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DTS# 9 THE TOUCH OF JESUS.DOC DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE TOUCH OF JESUS REVELATION. 1:16-17

 

Have you ever pondered the wonder of the touch of Jesus ?

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE POWER OF TOUCH?

At this very instant as you use your senses to detect this morning’s morning message, there are 5 trillion chemical operations occur each second in your brain.

The way some of you feel may be a few trillion less, but that’s what God plugged into your head to make you click! Inside your head all roads lead in from our senses – five gates through which we comprehend the world about us.

The capabilities of our senses are impressive – animals and insects might outdo us in hearing (dog, bat, horse), seeing (eagle), smelling (moth), etc. but combined we are unmatched.

CONSIDER OUR SENSE OF HEARING: How do we distinguish the myriad of sounds we hear? Every distinct sound has a signature of vibrations per second! Our ears can pick out 300,000 different sounds and distinguish between them!

CONSIDER OUR SENSE OF SMELL — a second sense with which we touch our world. Our noses are primitive compared to a salmon’s or a moth’s – but we can smell one garlic molecule in 50,000 molecules of air and our minds instantly find and tell us what it is with memories of other occurrences – we can discern between 10,000 different odors.

CONSIDER OUR SENSE OF SIGHT – IT IS STAGGERING – God made us to have 127 million cells in each eye that together could detect a single candles light at 15 miles – that’s one photon of light to activate our eyes!

CONSIDER OUR SENSE OF TOUCH. Just to define this word makes it the longest entry in the English language dictionary. No word has more meanings and images. Touch is the sense most alert when we sleep. Is there any human activity that does not vitally rely on touch.

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Although scientists can’t agree on how made touch works in humans, the scientists can measure it! For instance one tap of your fingernail can discern between paper, fabric, wood, plastic or steel. Your finger can detect lines etched 1/2500th of an inch deep. You can feel even the slightest breeze that’s one 1000th of an ounce at the tip of a ½” hair.

But those pale when we see God’s power to sense and feel our touch!

THE TOUCH OF JESUS

Have you ever pondered the wonderful joy of being touched by Jesus ? He reached out and touched Ö the sinners and the sick, Ö the demonized and defiled. Ö He touched young and old, Ö men and women, Ö living and dead, Ö the hopeless and helpless. And all were changed marvelously! The Gospels record no less than 40 times Jesus touched individuals in His ministry. Some of the most well known are:

1. THE TOUCH OF Cleansing Matthew 8:1-4 a leper. 2. THE TOUCH OF Liberation Matthew 8:14-15 Peter’s mother in law 3. THE TOUCH OF Completion Matthew 14:36 as multitudes pressed to touch Him 4. THE TOUCH OF Encouragement Matthew 17:7 for the astonished disciples 5. THE TOUCH OF Sight Matthew 20:34 Bartimaus and his friend

THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS 1ST AND FOREMOST GOD’S BOOK ABOUT DISCOVERING THE INCREDIBLE BEAUTY OF JESUS

This morning in this we are finishing the 1st chapter of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The first chapter is an unveiling of the glorious majesty of Jesus !

Discover Jesus Revealing His Glorious Sovereign Majesty 1:1-20

1. #1 4/5 AM REVELATION 1-22 WE DISCOVERED: THE MAJESTY OF JESUS 2. #2 4/9 MAUNDY REVELATION 1:4 WE DISCOVERED: THE PEACE OF JESUS 3. # 3 4/12 AM REVELATION 1:9-18 WE DISCOVERED: THE DIVINITY OF JESUS 4. #4 4/12 PM REVELATION 1:1-3 WE DISCOVERED: THE MINISTRY OF JESUS 5. #5 4/19 AM REVELATION 1:5-6 WE DISCOVERED: THE BLOOD OF JESUS 6. #6 4/19 PM REVELATION 1:7-8, 19-20 WE DISCOVERED: THE PLAN OF JESUS 7. # 7 4/26 AM PASSAGE: REVELATION 1:14 WE DISCOVERED: THE EYES OF JESUS 8. # 8 4/26 PM PASSAGE: REVELATION 1:15 WE DISCOVERED: THE VOICE OF JESUS 9. #9 5/17 AM PASSAGE REVELATION 1:16 – 17 WE DISCOVERED: THE TOUCH OF JESUS
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In the weeks ahead we will: Ö DISCOVER JESUS CHALLENGING HIS CHURCH 2 – 3 Ö DISCOVER JESUS CONTROLLING THE COSMOS 4-16 Ö DISCOVER JESUS CONQUERING THE REBELLION 17-20 Ö DISCOVER JESUS UNVEILING HIS PARADISE 21:1 – 22:5 Ö DISCOVER JESUS CALLING HIS SHEEP TO COME TO HIM 22:6-21
JOHN SAW THE FACE OF JESUS

Revelation 1:16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength. (NKJV)

On the 4th day of creation recorded in Genesis 1, the Word of God states that our creator spoke and the sun and moon appeared from nothing. One of the most amazing verses in the Bible is is v. 16 the last 5 words, “He made the stars also”.

