Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, September 1, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE LONELINESS OF CHRIST

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: John 6:1-2,60-68

Text: John 6:67

John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Introduction: I want to bring a message about a subject that affects all of us, but a subject which most preachers never preach: LONELINESS. It has been said that leadership is a position of loneliness — “It’s lonely at the top.” Jesus is the ultimate leader, and He is in a very lonely position. You can sense the emotion of loneliness in the question of our text.

We all need times of solitude. However, man was made for fellowship. The rule is, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Why do you think God made man? I believe He made him for HIMSELF … for fellowship.

We must prepare for times of loneliness, for they will come. I want to help us do so by looking at the example of our Lord in His own experiences with loneliness.

I. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LEFT HEAVEN

Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Amazing Love – “… He left His Father’s throne above …”

A. He left His Father

B. He left His friends

C. He left the form of God (spirit)to take the form of man (flesh)

D. He left the furnishings of heaven

II. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LISTENED TO THE DOCTORS

Luke 2:41-47 – The original “home alone” story

A. The Lord was left by Joseph and His mother

B. The Lord was looked for by them

C. The Lord was listening to and lecturing the doctors of religion

III. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LET SATAN TEMPT HIM

Luke 4:1-2 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

A. He was Holy Spirit-filled when the time came

B. He was hungry

C. He was harassed by Satan

D. He was heroic in private warfare

E. He was helped by the angels

IV. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LIVED WITHOUT A HOME

Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

He came into this world in an animal stable. During his ministry he had no place of residence. He was buried in a borrowed tomb.

Everyone needs a home!

A. Everyone needs a Christian home

B. Everyone needs a church home

C. Everyone needs a Celestial home

V. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LOOKED FOR PEOPLE TO HELP

John 4:6-8 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat)

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

A. Others were looking for food, not looking on the fields

B. Others were looking for fuel, not realizing the fulfillment of soul-winning

C. Others were looking for fine citizens, not a fallen woman of Samaria

God is still in the saving business … the problem is that WE’RE not!

VI. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LABORED IN PRAYER

Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

A. They were unyielding in their profession – We will not deny you

B. They were unconscious in their prayer time

VII. JESUS CHRIST WAS ALONE AS HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE

Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

A. His family forsook Him

B. His followers forsook Him

C. The Father forsook Him as Jesus became sin for us

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

God will always be with you. However, in standing for Christ, sometimes in this world we will be alone. During that time, let us stand as Christ did, following His example, seeking His strength, and looking for His approval.