DON'T BE DISCOURAGED

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. All of us get discouraged from time to time, especially as we  
      face problems of various kinds. Gal. 6:9
      1. How can we keep from "losing heart" or being discouraged?

I. WE CAN KEEP OUR MINDS ON THE BETTER WORLD TO COME. 
   A. In due time, we will reap a bountiful harvest of blessings.    
      Rev. 7:17; 21:4
      1. There is a better place beyond the grave, and we need to
         keep our eyes focused on it. 1 Pet. 1:13; Col. 3:2

II. STRIVE TO BEAR UP UNDER TRIALS & HARDSHIPS.
   A. 1 Pet. 4:12-13 - Rejoice under the fiery trials.
      1. Everyone will face a certain amount of adversity, some more
         than others. Eccl. 7:14
      2. Fiery trials can serve a good purpose. James 1:2-4
   B. Let hardships become an aid rather than a hindrance. 2 Cor.    
      12:7-9
      1. Paul suffered many hardships, yet, he called them a "light
         affliction." 2 Cor. 4:16
         a. He could only do this by keeping his mind focused on
            the eternal glory that was to follow.

III. CONTINUE IN THE FAITH NO MATTER WHAT LIFE MIGHT BRING.
   A. We can have victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4
      1. Matt. 14:28-31 - Don't doubt, but have faith.
         a. Peter's faith wavered when he saw the strong waves.
         b. We may not walk on water, but we will walk through
            some tough situations.
         c. If we focus on the waves of difficulties and hardships,
            without looking to Jesus for help, we, too, will despair
            and sink. 

IV. ALWAYS LOOK TO JESUS. Heb. 12:2
   A. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."     
      (John 16:33)
      1. Even as Jesus spoke these words, He was in the shadow of
         death.
         a. Jesus knew that He was about to die a very
            excruciating, painful death.
         b. He was able to face it by looking at the joy that was to
            follow. Heb. 12:2; John 17:5                         
   B. Remember, Jesus Himself received a lot of unjust criticism.    
      Matt. 11:18-19
      1. Those with wisdom will exonerate the actions of both John
         and Jesus.

V. CONTINUE TO HOLD TO THE TRUTH AT ALL COST.
   A. Col. 3:17; 2 John 9-11; John 8:31-32
   B. We can never decide something through emotionalism or a "What
      if?" or an "hypothetical situation."
   C. Remember all churches will have problems, and we must try to
      deal with them as best we can.
      1. Some say, "If only I could attend a church like the New
         Testament churches."
      2. If that be the case, how about the church at Corinth. It,   
         too, was a New Testament church.
         a. It had at least ten major problems, and those brethren
            needed to deal with and correct those, if they wished to
            be pleasing to the Lord.

VI. STRENGTHEN OURSELVES IN THE LORD. 1 Sam. 30:6
   A. Think of the situation David and his men were in. 1 Sam. 30:1-5
      1. How did David strengthened himself in the Lord? We are not
         told here, but we are in other places.
      2. Psalm 18:6; 34:1-9; 40:1-3
   B. Pray continuously and fervently. Luke 18:1; James 5:13; Phil.
      4:6-7; Prov. 18:10; Heb. 13:6

VII. TURN TO THE BIBLE FOR STRENGTH, AND COMFORT. Rom. 15:4
   A. Isa. 40:28-31
      1. All human beings have their weakness, but God's power and
         strength never diminishes.
         a. He is never too tired or too busy to listen and help. He
            is the source of our strength.
         b. When you feel all of life crushing you and you cannot go
            another step, remember, you can call upon God and
            renew your strength.
      2. Verse 31 - Waiting on the Lord, is patiently relying on Him
         to give us strength.
         a. Our God is able. Eph. 3:20-21
   B. Ezek 37:1-10
      1. Our God is able to give life to a whole valley of dry bones.
         Ezek. 37:1-10
      2. God's purpose of the vision is stated in verses 11-14. Ezek.
         37:11-14
   C. Psalm 23 - The Psalms inspire, comfort, and encourage us just
      when we need a word from the Lord.
      1. The imagery in the Psalm is a flock of sheep, gently and
         harmlessly, feeding in fertile pastures, under the care of a
         skillful, watchful, and tender shepherd, the Shepherd and
         Bishop of our souls.
      2. The consolations of the Lord are the still waters by which  
         the saints are led; they are the streams which flow from the
         Fountain of living waters.
      3. The valley of the shadow of death denotes the most severe
         and terrible affliction one could undergo. Yet, "I will fear
         no evil, for thou art with me."

VIII. THE N.T. SCRIPTURES GIVE US COMFORT AND STRENGTH. Acts 20:32
   A. 1 Pet. 5:8-11
      1. Satan is the source of all evil and suffering.
      2. God is able to "perfect" (mend or repair) us and make us
         strong.
      3. Whatever pain we might have, the Eternal God is the God of
         all comfort.
         a. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help
            in our time of need. Heb. 4:16
   B. Jude 24
      1. The audience to whom Jude wrote was vulnerable to heresies
         and to temptations toward immoral living.
      2. Jude encouraged the believers to remain firm in their faith
         and trust in God's promises for their future.
      3. This was all the more important because they were living in 
         a time of increased apostasy.
         a. We too are living in the last days, much closer to the
            end than were the original readers of this letter.
      4. Although there is much iniquity around us, we need not be
         afraid or give up in despair. God is able to keep us from
         falling, and to bring us into His presence and give us
         exceeding joy. 2 Thess. 2:16-17

Concl.
   A. Disappointments, discouragements, and hardships will come.
   B. We need to be steadfast and unmovable ourselves.
   C. The Eternal God is perfectly able to comfort. 
   D. Someday we shall reap if we don't give up.
   E. Let us continue to strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God.