There are 100 Billion stars just in our Milky Way Galaxy. Among those many stars, our Sun is an average ‘yellow’ star. It is in the middle as far as size, temperature and brightness. Just to give you a bit of perspective on some neighbors. In the Orion constellation there are two stars of note. Ö RIGEL is 15,000 times brighter than our Sun, and thus hotter and so on. Ö ANTARES is 36 million times bigger!1

At the center, or core of our Sun things are incredibly hot. The atoms stripped of there outer electons are so densely packed it it absolutely dark and intensely hot. In fact, it is 16 million degrees centigrade. How hot is that? Well, a piece of the Sun2 the size of a pinhead that was in Oklahoma City — would kill you here in your seat this morning because of the heat radiating from it! The energy radiated from the Sun in one second is more than all the energy used on the Earth since creation!

But, with that in mind look again at Revelation 1:16 : • and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength. (KJV) • His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (NIV) • and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. (NASB)

So, on a Sunday, 1,900 years ago on Patmos, a barren speck of rock, just 16 miles square and 15 miles from nowhere in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea – John saw the face of Jesus ! And what did it do? It flattened Him.

JOHN WAS SEEING JESUS IN HIS MAJESTY

1 National Geographic, November, 1965. 2 Our Amazing World of Nature, Readers Digest Books, 1969, pp.261-63.
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Imagine hearing a voice like a trumpet and seeing these NINE SIGNS OF DIVINITY: 1. One like the Son of Man, v. 13a and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man THE CONQUEROR OF ADAM’S FALLEN RACE, 2. He is robed to the feet v. 13b clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. as THE PERFECT PRIEST, 3. He is white haired v. 14a His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow as THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, 4. With His eyes of fire v. 14b, and His eyes like a flame of fire THE SEER OF ALL SECRETS, 5. With His brazen feet v. 15a, His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace THE ULTIMATE JUDGE crushing all foes, 6. With a voice v. 15b, and His voice as the sound of many waters THE VOICE OF GOD as thunderous as the 12 million cubic feet of water crashing at Niagara’s base, commanding all to pay attention, the deaf and the dead can hear it, and so should we! 7. Holding out His hand v. 16a He had in His right hand seven stars as THE POSSESSOR OF ALL THE SECRETS of the universe, 8. He has spoken v. 16b, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS spoken into existence by His word, 9. And the incomprehensible v. 16c and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. NKJV THE ALL POWERFUL LORD OF GLORY with a blazing countenance.

JOHN FELT THE TOUCH OF JESUS ON PATMOS

Revelation 1:16b-17 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. NKJV

WHAT IS JESUS DOING HERE TODAY?

Jesus is first of all touching each of us who will let Him! This morning, Ö Do you know the touch of Jesus? He was often touching those in need. Ö Do you need the touch of Jesus? He is extending His hand to you if you will seek Him.

THE WONDER OF BEING TOUCHED BY JESUS MARK 5:21-43

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Join me in Mark 5 for some folks who touched God. See the setting with me

Ö Mark 5:21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. NKJV. Use your senses to relive the scene: – FEEL the rough hewn, handmade boat as it lay weathered on the shore – SEE the sun glinted off the blue/green waters of the Sea of Galilee – SMELL the thick smells of fish, weeds and wetness blended with the odors of a time when people seldom bathed. – HEAR the presence of numberless multitudes that swarmed around Christ like flies. – TASTE the excitement as they press upon Him so much that He can’t get through them; so He stays on the shore.

A ruler of the synagogue who managed the assembly crashes through the crowd, catching sight of Christ, dives to His feet. Ö Mark 5:22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet NKJV

With complete faith he begs Jesus to come and heal his daughter. Ö Mark 5:23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” NKJV

Leading the way for Jesus the press was only increased. Ö Mark 5:24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.NKJV

The scene shifts to an unknown withered woman aged by a horrible uncleanness that separated her from worship without and fellowship with people.

Ö Mark 5:25-26 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. NKJV

An issue of blood in Israel was uncleanness… • She was ashamed of her uncleanness. • She wanted it gone • She tried everything (v. 26 She used all her money and suffered any treatment to stop this flow. • Things were getting worse.

Now look at v. 27. Ö Mark 5:27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. NKJV

Both Christians and the bleeding woman know a truth. Ö Only Jesus can meet your deepest needs.
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So they both come to Him. Remember that if: – You or a loved one are fearing death – If you are desperate – Or helpless, sick, or able to go no further. Come to Jesus, He can help!

Mark 5:28-30 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?” NKJV

v. 28 – Motivated by faith she touched Him. v. 29 – Whamo! It happened the blood stopped and she knew it.

*Hold on – Remember the sensitivity of your eyes, ears, nose, etc.? Well, here is Jesus Christ. Ö He who can feel the trembling withered hand of a dying woman’s touch upon the tassel of His coat. Ö He, Jesus Christ, can feel your hearts cry right now and, He has the power to make you whole!

Mark 5:31-33 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. NKJV

You see two people had needs. They come in two ways, but both must confess Him.

Jesus Christ is waiting today for some of you to be honest, confess to the church that God has made you whole. Public confession is baptism. It will change your spiritual life.

JOHN FELT THE TOUCH OF JESUS ON PATMOS

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. NKJV

What can we respond to this passage?

1. REACH OUT BY FAITH. Acknowledge God senses every fiber of your life. He can feel your needs. By faith you can touch God. 2. ASK FOR HIS TOUCH. Only Jesus Christ can meet your need; you must go to Him. 3. CONFESS HIS WORK IN YOU! If He has touched you, you have to admit it publicly. Have you touched God today? Has He touched you? Do you need to tell?
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#504 “He touched me”