Finding Hope in Loneliness Through Christ's Presence
Summary
In reflecting on the vastness of our universe, we are reminded of our own smallness and the loneliness that can accompany it. Loneliness is a universal human experience, often described as the most desolate word in our language. It knows no boundaries and can affect anyone, regardless of their circumstances. Yet, in the midst of this loneliness, we find hope in the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus promises, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This promise is a profound assurance that we are never truly alone.
God created us for relationships, both with Him and with each other. The pain of loneliness is not just about the absence of human interaction but often stems from a lack of connection with God. We have an innate longing for God, a homesickness that can only be satisfied through a restored relationship with Him. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can find relief from loneliness, knowing that He is always with us.
The Great Commission, where Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations, is not just about our responsibility to share the gospel. It also contains one of the most comforting promises in the Bible: Jesus' constant presence with us. This promise is emphasized by Jesus' use of an emphatic construction, "I myself am with you always." It is a reminder that Jesus is with us in every moment, in every circumstance, whether good or bad.
Our relationship with Jesus is personal and intimate. He desires to be with us, to converse with us, and to support us. This presence is especially felt when we are obedient to His command to share the gospel. In those moments, we sense His presence and pleasure more acutely, motivating us to continue sharing His love with others.
Even in the loneliest of assignments, we are never truly alone. Throughout history, God's people have faced isolation, yet they were never without God's presence. Jesus' promise assures us that He is with us, supporting us, and caring for us. This promise is a powerful force against the feeling of being uncared for or unwanted. In Christ, we find a companion who is with us always, offering us hope and encouragement.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Vastness of Creation and Our Loneliness: The immense scale of the universe can make us feel insignificant and lonely. Yet, this loneliness is a universal experience that transcends physical isolation. It is a reminder of our need for connection, both with others and with God. [02:41]
2. God's Design for Relationship: We are created for relationships, and loneliness often stems from a lack of connection with God. Our innate longing for God can only be satisfied through a restored relationship with Him, which is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. [06:55]
3. The Promise of Jesus' Presence: In the Great Commission, Jesus promises to be with us always. This assurance is not just about our responsibility to share the gospel but also about the comfort of His constant presence in our lives, in every circumstance. [10:33]
4. Experiencing Jesus' Presence in Obedience: We often sense Jesus' presence most acutely when we are obedient to His command to share the gospel. This experience motivates us to continue sharing His love, knowing that He is with us, supporting and guiding us. [14:56]
5. Never Truly Alone: Even in the loneliest of assignments, we are never without God's presence. Jesus' promise assures us that He is with us, offering hope and encouragement. In Christ, we find a companion who is with us always, even to the end of the age. [18:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:46] - The Vastness of Our Solar System
- [01:32] - Feeling Small in a Big Universe
- [02:41] - The Universality of Loneliness
- [05:38] - God's Design for Companionship
- [06:55] - The Innate Longing for God
- [10:33] - The Great Commission's Promise
- [12:47] - Jesus' Constant Presence
- [13:57] - Personal Relationship with Jesus
- [14:56] - Obedience and Sensing His Presence
- [17:19] - Serving in Loneliness
- [18:15] - Historical Examples of Solitude
- [18:55] - Never Truly Alone
- [19:49] - The Power of Caring
- [20:36] - Jesus' Promise of Presence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:18-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus promise in Matthew 28:20, and how is this promise emphasized in the sermon? [10:33]
2. According to the sermon, how does the vastness of the universe relate to our feelings of loneliness? [01:32]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between loneliness and our connection with God? [06:55]
4. What examples from history were given in the sermon to illustrate that God's people have often faced isolation but were never truly alone? [18:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 28:20 provide comfort in times of loneliness, according to the sermon? [10:33]
2. The sermon suggests that loneliness is not just about the absence of human interaction. How does it explain the deeper cause of loneliness? [06:55]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that obedience to the Great Commission enhances our awareness of Jesus' presence? [14:56]
4. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "I am with you always" in the context of both good and bad days? [12:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt lonely. How did you experience or not experience the presence of Jesus during that time? [02:41]
2. The sermon mentions that we have an innate longing for God. How can you actively seek to restore or strengthen your relationship with God this week? [06:55]
3. Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 is a source of comfort. How can you remind yourself of this promise in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [10:33]
4. The sermon suggests that we often feel Jesus' presence more when we are obedient to His command to share the gospel. How can you incorporate sharing the gospel into your daily routine? [14:56]
5. Think of a situation where you might feel isolated or alone. How can you rely on the assurance of Jesus' presence to navigate that situation? [18:55]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of companionship in overcoming loneliness. How can you be a source of companionship and support to someone in your community this week? [05:38]
7. Consider the statement that caring is a powerful force. How can you show genuine care to someone who might be feeling uncared for or unwanted? [19:49]
Devotional
Day 1: The Universe's Vastness and Our Need for Connection
In contemplating the vastness of the universe, we often feel small and insignificant, leading to a profound sense of loneliness. This loneliness is not merely about being physically alone but is a universal experience that highlights our deep need for connection. It serves as a reminder that we are created for relationships, both with others and with God. Our sense of insignificance in the face of the universe's immensity can drive us to seek deeper connections, fulfilling our innate longing for companionship and understanding. [02:41]
Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV): "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
Reflection: How can you reach out to someone today to foster a meaningful connection, reflecting the relational nature God has instilled in us?
