The problem which has come to the surface in the encounter of Christianity with the other world religions is this: If Jesus was literally God incarnate, and if it is by His death alone that men can be saved, and by their response to Him alone that they can appropriate that salvation, then the only doorway to eternal life is the Christian faith.
Michael Green

Deflating Depression

Deflating Depression DEFLATING DEPRESSION B5-19-5A 2 Cor. 2:1

THEME: Depression is something that we can overcome by our own will and

God’s help.

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Definitions of depression:
    1. Hollow or low place on a surface
    2. Low spirits; gloominess; dejection; sadness
    3. An emotional condition characterized by discouragement, a feeling of inadequancy, etc.
  2. Sources of this “low place”
    1. Marital problems
    2. Financial worries
    3. Unemployment or job disatisfaction (can cause 1 & 2 above)
    4. Spiritual problems (can cause all of the above)
  3. Dealing with “low spirits” (is “low” in reference to the

    origin of these spirits?)

    1. Henry Ford (when asked what he would do if he lost all of his fortunes) said, “I would have it back in 6 or 8 months. My wealth is not in the ‘things’ that I possess. My wealth is in the ‘knowledge’ that I possess.”)
    2. David returned to Ziklag and found it burned and all his family and possessions gone. The men wanted to stone him and David was “greatly distressed…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God”
  4. We will look today at how Paul avoided “heaviness”
  5. PAUL WAS SPARED AND HE WANTED TO SING WHEN HE REMEMBERED
  6. The source of all comfort is GOD (1:3-4)
    1. Spared from the punishment of sin
    2. Spared from the desire to sin
    3. Verse 4, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God”
  7. The conscience is clear (v. 12), “in simplicity and godly

    sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.”

  8. A major part of the work of Christ (Is. 61:3), “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
  9. We are spared and we should sing rather than be depressed!

    

II. PAUL WAS STABLISHED AND HE WANTED TO WORSHIP WHEN HE REMEMBERED (v. 21) A. The means of strength is through weakness and suffering (5-7) 1. Verse 5, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” 2. Verse 7, “And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation” B. This strength will even take you through death (v. 9, Living) “We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us….and He… saved us from a terrible death” C. Verse 24, “For by faith ye stand.” D. We too, have been stablished and we should worship God rather than being depressed!

III. PAUL WAS SEALED AND HE WANTED TO WORK WHEN HE REMEMBERED (v. 22)

  1. Ep. 1:13-14, “…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession”
  2. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities… [making] intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26)
  3. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Ro. 8:14)
  4. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”
  5. We have been sealed and we should be working not depressed

ADDENDA: (Preached in two sessions)

  1. Second Introduction: Ruth 1:20, Naomi “Call me Mara” (also Jonah and/or Elijah, “Let me die”)
  2. Auxillary texts: Ro. 15:7-13 (Gospel of hope to the Gentiles) and Mal. 3:14, “What profit is it that… we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?”
  3. REAL sources of depression:
    1. Too high goals (set by self or others)
    2. Frustration in failure
    3. Hypocrisy in self

      

Related Articles: