You Are Not Alone
Notes
Transcript
Disclaimer: These note are primarily for study purposes. The actual sermon presentation (preaching) may include additional illustrations or omit sub points.
Introduction
David (Old Testament) was on the run—hiding from Saul who wanted to kill him.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
The feeling of being alone—where you feel know one understands or can see your distress.
We life in a culture where loneliness is like a pandemic.
Even people of faith can struggle with feelings of being alone.
Elijah was an Old Testament prophet that experienced the power of God—but even after seeing the great works of God, he allowed fear, exhaustion, and depression to run from the ministry.
1 Kings 19:4 (ESV)
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Aloneness
Vain imaginations.
Promotes further separation for others.
Increases fears and depression.
Attacks faith.
The Apostle Paul demonstrates a different way.
Prison
Away from his friends in the church.
But embraced love for others as a solution to loneliness.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
So, what can we learn from Paul where lonely prisons can be turned into a community of faith?
Point 1
Hold people in your heart.
Hold people in your heart.
“It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart.”
Sincere love. The Philippians were not people to be used or manipulated—they were part of the team—a band of brothers and sisters—serving the Lord with selfless commitment.
Earnest prayer. Interceding on behalf of the Gospel Team—the missionary work.
Focused purpose. Paul and the Philippians were in it together. No prison could separate them from the cause of Christ.
Appreciating, loving, praying, and thinking of others reminds us that we are not alone.
Point 2
Value grace-centered community.
Value grace-centered community.
"For you are all partakers with me of grace.
God’s grace is the glue that binds us together—it is the ultimate of shared experience.
God’s grace breaks the stubborn walls that divide us. Gratefulness of God’s forgiveness, mercy, love, and compassion at work in our lives motivates us to extend grace to one another.
The message of grace reminds us that we are in this together with God.
Illustration: Witnessing to the Jehovah’s Witness.
Point 3
Engage in the ministry of encouragement.
Engage in the ministry of encouragement.
"For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s love for the Philippians was expressed in encouragement.
The ministry of encouragement helps us to focus, not on ourselves, but on the mission of God in the lives of others.
Encouragement helps people struggling with the world.
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
imprisonment was never Paul’s focus; his focus was on the Christian community and its purpose to reach the loss with the Gospel.
It is all too easy to drift from one’s relationship with God, so Paul encouraged the church to keep the focus on Christ.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The pressures on the church community can lead to disagreements, division, and separation. Paul wanted the church to know that they are special to him because of their commitment to Christ and His cause.
We need to hold one another in faithful affection—appreciating one another and encouraging one another in faith.
Conclusion
Hold people in your heart.
Value Grace-centered community.
Engage in the ministry of encouragement.