Day 2: Created for Relationship with God
God designed us for relationships, and the pain of loneliness often stems from a lack of connection with Him. Our hearts have an innate longing for God, a homesickness that can only be satisfied through a restored relationship with Him. This longing is fulfilled through faith in Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between us and God. By nurturing our relationship with God, we find relief from loneliness and a sense of belonging that transcends our earthly experiences. [06:55]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with God and satisfy your spiritual longing for Him?
Day 3: The Comfort of Jesus' Constant Presence
In the Great Commission, Jesus promises to be with us always, offering comfort and assurance in every circumstance. This promise is not only about our responsibility to share the gospel but also about the profound comfort of His constant presence in our lives. Jesus' emphatic declaration, "I myself am with you always," reminds us that we are never truly alone, regardless of the challenges we face. His presence is a source of strength and encouragement, empowering us to live out our faith with confidence. [10:33]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of Jesus' constant presence, and how can this assurance change your perspective today?
Day 4: Experiencing Jesus' Presence Through Obedience
We often sense Jesus' presence most acutely when we are obedient to His command to share the gospel. This obedience not only fulfills our calling but also deepens our relationship with Him, as we experience His support and guidance more vividly. In moments of sharing His love, we feel His pleasure and presence, motivating us to continue spreading His message. This experience of His presence through obedience is a powerful reminder of His unwavering companionship and encouragement. [14:56]
John 14:21 (ESV): "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
Reflection: How can you actively obey Jesus' command to share the gospel today, and what impact might this have on your awareness of His presence?
Day 5: Never Truly Alone in Christ
Even in the loneliest of assignments, we are never without God's presence. Throughout history, God's people have faced isolation, yet they were never truly alone. Jesus' promise assures us that He is with us, offering hope and encouragement. In Christ, we find a companion who is with us always, even to the end of the age. This assurance is a powerful force against feelings of being uncared for or unwanted, reminding us that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [18:55]
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Reflection: When you feel isolated or uncared for, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' promise to be with you always, and how can this truth transform your sense of loneliness?
Quotes
"Now the vast scale of God's creation can sometimes make us feel so small, so insignificant, that we are overwhelmed by a deep sense of personal loneliness. That word loneliness can be the most desolate word in all of the human language." [00:01:39]
"Chuck Swindoll has said that loneliness plays no favorites, ignores all rules of courtesy, knows neither borders nor borders. Yields no mercy, refuses all bargains, and holds the clock in utter contempt. It cannot be bribed, it will not be left behind." [00:02:24]
"Fortunately there is help for us in our distress the very last words of the risen Lord Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew indeed the last words of the Gospel of Matthew offer us a priceless promise to rely on when loneliness threatens." [00:02:57]
"God created us as social creatures intended not only to have a relationship with him but to live in relationship with with one another. When God created Adam, the first human being, he remarked, according to the scriptures, it is not good that the man should be alone." [00:04:56]
"But in spite of having families and friends, loneliness can still creep into our lives and drive us into a pit of depression from time to time. In fact, sometimes, it's when those closest to us hurt us or disappoint us that we feel most alone." [00:06:20]
"I'm convinced that it isn't so much the absence of human interaction and relationship that causes loneliness but rather a lack of a relationship with God that creates loneliness interaction with God we've been created in the image of God for the purpose of having a relationship with God." [00:06:55]
"Once we come to Christ in faith believing that his death on the cross has atoned for our sins and provided for our forgiveness and our salvation then we can have the relationship with God that God created us to have always intended for us to have." [00:09:40]
"Jesus promised to be with us. And I want you to notice a couple of things about that promise at the end of verse 20. One is that Jesus uses an emphatic construction there. He says, I myself am with you always to the end of the age. I myself." [00:10:33]
"Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. I myself, he says. And here's something else. What's translated in the English versions as always is an expression that's found only here in the New Testament. And literally what it says is all the days or even each of the days." [00:12:51]
"I believe that one of the times we are most aware of Christ's presence with us is when we are in the midst of a crisis. When we are being obedient to His command to make disciples, to share the gospel. The reason I believe that is because that's been my experience in my life." [00:14:56]
"In fact, the knowledge of Christ's presence with us will help us serve Him in any circumstance, even in those lonely assignments that no one else wants. When I was called into ministry, I told God, God, I'll serve you wherever you want me to be, whether that place is prominent or hidden away from the world." [00:17:19]
"Because God is with us. Christ stands beside us. The Holy Spirit lives in us. He is with us, always, to the end of the age, if we belong to Him. From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held as a hostage in a cell in Lebanon." [00:18:55]
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