CONQUERING LONELINESS IN THE HOLIDAYS

Family Worship CenterPastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhD

II TIMOTHY 4:9-169 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

II TIMOTHY 4:9-1613 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

PART ONE:THE MAGIC OF

UTILIZING YOUR TIME

Mamertine Prison in Rome where Paul and Peter were held

until their executions

II TIMOTHY 4:9-169 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

II TIMOTHY 4:9-1613 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

Paul’s example shows us that in seasons of loneliness you need to

utilize your time.• MAKING THE BEST OF A BAD

SITUATION.• RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO DO

NOTHING BUT WATCH TV ETC.• THINK OF CREATIVE WAYS TO

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME YOU HAVE!

In seasons of loneliness you need to control your thought life

• PAUL WAS LONELY BUT HE DIDN’T THROW A PITY PARTY.

• HE DIDN’T COMPLAIN AND GIVE UP.

IN SEASONS OF LONELINESS

YOU NEED TO BUILD COMFORT AND

PRODUCTIVENESS

PART TWO:CREATING YOUR OWN COMFORT

WHEN WE ARE LONELY AND DEPRESSED WE

CAN NEGLECT OURSELVES.

To conquer loneliness you need to rise up and fight.

• DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD 1 SAM.30:6.

• TAKING CARE OF THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IN SEASONS OF LONELINESS

YOU NEED TO BUILD COMFORT AND PRODUCTIVENESS

PART THREE:PROFITING FROM

POVERTY

Even on Death Row… Paul utilized the time…

• “BRING MY BOOKS.” • HE WROTE MUCH OF THE NEW

TESTAMENT FROM PRISON!• GOD SLOWED HIM DOWN BY

ALLOWING HIM TO BE PUT INTO PRISON.

• 2000 YEARS LATER, WE ARE STILL REAPING THE BENEFITS OF PAUL'S LONELINESS.

Who will BENEFIT from your loneliness?

• USE YOUR TIME TO BUILD PEOPLE UP AND TAKE FOCUS OFF OF YOURSELF.

• SCHEDULE YOUR TIME AND DON’T JUST FILL IT.