Through The Valley: 022013

I.                    Elijah

a.       Describe Mt. Carmel experience

b.      Read 1^st Kings 19:1-18

II.                 Depression

a.       Can strike anytime, even after a period when everything seems perfect

b.      Can drive us to a point of no hope, even to the point of suicide

c.       Can strike saved or unsaved

d.      Can strike those who everyone thinks have it all together or have it all

e.       Can be because of fear, feeling alone, or sometimes it isn’t explainable

f.        Isn’t something to be ashamed of

g.       Often we deal with it in bad ways (get alone, hide it, hurt ourselves, drive others away)

III.               Read Psalm 23

a.       Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

                                                               i.      You may be walking in that valley tonight, things your life have fallen apart, you feel depressed, alone, and hopeless.

b.      I will fear no evil, for you are with me

                                                               i.      But just because you are in the valley doesn’t mean you have to give in to that hopelessness and fear, not because you have the strength to escape it on your own but because God with you.

                                                             ii.      He hasn’t left your side, you might not feel him, you might not see him, but he has promised to remain their even in the darkest of times.

                                                            iii.      God has sent others into your life to be with you during these dark times

c.       Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me

                                                               i.      A rod was to club down wild animals, a staff to keep the sheep in control and guide them

                                                             ii.      You know he is there not because you feel or see him, but because he keeps tapping you with his staff to let you know where to go and that you aren’t alone.  My sermon tonight is one of those taps, to let you know that he is still there and cares about you.  He will protect you and he will guide you even through the darkest of valleys.

IV.              Application

a.       There are some of you tonight who are depressed and feeling like you are travelling through the valley.  Don’t be afraid, you will make it through, there is hope because God is standing next to you. 

b.      During our table application time I want to give you a chance tonight to be prayed for by those at your table.  Don’t be ashamed that you are depressed, it is time to come out and find strength and hope.

c.       The other thing I want you to do at your table time is to make a card for someone who is depressed or down.  Be heartfelt with it and encourage them.  You are meant to encourage those who are down, it is one of those things we should do, so this will hopefully give you a way to do so.

d.      Pray