Bruce Larson >> Loneliness is the psychic pain that drives us to do something about our isolation. That’s just the way people are made.
• We see in the Garden that God created us for relationships. Yet, we live in a time where the feeling of loneliness may very well be the product of technologically-imposed isolation.
• Over the next two messages, we want to explore the feeling of loneliness to identify the root. It’s not wrong to express a feeling of loneliness and we must seek out community as the remedy.
2 Timothy 4:9-12
9 Do your best to come to me soon.
• Do your best >> make every effort
• to come to me soon >> we know that Paul is about to die and that he is writing presumably from a cold, dark, dank dungeon in Rome, so that is natural that he would long for the presence
10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
• Demas
// Philemon 1:24 >> mentioned as a fellow worker of Paul
// Colossians 4:14 >> sends his greetings through Paul to the church in Colossae
// 2 Timothy 4 >> has deserted Paul because of his love for the present world
• Thomas Guthrie >> If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of God, any table better than the Lord’s table, any person better than Christ, any indulgence better than the hope of heaven—take alarm.
11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
• Luke >> the Gospel writer who stuck with Paul throughout his ministry
• Mark >> Barnabas’ nephew who left Paul on their first missionary journey, then wanted to return and caused Paul and Barnabas to split. However, in this latter season of life, Paul longs for Mark’s presence.
12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
• Along with Titus and Luke, Tychicus was a faithful companion to Paul >> Colossians 4:7-8 | Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,