Sermon Notes

Speaker: Senior Leader Duane Lowe

We’re going to confirm last week’s message on “Come together, right now.”

Here’s some information about depression that will help you combat its attack on you and your relationships around you.

  • Depression is: A mood disorder characterized by anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure), extreme sadness, poor concentration, sleep problems, loss of appetite, a feeling of guilt, helplessness and hopelessness.
  • Everyone has been or is being affected by some level of depression or another.
  • Depression is potentially the #1 health and spiritual problem in the world.
    • 1 out of 9 people are on some type of depression medication presently.
    • 1 out of 5 people have been on some type of depression medication.
    • Presently depression medications have increased over 300% in the last decade and are increasing.

It’s okay for you not to be okay!

Lamentations 3:17-19  NIV I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” 19 I remember my affliction and my wandering (Ruminating; self-talk; lying to self; chewing on negative thoughts; creating untrue scenarios that support depression; remembering the wrong things etc), the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV –Paul shares his battle with depression

1 Kings 19:1-4 NIV 

Four things that Elijah did that can be the root of depression and mental disorders:

  1. Negative Self -Talk: Self Talk or Faulty Thinking (Ruminating; Rehearsing negative thoughts that invade our minds) 
    • Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
  2. Isolation:The most dangerous lonely is when you’re alone in your thoughts.
    • Eccl 4:12 NLT ​
  3. Led by His Emotions: When we trust our emotions, they will lie to us every time!
  4. The Comparison game: It’s not possible to serve God and be a people pleaser at the same time.
    • Galatians 1:10 NIV
    • 1 Kings 19:5-9 NIV

 

Four things we are able to do with God to help us out of depression is:

  1. ​Let God give you a new purpose and new direction for your life: The moment we get our eyes off ourselves and we realize that our life exists for someone else’ benefit, we haven’t lived yet!
    • 2 Cor. 4:16-18 NIV
  1. Experience the presence and power of God: Everyone needs the presence and power of God if you’re going to maintain dominion over the lies of the enemy.
    • Psalms 46:10a NIV
  • Pour your Heart out to God: God can handle our mess and complaints
    • Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

 

  1. Get healthy physically: Renew your commitments to take care of yourself; get around others that will help you and hold you accountable.
    • Psalms 127:2 NIV

What is God saying to you about this message?