Here are the notes to Pastor Steve’s message for week #1 of “For The Love” on Sunday, November 14, 2021. Feel

free to print them and follow along during the message at 10:00 a.m on Facebook and YouTube.

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Who do you think battles with loneliness?

● Any one of us can feel alone.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son Jesus... John 3:16

Who does ___________ love?

● God loves the Lonely

● ___________ ___________ are called to love the ___________.

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How can I love the lonely?

1. I can love with ___________.

● We are called to touch the lives of others with the love of Christ.

When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.

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2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

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3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Matthew 8:1-3

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Supporting texts:

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3

Then He(Jesus) stood up. He spoke sharp words to the wind and the waves. Then the wind stopped blowing. 27

Then men were surprised and wondered about it. They said, “What kind of a man is He? Even the winds and the

waves obey Him.” Matthew 8:26-27

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help

you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness Isaiah 41:10

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Why did Jesus touch him?

● Jesus touched him to heal him of his ___________ and to heal him of his ___________.

● Jesus didn’t need to touch him, but the man needed the touch of Jesus.

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“The correlation between anxiety, depression and stress and touch is large and inversely related. It has been

found that touch calms our nervous center and slows down our heartbeat. Human touch also lowers blood

pressure as well as cortisol, our stress hormone. It also triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone known for

promoting emotional bonding to others.” The same article continues. “Studies using PET scans have found that

the brain quiets in response to stress when a person’s hand is held. The effect is greatest when the hand being

held is that of a loved one, but it still works even if it’s just a stranger” (Field, 2010).

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Today’s application.

1. Whose life am I called to touch with the love of Christ?

“Even our immune response seems to be somewhat governed by touch, with the finding that those who are

deprived of human touch are more likely to suffer from immune system diseases. It’s ironic that during a highly

contagious pandemic where our immune systems are being the most stressed, we are being deprived of

something (human touch) that is so essential to its function.” Psychology Today

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● For more information about our “For The Love Initiative”, please visit tpclive.org/forthelove. You can also

notate your giving as “For The Love” on your check, envelope or online at tpclive.org/give

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