Saints Lift Your VoicesSaints Lift Your Voices• There is none like Him, none can

compare;• No god is equal, no prince His heir.• Lift up your eyes and see His great

might.• Soar like an eagle, on wings of flight!

Saint’s Lift Your VoicesSaint’s Lift Your Voices

• Have you not known Him?• Have you not heard?• God is Creator of all the earth.• Lift up your eyes and see His great

might!• Soar like an eagle on wings of

flight!

Saint’s Lift Your VoicesSaint’s Lift Your Voices

• Some will grow weary; sin they’ll pursue.

• Servants of God their pow’r He’ll renew

• Lift up your eyes and see His great might!

• Soar like an eagle, on wings of flight!

ChorusChorus• Saints lift your voices, tho’ dark

your days. • Lift up your spirits, sing out His

praise!• Upward the calling, brighter the

light!• Soaring like eagles on wings of

flight!

The Oldham Woods church FamilyThe Oldham Woods church FamilyWelcomes You To Our Services Welcomes You To Our Services

LONELINESSLONELINESSWhere do they all come from?Where do they all come from?

Where do they all belong?Where do they all belong?

SURVEYSURVEY

• 15% felt lonely at times

• 78% felt lonely some of the time

• Only 6% said never felt lonely

The Crisis of LonelinessThe Crisis of Loneliness• Adam -- “Not good to be alone.”

• David --”My loved ones and friends stand aloof from me.”

• Jesus

– Disciples – Jn 16:32

– On the Cross – Why hath thou forsaken?

– Ministry - He chose the 12 .. “with him.”• Peter James and • John

Top Ten GroupsTop Ten Groups

• Older People

• Stay at home Moms

• Men

• Single and divorced people

• Those with long-term illnesses

Top Ten GroupsTop Ten Groups• New Residents

• Successful People

• Righteous

–Jer 15: 17 “Because of your Hand, I sat alone.”

• College Students

• Lost loved ones

SOLITUDESOLITUDE• Jesus often chose to be alone.

– Lk 5:16, Matt 14

• Forces one to deal with WHO I AM.

• Helps one to see God more clearly. “Be still and know that I am God!” Ps 46:10

THE CURETHE CURE II Tim 4:9-21 II Tim 4:9-21

• FOUR DIMENSIONAL INSPIRED CURE:

– “Bring my coat” vs 13 -- Physical Needs.

– “Bring my books” vs 13 –Intellectual Needs

– “Esp. the parchments” vs 13 – Spiritual Needs

– “Bring John Mark with you.” vs 11– Social Needs

JesusJesus

• Luke 2:52 “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”–Wisdom – Intellectually–Stature – Physically–God – Spiritually–Man – Socially

KEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPSKEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS

• TAKE THE INITIATIVE

– Paul did: “Come see me.”

– Solomon: Prov 18:24 “A man that hath friends must show himself to be friendly.”

– Step out and make the first move!

KEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPSKEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS

• EXAMINE YOUR ATTITUDE

–Book: “Happiness is a Choice.”

–“The Four Foul Words that destroy mental health are NOBODY, NEVER, ALWAYS, AND EVERYTHING!”

KEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPSKEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS• BE UNSELFISH

–Who should we seek out for friends?

–Look for people who need friends too!

–Ferguson: “God I’ve Got a Problem.”• “Many Christians suffer from loneliness

because they are sitting instead of serving.”

KEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPSKEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS• BE PATIENT

–“Short-cuts to intimacy” don’t work!

–Must come in stages…

–If you try to force…drive folks away!

KEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPSKEYS TO CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS• DRAW CLOSER TO GOD.

–Jesus – last words. Turned to Father

–Paul – II Tim 4:17 “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.”

–Walk with God and you will never be lonely!

Remember How God Cares:Remember How God Cares:• Jn 10:3 “He knows your name!”

• Matt 10:30 “He has your hair, numbered.”

• Job 14:6 “He counts your steps.”

• Ps 139: 2 “He knows your thoughts.”

• Ps 56:8 “He bottles your tears.”

• Ps 73: 23 “He holds you hand..”

• Isaiah 49:16 “He engraves you on the palm of His hand.”

• Phil 4:19 “He supplies your every need!”

InvitationInvitation• Matt 11:30 “Come unto Me..”

• God wants you to become His child!

• You must make the decision..