Despair on SermonAudio

This sermon introduces a series on the book of Hebrews by establishing a theology of biblical warnings, arguing that they are intended to preserve believers rather than induce despair. The central message emphasizes that the primary danger for Christians is not a lack of initial salvation, but a gradual drift away from Christ caused by apathy, worldly distractions, and spiritual declension. By exa...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble—not delayed help, not theoretical help, and not help after we have made ourselves presentable. As Jonah's prayer from the fish comes to its close, we set it beside Psalm 46 and the church's first movement in Acts 4. This sermon presses four truths: The Lord is a present help in the pit, not a last resort. Sin is descent. God brings up....

The sermon distinguishes between godly sorrow, which leads to repentance and salvation, and worldly sorrow, which results in death, using the contrasting fates of Peter and Judas as primary examples. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 7, the message explains that true repentance is not merely regret over consequences but a change of mind that turns toward God, producing visible fruits such as earnestness,...

In John 3:1-8, Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the absolute necessity of the new birth. In this message, Greg Smallwood examines the biblical truth that spiritual transformation is not the result of human effort, religious status, or self-improvement, but a supernatural work of God through the Holy Spirit. This message connects the teaching of Jesus in John 3 with the practical ministry of Hoosier H...

This sermon explores the reality of spiritual struggle, using the account of the boy possessed by a demon in Luke 9 to illustrate the contrast between mountaintop experiences and the daily valleys of life. The message highlights the disciples' failure to cast out the spirit due to a lack of faith and fervency, emphasizing that power without trust in God is ineffective. It further examines the tena...

This sermon explores the assurance of God's presence as a refuge, strength, and present help for believers facing life's inevitable troubles. The message emphasizes that faith must be anchored in the unchanging Word of God rather than fluctuating feelings or circumstances, offering a counter-narrative to the fear and despair that often accompany adversity. By examining the natural phenomena of ear...

2 Timothy 3:13 'But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.' The sermon examines the prophecy in 2 Timothy 3 that evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, identifying this as a hallmark of the last days. It connects current societal and legislative trends in the United Kingdom to the moral and spiritual decline described by Paul, comparing the era to...

This sermon explores the theme of sanctification as a precious truth for believers facing trials and persecution, drawing primarily from 1 Peter 1. The message argues that holiness is not a burden but a source of strength and identity, distinguishing the Christian response to suffering from the world's tendency toward sin. It emphasizes the believer's responsibility to gird up their minds, remain...

This sermon explores the causes of a heavy heart by examining biblical figures like Esau, David, Ahab, and Naomi who experienced rejection, regret, unfulfilled expectations, and loss. It identifies the primary remedy for such sorrow as receiving a good word from God's Word, particularly through Psalms and Proverbs. The preacher emphasizes that choosing joy and maintaining a merry heart acts as spi...

The sermon addresses the prevalence of discouragement and depression among believers by examining Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19 after his victory on Mount Carmel. It identifies six primary contributors to spiritual burnout, including life transitions, failed expectations, physical exhaustion, spiritual warfare, isolation, and anxiety. The preacher emphasizes that God responds to these struggle...

What is the book of Psalms all about in light of the Kingdom of God? Psalms can be summed up as the expressions of joy, sorrow, peace, fear, comfort, pain, despair, and praise while living in one kingdom and hoping for another. It offers insight into the Kingdom of God as the second of five personalized books in the Old Testament, revealing the inner life of God's people as they navigate a fallen...

The sermon examines the qualifications for church elders in Titus 1:6, arguing that these standards serve as a blueprint for Christian maturity in every believer's household. It emphasizes that God assesses a man's character, marital fidelity, and parenting before considering his public ministry, asserting that the home is the primary arena for demonstrating godliness. The message challenges husba...

The sermon emphasizes the eternal and unchanging nature of God's Word compared to the fleeting nature of human life. It focuses on Psalm 119:130, explaining that divine truth provides illumination and understanding specifically for those who are humble and simple. The preacher argues that Scripture must enter deeply into a believer's heart rather than merely engaging the intellect to effectively g...

What grounds are hearts when the kingdoms and the things we depend on in this world are passing away? Our hope is this we are already being held by iChrist. His finished work has made us right with God. We belong to the living king. And his spirit is changing and preparing us for a kingdom that can never be shaken.

The sermon expounds on Matthew 12:28-29, presenting Jesus Christ as the stronger man who binds Satan to spoil his house of darkness. It contrasts the kingdom of death and deception promoted by Satan with the eternal life and truth offered by Christ's redemptive work. The preacher critiques modern cultural shifts toward abortion and assisted suicide as manifestations of this spiritual darkness. Emp...

This sermon explores the assurance that God is actively on the side of His covenant people, using the hypothetical scenario in Psalm 124 to contrast human helplessness with divine rescue. The message emphasizes that without God, believers would be overwhelmed by enemies and despair, but through Christ, they have escaped the snare of the fowler and the teeth of the lion. It highlights the collectiv...

This sermon explores the final chapter of Joel, highlighting three key aspects of God's character: His foretold faithfulness to covenant promises, His revealed retribution against enemies, and His performed promises of restoration. Using John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as an illustration, the message emphasizes that believers possess a key called Promise to overcome doubt and despair. The exposit...

This sermon explores the theological significance of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ at the empty tomb, using her grief as a lens to examine human sorrow and divine comfort. It contrasts cultural norms regarding gender roles with the biblical truth that all believers are equal in value yet distinct in function within God's design. The preacher highlights how various biblical figur...

The sermon argues that the contemporary church has become weak and discouraged because it has lost sight of God's true nature, often reducing Him to a limited or domesticated figure. Drawing from 1 Kings 20, the message emphasizes that God cannot be defined by human limitations or confined to specific circumstances, as He is the sovereign God of both the mountain and the valley. This theological t...

The sermon analyzes James 5 to highlight the certainty of divine judgment against the wicked, urging believers to respond with patient endurance rather than despair. It identifies three primary causes for this condemnation: the persecution of Christians, the oppression of the poor, and a heart devoted to earthly treasures over God. By examining these sins through the lens of Scripture, the message...

The sermon examines Job 20 to illustrate the deceptive nature of sin, which offers temporary pleasure but leads to inevitable divine judgment. Using illustrations like poisonous candy and fleeting sunsets, Rev. Barnhart highlights how wickedness appears sweet yet contains hidden destruction that leaves the sinner empty and doomed. The message warns against envying the prosperity of the wicked, emp...