THE PERSONAL TOUCH

SERMON STARTER

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

ADULT VERSION:                                                   CHILD VERSION:

1.Egypt’s Great Pyramids                                           1. To See
2. Taj Mahal                                                                2. To Hear
3. Grand Canyon                                                        3. To Touch
4. Panama Canal                                                         4. To Taste
5. Empire State Building                                             5. To Feel
6. St. Peter’s Basilica                                                  6. To Laugh
7. China’s Great Wall                                                  7. And to Love

          It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father’s workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. "Someday Father," said Louis, "I want to be a harness-maker, just like you." "Why not start now?" said the father. He took a piece of leather and drew a design on it. "Now, my son," he said, "take the hole-puncher and a hammer and follow this design, but be careful that you don’t hit your hand." Excited, the boy began to work, but when he hit the hole-puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye! He lost the sight of that eye immediately.          Later, sight in the other eye failed. Louis was now totally blind. A few years later, Louis was sitting in the family garden when a friend handed him a pinecone. As he ran his sensitive fingers over the cone, an idea came to him. He became enthusiastic and began to create an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that the blind could feel and interpret what was written. Thus, Louis Braille opened up a whole new world for the blind--all because of an accident!

Louis Braille opened a whole new world to those who are blind through the power of touch. This morning I want to look at how Jesus changed the life of a blind man through the power of His touch.

          In this morning's sermon the blind man, born blind from birth was by the side of the road as Jesus walked by. His family or friends probably lead him to this begging spot where he could beg for alms from those who passed by. Jesus turned his world upside down as he turned the man's darkness to light.

Pastor Phil  <><<

April 6, 2018 - Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland

 

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

John 9:1-7

 

"There is a real Jesus who specializes in a special, individual, personal touch. Today's believers have contented themselves with the notion that their afflictions are 'God's Will.' This slanders God and leaves Jesus out of pain, disappointment loss and sorrow. He is compassionate and loving."

Pastor Phil  <><<

 

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

The Royal Touch - Practice from the 1300's to the 1600's

The royal touch (also known as the king's touch) was a form of laying on of hands, whereby French and English monarchs touched their subjects, regardless of social classes, with the intent to cure them of various diseases and conditions.

 

I. THERE ARE SAFE AND UNSAFE TOUCHES

Frotteurism - Touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person

 

          A. We have to teach our kids about safe and unsafe touches

                    1. National Scandals, "Me-Too Movement"

                    2. Sexual Assault and Harassment in the workplace

          B. Parents must be careful to only allow safe people to touch kids

               Bishop Lawrence T. Persico called “among the most comprehensive

                 in the nation,” the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie announced Friday

                 what it describes as a significant update in its procedures for protecting

                 young people in the diocese. During a press conference in Erie, Persico

                 expressed his sorrow and apologized for sexual abuse within the

                 Catholic Church before announcing the changes to the diocese’s new

                 Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth. He has created a Living

                 Website of 34 Banned Priests and 17 lay people banned from working

                 with children. Rev. Persico is also offering two 800 numbers where                              reports of abuse can be made.

          C. We die when we are not touched

                 Historical documents reveal a crude and cruel thirteenth-century study

                 in which Frederick II, the reigning German emperor, wondered what

                 language children would speak if they were never spoken to. So he

                 selected several newborns in an orphanage and instructed nurses to

                 feed them, but not to talk to them or touch them. Every single one of

                 those babies died.

                 Dr. Fritz Talbot conducted a more scientific study regarding the effects                       of touch on babies in the 1940s and established a conclusive                                          connection between touch and an infant’s ability to thrive.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH, p.2, cont.

 

II. JESUS TOUCHES A MAN BORN INTO DARKNESS

          A. The man doesn't ask for healing

                    1. Bartimaeus begged for healing

                    2.Jesus saw this blind man as he traveled past him

          B. The Blind man lived his entire life in darkness: no color or beauty

                    1. No sunrise. . .No sunset. . .No Spring flowers

                    2. Never gazed at his mother’s face

          C. Jesus' healing of this blind man was only Love and Compassion

D. The man's physical blindness was a burden to friends and family

                    1. What about your Spiritual Blindness?

                    2. Helen Keller Quote when asked, “Isn’t it terrible to be Blind?”

                        “Better to be blind and see with your heart than to have two good                                  eyes and see nothing.”

