Jesus' Hands and Ours

Rev Renny Khoo 

16 Feb 2020 

 Sermon Outline Reach out series 

Topic: Jesus' Hands and Ours 

Text: Mt 8: 1-17, Jn 13: 1-17 

To see ourselves as the hands of Jesus in the world 

Our hands are used as part of a language of communication to convey a range of 

emotions and feelings, to show friendship and affection, love, praise, enjoyment and 

clapping in appreciation and other times in anger as we point in accusation or raising 

our fist to express our displeasure of an incident. 

1. Jesus 'Tangible and intangible touches 

Jesus used His hands to touch to heal the sick, washes the disciples’ feet, break 

bread at the Passover, cooks and serve fish for the disciples at the lake of 

Galilee and at the cross his hands were pierced on both ends. They were used 

also to embrace his friends, to clasp a shoulder or hand in affection or 

encouragement, waving a greeting or farewell, emphasising a point He was 

teaching, holding out His hands in open prayer to the Father, a tradesman’s 

hand as they were use in carpentry with Joseph, his earthly father. Jesus chose 

in many times to reach out and touch even though he did not have to. The 

Centurion soldier was healed without physical touch but Jesus touch Peter’s 

mother in law to heal her. 

In the scripture recording Matt 8: 1- 7 of the healing of the man with leprosy, 

Jesus reached out to the leper in the midst of the multitudes because it was at 

the time when Jesus teaching was gaining popularity. The leper said to Jesus 

that if He chose to, he will be healed. He was not in doubt of Jesus ability but His 

generosity to heal him. Jesus reply was that he chose to make him clean and 

immediately his leprosy left him. The leper must had lived without any human 

touch for most of his life due to his condition. He was an outcast. Likewise in this world where many still in relative isolation and devoid of human contact, a kind word, a prayer, a practical help will go far as a way of reaching out and touching 

hearts of recipients. 

 2. Jesus' hands that wash feet 

In Jesus time, part of the culture to welcome visitors and show hospitality are to have their feet washed by servants. When Jesus wanted to do this to His 

disciples, Peter could not accept it as he felt it would be beneath Jesus’ status to 

perform this task of a servant. 

" As the Father sent me so I send you. (John 20: 21) 

We are now to be Jesus' hands in the world, we are called to reach out and touch others in care and compassion, connection, in ever willingness and in humility. 

This is in conjunction to the launching today the Discipleship Journey 3.0 of “Lets reach out” through the adoption of a local mission projects as listed by the various 

zones for a year. The length of 1 year is to enable time to regularly connect with the 

NGO that we have chosen to build relationship with. It is the hope that through the community projects that we can cultivate in our hearts room for those who are different or people that we do not normally come in contact with or having friends that can join us to carry out this community project to “ Lets reach out” in unity and in tandem with our mission statement of being in the process of following Jesus Christ. 

We are also reminded of the 4 quadrants of the Discipleship Journey of to Connect 

and be part of a Connect group and be part of Christ cause, to Equip in the ways and work of Christ. To pursue God in our daily quiet time and reading scripture in one year and be Mentored by the various Zone Leaders. And this year, to be Released to reach out for the community and schools near us where part of our community pledge will be utilised. We see ourselves as the hand of God reaching out to the world through us and also in tandem to reaching out will the launching of the 2nd Service on 1st March 2020, 10.30am at Kyrugma house. 

Questions: 

How can we, as messengers of Jesus, participate to make this community a better place? * Community includes homes, workplaces, church, Connect group and Kota Kinabalu. 

Share some ideas and possibilities in adopting the said local mission project / NGO. 

What do you think are their needs? What are your resources? Do a quick research 

through past experiences, stories and even google! 

Think of some friends or non CG members who might be interested in joining these 

outreach activities and make plans to invite them along. Pray, plan and invite!