Sermon Central
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God Touching You Series
Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 23, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: God is with us.
GOD TOUCHING YOU
S: God’s Presence
Th: The Christmas Touch
Pr: GOD IS WITH US.
?: How? How is it observed?
KW: Touches
TS: We will find in our study of Psalm 23 three touches of God that will give us a better understanding of “Immanuel.”
The ____ touch of God is He…
I. SHEPHERDS US (1-3)
II. SETTLES US (2-4)
III. SATISFIES US (5-6)
RMBC 25 November 01 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Notebook: Christmas (durable good)
Explaining the differences between durable and nondurable goods, William Huffstutter’s macroeconomics professor at Crown Col-lege Minnesota, said a durable good lasted three or more years, while nondurables were consumed more quickly. "Can anyone give me an example of a durable good?" he asked. "Fruitcake!" a student appropriately called out.
Even though fruitcakes are notorious gifts at this time of the year…
We enjoy Christmas because it is a time of giving.
We enjoy giving gifts.
We enjoy touching other people’s lives.
We also enjoy being touched by others as they demonstrate their love for us.
With Thanksgiving at its earliest possible day this year, it has been hard to get into the Christmas mode already.
But it is here and next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.
Advent means “coming” and it refers to the time Christians all around the world celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ to earth.
This year, we too will be celebrating this preparation time as we celebrate His coming.
Our theme this year is called, “The Christmas Touch.”
TRANSITION:
ILL Michelangelo: The Creation of Adam
Do you remember the famous artist, Michelangelo and his painting of the Sistine Chapel? One of the more famous paintings in that great work is “The Creation of Adam.” It has Adam positioned on the left side and God with His angels positioned on the right. But the focus point is the center where the two hands of God and Adam are outstretched with fingers that, I believe, have just touched. It is a fascinating picture, for it is this touch that has given life to Adam.
1. Have you ever wanted the life-giving touch of God?
Have you ever wanted God to stretch out His hand and touch you?
You felt down.
You felt exhausted.
You felt you could just not go on.
There were too many things to do and life seemed to be collapsing all around you.
And you knew what you needed.
You needed that life-giving touch of God.
Pause with me for a moment and consider that…
2. The touch of God is evident in all of creation.
We have just observed the beauty of the autumn leaves.
The colors are just tremendous aren’t they?
How about our ability to taste food?
You did a lot of that over these last few days.
And what about all the bodily systems?
Aren’t they a marvelous design?
Or how about the fact that God has given you an adequate shelter, and though it may not be your dream house, it does meet your needs?
God is evident in all of creation, including your personal life.
You see, the fact of the matter is that…
3. GOD IS WITH US.
Yes, that phrase that we know as a title of Jesus, Immanuel, is a truth that must not be missed.
God is with us—right now—at this moment—in this place.
But how is it observed?
Well…
4. We will find in our study of Psalm 23 three touches of God that will give us a better understanding of “Immanuel.”
The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff,
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
OUR STUDY:
I. The first touch of God is HE SHEPHERDS US (1-3).
1. It is our privilege to have a God that desires to guide us.
In case you are one of those that think being compared to sheep is a cool thing, let me let you in on a truth—sheep are dumb.
It is no compliment to be called sheep.
According to Philip Keller who wrote A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, sheep require more attention than any other livestock.
In fact, unless a shepherd moves sheep on, they will actually ruin a pasture, eating every blade of grass causing the land to go barren.