3. The God of this age has blinded eyes so they cannot see the                         dangers of sin

                      “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are                                       perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded,” 2 Cor. 4:3,4

                    4. You become blind to the brevity of life

                    5. You become blind to the reality of the consequences of sin

 

III. JESUS USES A SAFE TOUCH IN UNUSUAL WAYS

6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
          A. He uses ceremonially unclean methods

                    1. Sorcerers of that time used saliva for healing

                    2. Today, Dirt / Mud considered unclean, "Dirty"

          B. NOTE: The Blind Man doesn't ask for healing

                    1. Jesus heals him out of love and compassion

                    2. Blind Man has to use his own faith to be healed

                    3. Jesus never brings healing to anyone the same way

          C. Hearing, Trusting and Obeying are often needed

                    1. Follow specific instructions

                    2. Sometimes faith alone isn't enough

                    3. You have to DO SOMETHING

                    4. He could have healed him by a single word

                    5. The man needed healing and Jesus assigns to him a task

                    6. Healing required Faith and Obedience 

                          Eg. Gospel Song, Trust and Obey

          D. The Blind man is good at listening as Jesus tells him what to do

                    1. Hearing and Touch are sharpened when a person is blind

                    2. Ask permission before acting on the Holy Spirit's urges

                        Eg. Bible Study Lady -

                                   Asked, "May I Touch You?" Anointed her with oil for healing

 

         

THE PERSONAL TOUCH, p.3, cont.

 

IV. JESUS EXPLAINS TO THE MAN THE PROCESS

7 And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

          A. Jesus made an involuntary Touch on the man

                    1. He spit on the ground, made mud and put it on his eyes

                    2. Jesus told him to wash in the pool of Silaom

                    3. The man’s eyes were healed

                    4. The man was now filled with faith in Jesus

          B. Faith is like a magnet acting with polarities - Johnn 9:25

                    25 He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One

               thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

 

                    1. Faith can attract some people and it will repel some people

                    2. The healed blind man's faith repels some of his neighbors

                    3. Unpresidented, a man blind from birth regains sight

          C. When God does a genuine work in your life, some will reject you

                    1. Stick to your testimony like the formerly blind man

                    2. Some will deny God's at work in your life

                    3. Share God's Love with them and do His work, anyway

          D. Conclusion

                    1. What area of your life needs the touch of Jesus today?

                    2. What part of your life needs the transforming power of                                  Jesus?

                    3. He is here and His same Love and Compassion is present

                    4. He is ready to supply everything that you need

 

Music - He Touched Me, William and Gloria Gaither

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m--ptwd_iI

 

 

 

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

John 9:1-7 (NKJV)
1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.
2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
7 And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

 

 

 

 

The Touch of the Master's Hand

Myra Brooks Welch

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",

But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

          "The Master's Hand" was written by Myra Brooks Welch. She was called "The poet with the singing soul." Hers was a very musical family. As a young woman, Myra's special love was playing the organ.

          In 1921, she heard a speaker address a group of students. She said she became filled with light, and "Touch of the Master's Hand wrote itself in 30 minutes!" She sent it anonymously to her church news bulletin. She felt it was a gift from God, and didn't need her name on it. It's popularity spread like magic.

          Finally, several years later, the poem was read at a religious international convention - "author unknown." A young man stood up and said, "I know the author, and it's time the world did too. It was written by my mother, Myra Welch."

Then her name, as well her other beautiful works of poetry became known worldwide. All of her poetry told of the rejoicing she had in God's love.

          What the world did not see, was the woman who created these masterpieces: Myra in her wheelchair, battered and scarred from severe arthritis, which had taken away her ability to make music. Instead, her musical soul spoke through her poetry.

          She took one pencil in each of her badly deformed hands. Using the eraser end, she would slowly type the words, the joy of them outweighing the pain of her efforts. Her words, a joyous expression of the wonders of life, as seen by a singing soul that was touched by the Master's Hand.

          As a friend turned to leave her home, Myra patted the arm of her wheelchair and said, "And I thank God for this!" Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! But her talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose to let her handicap make her better, and a wonderful new door opened for her.

 

AT&T Commercial from 1987 - Reach out and touch someone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OapWdclVqEY

 

Massage - The personal Touch

 

Gary Chapman - Five Love Languages

1. Words of Affirmation

2. Acts of Service

3. Receiving Gifts

4. Quality Time

5. Physical Touch

 

God wired us for touch.” Medical studies have proven that physical touch boosts our immune systems, improves our psychological states, and can literally save lives.

 

 

Jesus intentionally used tactile methods—hugging a leper, placing His hands on a crippled woman’s spine—in most of His healing miracles. When the disciples tried to keep little children from interacting with Jesus (like most kids, they probably had sticky hands and dirty knees and, therefore, the disciples thought they were too messy to interact with the Messiah), the Lamb of God beckoned them to pile onto His lap (Mark 10:13–16).

 

1 John 1:1 (NIV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

 

 

 

Mark 1:40-45 (NKJV)
40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."
42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,
44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

OT Defilement - Touching or being touched by un unclean person or thing

 

 

 

 

Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

 

1 Peter 2:18-25 (NKJV)
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Acts 5:12-16 (NKJV)
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

 

 

Matthew 9:20-22

Matthew 9:20-22 (NKJV)
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.
21 For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well."
22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew 9:35

Matthew 9:35 (NKJV)
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Mark 2:9-12

Mark 2:9-12 (NKJV)
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic,
11 I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."
12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Luke 17:12-16 (NKJV)
12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.