C. BOSTIAN * OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT PT.4 4/30/06
* Ezra 4:1-4
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles had returned and were rebuilding the Temple, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and suggested, "Let us work with you, for we are just as interested in your God as you are; we have sacrificed to him ever since King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here." 3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the other Jewish leaders replied, * "No, you may have no part in this work. The Temple of the God of Israel must be built by the Israelis, just as King Cyrus has commanded." 4 Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten them by sending agents to tell lies about them to King Cyrus. This went on during his entire reign and lasted until King Darius took the throne.
*Are you familiar with Murphy’s Law? The original “Murphy” was an engineer who conducted an experiment to test human acceleration tolerances. Unfortunately for him, he installed 16 motion sensors the wrong way, leading to the now famous quotation, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” I guess the corollary is also true: “If
anythingcan’t
go wrong, it will anyway.”
Here are some other laws blamed on poor Mr. Murphy:
• Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
• Matter will be damaged in direct proportion to its value.
• You will never find a lost article until you replace it.
• Everything goes wrong all at once.
• If everything seems to be going well, you’ve obviously overlooked something.
*HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT WE CAN DEVELOP A MURPHY’S LAW MENTALITY IN LIFE. WE BECOME SUSPICIOUS WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GOOD AND WE BECOME OVER CAUTIOUS AND PASSIVE. WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO GO WRONG. IF YOU ARE SUSSEPTIBLE TO MURPHY’S LAW THEN YOU ARE A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR CONTRACTING A VERY DEADLY DISAESE. (PAUSE)
Did you know that there is a plague sweeping the country today? It’s not the Beijing flu, or cancer, or even the common cold. This outbreak, however, can be just as deadly as the most dreaded disease known to man: *it’s called the epidemic of discouragement. At least three things make it such a potent problem.
*Neh 4:6-9
6 At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city-- for the workers worked hard. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going right ahead and that the breaks in the wall were being repaired, they became furious. 8 They plotted to lead an army against Jerusalem to bring about riots and confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
WE HAVE LEARNED IN THIS SERIES THAT *THERE ARE 4 MAJOR CAUSES FOR DISCOURAGEMENT: FATIGUE, FRUSTRATION, FEAR AND FAILURE. LAST WEEK WE BEGAN TO LOOK AT 5 WAYS WE CAN OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT AND THIS MORNING I AM GOING TO FINISH it
*Ps 34:2-3
2 I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.
ONcE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCOURAGE-MENT YOU CAN BEGIN TO REMOVE ITS INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE. *THE WORD DISCOURAGEMENT CAN BE TRACED IN THE BIBLE BY MANY DIFFERENT HEBREW WORDS. WE’VE LOOKED AT SOME OF THEM AND THERE ARE JUST A FEW MORE THAT I WANT TO LOOK AT THIS MORNING so that we can get a complete understanding of the various CHARACTERISTICS of discouragement SO THAT WE CAN RECOGNIZE IT AT AN EARLY STAGE AND DEAL WITH IT. (PAUSE)
*Num 21:4
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
*ONE OF THE HEBREW WORDS FOR DISCOURAGEMENT IS RATSATS WHICH MEANS TO CRACK IN PIECES, SO THAT YOU’RE NO LONGER BE WHOLE. IF YOU ARE NOT WHOLE THEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO FUNCTION AFTER GOD’S DESIGN FOR YOUR LIFE.
*2 Sam 17:2
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
2 Sam 17:2
2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged, and he and his troops will be thrown into a panic and everyone will run away; and I will kill only the king and let all those who are with him live, and restore them to you."
*ANOTHER HEBREW WORD FOR DISCOURAGEMENT MEANS THE DEPRESSION OF OUR SPIRIT. THIS SUGGESTS A FEELING OF BEING PUSHED DOWN ON THE INSIDE LIKE A KIND OF OPPRESSION THAT LEAVES US WITH A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS THAT EVENTUALLY DRAGS US DOWN TO THE PIT OF DESPONDENCY AND DESPAIR.
