The Power of a Second Touch0807
The Power of a Second Touch
John 1:35-51;Luke 5:1-11;
In Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida;
and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him
he asked him if he saw ought.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up:
and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
Mark 8:22-25 we see the story of a blind man who was brought to Jesus. After the Lord led him out of town, spit in his eyes, and then laid His hands on him, He asked, “Do you see anything?”
Whatever the reason behind these actions, one thing is clear –
One touch was not enough!
Even after God took the time to lead him out of town and address his problem in a unique way-
One touch was not enough!
One touch from the Master can heal, deliver, set free, and totally change any life or circumstance.
Yet I see in the scripture a principle that there is more to a relationship with God than can be absorbed with just one touch.
One encounter with Jesus can revolutionize your life – but it will take your entire life to live out what He desires to do in you and through you!
The new wine is great, but you need more than just one sip.
Calvary paid it all, but you need more than just one trip.
Our text recounts the story of the first encounter the disciples had with Jesus. Simon, or Peter, who is known as “shifting sand” is identified as a stone, and Nathanael is praised for being open and honest.
The first encounter revealed the following things:
1. The promise of a change
2. The revelation that nothing is hid from God.
This is the beginning of any relationship with God – when we find out that things can be different. He sees who we are, what we have done and what we have said, and also what we can be!
“He saw not what I was . . .”
Some people seem content with the overwhelming excitement of this promise-
And it never becomes anything more.
To others, the idea of coming clean with God-
is too difficult to deal with.
But for those for realize that their initial encounter with God is just the beginning and they ask God to forgive them for what He already knows about them,
there is a second touch!
What was once just a revelation can become a realization!
Your promise can become power, and your possibility can be a purpose!
Is anybody hungry for more than a promise?
Luke 5:1-11; Matt. 4:18-22; Mk 1:16-20
There had to be an initial encounter previous to this meeting or they would have had no reason to listen to Jesus at all.
You can worship from afar, but if you get too close the issue of following is going to come up.
It will challenge your concept of how things should be done.
It will change your life.
It will involve helping others.
The mission of Jesus; the mission of this church is to seek and save that which is lost. That involves every facet of ministry this church is involved in. If you’re not lost, you should be seeking or you should be saving. Otherwise, you will never be happy.
Fish story – I am a fisherman. Certain lures have to be used. Other folks just go snagging
The wonderful thing is that Jesus uses nets. You don’t have to be a professional fisherman to know how to pull a net in.
Peter passed the test – he was the one that walked on the water. He was also the one that cursed the Lord.
But there was something in him that wouldn’t quit. The second walk on the water – after the resurrection, He knew it was Jesus and he wasn’t trying to walk – he just got there any way he could.
It’s no wonder that he was the one that stood up on the Day of Pentecost!
There is renewed power in ANOTHER touch!
Are you looking for something more? Maybe you need another touch, or just to find your place in the kingdom! He wants to change you, and give you a place in his kingdom. Peter was a successful fisherman – but Jesus has called him.