God Touching You Series

A FRESH TOUCH FOR YOU

Luke 1:5-25

INTRODUCTION:

Christmas remains one of the most significant seasons of the year for reaching our neighbors and friends with the love of Jesus.

Last week we began a new series, The CHRISTMAS TOUCH.’ In our first message we considered the topic, TOUCHING OUR NEIGHBOR WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

In summary then As we considered the example of the innkeeper, we have learned that What we do for others is, in essence, a kindness done to God. When we give of ourselves to people in need, it is as if we are giving to God.

From the example of the inn keeper, we discover that to best touch our neighbors with the joy, peace, and love of Christmas we must fist,

RECOGNIZE THE NEED OF PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU. There is need al around us. In fact we do not have to look hard and far. Most often the people God wants us to reach are right in front of us. They are our neighbors, friends, family.

Then we must, KEEP FOCUSED ON WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT

There will be a lot of stuff that will keep you and I occupied this Christmas season. Banquets to attend; Dinners to prepare, places t travel. Yet in all of our busy-ness we need to keep this one thing in focus, “In everything we do let’s do it as unto the Lord.

Finally, as we reach out to our neighbors God wants us to USE WHAT YOU HAVE TO TOUCH OTHERS. God does not ask us to give what we do not have. However, He does require that we use what He has given us to touch others with the love of Jesus.

People are more sensitive and more willing to talk about spiritual things at this time of the year than at any other.

One of the lies that Satan has used to silence the testimonies of Christians, is the lie that “No body is interested in church, God or spiritual things.” I would like to begin today by dispelling this common misbelief.

Dr. Thom Rainer wrote the article for Christianitytoday.com entitled Ten Surprises About the Unchurched based on three years of research. His team covered the entire United States and Canada and interviewed a number of ethnic groups. The results of the survey may surprise you:

Surprise #1: Most of the unchurched prefer to attend church on Sunday morning if they attend.

Surprise #2: Females are likely to be either the most antagonistic or the most receptive to the Gospel.

Surprise #3: Most of the unchurched feel guilty about not attending

church.

Surprise #4: 82 percent of the unchurched are at least “somewhat

likely” to attend church if they are invited.

Surprise #5: Very few of the unchurched have had someone share with them how to become a Christian, and Christians have not

been particularly influential in their lives.

Surprise #6: Most of the unchurched have a positive view about pastors, ministers and the church.

Surprise #7: Some types of “cold call” evangelism are effective, but

many are not.

Surprise #8: The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere

relationship with a Christian.

Surprise #9: The attitudes of the unchurched are not correlated to

where they live, their ethnic or racial background, or their

gender.

Surprise #10: Many of the unchurched are far more concerned about the spiritual well-being of their children than of themselves.

There are times when you feel there is nothing to give. We continue to serve out of duty. You obediently go through the motions. However, your heart is not into it. Add to this the disappointments which have piled up from times we have failed or people have failed us.

GOD DESIRES TO TOUCH US.

God wants to make an appointment with you about your disappointment.

I don’t know what lays heavy on your heart today. But I assure you that God does know and that God cares. And I know that He desires to touch you with His grace.

We will find in the story of Luke 1:5-25 3 principles that show God’s desire to touch us.

The First principle is…

I. LIFE WILL BE DISAPPOINTING; BE FAITHFUL(5-7)

If there is one word to describe the day into which Jesus was born, the word would be DARKNESS.

Spiritually, the nation was dark. There had not been a prophetic word for more than 400 years. Not since Malachi prophesied the coming of Elijah ( Mal. 4:5-6) had anyone heard anything from God.

The nation was being ruled by Herod the Great. A puppet king set up be Rome. History tells us he was a self absorbed despot, who was devoid of any moral scruples. Add to this, the religious leaders of the day were more interested in lining their pockets than serving he people. It truly was a dark day for the nation of Israel.