MESSAGE: “DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT”

1. MESSAGE: “DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT”

2. TEXT: JOHN 14:1-4 (NKJV) 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

3. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

4. Was Jesus ever been discouraged during His Ministry? OR Have you ever thought that Jesus experience discouragement?

5. Isaiah 53:3 (NIV) He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

6. John 6:67(NKJV) After many of His disciples walked with Him no more because of His teachings, we read, “Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 

7. Mark 14:32-34 (NKJV) 32Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  33And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.  34Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

8. HOW DO WE DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT: NEVER GIVE UP…(’Cause Jesus didn’t give up on you.) One source of discouragement is when you started doubting your own ability which can leads you to FAILURE.

9. Hebrews 12:3 (ERV) 3Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying. 

10. 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT) 21For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

11. 2. WATCH YOUR FOCUS (…’Cause Jesus focus on His mission to give you eternal hope)

12. Luke 2: 48-49 (ERV) 48When his parents saw him, they wondered how this was possible. And his mother said, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.” 49Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.

13. John 9:4 (NKJV) Jesus said; “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. John 17:4 (NKJV) “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

14. 3. WIDEN YOUR VIEW (…’Cause Jesus taught us to take a wider view)

15. John 4:32-35 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

16. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

17. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

18. 4. KEPT YOURSELF BUSY – (…’Cause Jesus kept Busy on His Mission) 1 Peter 4:10-11 10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 

19. Acts 10:38 (NLT) And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

20. Luke 4:43-44 (NKJV) 43but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

21. Matthew 10:11-14 (NKJV) 11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  12And when you go into a household, greet it.  13If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  14And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

22. Luke 15:17-19 (NKJV) 17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,  19and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.

23. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 (NLT) 5When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.  6But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.

24. Hebrews 12:12-13 (NKJV) Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

25. 5. SPENT MORE TIME IN PRAYER - (’Cause Jesus Prayed often) He prayed early in the morning. Mark 1:35 (NKJV) - Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

26. He prayed in the evening Matthew 14:23 (NKJV) And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

27. He prayed often Luke 5:16 (NKJV) So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. He prayed all night Luke 6:12 (NKJV) Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

28. Luke 18:1 (NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing.

29. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. James 5:16 (NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

30. Philippians 4:6-7 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

31. CLOSING VERSES: Romans 8:35- Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:37 - Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”