1. DISCOURAGEMENT 1 Kings 19:9-18

2. INTRODUCTION Discouragement is a universal problem No one is exempt from the dark shadow it casts over us. The person who is never discouraged is not looking at life realistically. Great men of God became discouraged In the Old Testament we think of David, Job, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Discouragement can take on many forms and has many causes.

3. THE DEVIL’S TOOL SALE There's an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their price. They were spread out on the table and each one labeled. Hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality -- all the weapons that everyone knows so well. But off to one side lay a harmless looking wood-shaped instrument marked “discouragement." It was old and worn looking but it was priced far above all the rest. When asked the reason why, the Devil replied, "Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get inside I can use any tool that suits me best." (From Bible Illustrator)

4. WHAT CAN CAUSE DISCOURAGEMENT? Family problems are often the source of discouragement. (Proverbs 31:10; Psalm 127:3-5) Moral and spiritual failures cause us to be discouraged. (Galatians 6:1, 1 Peter 3:1; Faithfulness is no guarantee that we will not be discouraged at times. (Jeremiah 9:2)

5. TEACHING OTHERS CAN BE DISCOURAGING Some never get involved in teaching others in any capacity. (2 Corinthians 11:27; Acts 20:24) Notice a few things that can discourage us. Dull minds (John 7:33-36; 8:38-43; Hebrews 5:11-14) Closed minds (Matthew 12:22-24; 13:15) Opposition to the truth (John 11:47-50; 19:12) Bad spiritual environment (Romans 1:18-32; 2:1) Drop in interest (John 6:66-68)

6. HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT? As always, Jesus is our best example. He did not give up when facing discouragement. (John 19:30) He took a wider view of things. (John 4:35; Romans 8:28) He prayed often and fervently. (Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

7. HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT? We must beware of false solutions. We must not be like Elijah and try to run away. (1 Kings 19:1-7) We must not become cynical. (Philippians 4:13) We must not blame God and quit serving Him. (Psalm 55:16-23) Above all, we must not quit believing in the power of the gospel. (Romans 1:16; John 6:26)

8. CONCLUSION IN THE MIDST OF DISCOURAGEMENTS JESUS KEPT GOING ON WE MUST NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT