Sunday Sermon Blog/Podcast

What makes issolation and separation so devistating?  God created each and every one of us in His image - in the image of a relational God.  He hard-wired into us this need to be in connection with Him and other human beings.  If we are designed to live in community, then why do we wrestle with lonliness so much?

Listen online: Times When We Feel the Depths of Loneliness

Sermon Notes

God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genisis 2:18

Everyone feels loneliness at times in their life.  Four of the most common circumstances in which we feel the depths of loneliness are:

1. When you don’t really feel understood.  When you feel like nobody understands what you’re going through.
2. When you don’t really feel like you are valued.  Lonely is… the student whose parents make him or her feel unwanted and unloved. Lonely is… the woman who doesn’t feel like she measures up.  Lonely is… the man who only feels wanted for what he can contribute or offer.
3. When you don’t really feel like you belong.  When you feel a sense of rejection from those you wanted to accept you.
4. When you really miss somebody’s presence.

The solution side…

• The horizontal piece (having meaningful relationships with others)
  • It is in giving friendship to others that you will receive friendship. 
  • Develop the qualities in you that attract others.
  • Put yourself in a place to connect with others.
  • Take the initiative.
  • Perservere.
•  The vertical piece (having a meaningful relationship with God)
  • God really understands at levels no one else can. Psalm 139:2,4
  • God really values you. Jeremiah 31:3
  • God really wants you to belong with Him.  Romans 5:8
  • God really is with us all the time. Psalm 46:1 Hebrews 13:5

Next Steps

• The horizontal piece - developing meaningful relationships with others
  1. Develop the qualities in you that attract others.  Could you be more friendly?  Kind?  Loyal?  Trustworth?  A better listener?
  2. Take the initiative to develop friendships.  Put yourself in a place to connect with others.  Initiate conversations rather than waiting for someone to initiate with you.
  3. Try out a small group or serving team at Cypress.
  4. If you struggle with depression, please contact the church office so we can recommend a good Christian counselor.
• The vertical piece - developing a meaningful relationship with God
  1. Commit to being here in church every Sunday. 
  2. Start a personal, authentic relationship with God.  Pray to God and read the Bible on your own regularly.
  3. Join us for the New Community service Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:10 for extended time of praise and worship and more in depth teaching.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 27th, 2007 at 11:04 am and is filed under Series - Undercurrent. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.