*Num 32:9
9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
* ANOTHER HEBREW WORD FOR DISCOURAGE IS THE WORD ‘NUW’ WHICH MEANS TO FORBID, DISSUADE OR NEUTRALIZE. YOU SEE, DISCOURAGEMENT IS DESIGNED TO STOP US, TO NEUTRALIZE US AND ITS NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
*Ps 42:11
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
*STILL, ANOTHER HEBREW WORD FOR DISCOURAGEMENT IS THE WORD QATSAR WHICH MEANS TO CUT DOWN, CURTAIL OR DOCK OFF. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BREED OF DOGS THAT HAS ALMOST NO TAIL BECAUSE IT’S BEEN DOCKED OFF? WITH THIS PICTURE IN MIND DISCOURAGEMENT COULD BE INTERPRETED TO INCULDE A DOCKING OFF OR CUTTING SHORT YOUR MINISTRY OR CUTTING SHORT YOUR LIFE OR CUTTING SHORT YOUR WITNESS THUS MINIMZING THE WORK THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU TO DO. (PAUSE)
*Ezek 13:22
22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
*ANOTHER HEBREW WORD FOR DISOCURAGEMENT IS CHATHATH WHICH MEANS TO BREAK DOWN EITHER BY VIOLENCE, CONFUSION OR FEAR. DISCOURAGEMENT WILL BREAK DOWN THE DOOR TO YOUR MIND AND HEART AND ALLOW VIOLENCE, CONFUSION AND FEAR TO COME IN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT CAN ADVERSLY AFFECT YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM AND YOU FALL APART. WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT IS LEFT UNCHECKED IT EVOVLES INTO DESPONDENCY AND THEN INTO DEPRESSION AND EVENTUALLY INTO MENTAL STRESS AND EMOTIONAL COLLAPSE. THE DEVIL DOES NOT WANT YOU TO BE WHOLE BUT WEAKENED AND IMPAIRED BUT GOD WANTS YOU TO BE WHOLE AND COMPLETE IN CHRIST.
*Josh 2:11
11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
*NOW THERE’S JUST ONE MORE HEBREW WORD THAT DESCRIBES DISCOURAGEMENT AND THAT IS THE WORD MACAC WHICH MEANS TO LIQUEFY AND FIG. TO WASTE AWAY WITH DISEASE; TO FAINT OR TO MELT AWAY. SO THE RESULTS OF DISCOURAGEMNT IS THAT IT CAN LIQUEFY YOU. IF YOU POUR WATER ON A COUNTERTOP, WHAT HAPPENS? THE WATER CONFORMS TO THE FLAT SURFACE. IF YOU POUR WATER INTO A CUP IT CONFORMS TO THE SAHPE OF THE CUP. IF YOU TAKE AN ICECUBE OUT OF THE FREEZER AND LEAVE IT ON A COUNTERTOP IT WILL MELT AND CONFORM TO THE FLAT SURFACE. THAT’S WHAT THE PRESSURE OF DISCOURAGEMENT CAN DO TO YOU. IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO CONFORM TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU BY MELTING YOU DOWN AND CAUSING YOU TO CONFROM TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
*Rom 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Do not be conformed; do not allow discouragement to liquefy you, to melt you down, to pour you out emotionally so that you conform to your surroundings. be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind by reading god’s word. (PAUSE)
SO LET’S PUT THEM ALL THE HEBREW WORDS TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF DISCOURAGEMENT. *DISCOURAGEMENT MEANS TO CRACK IN PIECES SO THAT YOU ARE NOT WHOLE; TO GET THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF YOU; TO FEEL DEPRESSED; TO BE NEUTRALIZED; TO BE DOCKED OFF; TO BREAK DOWN MENTALLY AND TO MELT AWAY AND LIQUEFY.
*WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY TELLS US THAT DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO ‘DEPRIVE OF COURAGE’ THAT LEAVES US WITH THE INABILITY TO DEAL WITH DANGER, TROUBLE OR PAIN. WITHOUT COURAGE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE CALL OF GOD ON OUR LIVES BECAUSE ITS GOING TO REQUIRE ABSOLUTE FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD.
*2 Chr 20:17
17 But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem! Don't be afraid or discouraged! Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
TO BE DISCOURAGED IS THE SAME AS BEING DISHEARTENED, WHICH MEANS TO LOOSE HOPE OR CONFIDENCE, WHICH LEADS TO NEGATIVISM AND DISAPPROVAL. YOU WILL FIND THAT DISCOURAGED PEOPLE CAN BECOME VERY NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND DEVELOP THE DEADLY DISEASE OF MURPHY’S LAW. IF ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG IT WILL. (PAUSE)
*Prov 15:4
4 Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.
