Message for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, Akron OH, Sunday, August 18, 2024
For the “Live in Church” audio of this message, select here.
I’m sharing with you today a recent development in my life as I continue on my journey with Jesus. As I grow in Christ, the Spirit calls my attention to a number of things that still lead to this conclusion:
Your walk of faith can sometimes be a very lonely experience. Very lonely.
The loneliness is something that all of us go through at times. Even when you have a loving spouse who cares deeply for you, and even though you are in the company of others at your workplace or at church, there are times when you can experience loneliness.
Let’s clarify loneliness. It is summarized as dejection from the realization of being alone.1
(I recognize that many of you are hearing about this from me for the first time. I assure you that I am doing just fine. I am not depressed at all. I’ve been through depression before, and this is not all what this is. It is completely different. My lovely bride and I talk about a lot of things all of the time. I’m cool.)
What I want you to see here is that as you grow and learn about what it is to be a believer of Christ and live according to the Spirit, you will experience a type of loneliness that can be associated with the depth of your commitment to Jesus.
Your commitment to following Jesus can (and will) repel some people in your life. What do I mean by repel? Your resolve to follow and remain obedient to Jesus will drive people away from you.2 It can make you unpopular. It will put you in opposition to anyone who does not agree with you or does not care to believe in Jesus. This may involve family members and some friends. It becomes more apparent when you are navigating through the challenges of the world, and the number of believers around you may be few and far between. We are reminded by Jesus that those who dislike us readily do so because they are not interested in following Christ:
John 15:18-25 NIV
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
This is hard to take at times, but it should challenge us to stay in prayer. The people who don’t know Jesus are not a hopeless group of people to give up on. We actually need to stay faithful in prayer for the non-believers that we know that there is, at the very least, a mustard seed sized faith that the Holy Spirit can get a hold of and speak into their hearts.
For those who desire to know Jesus, you will be attractive to those people. If only there was a way that we could seek them out and spend more time with them, right? It would be great to rally around all believers, but it doesn’t necessarily help us in a very important area where we Jesus calls us to obedience:
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We simply must trust in Jesus and venture out to those people beyond our comfort zone. He assures us that He is going with us wherever we go.
Being alone does not necessarily mean that you are the only person in a room or that you are confined; however, that is exactly what happened to a number of people that we read about in Scripture. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers at around age 17 (Genesis 37:2) and later was falsely imprisoned and spent time in jail until he turned age 30 (Genesis 41:46).3 Jeremiah was the recipient of several beatings and was put into stocks while imprisoned. He was even tossed into a cistern where he was left to die. We find in the book of Acts that many followers of The Way, including Stephen, were arrested, imprisoned and martyred, and Peter and Paul wrote their epistles during their times of imprisonment. These experiences were certainly times of loneliness for each one of these men. They were all living in a manner that honored God, and over time, especially during their confinement in prison, their relationships with the Lord most certainly deepened. As we spend more and more time with Jesus, we can’t help but grow in a deepening relationship as the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit is in full effect.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These men, as well as you and I, overcome loneliness by continuing to rely upon the presence of Jesus Christ and grow closer to Him.
It never ceases to amaze me how God can lift me up whenever I have a Bible study with my friends on the third floor of Forest Hills Place, the assisted living facility that I visit every month. I could be having a so-so day until the Spirit runs through me during the study and encourages me as I encourage my group. Your moment of loneliness will invariably turn into joy and giving God all of the glory and praise!
My prayer for all of us is to seek the Lord and take in His Word daily. The more that we consume God’s Word and bask in His presence, the more He will teach us and build upon our relationship with Him. You will get out of it what you put into it.
Let’s examine two gentlemen where we will see how their own relationships deepened as they grew in the power and grace of God. In Second Timothy, Paul was writing to Timothy in what was probably his final letter before he was executed. Some scholars have claimed that this letter to Timothy was more of a farewell letter.4 This is the letter where he mentions in Chapter 4 that he “has fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul, in this epistle, is essentially passing the torch to Timothy to continue to be the highly esteemed leader that he is:
Philippians 2:20 NLT
I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.
