You Are Not Alone
Inside Out - Part 5
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
September 14, 2025
A) THREE REASONS WHY WE CAN FEEL LONELY.
- We can feel lonely because we feel Trapped.
- We can feel lonely because we have been betrayed, abandoned, and are now Physically Alone. (2 Timothy 4:16)
- 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense (before the Caesar Nero), no one came to my support, but everyone abandoned me...
- 2 Timothy 4:21 Do your best to get here before winter.
- We can feel lonely when we feel Threatened. (2 Timothy 4:6-7)
- 2 Timothy 4:6-7 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- If You Change Your Thinking, You Can Change Your Responses.
B) HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH TIMES OF LONELINESS?
- Lean on others for support, but on God for Strength. (2 Timothy 4:17)
- 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength...
- Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
- Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
- Hebrews 13:5 ...For He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Sometimes we ask people to do for us what only God can do.
- If You Change Your Thinking, You Can Change Your Responses.
- Stay balanced in our expectations of others. Grow a deep relationship of God and don't expect others to fulfill every lonely spot.
- Keep Growing even in your times of darkness: 2 Timothy 4:13 "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments."
- Don’t wait for community — help create It: 2 Timothy 4:19-22 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you."
- One of the best ways to deal with loneliness is to refocus your life from yourself to be a blessing to others.
- Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Proverbs 18:24 A person who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
C) Live with the Eternal in mind. (2 Timothy 4:8, 18)
2 Timothy 4:8, 18 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.