Prov 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
NOW, HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT DISCOURAGEMENT HAS A LNAGUAGE ALL ITS OWN. *DISCOURAGEMENT SPEAKS TO US AND IF WE’RE NOT CAREFUL WE COULD HEAR THESE WORDS COMING OUT OF OUR MOUTHS:
I WANT TO GIVE UP. or I WANT TO QUIT. or I’VE HAD IT. Or SOMEONE ELSE CAN DO A LOT BETTER JOB THAN I CAN. or I DON’T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH OR I DON’T WANT TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK. DISCOURAGEMENT SAYS: THERE’S NO ONE ELSE WHO’S GOING THROUGH WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH. OR, I’M ALL ALONE AND NO ONE CARES; OR I’M SO MISERABLE I WANT TO DIE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT DISCOURAGEMENT HAS A THEME SONG: “NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN.” DISCOURAGEED PEOPLE DWELL ON TROUBLE. THEY DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE OR WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE TROUBLE RATHER THAN ON THE POSITIVE: THE PROMISES IN GOD’S WORD. THEY ACTUALLY NEED TO SING THE REST OF THE SONG: NOBODY CARES BUT JESUS! *JESUS KNOWS WHAT’S HAPPENNING TO PEOPLE BUT SATAN DECEPTIVELY BRINGS THEM OUT OF THE WORD OF GOD CAUSING THEM TO DWELL ON THEIR TROUBLES AND PROBLEMS TIL DISCOURAGEMENT SETS IN. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD HAS A SOLUTION FOR DISCOURAGEMENT *IN FACT, THERE ARE FIVE THINGS WE CAN DO TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT. LET’S REVIEW THE FIRST 4.
* Neh. 4:9-14 (KJV)
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. [10] And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. [11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. [12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, *they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. [13] Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. [14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
1. *THE FIRST THING TO DO WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES IS TO PRAY IN THE SPIRIT! DO YOU NEED TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY?
2. *WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT IS CAUSED BY FATIGUE:
REST YOUR BODY!
3.*THE THIRD WAY TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT CAUSED BY FRUSTRATION AND DISSAPPOINTMENT IS TO REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE.
4. *THE FOURTH WAY TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO REMEMBER THE LORD! REMEMBER HIS GOODNESS IN THE PAST AND THANK HIM FOR IT, REMEMBER HOW CLOSE HE IS TO YOU RIGHT NOW; REMEMBER HIS POWER FOR THE FUTURE: HE’S NOT DONE WORKING YET AND REMEMBER THE WORD OF THE LORD. (PAUSE)
*5. THE FIFTH THING YOU CAN DO WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES IS TO SUBMIT TO GOD AND RESIST THE DEVIL.
*Ephes. 6:10-12 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
NOW ON THIS ONE YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND WORK AT THIS. DISCOURAGMENT IS ONE OF THE ENEMIES MOST FORMIDABLE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT HE USES AGAISNT THE BODY OF CHRIST. *DISCOURAGEMENT HAS A SPIRITUAL SOURCE SO YOU NEED TO RISE UP AFTER YOU HAVE PRAYED, GOTTEN SOME REST, REORGANIZED YOUR LIFE AND REMEMBERED THE LORD AND HIS PROVISION FOR YOU LIFE AND REBUKE THAT SPIRIT OF DISCOURAGEMENT.
*James: 4-8
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
*2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Cor. 10:5 (MsgB)
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. (PAUSE)
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MATURE CHRISTANS DO WHEN TROUBLE COMES THEY DISCERN THE SOURCE AND IF IT IS THE ENEMY ATTACKING THEY RUN TO THE PASTOR FOR PRAYER? NO, THEY RISE UP IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND REBUKE THAT THING IN JESUS NAME. NOW RISING UP MEANS YOU GET SOME REST, YOU REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE, YOU REMEMBER THE LORD AND YOU FIGHT AND RESIST THAT THING UNTIL IT LEAVES. NOW YOU DON’T GO BY FEELING SO YOU MUST STAND IN FAITH AND RESIST THIS THING: YOU STAND AGAINST DISCOURAGEMENT AND REBUKE IT IN JESUS NAME UNTIL IT LEAVES.
*Mark 11:23 (KJV)
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
*IN ORDER TO RESIST DISCOURAGEMENT YOU HAVE GOT TO SPEAK TO IT AND REBUKE AND RENOUNCE ITS CLAIM UPON YOUR LIFE IN JESUS NAME. IF THERE IS A SPIRIT BEHIND IT THEN IT MUST BOW IT’S KNEE TO JESUS NAME. TRY IT SOME TIME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, I PROMISE YOU THAT IT WILL LEAVE—ITS GOT NO CHOICE. JUST STAND YOU GROUND AND RESIST IT IN JESUS NAME.
*Gal 6:9
9 And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up.
Isa 35:3-4
3 With this news bring cheer to all discouraged ones.
4 Encourage those who are afraid. Tell them, "Be strong, fear not, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you."
DISCOURAGEMENT IS WHAT CAUSES SO MANY PEOPLE TO START SOMETHING NEW ONLY TO QUIT AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF HARD WORK. *KNOWING THAT WE MUST TAKE THESE TOOLS AND OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT SO THAT WE CAN LEARN TO FINISH WELL AND BE HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL GOD’S WAY.
*ONE MORE SLIDE!
