Family Series - One Touch

David Uth

10/12/08

Luke 8:40-48

God is the one we put our hope and trust in.  He hasn't even broken a sweat yet!

Memory Verse from last week:  Revelation 2:19

Memory Verse for this week: John 15:12

Guest Worship Leader: Kari Jobe and Scott from Dallas, TX

Why do we find ourselves lonely?  God wants us to know Him as a best friend.

When God created everything including man, everything was good.  Then he said something wasn't good.  What was it?  It was that man was alone.  There was something that longed in the heart of man for a relationship.  So God created woman and families.  It has never been His intention that man would be alone.

40% of people have experienced periods of loneliness that were long and difficult.

We are alone in a crowded world.  Loneliness isn't funny but we have to laugh to keep from crying.  As much as we want to think it doesn't happen it does.

Just one touch of a hem in a garment and her world changed.

Her issue or problem was bigger than a physical issue of blood. Each month she should have been considered unclean but then after a short while she would be allowed back into relationships.  But for her she had had 12 years of no contact with people because her bleeding wouldn't stop.

Crowded loneliness - new term.  Loneliness is a disconnect and you feel left out; like something isn't right.  This is not what God intended.  Sin entered the world and our relationship was broken with God.  Adam would walk in the Garden with God but as soon as sin entered the equation Adam no longer walked with God.  Adam saw shame when he noticed they were naked.

Loneliness is not a sin.  It is a bi-product of sin.  People walk around totally cut-off.  Waiting for someone to reach out-touch them, to know them.  

What happens when we are lonely?

1. Question ourselves what is wrong with me?

2. Question God

3. Try to fix it ourselves

People try to solve loneliness by forcing people to love us, smothering them, manipulating them. You can't make someone love you.  Some get involved in an immoral relationships. It feels good but it isn't what God wants.  Some people search for substitutes: the Internet, virtual relationships. These are not what God intended for relationships.  People live in a fantasy world or substitute what is fake for what is real.  They feel not alone but a part of something.  It is a fantasy and a  lie.  

There are no substitutes for the real thing.

People try to ease the pain with drugs or alcohol.  Why? It makes it feel better or forget the pain. Sometimes some will resolve to radical or extreme measures--Columbine High School, The boy choose vengeance.

Take the first step! Reach outside of yourself.  The first touch is Jesus.  Until sin has been dealt with in your life no connection will work out there until Jesus has changed your life.  Just one touch.

Nicole C. Mullen - Just one touch

Just one touch of the hem of a garment changed her life forever.  If only a touch changes you that much can you imagine what happens when He wraps you up in love?  He suffered the greatest loneliness ever.  He suffered on the cross so you wouldn't have to.