The Touch
Gtcotr/ss012107
Just as the Apostle Paul was called, equipped and sent with a message to the Gentiles, while the Apostle Peter was given to the Jews, our church also has a message and a target people.
Our message is not primarily to those who do not want to believe, but rather to those who do want to believe and are unsure what to believe.
In a moment we will be reading from the book of Mark, Chapter 5. While you turn there let me read our:
Key Scripture: Zechariah 4:6 … “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.
[A story about Brenda and the movie, ‘The Exorcist’, and what one touch from God can do. (To hear this story log onto Church Online at cotr.com and visit our archived messages for this sermon)]
Have you found Mark 5?
Mark 5 NKJV
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’"
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
This classic bible story is an actual account of the miracle working power found in one touch of the Master. (The pattern example …)
Mark 6:56 Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. (Matthew 14:36)
Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. NKJV
It’s the anointing, God with us, the deposit leftover from the touch of God on our lives. One touch of the anointing can change our life, our mind, our situation, change our future.
This is the foundation of the doctrine of the laying on of hands.
Both Mark and James tell us to lay our hands on the hurting hearts of humanity and the deposit of God in us will be released into their life and our prayer of faith will do effective battle against sickness, heartache, disease and infirmity.
Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass … the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. (KJV)
It’s no secret. The amount of God in our lives makes a difference, first to us and then to others.
John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things …
Not only can the anointing of the Holy Spirit break every yoke of life, spirit, soul and body, but it will also guide us and teach us and give us wisdom and truth.
The hymn writer must have understood the hope and help contained in the anointed touch of our Lord when he wrote:
Hymn:
Shackled by a heavy burden,
Beneath the load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, Oh He touched me.
And oh the joy that floods my soul.
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
I remember an old church chorus from days gone by which spoke the hearts of many who felt burdened, alone and without hope in this world’s remedies.
Chorus:
Anointing, fall on me
Anointing, fall on me
Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me
Anointing fall on me.
Throughout the Church age people from all walks of life and every imaginable situation have yearned for a touch from God. Our inner spirit tells us that God is our Creator, our Source and our Help. If we can but touch Him, all will be made well.
There will come a new season, a new day, a fresh anointing with every touch from the Master.
Chorus:
It’s a new season,
It’s a new day.
There’s a fresh anointing
Coming my way.
It’s a season of power and prosperity,
It’s a new season and it’s coming to me.
You see, we should be moved by God’s Spirit, by God’s touch, and by the touch of someone who has been touched by God.
The anointing of God is the believer’s power.
The touch of God is our heritage.
The Holy Spirit is our help, comfort and strength
Jesus is our Friend, our Captain and our King.
This gospel we preach is anointed and it should move us.
How long has it been since you have been moved by the anointing of God? By the message of this Gospel we preach?
How long has it been since you have been broken in God’s presence?
Chorus:
Move me with Your message once again
It’s been so long since my heart broke within
Take me back once more to
Till one more time, Your message moves me.
Close:
If you want a fresh touch from the Master this morning won’t you come to the altar.
One touch is all it takes.
If you want to believe but are unsure exactly what to believe or Who to believe in, try Jesus today. Let His message move you.
Perhaps for the first time or maybe you were close to Him once before and you have strayed away from His pathway for your life.
Come or come back this morning. Jesus is waiting for you. His arms opened wide. His love and grace ready to forgive and touch you once more with His anointing.
Come this morning for a fresh touch. Revival is within your grasps. It’s all up to you! Come.
Why not believe in Jesus today.
