“these things i have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. in the world ye shall have...

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“To be of good courage, to behopeful, confident.”

I. Definitions of WordsI. Definitions of Words

Discouragement - temporary feeling of disappointment

Depression - protracted period of despondency

II. Bible Characters were DiscouragedII. Bible Characters were Discouraged

Saul - 1 Sam.16:14 “troubled” - terrorized

Judas - Matt. 27:3-5 - committed suicide

Job - Job 7:3-4 - full of tossings to and fro

David - Ps. 31:9 - “I am in trouble”

Jeremiah - Jer. 20:14, 18 - “sorrow”

Moses - Num. 11:15 - “wretchedness”

III. Causes of DiscouragementIII. Causes of Discouragement

1. Illness1. Illness

Paul - thorn in flesh - 2 Cor.12:7 Timothy - stomach trouble - 1 Tim.5:23 Job 1 & 2

James 5:14


2. Death of a loved one2. Death of a loved one

David’s son - 2 Sam. 12:18 Mary and Martha’s brother - Jn. 11:14

God is a God of ComfortPs. 147:3Isa. 66:13


3. Because of Material Losses3. Because of Material Losses

Job lost 11,500 head of cattle Job 1:21

Loss of material things will make us bitter or better

1 Tim.6:7


4. Friends turning on us4. Friends turning on us

Judas betrayed Christ Ps. 41:9 “...lifted up his heel against me.”

Christ is a friend thatsticketh closer than a brother


5. Ruined Dreams and Hopes5. Ruined Dreams and Hopes

Lost job or business Great Dream has faded

You can turn disappointmentsinto His appointments

IV. How To Overcome DiscouragementIV. How To Overcome Discouragement

1. Help some-one else1. Help some-one else

Elijah - 1 Kings 19:4-15 & 21


2. Beneath the Burdens are Blessings2. Beneath the Burdens are Blessings

Flooding of Mississippi

Rom. 8:28 & 31

Blessings attachedto our burdens


3. Use Your Burdens as Bridges3. Use Your Burdens as Bridges

Ants lay stray across a crack

Phil. 1:12

2 Cor. 4:17-18

Use burdens as opportunities


4. Come away and Rest Awhile4. Come away and Rest Awhile

Mark 6:31

Physical & Emotional exhaustion

God rests a tired man andinspires him to work


5. You are needed and Valuable5. You are needed and Valuable

Matt. 9:20-22

Mk. 11:3 “The Lord hath need of thee.”

Every Member is Important1 Cor. 12:13-27


6. Be Perpetually Optimistic6. Be Perpetually Optimistic

Shoe salesmen to Africa

Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Look for opportunitiesinstead of problems.


7. We are never Alone7. We are never Alone

1 Pet. 3:12-14 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,..”

2 Tim.4:17 “...the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me:...”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Trying times are no time to quit trying.

The love of God will not let us down, will not let us go, nor will it let us off.

“He thanked God and took courage.” Acts 28:15b

Prov. 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”

Prov. 15:15 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

Prov. 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Sermon by Arthur PigmanSermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249706-855-1249

[email protected]@cybrtyme.com

Sunday Morning April 2, 06Sunday Morning April 2, 06

“these things i have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. in the world ye shall have...

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