor Bob and the Policeman

        a.  Pastor Bob was having a bad day.  His alarm clock did not go off and when he finally got up it was 9 a.m.  No problem on most mornings, but this day he had a 10 a.m. wedding at the Church.  Pastor Bob quickly got dressed and then heated up some coffee in the microwave. The cup of coffee was too hot and he burned his lip and spilled coffee all over his shirt.  He had to change.  Then on the way to church his car had a flat tire.  He quickly changed the tire, but now had mud on his clothes and was really running late.  So Reverend Bob was driving faster than the speed limit.  That’s when the policeman pulled him over.  Pastor Bob whined to the officer, “I got up late, I burned my lip, I spilled my coffee, I had to change my clothes, I had a flat tire, I got muddy, I’m late for the wedding, and now you pull me over!”  The policeman said, “I know what you mean.  I used to have days like that before I became a Christian!”

      b.  Life is not that simple or magical.  Being a Christian does not protect you from all the difficulties of life.  Christians can and do get discouraged at times.  Indeed at times God may even allow you to go through trials as a means of strengthening you, or to utilize you as a witness to others in their difficulties.

 

    2.  Bible Witnesses

        a.  The people of the Bible knew discouragement.

          Abraham would cry out:  “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings (promises) when I don’t even have a son?” (Genesis 15:2 NLT)

          Sarah, Abraham’s wife would lament:  “I am too old to have a baby.” (Genesis 18:13 NCV) 

          Moses became discouraged:  “So Moses went back to the LORD and protested, ‘Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord?  Why did you send me?  Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people.  You have not even begun to rescue them!’” (Exodus 5:22-23 NLT) 

          David complained to God:  “How much longer will you forget me, Lord?  Forever?  How much longer will you hide yourself from me?  How long must I endure trouble?  How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night?  How long will my enemies triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2 TEV) 

          Job became very discouraged:  “Leave me alone and let me die; my life has no meaning.” (Job 7:16 CEV)  “God seizes me by my collar and twists my clothes out of shape.  He throws me down in the mud; I am no better than dirt.” (Job 30:18-19 TEV)

          Jeremiah knew what it was to be down:  “What an unhappy man I am!  Why did my mother bring me into the world?  I have to quarrel and argue with everyone in the land.  I have not lent any money or borrowed any; yet everyone curses me.” (Jeremiah 15:10 TEV)

 

          The Disciples, also, knew discouragement.  Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen, and if they did not catch fish, they did not feed their families.  On several occasions they failed to catch fish, and Jesus encouraged them to try again.  Remember Peter’s lament?  “Master we worked hard all night long and caught nothing.  But if you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5 TEV)  In Matthew 17:14-18 the disciples failed to heal an epileptic boy, and Jesus had to step in.  And when Jesus was taken off to be crucified they all ran away and hid together behind locked doors. (See John 20:19)  Peter after he denied Jesus went off alone and wept bitterly. (See Matthew 26:75)

          Paul was in prison because of his faith in Jesus.  A lot of people had said, “We stand with you, brother.”  Then the Roman soldiers took Paul away to prison and Paul would write to his friend Timothy:  “Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me.  Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.” (II Timothy 4:10 TEV)  “Only Luke has stayed with me.  Mark can be very helpful to me, so please find him and bring him with you.  Alexander, the metalworker, has hurt me in many ways.  You had better watch out for him.” (II Timothy 4:11, 14-15 CEV)  “When I was first put on trial, no one helped me.  In fact, everyone deserted me.  I hope it won’t be held against them.”      (II Timothy 4:16 CEV)  

