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Great Plains Community Church Sermon Notes - December 11, 2011

CHRISTMAS: THE ANSWER TO DISCOURAGEMENT

Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Everlasting Father.

FIVE CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

1. Disappointment.
Psalm 17:13 - Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down, rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

2. Our mechanical world.
Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone, then the Lord God made a woman.

3. The commercial world.
Ecclesiastes 6:10 - Whoever loves money never has enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

4. The busy world.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There was a man all alone. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

5. Our artificial world.
Ecclesiastes 6:17 - All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

SIX WAYS TO CURE DISCOURAGEMENT

1. Receive Christ into your heart and life.
Galatians 2:20 - I will come in to you and will fellowship with you.

2. Walk with God in obedience.
John 15:5 - Apart from me, you can do nothing.
I Corinthians 2:9 - Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

3. Fellowship with other Christians.
Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friends springs from His earnest counsel.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10- But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.
John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Isaiah 28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

4. Wait on God for guidance.
Psalm 106:13 - But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.
John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you but
You cannot bear them now.
Isa.28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

5. Accept God’s Will.
Noah
Abraham
The blessing does not come in discovering God’s Will.
But in the doing of God’s Will.
Ephesians 6:6 - Do God’s will from the heart.

6. Recognize God’s presence.
Isaiah 9:6 - A Child is born. A Son is given.
John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans.
Psalm 139 - Where can I get away from your presence? If I go up to Heaven you are there. Anywhere on earth you are there. I can’t get away from you.