Paul and Timothy were not related, but Paul valued his relationship with Timothy so much that he treated him more like a son. Let’s take a closer look at this by highlighting the passages at the beginning of Paul’s second epistle to Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:1-3 NIV
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Verses 3 through 5 reflect upon the sincere thankfulness that Paul has for his friendship with Timothy, and how he is highly esteemed by him. He trusts in his leadership over the people entrusted to him. Paul has nothing but time on his hands now as he is in jail day after day, but his thoughts are on Timothy and how he is getting along right now, and he keeps him in prayer. He knows that Timothy has been faithful and was raised by his mother and grandmother, who were also believers in Jesus. Paul respects Timothy for his upbringing as a Christian. We can see how these types of relationships help those of us who feel lonely at times to remember what a blessing it is to have the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit and to have relationships that encourage and edify (build up and improve) us.
We overcome loneliness by staying in prayer day and night (Psalm 1:2).
Joshua 1:7-8 NIV
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
In our moments of solitude, stay in the Word, stay in prayer and be thankful for what you have. Let’s not underappreciate the things that God has done in your life.
Let’s go back to 2 Timothy 1 and pick up at verse 6:
2 Timothy 1:6 NIV
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
I love the words “fan into flame the gift of God.” This expression reflects how we, as believers, have the power of the Holy Spirit that resides within us and is available to us, but we have to decide to take action and fan the flame of the Spirit as we share God’s goodness with others. If we don’t speak up and share, the Spirit’s presence is less evident with others.
Romans 10:14 NLT
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
The Lord is the source of the “fire” mentioned here:
Psalm 104:4 ESV
He makes his messengers (his angels) winds, his ministers (servants) a flaming fire.
Exodus 3:2 ESV
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.
As you grow and mature in Christ, you will find that God will enable you to look past your moments of loneliness and to move forward as His servant—His minister for the gospel. We are no longer captive to our own fleshly desires as we grow in our personal relationship with him. It’s no longer about feeling sorry for yourself because of your own experience. Remember that Jesus already took ownership of the reason why you are ignored. He said that they will not like you because they do not like Him; therefore, get up and go out and speak to those who are willing to listen. Amen? Fan the flame to make it spread and grow as a reflection of the light of Jesus Christ.
Go back to 2 Timothy 1 again and look at verse 7:
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
We are not to hide out in our little faith corner. We are to fulfill the command of Jesus in Matthew 28 and His words in Acts 1:8:
Acts 1:8 NIV
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Lord enables us with His power and love for us, and He provides self-discipline—all of these things through the presence of the Holy Spirit. No offense intended here, but it’s not about you or me; instead, it is all about Jesus. Jesus is always to be our focus to remedy our moments of loneliness.
Paul went through many seasons where he was cut off from the world, and Timothy wept over Paul’s situation. Paul wanted Timothy to come to Rome in order that he could visit, but we don’t have an account that this actually took place. In fact, it is generally believed that Paul was executed before Timothy would have even received this letter. But it is unmistakable that both of these men were servants for Jesus Christ, and both of them knew that their mission of service would invariably bring about conflict, turmoil and persecution.
But believers in Jesus should not live like we’re down in the dumps. We should rejoice when we face trials and difficulties. (We don’t think so at the time we go through stuff, but Scripture reminds us where our focus should be.)
1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Are you suffering? Be content where you are. He strengthens you in your weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Are you lonely? Let’s consider turning around our way of thinking here. Sometimes our moments of solitude may well be our opportunity to experience the peace of God. You’re never alone as a believer because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26-27 NIV
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Peace is one element of the fruits of the Spirit. Our dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Turn your moments of loneliness to peaceful solitude as you bask in the presence of the One who loves you more than you can comprehend.
Jesus is your peace. Jesus is your comfort.
Jesus is love.
Copyright © 2024 Melvin Gaines
1 The American Heritage Dictionary Entry: Loneliness. American Heritage Dictionary Entry: loneliness. (n.d.). https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=loneliness
2 The American Heritage Dictionary Entry: Repel. American Heritage Dictionary Entry: repel. (n.d.). https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=repel
3 Stitt, R. E. (2023, December 21). The wisdom and favor of god: Joseph’s story. Scripture Comes to Life. https://scripturecomesto.life/blog/the-wisdom-and-favor-of-god-josephs-story/4 Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, June 30). Second epistle to timothy. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se
Melvin Gaines 