          Jesus, Himself knew discouragement.  His earthly brothers and sisters, the children of Mary and Joseph who grew up with Jesus in the same family, did not believe in Him as the Messiah. (See Mark 3:20-21 & John 7:3-5)  The Lord wept when His friend Lazarus died. (John 11:35)  And Jesus was saddened by the “lostness” of the people of Jerusalem.  (Matthew 23:37-39)  In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to His disciples, “The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”  (Matthew 26:38 TEV)  Then He prayed: “My Father, it if is possible, take this cup of suffering from me!  But not what I want, but what You want.” (Matthew 26:39 TEV)  Then Luke tells us this happened:  “In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44 TEV)  Then from the cross the Lord would cry out:  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 & Luke 15:34 NRSV)  This was the very moment at which Jesus took on our sinfulness and the consequences of our deserved abandonment and forsakenness before God.

        b.  Everyone faces disappointments, difficulties and discouragement.  But do not forget the promise of today’s Scripture:  “Do not become discouraged.  Do not give up.” (See Hebrews 12:3)  There are two more things that we can do to help us when we get down:

 

 

 

 

 

C.  Trust God to help you.

 

    1.  Bishop and Young Pastor

        a.  Many, many  years ago, at an Annual Conference far-far-away and not served by any Bishop you or I know, an interesting incident occurred.  (And I say it this way so that I won’t get into too much trouble for telling this story.)  They had just introduced, on the floor of the conference, the newly elected young preachers.  Now it was time for worship and the Bishop was just given the word that the guest speaker was not going to make it.  So the Bishop turned to one of the young pastors and said, “Our guest preacher can’t make it.  So I’m expecting you to give the message.”  The young man protested, “But Bishop, I’m not prepared!”  The Bishop replied, “Don’t worry about it.  Just trust the Lord.”  The Bishop then escorted the young fellow to a chair on the stage, which was next to the Bishop’s chair.  The young man sat and stood with a dejected look on his face through the call to worship, prayer, and hymns.  Then the Bishop got up to introduce the young pastor as the preacher for the morning service.  It was then that the young parson saw that the Bishop had left his briefcase under the chair.  He opened it up and found the Bishop’s sermon notes for the evening service.  He took the notes with him to the pulpit and gave the Bishop’s sermon that morning!  Afterward the Bishop angrily asked, “And now what am I supposed to preach tonight?”  The young pastor said, “Don’t worry about it.  Just trust the Lord!”

        b.  Now stealing sermon notes, and not giving someone a chance to prepare for a sermon are not good things.  However, the “punch line” to this story is right on target:  Just trust the Lord.  Jesus did not go through the pain and suffering of the cross for no reason.  He loves you that much and was willing to pay the greatest sacrifice to redeem you.  Well, if He would do all that for you, you can trust Him to do what it takes to get you through the difficulties of this life.

 

    2.  Deuteronomy 33:27 & the Bible Witnesses

        a.  One of the great promises from the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 33:27.  It says:  “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (RSV)  Note where God’s hands are:  They could have been above.  We do need to be lifted up at times, and called to higher living.  They could have been next to us.  We do need the friendship of the Spirit to guide us each day.  However, the promise is UNDERNEATH.  And that’s where we need them the most.  Because God’s hands are underneath us we can never be lost forever.  God will catch us and keep us from falling into the pit of eternal punishment.  God’s arms will also catch us from falling into utter despair or depression.  If you just trust in Him, His hands will be there to catch you.

        b.  Our litany of Bible folks testify to this.  Abraham and Sarah trusted the Lord and God made from them a great nation.  Moses believed in Yahweh and God freed the Hebrews from slavery.  David trusted and became the greatest King of Israel.  Job hung on to his faith by a thread, and God restored his fortunes.   Jeremiah continued to trust and God raised him up as a great prophet.  Now by the world’s standards the Apostles did not have a “fairy tale” ending to their lives.  Paul and all the disciples were martyred for their faith.  However, they did not die discouraged.  They died confidently, knowing that they were going to a better place, and that they had made this world a better place.  Because of them the Roman world heard the Good News of Jesus, lives were changed, and souls were saved.  And then, of course, there is Jesus.  The God-Man trusted the Almighty as no other human ever did.  Death and sin did not get Him down.  He defeated both of these.  Doubts and disappointments did not overcome Him!  Jesus trusted the Father in Heaven and walked out of that tomb on Easter morning victorious over all the negatives of this world!

 

D.  Reach out and help others.

    1.  Third String Football Player

        a.  A college football coach was quizzing his players.  He pointed his finger at Bubba, a seldom used third string offensive tackle.  Coach said, “Suppose, Bubba, we’re involved in a tough game, and with less than one minute to play we’re tied.  And suppose we have the ball three yards from the goal line and a play was called to the left side of the line.  What would you do?”  Bubba seemed confused and then said, “Gee, Coach, I don’t know.  I reckon I would slide down the bench to get a better view.” 

        b.  In life we all know rejection.  On competitive sports teams not everyone gets to play.  However, on God’s team there are not supposed to be any bench warmers.  God has a job for all of us to do.  That job most often entails what God considers the most important, which is reaching out in love to others.  And when we reach out and help others we find our own discouragement dissipating.

    2.  John Wesley

        a.  John Wesley the founder of Methodism was an intense man, who at times became deeply discouraged.  Toward the end of 1744, John Wesley was barred from preaching at Saint Mary’s Church and other Churches in Oxford.  The Vice-Chancellor had even taken Wesley’s sermon notes and written vicious criticisms in the margins.  Wesley became the target of personal attacks and it weighed heavy upon him.  The leaders of his own Church were labeling him as unacceptable, because of his efforts to reach and help the poor of England.  Door after door was shut and it seemed as if he would have no where to preach and teach.  Wesley became quite depressed.  How could he reach the people, if he were barred from preaching in the Churches?  Wesley found his inward spiritual strength and outward physical strength to be weakening.  He would write in his journal for January 13, 1745 these words:  “On Sunday, 13, strength was withheld, and I felt what it was to be troubled about many things.  One and another, hurrying me continually, it seized upon my spirit more and more, till I found it absolutely necessary to fly for my life; and without delay.”  On Monday the 14th Wesley left town riding on a horse for Bristol.  He would record in his journal:  “Between Bath and Bristol I was earnestly desired to turn aside, and call at the house of a poor man, William Shalwood.”  Wesley found both Mr. and Mrs. Shalwood sick and in bed.  He feared they might even die.  So since there was no one to care for them John Wesley stayed and took care of them through that week.  Wesley fed them, tended to them, and prayed for them.  And they got better!  Wesley would give God all the credit:  “I believed they would not die, but live, and declare the loving-kindness of the Lord!”

        b.  John Wesley’s next journal entry would declare:  “In the house at Bristol, my soul was lightened of her load, of that insufferable weight which had lain upon my mind, more or less for several days.  On Sunday, several of our friends from Wales, and other parts, joined us in the great sacrifice of thanksgiving.  [They had worship and communion.]  And every day we found more and more cause to praise God, and to give Him thanks for His still increasing benefits.”  In helping this poor couple John Wesley forgot his own discouragement.  Indeed in helping others he found meaning, purpose, and yes even confidence and joy.  Wesley would leave this house outside of Bristol and preach with a new vigor.  So what if he was barred from the Churches.  He would preach in the mines and fields.  Once when he was refused the pulpit in his old home Church, he stood on top of his father’s headstone and preached to a large crowd.  And the message of God’s love in Jesus was heard by the English people! 

 

E.  Conclusion:  Recap

    1.  Recognize the truth that Christians get discouraged.

    2.  Trust God to help you.

    3.  Reach out and help others.

 

 

Dealing With Discouragement!

 

1.  Recognize the truth that Christians get discouraged.

 

2.  Trust God to help you.

 

  1. Reach out and help others.
  2.  
  3. Hebrews 12:1-6 NRSV

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  3Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; 6for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

 

Hebrews 12:1-6 TEV

1As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us.  So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.  2Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.  He did not give up because of the cross!  On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne.  3Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners!  So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

4For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed.  5Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his sons?  “My son, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you.  6Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”